A piece of France in D.C.
I have not noticed earlier this place on Connecticut Avenue, close to Dupont Circle. This time a friend recommended it so we went there. I had some nice snails in a garlic butter followed by excellent, delicate and tasteful veal served in a copper pot. The only not perfect thing was red wine that we had, a cheap one from Southern France. But I am not a wine expert and maybe I should not complain, anyway the bottle was emptied mostly by me.    [23 Oct 2000 11:13:17]

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Recommended Dishes: veal, snails

     ­Tomaso, Glowny Zarzad Polityczny   

You don't come here for the food...
At Bistrot du Coin, it is all about the atmosphere. When you walk into the Bistrot, you are immediately surrounded by the sights, sounds, and smells of France. It's seemingly effortless on the part of the management and staff -- Francophiles just seem to migrate here, and congregate around the central bar or gesture wildly at one of the tiny, squashed tables. The food is genuine too, typical French bistro cuisine. I must admit, I've been several times, and have never ordered anything but the steak and frites. Just the right amount of grease, with a fantastic butter and chive dipping sauce. Alas, the service is also French -- a little dispassionate, gruff and sparse -- but you should know what you are in for when you step through the front door.    [27 Aug 2004 16:38:52]

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     ­Anonymous   

Lousy Service and Overpriced Food Equal a Sub-Par Experience
This used to be one of our favorite neighborhood restaurants, however, after “celebrating” my husband’s birthday there this past November (2005), we will not be returning. The food was, as in the past, good, but the prices have increased to the point that I expect to be served better than just “good” food. What was incredibly disappointing, though, was the inattentive, rushed and sloppy service. Pretty quickly after we were seated, we ordered a pre-dinner cocktail. Ten minutes later, no cocktail in site, we ordered our meal. Still no cocktail in site, our appetizers arrived. We had literally taken two or three bites of our appetizers, when a busser (and not our waiter) showed up at our table with our entrees and tried to set them down on the tiny table that was completely full. When I waived him off telling him that we weren’t ready yet, he put up a fuss saying that he couldn’t take them back to the kitchen. I told him he had to take them back, that we were not going to eat them right now. He took them away from our table. However, not more than one minute later, a different busser showed up at our table with our entrees, again trying to force us to accept them. And, our waiter was nowhere to be seen. And, to top the experience off, when I visited the ladies room, one bathroom stall’s light was out, which meant you either had to brave complete darkness to use the ladies room, or you had the option of venturing into the other stall where you had light, but about ½ inch of water covering the floor and a toilet paper dispenser hanging off the wall. When it comes down to it, there are just too many other restaurants out there (especially along the U Street Corridor) that offer up better food at the same prices with, amazing, attentive, not rushed service and bathrooms that won’t soak your shoes.    [11 Feb 2006 12:09:11]

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Recommended Dishes: Hanger Steak and French Fries

     ­Natasha Kalteis, Washington, DC   natasha at kalteis dot com

One of my favorites in DC
I live in the suburbs and work in DC. Most of the time, when I think of dining out, I pass on anything in DC because I almost always end up in someplace mediocre and overpiced. Bistro du Coin is one of a very few restaurants that I will actually come to DC to dine at. It is also a place I frequently bring out of town guests, and they have always loved it.

It is tremdendously popular with the locals, so you need to keep that in mind. Either get there early or be prepared for a wait. During peak hours, its crowded and noisy. And yes, the wait staff will be rushed at those times, too.

But the food is delicious. French cuisine. Many very well prepared dishes to choose from. There are several varieties of mussels which are popular, as well as other out-of-the-ordinary dishes. Good wines to compliment the meal, of course. And crusty french bread. Whatever your lunch or dinner selection, make sure you get the Mont Blanc for dessert - an absolutely fabulous hazelnut mousse.

Prices are quite moderate, kept that way by the somewhat spartan decor. Its casual, and its pure French - its about the food, not the artwork on the walls.

I pity the reviewer I read who had hanger steak and fries - how pathetic. I don't remember seeing anything that banal on the menu. It would be like going to Paris and dining at MacD's.

If you avoid the crowds, you can also enjoy the amicable service and linger in a more pleasant ambiance. But service has never been a problem - they are always most accomodating, even during the busiest of times.

By the way: the only other two restaurants I will come to DC for are Cafe Mozart on H street, and Old Europe in Georgetown.    [02 Nov 2006 12:23:44]

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Recommended Dishes: Mussels in Leek Sauce, Duck Confit, Mont Blanc

     ­Picky Jim , Chef Moz Editor