When many of us imagine French cuisine, buttery croissants and garlicky baked escargot often come to mind. While these dishes are commonly associated with European chefs, many delicious foods seasoned with regional spices have migrated across the pond to become American favorites with their rich, smooth flavor. Enjoy premium French cuisine at any one of these three restaurants right here in Alexandria, Virginia.
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Le Refuge
One of Old Town’s first French restaurants, Le Refuge at 127 N. Washington St. was established in 1983 by Jean Francois Chaufour from the Loire Valley in Beaugency, France. This delightfully eclectic eatery, which is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, boasts a menu rich with featured dishes from the chef’s homeland.
Order a glass of your favorite French vino from Le Refuges’ extensive wine list, and then start with the delectable onion soup. Move on to an entree such as rockfish with crab and bearnaise, and finish your meal with a flourless tart, all at reasonable prices. Casual attire is welcome at this busy French bistro, and streetside parking is also available.
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Bastille Brasserie and Wine Bar
The award-winning Bastille Brasserie and Wine Bar at 606 N. Fayette St. in Old Town Alexandria offers guests a contemporary spin on French cuisine. Have a seat in this restaurant’s sophisticated yet comfortable atmosphere and let chef-owners Christophe and Michelle Poteaux wow you with a variety of authentic dishes using seasonal, locally sourced, and farm-fresh ingredients.
Why not order a three- or four-course prix fixe feast? It’s quite an international affair and features a trout fillet or sea scallops as the piece de resistance. Bastille has a little something for everyone with its expansive wine list, a unique selection of beer, and creatively mixed cocktails. Bastille Brasserie is open for dinner daily, and Saturday and Sunday for mimosa brunch featuring “Oeufs Benedicts” or two-poached eggs on a croissant.
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Fontaine Bistro
Where do the locals go for traditional French cuisine? Why, Fontaine Bistro, of course. Located at 119 S. Royal St., it offers the best crepes the Alexandria area has to offer. Order your favorite crepe off the savory menu, or get yours dusted with powdered sugar. There’s the “Farmer’s Market,” which is filled with veggies, including zucchini, spinach, mushrooms, and tomatoes, while the “Sundae Afternoon” is a full-on dessert. It’s topped with chocolate and vanilla ice cream, banana, and walnuts, drizzled with chocolate sauce, and topped with whipped cream.
Start your dinner at this bistro with duck liver pate or an imported cheese plate. For the main dish, try the Alsatian tartlet. This savory dish includes ham, caramelized onions, and goat cheese and is served with a creamy housemade tomato sauce. Come in on Wine Down Wednesdays and get half off a bottle of wine with your dinner entree.
Since the 18th century, European cuisine has been regarded as some of the world’s most prestigious fare. Come experience a little corner of France without paying for the airfare at one of these restaurants in Alexandria. Which local eatery is your first choice?
Image via Flickr by NwongPR. Used with permission via CC BY-ND 2.0 / cropped from original Some rights reserved
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