Restaurant Experience--Ysabelle

My group was the European Fine Dining group and we decided to go to A French restaurant called Bistrot du Coin by Du Pont Circle in Washington DC. The night started late and we went to dc for a late dinner. There was a 15 to 20 minute wait for a table, but we would later find out that it was well worth the wait. The bistro had two levels with decorative pieces all over the walls. The walls looked aged with a parchment look. There were two disco balls that gave the area a young and fun feel. There was a huge bar to the side that gave it a classic and authentic feel almost like a destination to another place. We were seated by 9:45 and divided the meal into two pairs. Katie and Veronica ordered Escargot in a garlic butter sauce that was served on a cast iron skillet with small individual circular sections. The plates were white with an accent of orange and there was a paper doily underneath the cast iron skillet. Hannah and I ordered Tartiflette Savoyarde which was potatoes with onions, cheese, bacon, and topped with chives. After the taste of the appetizers we knew it was going to be a good night. The cheese tasted different with a slight taste similar to brie. the blanket of cheese covered the layers of onions potatoes and some peeks of bacon. It was savory smoky and buttery. The escargot had the texture of mushroom or mussels. And there was a mash of green that contained garlic and butter that exploded with flavor on your tongue like fireworks. Two baskets of bread and two bottles of water later we finally tore ourselves away from the appetizers and moved on to the entrees. Service arrived promptly but not rushed. Hannah and I shared a Blanquette de Veau which was a veal stew in a creamy white sauce with carrots, mushrooms, and small pearl onions. The meat was so tender it was easily cut with a fork. It was served with a side of rice that was buttery and fluffy and topped with chives. The butter was like a sneaky ninja. Just eating the food you didn't realize why it tasted so heavenly, but then you realized you're on a butter high that just carefully snuck up on you. the sauce matched up perfectly with the rice creating a risotto taste and a comfort that was never once known to man until that moment. Needless to say we all felt like we could be struck down dead at the moment and die happily. I got closest as I literally fell out of my chair before the night was over. The staff was extremely nice and did not blow it out of proportion. A nice man came to see that we were okay and it was a good laugh. Finally we all arrived at dessert and got our own individual thing. Each of us got a taste of everyone's dish and nothing disappointed. Cracking into that classique creme brulee sent shivers up my spine as the crisp layer of sugar broke to reveal a creamy vanilla bean extravaganza. The first bite is always the best. the sweet crunch and taste of bruleed sugar and real vanilla bean creme brulee sang symphonies to my soul. The deceivingly small looking portions filled us to the brim and brought on a euphoria that made us disoriented with delight. This restaurant should be of top secret priority because it is a gem. The place was packed at the beginning with sounds of french speaking waiters and techno/dance music in the background. The signs showed a hodgepodge of a trendy restaurant and at the end we were greeted and said good night to by a charming jolly french man who smelled of the essence of freshness. All in all, it was an amazing night that just kept getting better. Great food, great company, great times.