Le Chat Noir

Overall: 5.00. Tres magnifique! Le Chat Noir is as charming & chic as the food is scrumptious & artistically beautiful. Kudos to the chef & team. Impeccable attention to detail & presentation of dishes. While pricey, it’s worth the culinary “experience”. I relished every last bite. Strongly & enthusiastically recommend dining here for romantic dinner or special occasions. Be sure to make reservations.

I joined a friend for brunch at this restaurant over the weekend. Finding a parking spot was easy on the nearby side streets, and for those who prefer not to drive, the restaurant is conveniently located near the metro. Despite being a weekend, the restaurant was not very crowded, with only a few parties in attendance. The waiting staff was very welcoming and attentive. At the beginning, baguettes with butter were served. From the brunch menu, I ordered the Norwegian eggs benedict which came with a choice of salad or fries. I opted for the fries, which were tasty. Overall, the dish was decent, but it didn't stand out as exceptional. For dessert, I tried the chocolate mousse along with a cappuccino (there were no non-dairy creamer options available). The chocolate mousse was light and delicious. I appreciated the friendly and attentive service provided by the staff, and the food was good overall, but there were a few areas that could be improved upon.

I had first visited Le Chat Noir about 15 years ago, not long after they opened, and somehow had not made it back until Restaurant Week this year. And I'm glad I came back. The physical space is pretty small and bareboned. The closeness of the tables reminded me of bistros in Europe. It's not as cozy as it could be, though, which is why I have the ambiance just 4 stars. There seemed to be only three people working the tables, but they were excellent! Moving so quickly and ensuring everyone had everything they needed. The waiter who served us was French-speaking and happy to hear even a few words of French spoken back at him. He was lovely. The cocktail and wine menu isn't super long, but all that's offered is superb. I enjoyed my Kir Royal and a glass of French Grenache. And the food - that's the main reason to come! My husband and I got different things, so we could try two of everything, and were quite impressed with the quality. The Crepe Nana (with Roquefort and pear) was very unusual and very tasty. The pate was on par with other good French restaurants in DC. I thoroughly enjoyed my pork medallions, while my husband's steak was also quite good, though maybe not a full 5 (more like a solid 4). And both of the desserts (the profiterole with ice cream and the chocolate mouse) were outstanding. All this is to say - definitely worth the visit. I personally want to try their brunch next!