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A Dreamy Escape to France
One of the most creative ways to get away when you can’t get away is to escape close to home. The idea is to think about what would create the ultimate escape and then begin your search.
Almost one year ago I visited one of my favorite regions of the world in southern France and since I cannot do an encore this year I decided to do the next best thing. One of the things I love most about France is their amazing ability to create food that is not only beautiful to look at but quality of the food and the taste is absolutely amazing.
I had the pleasure of revisiting what has now become one of my favorite restaurants recently which allowed me to create an escape close to home; if only for one evening, to a place that I love.
Bistrot LePic is located in the northern-most part of Georgetown which is a section of Washington DC. Owned and operated by people who are native to France, this restaurant transforms its diners to a place far away from the very moment you cross the threshold of its doors.
The main dining room is simple but elegant and the atmosphere buzzes with welcoming tones of conversation and laughter that created what is reminiscent of my many years of traveling around the French countryside.
The upstairs dining and bar are of a more relaxed setting which is where my husband and I had the pleasure of dining during our recent visit.
We were immediately welcomed and seated and began with a glass of Champagne, La Flute Maison at $8 per glass. We were provided with a wonderful, crusty, but delicate, French bread and a crock of sweet butter. The bread was warm and I ate far too much. My husband started with a bowl of a lobster bisque and crab while I tried the mussels with leeks and potatoes. They were both exquisite and very pleasing to the palette! We continued the meal with their organic mixed green salad from the Calza Farm/La salade Bistrot Lepic. The salad was very fresh with just a hint of salad dressing so as not to over-power the delicate greens.
As an entrée I chose the grilled trout, with basil olive oil and vegetables which appears on the menu as Truite grillée, julienne de pois gourmand, huile au basilica, offered at $19.95. The trout was cooked to perfection and the seasoning was just right for the delicate nature of this particular type of fish which has a naturally sweet flesh.
My husband selected as his entrée the roast filet of lamb with Provencal ratatouille and roasted garlic sauce which appears on the menu as Canon d'agneau roti avec sa ratatouille Provencale, jus à l'ail at $26.95. He asked that it be cooked medium-well and since I am not a red meat eater, his comment when he tasted the dish was, “outstanding”.
We decided to skip dessert and save it for another time. Besides, after such a great meal, there wasn’t any room.
The service was extremely attentive although the restaurant was packed. Our wait staff provided us with just the right amount of attention without being too intrusive.
We lingered well into the evening until we had our fill of good food and atmosphere—our evening escape to France.
Bistrot LePic...a definite breather!
Website: http://www.bistrotlepic.com
