Cafe Bonaparte is my new favorite place to hang out.  I first dropped in about a month back.  I was headed back into the city from Reagan airport when a friend called and told me he was hanging out over at Bonaparte.  I had heard of the restaurant/bar before and knew it was affiliated with Napoleon in Adams Morgan but never stopped in.  I did and was immediately hooked.

Cost – $$$

Service – A
From the point at which you are greeted at the front door to the point when you settle your tab at the end of the evening, the service is top-notch.

Food – A-
I’ve just had snacks there (cheese plates, fries, etc.) and never ordered an entrée however I have been told it is quite good.

Decor – A-
It’s tightness of space creates a lively vibrance in the place that is wonderfully complimented by its modern French-chic aesthetic.

Feel – A-
As I mentioned in the preface, Bonaparte has quickly become one of my favorite spots in Northwest.  The only issue is that it is so popular that it sometimes is tough to get a table (without a prior reservation).  It is versatile, definitely a venue that can suit a broad range of clientele with the common thread being good taste in food and ambiance.

Bonaparte is located at 1522 Wisconsin Ave. in Georgetown.  Reservations are definitely recommended.  They can be reached at (202) 333-8830.

Bistrot Du Coin is a charming, chaotic restaurant conveniently located north of Dupont Circle near the Russia House at Florida and Connecticut. I was first introduced to Bistrot Du Coin by a good friend about three years ago and we enjoyed a terrific dinner there. Over the past few years, I’ve stopped in every now and again and most recently dropped by for brunch this past Sunday.

Cost – $$

Service – C
Definitely not the strongest attribute of Bistrot Du Coin, the service is minimalist to say the least. Our server basically came by three times: once to take our drink order, a second time to take our food order and then to drop off the check (after we flagged him down). They are fairly busy during brunch on Sunday so it’s understandable I guess however the service has also been questionable other times I’ve been there. No one seems particularly happy to be working there.

Food – A-
The food at cost is the main reason to go to Bistrot Du Coin. They find a way to mass-manufacture a pretty solid menu across the board (brunch and dinner). I’m definitely not an expert on French food and I’m sure there are plenty of options that would blow the menu away at Bistrot however at cost, it’s hard to stack up.

Decor – B
Bistrot Du Coin is a fairly large, open space with a great deal of seating and normally tends to fill in, giving it an energetic feel. It actually does have a fairly authentic, bistro-like feel to it. It is comfortable moreso than classy.

Feel – B+
The clientele skews mature meaning that even though it is crowded, it never gets raucous – an important distinction because energetic is manageable for Jiyan; raucous is not. Even though the place is full up, there is privacy and intimacy to be had in the space making it suitable for a date (though it would be more fun than romantic) or for dinner with friends.

Bistro du Coin is located at 1738 Connecticut Avenue Northwest.

Napoleon Bistro and Lounge in Adams Morgan has been gaining in popularity over the past year and now seems to have fully arrived. We are frequent visitors and it used to be more hit or miss but now, especially on weekends, there is almost always a good crowd in the lounge with a number of people dancing to a good mix of music. The restaurant on the other hand has received mixed reviews but I get the sense that over the past few months things have been getting better – especially for brunch.

Cost – $$

Service – B
I have heard some complain about the service but my experiences have all been pretty positive. The wait staff continues to be friendly and the food and drinks usually come out in a reasonable amount of time. The bartenders in the lounge do a great job and probably deserve an A-. Even on overly crowded nights, they seem to do their best to keep wait times to a minimum.

Food – C+
The food isn’t as good as many of the other French restaurants around town in the same price range but it is still a little better than decent. I have ordered the same entree on different visits and have it be very good one time and okay another. As I alluded to earlier, the food seems to be getting more consistent.

Decor – B
Napoleon falls a little short of French chic but it’s a good attempt. I like the idea of red walls, black leather booths and the coat of arms behind the upstairs bar. The lounge area is kind of cool too with the brick mixed with regal looking wallpaper but it is sometimes too crowded and dimly lit to see much of anything except the bar.

Feel – B+
Napoleon has been a go to spot over the past few months and it has consistently been a good way to end nights out in Adams Morgan. The crowd used to be more hip but now that it has more of a following, there is a lot more variety in the clientele which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The lounge tends to be on the small side so it can be crowded but not obnoxiously so. It also helps that the DJs are always good and keep the atmosphere energetic, fun and friendly.

Napoleon is located at 1847 Columbia Rd. NW. They can be reached at (202) 299-9630.

What’s the Buzz:

April 13, 2007 – Napoleon (Washington Post) – Whether your taste and budget call for a glass of sparkling Australian wine or an expensive vintage from a legendary French producer, champagne bars draw the hip and well-heeled from New York to Paris and beyond. Full article…

February 20, 2007 – Napoleon (DC Dining) – Café Bonaparte in Georgetown has opened a sibling restaurant, Napoleon, in the old Mantis space at the corner of Columbia Road and Mintwood Place in Adams Morgan. The interior, garish that it may be, is much more comfortable. Full article…

Leftbank is one of the few ultra-modern establishments in Adam Morgan and is known to have a few faces, depending on when one visits. On one hand it is a French bistro that also serves brunch and sushi, on another, it is a lounge complete with with a dance floor and DJ playing a wide range of music from hip hop to international. One of the cool things about this place is that during the warmer months, they open up the front doors which gives the place an open feel. When I first came to DC almost three years ago, Leftbank was consistently packed on weekend nights and after a little bit of a slow down, I think the place has really picked up again. Leftbank also seems to be doing just fine as as a restaurant and special events venue.

Cost – $$

Service – B
From talking to others, comments from service range from being good to mediocre. I know the owner and manager so my experience has always been excellent.

Food – B
The food used to be sometimes inconsistent but a few months back, a new chef was hired and the food seems to be improved. The back sushi bar is pretty good and some of the sushi chefs really know how to make it fun for diners.

Decor – B
I really like the airy and open feel of the space which is complemented by a simple long three-sided bar. The orange banquettes and pieces of art add nice splashes of color to the minimalist decor. A good setting for brunch in colorful Adams Morgan.

Feel – B
I think Lefbank has picked it again and last time I popped in, it had a fun vibe which I was happy to see. For those seeking out an international crowd with international beats in Adams Morgan, Leftbank is a good choice. The open layout makes for a good dance floor so the nightly transition from a bar/restaurant into a club-like scene happens naturally.

Leftbank is located at 2424 18th St. NW. They can be reached at (202) 464-2100.

Cost – $$$

Service – C+
I wasn’t terribly impressed with the service at Brasserie Beck.  The servers were fairly knowledgeable about the menu but seemed rushed.  The place seemed like it was full up and it took a long time to get our drinks as well as our main course.

Food – B
I think Brasserie Beck has garnered some critical acclaim however I was not terribly impressed by the food.  The striped bass was pretty solid, however the pannecota was possiby the worst I’ve tasted.  I’ve tried the salads and the croques and while tasty, there is nothing that would distinguish them from something you would get at a place like Cosi.  The selection of beers is incredible.

Decor – B
I found it almost indistinguishable from any other trendy restaurant in the area.  I defy anyone to tell me why the decor of this place is any better or worse than anywhere else.

Feel – B+
There was actually a fairly divers, eclectic crowd inside of Brasserie Beck, which is why I give it a good grade.  You do get your share of Hill Yuppies but it is not unbearable.

What’s the Buzz:

September 4, 2007 – Brasserie Beck (Washingtonian) – A few years ago, a young competitor took a shot at chef Robert Wiedmaier in an online food forum, characterizing his robust cuisine as “Flemish redneck.” Full Article…

July 6, 2007 – Brasserie Beck (DC Foodies) – I love places with beer lists, because I don’t know anything about beer and there’s always something new to learn. In my four trips to Brasserie Beck, I’ve learned a few things.  Full Article…