The food was overall disappointing at this smallish, cozy restaurant that came with good reviews and high expectations.The French onion soup and the roasted Belgium Endive with bacon and balsamic sauce were the only dishes I would recommend. Although the accompanying Frites were well made, the medium rare Bavette steak was tough, and the black peppercorn sauce was just too salty. The Chicken Corden Bleu was equally dry and similarly too salty. I was really looking forward to trying the Apple Tart but unfortunately it was not available. How is such a highly touted dessert in all the reviews not available?Service was quite good and responsive, but the hard-to-find street parking makes it a tough restaurant destination for those who have to drive to get there.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Hemant
Nestled by Econo Lodge, our virginal attempt at this restaurant was a disaster. Confounded when encountered by our server that ala carte menu displayed outside the restaurant wasn’t offered inside we were literally forced into eating a 3 course meal? No deals on wine bottles either that would make up for the sour atmosphere. A sorry beer that we still needed to pay for given the egregiousness of our server. Unbelievable.
JosephZ
Our favorite French restaurant in NOVA and an absolute gem. Service and cuisine are truly classic in a real bistro setting. They get everything right and I'm happy to continue to frequent their establishment. Bravo to owners and staff.
Nghi Doan
New Year luncheon with
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Phipsidude
Unfortunately, never was able to dine there. My reservation was for 7:30pm and nobody was at the host area. The reservation wasn't acknowledged nor honored. Waited for 25min, with 3 other 2 person groups. Staff walked by us many times with zero interest as to why we have been standing there for such a long time. Another couple behind us left as well. Smelled amazing but the hospitality was non-existent.
Nixfood
La Cote D'Or was excellent as usual. I had the calves liver, which was perfect. My wife had a stuffed calamari appetizer that seemed new to me: it was superb. My only complaint was the menu, which is now formatted in 3 fixed price tiers. That's fine, but I prefer a lá carte...which was fine to order, but not on the menu. Service was outstanding as usual. I was hoping for the raspberries in caramel sauce, but was out of luck. Sigh.
William H.
The old owner that past away was the reason I came here so often. The food used to be impeccable and the service was outstanding. However when the old owner died and the new owner took over, prices went up, food quality and taste went way down. What used to be a five star business turned into an overpriced place with poor service and bland food. I have two stars because there deserts are still awesome, but everything else is lackluster. Last time I went my wife and I for our wedding anniversary cost us a little over $350.
Nifty
The devil eggs and french onion soup were very tasty. The eggs were almost like a mini salad that we enjoyed. Our main meal of lamb chops and beef bourguignon were a little flat as far as flavor goes. We had to take dessert home and they were tasty the next day. Service was good, but a little slow.
JoeH
Everything was great for the Mardi Gras night, except the hostess called out sick and it was a disaster until we got seated. They gave us a free champagne for our troubles and it all worked out.
rest in peace rattitooiKid-friendliness: kids menu gud
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Smoked Salmon, Apple Tart, Fries, Fish, Beef, Apple, Dark Chocolate Mousse
poonam gupta
Nice restaurant but a bit misleading. They have branzino on the menu but whenever we ask the waiter says says “ let me check “ and it is not available. They steer the clients to order sole a dish priced at $52!
Bill L.
If you're looking for some classic French cuisine that doesn't require you to take out a second mortgage, this should be your go to place. The escargot, onion soup, and cassoulet are tasty
David E.
This was a solid Good overall; not a bad score, but it was a 52 minute drive each way to try their RW menus to see if we'd put it into the restaurant rotation. Dishes we had: Ceviche: it was odd with a sweet undertone formed into a mold with a thick sauce as a binder. I ate it, but it wasn't a repeat. Caesar Salad: Wife said nah, she ate 1/3 of it; had pieces of pecans, tomato, cucumber, and just wasn't what she wanted, and it wasn't very good. Cassoulet: Actually quite good, but the duck tasted more like chicken, but it was good. Sausages, lamb, and pork belly were also good to very good. Bouillabaisse: A solid good, but no better. Too many large pieces of tomato and potato. I'm spoiled, I've had great version of this in my life. Profiterole: Good Ile Flottante: Average Wine list: Pretty basic This is owned and run by a nice man/chef with nice people working for him. Service is on the slow side, but not painfully so. It felt more like I was in someone's big house with good food. At the same price point there is a lot of competition however. Still glad I tried it.
DavidE
This was a solid Good overall; not a bad score, but it was a 52 minute drive each way to try their RW menus to see if we'd put it into the restaurant rotation. Dishes we had: Ceviche: it was odd with a sweet undertone formed into a mold with a thick sauce as a binder. I ate it, but it wasn't a repeat. Caesar Salad: Wife said nah, she ate 1/3 of it; had pieces of pecans, tomato, cucumber, and just wasn't what she wanted, and it wasn't very good. Cassoulet: Actually quite good, but the duck tasted more like chicken, but it was good. Sausages, lamb, and pork belly were also good to very good. Bouillabaisse: A solid good, but no better. Too many large pieces of tomato and potato. I'm spoiled, I've had great version of this in my life. Profiterole: Good Ile Flottante: Average Wine list: Pretty basic This is owned and run by a nice man/chef with nice people working for him. It felt more like I was in someone's big house with good food. At the same price point there is a lot of competition however. Still glad I tried it.
Wonderful True French!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was overall disappointing at this smallish, cozy restaurant that came with good reviews and high expectations.The French onion soup and the roasted Belgium Endive with bacon and balsamic sauce were the only dishes I would recommend. Although the accompanying Frites were well made, the medium rare Bavette steak was tough, and the black peppercorn sauce was just too salty. The Chicken Corden Bleu was equally dry and similarly too salty. I was really looking forward to trying the Apple Tart but unfortunately it was not available. How is such a highly touted dessert in all the reviews not available?Service was quite good and responsive, but the hard-to-find street parking makes it a tough restaurant destination for those who have to drive to get there.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Nestled by Econo Lodge, our virginal attempt at this restaurant was a disaster. Confounded when encountered by our server that ala carte menu displayed outside the restaurant wasn’t offered inside we were literally forced into eating a 3 course meal? No deals on wine bottles either that would make up for the sour atmosphere. A sorry beer that we still needed to pay for given the egregiousness of our server. Unbelievable.
Our favorite French restaurant in NOVA and an absolute gem. Service and cuisine are truly classic in a real bistro setting. They get everything right and I'm happy to continue to frequent their establishment. Bravo to owners and staff.
New Year luncheon with
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Unfortunately, never was able to dine there. My reservation was for 7:30pm and nobody was at the host area. The reservation wasn't acknowledged nor honored. Waited for 25min, with 3 other 2 person groups. Staff walked by us many times with zero interest as to why we have been standing there for such a long time. Another couple behind us left as well. Smelled amazing but the hospitality was non-existent.
La Cote D'Or was excellent as usual. I had the calves liver, which was perfect. My wife had a stuffed calamari appetizer that seemed new to me: it was superb. My only complaint was the menu, which is now formatted in 3 fixed price tiers. That's fine, but I prefer a lá carte...which was fine to order, but not on the menu. Service was outstanding as usual. I was hoping for the raspberries in caramel sauce, but was out of luck. Sigh.
The old owner that past away was the reason I came here so often. The food used to be impeccable and the service was outstanding. However when the old owner died and the new owner took over, prices went up, food quality and taste went way down. What used to be a five star business turned into an overpriced place with poor service and bland food. I have two stars because there deserts are still awesome, but everything else is lackluster. Last time I went my wife and I for our wedding anniversary cost us a little over $350.
The devil eggs and french onion soup were very tasty. The eggs were almost like a mini salad that we enjoyed. Our main meal of lamb chops and beef bourguignon were a little flat as far as flavor goes. We had to take dessert home and they were tasty the next day. Service was good, but a little slow.
Everything was great for the Mardi Gras night, except the hostess called out sick and it was a disaster until we got seated. They gave us a free champagne for our troubles and it all worked out.
Restaurantji Recommends
rest in peace rattitooiKid-friendliness: kids menu gud
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Smoked Salmon, Apple Tart, Fries, Fish, Beef, Apple, Dark Chocolate Mousse
Nice restaurant but a bit misleading. They have branzino on the menu but whenever we ask the waiter says says “ let me check “ and it is not available. They steer the clients to order sole a dish priced at $52!
If you're looking for some classic French cuisine that doesn't require you to take out a second mortgage, this should be your go to place. The escargot, onion soup, and cassoulet are tasty
This was a solid Good overall; not a bad score, but it was a 52 minute drive each way to try their RW menus to see if we'd put it into the restaurant rotation. Dishes we had: Ceviche: it was odd with a sweet undertone formed into a mold with a thick sauce as a binder. I ate it, but it wasn't a repeat. Caesar Salad: Wife said nah, she ate 1/3 of it; had pieces of pecans, tomato, cucumber, and just wasn't what she wanted, and it wasn't very good. Cassoulet: Actually quite good, but the duck tasted more like chicken, but it was good. Sausages, lamb, and pork belly were also good to very good. Bouillabaisse: A solid good, but no better. Too many large pieces of tomato and potato. I'm spoiled, I've had great version of this in my life. Profiterole: Good Ile Flottante: Average Wine list: Pretty basic This is owned and run by a nice man/chef with nice people working for him. Service is on the slow side, but not painfully so. It felt more like I was in someone's big house with good food. At the same price point there is a lot of competition however. Still glad I tried it.
This was a solid Good overall; not a bad score, but it was a 52 minute drive each way to try their RW menus to see if we'd put it into the restaurant rotation. Dishes we had: Ceviche: it was odd with a sweet undertone formed into a mold with a thick sauce as a binder. I ate it, but it wasn't a repeat. Caesar Salad: Wife said nah, she ate 1/3 of it; had pieces of pecans, tomato, cucumber, and just wasn't what she wanted, and it wasn't very good. Cassoulet: Actually quite good, but the duck tasted more like chicken, but it was good. Sausages, lamb, and pork belly were also good to very good. Bouillabaisse: A solid good, but no better. Too many large pieces of tomato and potato. I'm spoiled, I've had great version of this in my life. Profiterole: Good Ile Flottante: Average Wine list: Pretty basic This is owned and run by a nice man/chef with nice people working for him. It felt more like I was in someone's big house with good food. At the same price point there is a lot of competition however. Still glad I tried it.