Van Ness​のベストビストロ

Heading to a concert at the Kennedy Center (it's a very easy approach to Foggy Bottom), we tried Claudio's Table out for the first time. We ate early and got to watch the restaurant fill up with a broad range of families and couples from the neighborhood and elsewhere, bringing a real nice ambience. The food was fabulous: fried artichoke with a green salad started things off beautifully, like being in Rome. The linguini with lobster tail, on a light red lobster infused sauce (a special) is among the best dishes in Washington (et Voila's Norwegian sole is another). Our other dish was the linguini with clams. My wife and I shifted our platters back and forth, with help from staff when they saw us treeing to balance the dishes. Wine was lovely and the lemon cake dessert was a brilliant combination of layers. The portions were also perfect (not too big, nor too little) and we stayed awake through our concert.

The brunch had numerous options. For hors d'oeuvres: the Frissee Lardon was well-dressed and topped with a perfectly poached egg; and the Soup a L'Oignon had perfectly caramelized onions and was topped with delicious golden crust of Gruyere cheese that over flowed the bowl. For entrees: the Tartine featured a buttery salmon and parsley spread that was well complemented by the slightly acid capers and pickled shallots; and the Loup de Mer was perfectly cooked and the butter sauce and nuts added to the flavor and texture of the dish. For dessert: the Pots de Creme was creamy and flavorful with no bitter chocolate aftertaste; and the Mocha Creme Caramel was firm and creamy with the almond praline adding a satisfying crunch. The Mimosa was light and refreshing. The Bloody Mary was average. The ambience was that of a cafe, not a fancy restaurant. The food was as high quality as any french restaurant, and the portions were generous. Highly recommend for a delicious french cafe meal!

We’ve been customers at laPiquette how from the beginning. . It has always been a memorable experience, but this dinner was extraordinary. Everything was top-notch, especially the service. We will definitely be back again and again and again. 

My Wife and I ate here the day after we got married 5 years ago and have returned twice for anniversary dinners. The food, ambience and service are impeccable. We have had the pleasure of having Torrance as our server every time we’ve dined there and he is an exceptional server!

A group of 4 wanted to split a lot of our lunch choices...plus the checks. No problem. Not only were they accommodating of all of that, our choices came to us already split. Not all restaurants would do that. Staff is charming and knowledgeable. Prices are good. Et Viola is one of my go-to restaurants for good reason. We had mussels, salads and French Onion soup by the way.