Nine great French restaurants in Washington DC

CONVIVIAL

801 O St. NW, Washington, 20001

Rating: The Michelin Plate

What the Michelin inspectors said…

Truth be told, Convivial excels in all areas. It scores major points for its location, anchoring the base of City Market at O in the hip Shaw neighbourhood; ranks high on style with its clean, rustic-modern aesthetic; and boasts warm service − Chef and co-owner Cedric Maupillier is often seen chatting with customers. Of course, the real reason diners keep coming back to this energetic hot spot is most certainly for the food: bold and playful takes on the tried-and-true that are made for sharing.

https://www.facebook.com/convivialrestaurant/posts/3461851610534599

Popular with young professionals, families and academics from nearby Howard University, this whimsical new-meets-old menu marries French and American cuisine. Think cured herring over smashed potato salad or pear mousse with caramelized, sliced almonds.

We want to try…

The restaurant specialises in Alsatian cuisine, so it’d be a shame not to sample the Choucroute Garnie − pork belly, brined pork shoulder and Montbéliard, Frankfurt and Toulouse sausages served with sauerkraut and potatoes ($27).

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