Rater Comments
These comments express the opinions of individual Restaurant Raters, not those of Washington City Paper.
Review by emiliesubra on January 17, 2008
We went there a friday night after a moovie at E Street and didn't wait too long for someone to find us a table. My husband took the lamb and I tried the veal. I was quite disapointed because my portion wasn't as big as my husband's one...just 4 little pieces of meat and not the best pieces...I have to admit that the french puree was very good and the sauce excellent.
We had also 2 glasses of a good Corbieres wich was appreciated because you can't find that kind of wine so often.
I tried the 'macarons' for desert but I can tell that they didn't taste french macarons at all (I am french)...
Review by annamford on January 6, 2008
This is a wonderful date restaurant. The dining room is always full, and the dim lighting, red paint, and French decor create a warm and romantic atmosphere. A great place to go before watching a show at Ford's theater or cathing a movie at Landmark E. There are few French bistro's that truly capture authentic French cuisine. The dishes are spectacular and the flavors are spot on. If you go, you must try one of their soups. Amazing. There are always more specials than menu items, so you are sure to find something you love. They also have an exceptional wine list and light fare at the upstairs wine bar.
Review by shippingpetals on October 2, 2007
First impression: what a beautiful place! The red-orange paint and other Languedoc decor is charming. The only atmospheric bummer was the crowd of very loud happy hour people right next to our table at 7:45. Anchovy appetizer with mache lettuce was absolutely my favorite part. Chicken with orange curacao sauce was good, and huge, but lacked subtlety- it got boring by the end. Sweet potato puree was also bland. Overall a very good experience and great special occasion place.
Review by janet on July 29, 2006
I don't usually order salmon in restaurants because it's so easy to cook at home, but the saumon en crouillette with it's big fresh basil leaf wrapped around the fish inside on top of eggplant in a piquant sauce has shown me the error of my ways. The French steak and fries is a braised hanger steak and fries that took me back to the old McDonald's lard-based cuisine of my childhood,and I mean that in a good way. The anchovie salad was a nice light opener. Oh, and the french bread arrives in the basket toasted. Finally, they cater to the pre-theater diner.
Review by DCFoodie on February 20, 2006
Excellent experience for an early Valentine's dinner. Bistro D'Oc feels like that secret little French place that everyone wants to find, but I didn't know existed in DC until a friend clued me in.
Had a wonderful three course meal for just over $100 -- a good bargain in DC. Escargots and charcuterie appetizers were excellent. Braised pork was magically prepared; duck confit was delicious. Desserts were very nice, though a bit old-fashioned in presentation.
Service was generally attentive, though a little quirky. After prompt delivery of entrees, had long wait for dessert.
Only complaint -- bread was not good enough for a French restaurant. More like a Safeway baguette than a classic French one.
Review by mifi on February 10, 2006
In a town replete in the latest power-trendy hot spots, Bistro d'Oc is a refreshingly homey, welcoming, and delicious spot. Probably not for long though, with new condo and office construction underway just around the corner. There are no gimmicks here - nothing that will be a flop a year from now, just good French brasserie cooking and efficient service, and probably the best French fries in this town of soggy, garlicked, mediocre ones; crisp and perfectly golden on the outside, soft and steamy on the inside. The specials list puts many a DC establishment to shame with its length. This reviwer had the steak au poivre with frites - trust me, it will take you back to your fave Paris bistro. The charcutrie plate is a good way to start - the only drawback is an overly gamey duck terrine. The wine list has plenty of solid reds in the $25-$30 range, again shaming most DC restuarants that have opened in the same area in the past few years. Had a bad day? Cold outside? Hit Bistro d'Oc for a plate of escargot and a nice onglet steak with those amazing fries.
Review by marigoldsandy on March 3, 2005
My friend and I trickled in Bistro D'Oc last night and had an amazing dining experience. Our waiter, both pleasant and knowledgable, was present and patient as we meandered over a bottle of wine, a dozen snails, the charcuterie plate and two desserts. Its a small beautiful restaurant with a quaint bar and a view of Ford's Theatre which makes me think each table's conversation finds itself discussing Lincoln's death. The delicate flowerful plants in the front window are enviable and inviting.
Our food was very good though the desserts were a bit disappointing an apple tart special and a pineapple rum creme brulee - no particular complaint just mediocre really - not all that flavorful or exciting.
Review by mbs29 on July 12, 2004
for a city of its size and diversity, DC's lack of small french bistros is un horreur. bistro d'oc's pre-theatre menu is one of the best values in town (includes three courses and a glass of wine) and don't forget to order pommes frites. the interior ambiance is cheerful and i am certain that the restaurateurs anxiously await the completion of the reconstruction of 10th street between e and f streets. the menu is as varied as it is creative, everyone is certain to find something they enjoy.
We may have just ordered poorly, but I didn't much like my meal. The grilled seafood on mesclun had a few alright shrimp and scallops, but the overall dish--which also included some salmon salad perhaps--had an overall flavor of greens and fish juice The shrimp and scallops alone would have been better. Poor boyfriend who doesn't eat meat had a tough time, but enjoyed cocktail made-to-order and goat cheese salad.
Luckily I'd planned on saving room for dessert when I saw a chocolate-raspberry cake on the menu board, and I happily polished that off with coffee to end the meal
Ambience is nice inside, but face the dining room instead of out the window to aviod staring at the construction in front of Ford's Theater.
Review by janet on May 11, 2004
The place to go for brains.
Review by laurenhn on April 22, 2004
Standard French fare with an impressive selection of daily specials and some lively late-night visitors to the bar.
Review by Caroline on April 5, 2004
The rather beautiful roast chicken comes with a vessel of broth for dipping--as if acknowledging that the meat will be as dry as Mom's when you're late for dinner. Mussels are decent, fries excellent--but the poppy-seed-encrusted seared tuna is both bland and over-crunchy, and the creamed young spinach tastes mostly of nutmeg. Still, it's a stylish dining room--rather medievel-looking, very elegant--and the staff is pleasant and efficient.
Review by jfarfallina on March 2, 2004
Although we showed up at least 20 minutes late for our reservation, we were greeted by the very pleasant host and escorted immediately to a table. Ambiance was very warm and comfortable--great upstairs! Bistro D'Oc offered escargot in various portion sizes--we split the dozen snails as our appetizer, which were delicious. Also had an excellent bottle of syrah. As an entree, I tried the roasted chicken--a seemlingly boring but low-fat option. Chicken was fantastic--falling off the bone. A very good choice! My carnivorous friends enjoyed their calf's liver (the special) and cassoulet (which I sampled and was delicious). The pineapple creme brulee was okay, and there was no skim milk for a low-fat cappuccino, which was disappointing, though not the end of the world. Overall a nice enough experience with very yummy wine, escargot and chicken.
Review by wellenius on January 14, 2004
Bistro D'OC is a very comfortable, warm space. It is a great place to relax, catch up with friends and family, have a nice meal, and maybe a couple of drinks. They have a good selection of beers on tap and some very good wines by the glass. A very pleasant experience.
