Barbouzard — Restaurant in Washington

From the moment you step onto the carpet at the front door, you can tell this Barbouzard [French slang for the bearded secret agent, so appropriate for DC 😉] pays attention to detail. The logo is everywhere, but not in an overwhelming way, it’s on the doors, the menus, even on their own bottles of vinaigrette and olive oil. It shows they care about their brand and the whole experience they are creating. The art on the walls, the lighting, and the overall design of the space make it feel warm but also upscale. You can tell they have thought about everything, right down to the fact that the place is set up for more than just dinner. There’s a proper sound system and even space for a DJ, so you can imagine it turning into a lively evening spot. It’s not just a restaurant, it feels like a full night-out experience. There are also private rooms, which make it great for business meetings, private functions, or special celebrations.

The food really stood out. The Scallops à la Plancha were perfectly cooked with a beautiful curry-lemongrass-ginger sauce that made the dish bright and flavorful. The Dover Sole Riviera was another highlight, delicate, fresh, and beautifully prepared. The Grilled Lamb Chops were probably my favorite of the night, tender and full of flavor, paired with a great ratatouille and polenta. If you like seafood, the Linguine alle Vongole is worth trying. The clams were fresh and the sauce was light but rich in flavor. I’m usually not a big fan of gazpacho, but their Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho surprised me. The tomatoes and cucumber tasted so fresh and clean, it really showed the quality of their ingredients.

The Escargots with Garlic Butter were another standout. A classic French dish, but done so well here. And for those who don’t drink alcohol like me, they had an impressive selection of non-alcoholic drinks, which I appreciated. Dessert was a perfect way to end the evening. The Warm Medjool Date Pudding was rich, comforting, and just sweet enough… I loved it. We also tried the Lavender-Honey Crème Brûlée and the Nocturne chocolate cake, both excellent in their own way.

This is a place that combines quality food, thoughtful details, and a great atmosphere. I look forward to coming back, but for brunch next time, and seeing what else they...

Update: I was contacted directly by restaurant management and informed that they will discontinue the 'paying by card' upcharge.

From the moment of entering, the service and food/drink experience were phenomenal. The hosts, servers and support staff on the floor were all welcoming, attentive, and provided excellent service. The restaurant is beautiful. My colleagues and I splurged on the Le Grand seafood platter as well as a few other entrees, cocktails, wine, and desserts. It was an excellent evening and we had a great time. This will definitely be one of the hottest tickets in DC for years to come.

That being said, I give 4 stars due to the credit card vs cash payment policy which feels somewhat like a heist and 'scammy' for lack of a better word. Nowhere on the website nor on the menu (at least in a plainly visible location) does the restaurant disclose a significant increase in the total when paying via card, which of course everyone is going to do. It makes no difference whether debit or credit, if you pay with a card you're paying a rather hefty surcharge, the percentage of which is also not stated on the receipt. The total cost of our bill was increased by $30 due to this (I've included a photo here). I understand DC restaurants are implementing various fees to cover increasing labor costs, but for a restaurant of this caliber to sneak this in under the guise of a credit card payment fee is rather preposterous. No one is showing up to dine with $500-$1000+ in their pocket, but if you prefer to avoid being fleeced you may wish...

Starting off on how beautiful this restaurant is, from the details to each piece of furniture and the spacious space. The customer service was great from the moment we walked in and Anthony was absolutely so hospitable. He sat us in the champagne room where we waited for the rest of our party and served us champagne. The great service continued when we sat at our table but its when the food started to come out is where we were all disappointed. The hamachi was very fishy (it would've been really good otherwise) and we had ordered two orders of the hanger steak, one medium one medium rare. Both came out very rare so we asked for it be seared some more. The platters came back very hot which is usually a bad sign, the server said they put it back on the grill but why were the platters hot? We had asked if it was put in a microwave and he insisted no. Another manager came out to apologize for the steak and offered us dessert. I honestly dont remember what other dishes we ordered but we didnt leave very satisfied due to the food. I would like to give this place another try and hope the food is better. Maybe ill just come back for the champagne and try the...