Mes chéris, there is nothing like great food with great friends. Sonal arrived in town on Sunday, and we had dinner at a place I’ve been dying to try, Mon Ami Gabi. First, the restaurant’s look is fabulous. Not that I’ve ever been to Paris–which is, yes, quite a dommage–but I definitely felt transported. With its dark wood paneling, mosaic-tile floor, and other details that not so much scream as sigh France like a world-weary chanteuse (this is the money sentence of this whole write-up, baby), the restaurant made me I forget I was actually in Bethesda, surrounded by the usual downtown fixtures, like a movie theater and Barnes & Noble.
I ordered the steak bordelaise, cooked with caramelized onions and mushrooms in a red wine sauce, and served with pommes frites. (I felt quite old-school having a steak and martini for dinner.) And for dessert, I went with an exotic fruit sorbet. All sumptuous, and the service very good. Must round up the co-workers someday and return at lunch for crêpes. Everything’s reasonably priced–for a French steakhouse, that is–which means nice for an occasional splurge, or an after-work drink at the bar to accompany your evening Le Monde.
While I’m on a French kick (when am I not?), also on my must-try list are Les Halles and Bistro du Coin. Hm, Bastille Day is next month…
3 replies on “Paris around the corner: Mon Ami Gabi”
And, damn, was that a money sentence…
Ha, thank you. Thank you very much.
I do recommend the Bistrot du Coin. The menu selection is kind of small, but it’s not too expensive and the staff is generally french to the point of high camp. Plus it’s nice when they have their door/window things open and you can look out on the street. Kind of noisy though.