[DonRocks]

I just wanted to write that: Simon Ndjki-nya.

The upstairs wine bar at Bistrot Lepic would be one of my quirky choices for the question we all get: "I'm coming in from out-of-town this weekend. Where would be a really cool, undiscovered place for us to go? We want something quiet but not boring, with good food, good atmosphere and decent wines by the glass." The wine bar at Bistrot Lepic is also a perfect first-date venue - lots of small plates, comfortable, intimate ambiance, friendly bartender, food coming up from the main dining room's kitchen downstairs, good for private conversation. My one qualm is that the wines by-the-bottle are a bit overpriced (only a couple of bottles are under $30), but this is mitigated somewhat either by sticking with humbler bottlings, or ordering by-the-glass, and the food prices are quite reasonable, with interesting small plates around $7, most fish entrees in the upper teens, and meat entrees hovering around $20. You can do well here if you nibble and pick.

Cheers,
Rocks.

[erikv]

I'm debtaing trying Mendocino or Bistro Lepic tonight for a romantic dinner with my gf. I haven't been to either, but have heard great things about both, I would greatly appreicate any input to help make my indecisiveness less a factor. Thanks

[Jacques Gastreaux]

I have not been to Mendocino but I have been to Lepic (although not for a while). I think either would be good and you should consider making your decision based on the different types of food they serve. Based on the names alone you can guess that Lepic will trend towards French (Chef Bruno Fortin is French) and Mendocino towards California-esque.

Also, here is what Rocks has to say about the Wine Bar upstairs at Lepic -->*

[Nadya]

I think the wine bar at Lepic is perfect for clandestine affairs because it makes even the most straightlaced people feel raunchy, what with dimmed lighting, shared small plates and slightly uncomfortable chairs that make you squirm closer toward your partner in crime. So, for a date it would be, and has been, my choice.

[Chris W]

I like the way Nadya thinks!

My thought would be to have some wine and small plates at Bistro Lepic and then maybe take a nice walk down to Mendocino for a couple glasses of port and desert, followed up with a room at the Four Seasons across the street and breakfast of room service.

NOW THAT'S A DATE!!!!

[Jacques Gastreaux]

DCFoodie and I stopped by the wine bar at Lepic for their happy hour and wine tasting yesteday evening and I must say that I am favorably impressed. I like the decor of the space. The wine list has many by the glass. They were pouring a muscadet and a saumur for the tasting and I liked the saumur som much that I wound up having a couple of glasses of it. I also had an order of their pate de compagne which was spot on; served with cornichons and a nice french mustard. For $7, a well priced appetizer.

I got there sort of early, shortly after 6:00 and the place was empty, I was the only customer at the bar, so I had an opportunity to chat with the staff. Ted the bartender is a real pro. But the place filled up and he and his co-worker became a blurr of motion.

I think this would be a good place to organize a DR.com happy hour. Even though it is on Wisconsin Ave., there seemed to be plenty of parking on the street.

[Nadya]

Jacques Gastreaux, on May 24 2006, 10:54 AM, said:

DCFoodie and I stopped by the wine bar at Lepic for their happy hour and wine tasting yesteday evening and I must say that I am favorably impressed. I like the decor of the space. The wine list has many by the glass. They were pouring a muscadet and a saumur for the tasting and I liked the saumur som much that I wound up having a couple of glasses of it. I also had an order of their pate de compagne which was spot on; served with cornichons and a nice french mustard. For $7, a well priced appetizer.

I got there sort of early, shortly after 6:00 and the place was empty, I was the only customer at the bar, so I had an opportunity to chat with the staff. Ted the bartender is a real pro. But the place filled up and he and his co-worker became a blurr of motion.

I think this would be a good place to organize a DR.com happy hour. Even though it is on Wisconsin Ave., there seemed to be plenty of parking on the street.

I adore Lepic, it's always a good choice for an upscale but relaxed dinner. The lounge seating is okay, but I much prefer the bar. Pig feet never disappoint. Speaking of the bar, stop by and introduce yourself to Steve, who hails from Bis and is quite fabulous in looks and character.

[Jacques Gastreaux]

I will add that I find the barstools more suited for the French frame than the American frame.

[Nadya]

Jacques Gastreaux, on May 24 2006, 11:23 AM, said:

I will add that I find the barstools more suited for the French frame than the American frame.

Who you callin' fat?

[Jacques Gastreaux]

Nadya, on May 24 2006, 02:46 PM, said:

Who you callin' fat?

Uh, that would be me calling myself fat. Actually, the seat of the barstools are too short. They hit the backs of my legs about halfway to the knee, very uncomfortable.

[Nadya]

Jacques Gastreaux, on May 24 2006, 03:58 PM, said:

Uh, that would be me calling myself fat. Actually, the seat of the barstools are too short. They hit the backs of my legs about halfway to the knee, very uncomfortable.

I know what you mean...the curse of tall people. Have I got a cure for you! When dealing with a too-short barstool, assume half-inverted lotus pose (one ankle folded under back of opposite thigh, thus elevating the height from which the other leg will now attractively dangle.) Works for me!

[Jacques Gastreaux]

Nadya, on May 24 2006, 04:09 PM, said:

I know what you mean...the curse of tall people. Have I got a cure for you! When dealing with a too-short barstool, assume half-inverted lotus pose (one ankle folded under back of opposite thigh, thus elevating the height from which the other leg will now attractively dangle.) Works for me!

I didn't mean to imply that the legs of the barstool were too short; au contraire, the stools are plenty tall. The part you sit on is too short from front to back. The middle of my thighs rests on the front of the seat and it hurts after a while. And perhaps the French for whom these stools were designed are familiar with this half-inverted lotus pose thing, but this red-blooded American is not, nor does he want to be.

[DonRocks]

The wine bar at Bistrot Lepic remains happily locked in a time warp, virtually unchanged from when I was last there nine months ago.

It's tough to break away from the small courses here, because they're perfect for sharing, and for the most part, reasonably priced. One exception is the Homemade Terrine of Foie Gras ($14) which is actually one of the best foie gras terrines in town, but I can't recommend it based solely on the miserly portion size, which is about half of what it should be for the money.

A special of Calamari Provencale ($11.95) was a little plate of good, fresh-tasting calamari in a dark, reduced, tomato-based sauce with just enough spike from capers and onions to keep it light on its feet, the occasional mushroom keeping it rooted to the earth.

The Onion Tart ($8) with bacon in puff pastry and a little salad of mesclun was a little tired tonight, but it remains a valid attempt at making a high-quality, house-made bar snack that you just won't find at many places in this area.

Likewise the Crusty Boneless Pig's Feet ($8) with onion sauce, looking very much like a piece of fried scrapple (which is sort-of what it is). I've had this probably a half-dozen times in the past, and it's always worth ordering - I don't think I've ever eaten here and not gotten this.

And for the second straight evening, the highlight of my dinner was a dessert: a homemade Mint Ice Cream ($7) with chocolate sauce. Two little scoops of almost-perfect glace, not too sweet, creamy but with an almost granular texture, and most importantly, not icing up from sitting in the freezer - a perfect ending to what was a good showing for the wine bar at Bistrot Lepic, which remains an ignored little treasure, one of the most enjoyable and attractive places in town to chat in relative privacy, have a decent glass of wine, and nosh on small plates of interesting, competent, well-priced French food.

Cheers,
Rocks.

[The Doctor]

hungry prof, on 29 April 2010 - 12:49 PM, said:

I was at Lepic maybe three weeks ago. If I recall correctly, I had a poached lobster appetizer served over some spring greens and a duck breast entree. Both were quite good, though nothing to write home about (or post on dr.com about).

I've been a bunch in the past few years as it's a popular go-to for work related dinners. I'd describe it as a very professional restaurant. It is consistent and consistently good, though rarely great. Nothing has ever blown me away, but I am always happy to go back. Service is usually affable, although our server this past time around was a bit flighty.

As for seating, I'd call it cozy. Not quite on top of each other, but not exactly spacious either.

Were you in the dining room or at the upstairs wine bar? I was curious about the latter, because it seemed more casual -- as opposed to the downstairs area where you should probably have a reservation.

[hungry prof]

The Doctor, on 29 April 2010 - 03:08 PM, said:

Were you in the dining room or at the upstairs wine bar? I was curious about the latter, because it seemed more casual -- as opposed to the downstairs area where you should probably have a reservation.

This past time I was downstairs. I've been upstairs before, and I honestly never felt much difference in terms of level of formality.

[DonRocks]

hungry prof, on 29 April 2010 - 09:29 PM, said:

This past time I was downstairs. I've been upstairs before, and I honestly never felt much difference in terms of level of formality.

[I think they're different enough (the menu, for example) where I spun off a separate thread for the downstairs bistro here. This was long overdue - thanks for writing it up, hungry prof.]

[The Doctor]

I think the previous appraisals above are still valid. This is a great space. If you're going there on a weekend night, I'd recommend reservations. There must have been some miscommunication when I spoke to them on the phone, because I was told they didn't take reservations. Luckily, there were seats (they have a total of six) available at the bar, and this ended up working out for the best anyway. The other seating is very cozy, but you do have to lean in considerably to have a conversation or eat your food.

The wines were a decent value -- I had a few half glasses, and they would have passed for full glasses at many other establishments. As for food, I only sampled a few small plates, but everything was of high quality. I look forward to returning.