DBGB Kitchen and Bar in Washington, DC!

DBGB Kitchen and Bar in Washington DC!

Welcome to The DC Food Scene … BonVoyageurs‘ tribute to the impressive growth and development of our hometown’s restaurant and food scene.  When we are here in town and not in traveling mode, we will try to make The DC Food Scene a regular feature for our readers.

Our spotlight this week is on DBGB Bar and Kitchen, owned by the renowned French Chef and restaurateur, Daniel Boulud.  Washington’s DBGB Kitchen and Bar is the newest addition to Boulud’s growing family of restaurants, from Montreal and Palm Beach to Singapore and Beijing — and now the new, elegant City Center in DC. We had been enchanted a few years back when we celebrated a milestone birthday at Boulud’s flagship restaurant, Daniel, in NYC’s upper east side.  As we were researching where to eat in NY’s theater district last week, we looked up the list of Boulud’s restaurants and were delighted to read about the DC opening of DBGB Bar & Kitchen!

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What is most interesting, and potentially extraordinary, about the recently opened DBGB?  It is the simple fact that Daniel Boulud is behind it.  In 1970, at the tender age of 15, Boulud had already begun to make a name for himself as a finalist in France’s competition for Best Culinary Apprentice.  By 1982, he was the nationally renowned Chef of the famous Le Cirque restaurant in NYC, and by 1993, he set out on his own to launch the incredible Daniel.  It didn’t take long before The International Herald Tribune, at the time a product of the The New York Times and The Washington Post, named Boulud one of the top 10 chefs in the world.  And the heartbeat goes on …

With all that said, you would think the stage was set for us to expect a memorable meal at ​DC’s new DBGB, but that was not fully the case.  We were certainly not expecting the 4 star quality of Boulud’s flagship restaurant in New York City.  However, because reviews, both in print and online, had been mixed since the September opening, we arrived hopeful, optimistic, yet cautious.

But more importantly, how did we leave?  More than 2-1/2 hours later, we departed truly delighted with the selection and overall quality of the food and the wine.  Plus, we were impressed by the service and attention to detail with three levels of managers en garde to ensure that that satisfaction ran high, by the trendy ambiance and decor enhanced by good sound-proofing permitting easy conversation as well as by soft lighting and by music from our favorite jazz group, Pink Martini.  DBGB exceeded our expectations, and we plan to return for many more enjoyable dining experiences.  Bring your friends, bring your family, and have the time to savor your meal.

And speaking of dining, we did more than our fair share … I believe the French call it “gourmandise”.  While we enjoyed all of the numerous dishes we ordered, our favorites were the Sweet and Sour Eggplant, Coq au Vin — which was a replica of the divine one we ate last week at Boulud’s DB Bistro Moderne in New York City — Roasted Lamb, and Rocky Road Profiterole.  Next time we return — and a “next time” is already reserved — we look forward to trying more house-made sausages, to seasonally inspired changes in the DBGB menu, and to the warm, freshly baked Madeleines, compliments of the Chef.

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Stay tuned to BonVoyageurs.com for more Countries of the World as we share our joie de vivre from around the world.  Luxury escapes and city breaks to Quebec City, New York, Washington, Buenos Aires. In Europe, places like Paris France, Nice France, Provence and the Cote d’Azur (French Riviera), Tuscany and Florence in Italy, Rome, Napoli and the Amalfi Coast. In Asia, countries like China, India, Nepal and so much more!