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Eastern Market (Blue, Orange)
Tue-Thu. 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Tue-Thu. 5:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Fri. 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Fri. 5:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Sat. 10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Sat. 5:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Sun. 10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Sun. 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
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Places like Montmartre are why I say "the best is good enough for me," and why at a point in my life that I'd rather try something new than return to somewhere I''ve been, I will make exceptions every time, because after all, as Emerson said: "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines."
Returning to Montmartre consistently is not foolish, but divine!
I could eat here nightly. The service is impeccable, and the food is as close to perfect as perfect gets.
I've had or tasted (so far):
Duo of scallop and salmon marinated with ginger and citrus vinaigrette (appetizer)
Seared tuna loin with asparagus, fingerling potatoes, roasted tomatoes, herb garlic vinaigrette
Monkfish filet with root vegetables, asparagus, portobello and balsamic sauce.
Seared scallops with mushrooms duxelle, swiss chard, marinated fennel and Madeira sauce.
Rockfish with fennel, shiitake, Brussels sprouts, curry and basil sauce.
Lobster Risotto (a special, and not on the menu).
One of the best restaurants, EVER. You will want to lick your plate. I did (when no one was looking).
You know, I love Eastern Market and its surroundings, as well as the shops and eateries within, which makes it hard for me to give Montmarte 3 out of 5.
My lady and I were in Eastern Market grocery shopping when we stumbled on this place. Being as it was, the line inside the indoor market was ridiculously long and really, really hungry, we decided to go here.
We ordered two lattes, which were, by the way, phenomenal. Next we ordered the Potato Leak soup. Ahh, yes, just thinking about this makes me cringe. You know, I've never had a Vichyssoise nor had I heard of it prior to then, but that's what the Potato Leak soup was. It's a misnomer, because it isnt soup, it is a Vichyssoise. So believing that the soup was going to be hot, I took my first bite and was really thrown for one. Just not my thing
The Cheddar and mushroom omelet was good. I enjoyed it even though I don't like mushrooms, but it kind of made up for what I didn't like with the Vichyssoise..
I had really high hopes for this place by first look, but I felt unsatisfied when I left. I liked the atmosphere, the service was OKAY, and the food was somewhat decent, with the exception of the Vichyssoise.. I should mention that a cold soup should not be served when its cold out.
Not so sure if I will go back. If I do, it will be because I'm in the area, but there is better places to try..
Montmartre, a romantic-looking little French bistro with charming interior and tempting outdoor seating, stole my imagination...but, upon dining there, failed to steal my heart. From misappropriated seating arrangements (we had a reservation but had to wait a good half hour late in the eve for many two-somes occupying four-people tables) to odd degrees of service (fast bread service yet various degrees of attentiveness otherwise) and mixed successes on cuisine.
Really, there were few highlights in the whole dining experience, save the crispy, delicious French bread that was refilled promptly and frequently. Even the bread course lacked fresh-made non-packaged butter as we were served pre-wrapped eraser-sized packets of out-of-the-fridge rock solid--yet oddly creamy--variety. The $11 a pop red wine by the glass ranked at mediocre, a disappointment for the price, but not as much so as the Bordeaux recommendation we requested to be full-bodied and tanin-filled--we instead experienced a pinot noir-resembling wine that earned no more than a meh in my book.
In appetizers, we best liked the braised oxtail with mushrooms, which was crispy and well-seasoned. The lobster bisque special was mediocre at best, featuring a limited quantity of lobster claw (for those unfamiliar with the dish, pieces of juicy lobster tail are standard). The snails were properly prepared but tiny and the app provided a shriveled set of ~6. The mussels, a French staple, had a lovely, creamy broth but were tragic otherwise: there was hardly one without a cracked shell or missing floater mussel, making this set of diners wonder whether the shell damage occurred pre-cooking (very bad in terms of freshness/safety profile) or thereafter (iffy from presentation/quality standpoint).
At last came the main courses, which provided little gustatory relief: the monkfish was seriously underseasoned and overcooked; the duck confeit was lukewarm (1 of 2 dishes), overdone as well and only alright in flavor--though the latter did come with a pleasant side of green mashed potato-based herb puree. The winner of this course was the braised rabbit but its side of linguine proved overpowering and heavy.
Perhaps against better judgment (all were full and the other courses were subpar), we split an order of creme brulee. Now, I have experienced all sorts of service over the years but have never seen a dish come out so lighting fast! I don't know how they managed to give the dish the brulee, crunchy crust aspect in that sort of minute-time frame, but the desert was rather decent--yet not enough to rescue the full experience, which was a 2.5, at best.
It's O.K.... If you miss the fine gourmet of France and your looking for that great stateside French dining experience here in D.C. well, this is not the place...Not to say it's a bad place because it isn't. It's a good place to have dinner and the vibe has enough to offer in terms of class...Although, I am reminded of the experience I had there with the waitress who greeted me in a French accent. I responded in French and she (looking shocked) said she didn't speak French. I guess the accent was for show, which was a little off putting. Anyway the food was fine, but definitely not your traditional French gourmet experience...
Le restaurante c'est tres jolie! Je parle francais dans l'ecole secondare, but not so much since. Le garcon dans le restaurante est tres formidable, I would have eaten whatever he suggested. Et, je did!
Lobster risotto avec rose champagne and a nice field greens salade - est there le more perfect meal? Mon dieu, non! Plump lobster, no shell. Risotto was creamy and buttery, not too runny. Ahhh, oui, un autre champagne s'il vous plait, merci beaucoup.
My seven star companions selections looked delicious as well, but I think I picked the winner with my risotto. Great restaurant, wish there was something like it in my 'hood. They have zee French Bistro feel down without being cloying or kitschy. C'est tres bien! As Julia Child would warble . . . Bon Appetite!
The January Washingtonian magazine named this one of DC's 100 Best Restaurants - I wholeheartedly agree!
Friday night, 5:30 pm reservations--my boyfriend and I were one of only two couples in the entire restaurant, but once we had our bread and ordered appetizers, the place quickly filled up. Here's the quick rundown:
Service: B+
Staff was attentive throughout the night but didn't go out of their way to make the experience more personable--just your typical waitstaff. The "plus" is for the fact that my water glass was never empty and the courses came out of the kitchen in good time.
Atmosphere: B
Very charming interior, but slightly crowded when packed. You can get dressed up for a special occasion or stop by in jeans and a sweatshirt and not feel out of place either way. Make reservations early in the day!
Food: A
Absolutely delicious. Nothing disappointed and the servings were generous. I would highly recommend the cauliflower soup. I ordered the duck confit, which was cooked perfectly. Even the salade de Montmartre that I ordered had the right amount of dressing--I hate when restaurants douse their salads in dressing. The creme brulee was the perfect end to the meal!
Verdict: Definitely worth the visit and the price.
We had dinner reservations for Saturday night for a party of 4. Evidently this was lost of the staff since our arrival totally caught them by surprise. We had to wait for a table to open up, even though several of the 4 person tables were occupied with 3 people, and even 2 people, while there were smaller tables available for them.
Evidently the host recognized our frustration, and he suggested we order a drink from the bar while we wait. I ordered two glasses of the chateauneuf du pape. Unfortunately, as is the problem with most wine by the glass, the wine we received was a quite a bit stale. Hopefully the restaurant will consider investing in one of those vacuum seal devices to avoid this in the future.
We were seated within 25 minutes of our arrival (not a terrible wait, but as I mentioned before something that could have been avoided with a little planning on the host's part).
I ordered a bottle of red wine on the recommendation of our waiter, but I would have been better off picking something myself, it was pretty dismal.
The appetizers were also a little disappointing. My lobster bisque tasted a bit burnt, and the only meat in the bisque was a pitiful sprinkling of claw meat. My friend's mussels, although served in a very yummy sauce, contained more empty shells than actual meat and some of the shells were broken (hopefully this occurred during cooking and not before).
The main courses were pretty good. I enjoyed my duck confit. and my friend's rabbit had some amazing flavor. Sadly, the same could not be said for the monkfish, which was under seasoned and overcooked.
We wrapped up the meal with some creme brulee, which had a nice crispy top.
Overall it was a good experience for me, but I know others at my table didn't quite enjoy the meal as much (especially the poor soul that had the monkfish).
The boyfriend's parents were in town for the day on Sunday, and I was tasked with finding a place to go to brunch. Since we just moved to Eastern Market, I wanted to go somewhere in the neighborhood and (naturally, obviously) turned to Yelp to find the place. I had seen Montmartre a handful of times while perusing Eastern Market on the weekends, but had never eaten there. Given that it was absolutely freezing this weekend, there was no one eating outside and the wait time was minimal.
Our orders were taken relatively quickly, and I opted for the buckwheat crepe with eggs and prosciutto. There was a bit of a wait before the food came, and when it did I was given the vegetable buckwheat crepe (which my boyfriend's stepmom had ordered, and had also received). I decided to be a good patron and just eat what they gave me, but they came by five minutes later and took it from me and replaced it with my egg crepe (better than the vegetable one, having had both). The best part of the meal was the cauliflower, mussel, and saffron soup. Mmmm...
The bill took a while to come, but overall service was decent and the food was delicious. The decor is completely uninspired, but that's fine for a casual brunch place. Would definitely go again.
The 2009 Presidential Inauguration had just ended, and my friends and I joined the masses that flooded the streets. We were equally famished, freezing, and elated, all at the same time. However, so were the other millions of people swarming around us, which ultimately meant one thing:
Where were a million people going to eat?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
Everywhere were looked, the fast food lines snaked around corners. The line at Subway (sandwiches) made it look like some kind of nightclub. Sit down restaurants had reservations booked for days or weeks...and good luck catching the metro to go back to anyone's house/hotel.
Just when we were about to give up, we stumbled upon Montmartre. The menu sounded great, and the wait was only 1 hour, - a fair trade off given our lack of better options in a post-Inauguration crowd. About 40 min into the wait, I was dying-starving-near faint- dying from hunger (and leaving our place at 4am to catch the metro to the ceremony, and only stopping for Starbucks....heh) and the owner took pity on me and gave us some French bread to and a small Coke to snack on since we had been so patient.
I'm so glad we stood in the foyer area of the restaurant for so long -- the wait was WELL WORTH it!! Every dish we ate was delicious and rich with flavor. The vine selection was excellent. Our shared desserts thoroughly satisfied my sweet tooth! And our waiter was a total cutie...merci beaucoup. In sum, it was an amazing meal and next time I'm in DC, I'll definitely be coming by here again!!!
I love this place.
Great service. Great atmosphere.
The mussels are amazing! Also has a great wine list.
Fantastic place for brunch. I had an mushroom omelette, which was as good as anything I've ever had in Paris. had that nice gooey stuff in the middle. The french bread was fluffy and delicious. The bloody mary was on the small side but other than that I thought it was great. Cosy inside plus big windows so you almost feel like you're outside. Perfect if you're going to Eastern Market in the morning.
Stopped by here today for a late lunch with the fam (my 'rents are in town) and found it pretty delicious. It was a gorgeous day outside, so the outside patio suited us perfectly. Plus, we waited only a few minutes for the table, even though it was fairly busy.
My mom ordered the pâté, my dad the avocado salad, my brother the waffles, and myself-the buckwheat crepe with eggs and smoked salmon. None of us had one bit left on our plate when we were done. Everything was delicious and perfectly portioned.
I'll definitely be back here next time I'm in Eastern Market!
One of my favorite restaurants in DC. The food is amazing, the service is well paced and friendly without being cloying, I've never had a bad meal.
The decor is boring, the space is tiny, and the service is somewhat lacking BUT GO FOR THE FOOD ALONE!
I got the escargot in garlic butter and the braised rabbit leg with shiitake mushrooms that came with a side of creamy linguini-- everything was just wonderfully delicious and thoroughly enjoyable.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
I'm pleasantly surprised to have stumbled across this homey little restaurant on my way to Eastern Market. The decor is natural wood, and some french-esqe kitsch, but nicely understated.
My group of four peopled dropped in for brunch on Sunday and were seated right away. The service was aloof, but accurate and friendly. The food was amazing, I can only speak for myself and one other who ordered the buckwheat crepe with smoked salmon, veggies, and creme fraiche. the ingredients were so fresh, cooked just right, and the thickness, flavor, and texture of the crepe was scrumptious... kicks Cafe Bonaparte's outta the water!
I will definitely be going back for a dinner next!
Montmartre is a cute restaurant that I would love to love, but it really just didn't measure up.
We began our meal with the Moules Poulettes and the Snails in garlic butter. Both had good flavor, but really needed salt. I felt like the chick on the Morton Salt container...when it rains, it pours. Having only been to Bistrot Du Coin a week ago, I couldn't help but compare the Mussels. BDC was hands down better. They might have had less when it comes to quantity, but quality is where it really counts. The mussels at BDC were at least twice the size of Montmartre's and we drained the broth. Here, *slurp slurp* eh...I've had enough.
Main course: the BF had the braised lamb shank and I the rabbit. The lamb was excellent! The meat fell off the bone and it was braised so long, the bone was hallow of marrow! The lamb was accompanied by eggplant, tomatoes, and a whipped cilantro cream. YUM! The rabbit was equally tender, though slightly over salted. It came with an amazing creamy linguine. While it was good, it really wasn't rockin.
I'm glad to have checked you off my list, Montmartre, but if I was going to spend the same amount again, I'd do it at BDC.
Had brunch at Montmartre this morning. The space is completely charming. The menu was authentic French bistro and the food was well executed. I had an egg white omelet (yes, they'll do this for you, even though they say no substitutions--yay!) with spinach and garlic tomatoes, with a little side salad. That was delish, and my friends enjoyed their galettes. We also had fruit salad with mint and a fruit tart for dessert--both yum in the extreme. So why the three stars?
Well, they really lost a half-star on the service, which was slow and inattentive. If I could give Montmartre 3 and a half stars, I would.
We waited a long time for our very polite server to come, and after what seemed like another long wait, our meals came out...WAY before our coffee. I just really, really wanted coffee, so this for me is an unforgivable offense. It was quite busy, but I could see all the other tables were turning quick, so I was surprised that it seemed our table smack in the middle of the restaurant was being ignored. Then, a long time to get the check, a long time for our cards to be returned. On the one hand, I appreciated not being rushed, because I enjoyed catching up with friends, but on the other hand, I actually had someplace to be, so a two and a half hour brunch was not exactly on the to-do list.
I might give this place a second try, maybe it was just an off day.
The mussels are delicious! Came here prior to going to the Folger Theatre last year. Service can be a little slow, but the mussels are fantastic! I stuck with the traditional route -- white wine and garlic. Yum! Will definitely go back.
I came here for brunch on my birthday. The food is delicious, but like in France it is a bit pricey with small portions. It was a scorching hot August day and the hostess underestimated our wait time by nearly 20 minutes, after already waiting 35 minutes. Since the restaurant is small and crowded we had to wait outside.
I had the waffle with fresh berries and whip cream and my boyfriend had the tomato spinach omelet. The flavors and consistency of the omelet were excellent. I do not usually indulge in whip cream, but make an exception for the fresh home made variety. I found the food to be of high quality but ultimately fulfilling for my normal appetite. Since it was brunch, and the menu didn't have any other vegetarian options I really didn't know what else to order...
If you are the kind of person who enjoys a place like Cheesecake Factory, I dont think you would enjoy the Montmarte style. (at least not the brunch!)
Fantastic cooking and reasonable prices: can a gastronome ask for more?
I dined at Montmatre this past weekend and I was truly delighted by the Arctic Char. The dish involved asparagus, baby carrots, oyster mushrooms and crawfish sauce, aside from the Char itself. It was fantastic.
My friends all had similar experiences with different dishes.
This is not a fancy restaurant (the service could be improved a little) but who cares, when the chef can produce food this good? I certainly don't!
Worth a detour.
Given the good reviews on Yelp, I decided to try this place. I really wanted to like it, but I left kind of disappointed. Ordered their soup of the day, which was a cold creamed corn soup with crab meat. I felt it was a bit too sweet and the crab meat wasn't that flavorful. For main entree, I had the hangar steak. It had a really strong beefy taste to it .. can't really pinpoint it. Perhaps old meat? But it was overwhelming. I's had really good hanger steak before, so I was disappointed with this one. I didn't even finish it.
The Escargot was not bad though. Pretty flavorful.
Perhaps I should have ordered something else?
I should've written this a few years ago, when I first went here. This is what every restaurant should be. Last night was the first time I've had dinner there in a while, and it was, as usual, sublime.
We waited maybe 5 minutes for a table, as it was packed. The menu has so many great items: the very best liver I have ever had, but also mussels, great fish dishes, salads, soups. Incredible desserts: go for either the mousse or one of the tarts: you can't go wrong.
A few other reviews here have mentioned the service is slow: yes it is. It can also be noisy, but the food is so good it makes up for these flaws.
Having never been to France, I cannot vouch for its authenticity. What I can attest to is how freaking awesome the food was here. I had the duck special with gnocchi and various vegetables (to include fava beans) and sat there and ate it so slowly just so I could enjoy every last bite. I didn't want it to end and when all the food was gone... I was sad.
Luckily, I had, erg, made room for dessert! The tray of sweets which the waiter brought over looked quite appealing and I was confused which one to chose. I demanded (literally) that he tell me which one was the best because I have been fooled by looks in the past. To my surprise, he suggested an item not on the menu. I apologize my friends but I don't recall the name because the acoustics of Montmartre suck and I couldn't hear exactly what he said (see pics for more details). The dessert was some sort of baked cream in sweet milk. Again, I ate it slowly and cried once the final bite came.
Side note back to the fava beans:. Had I known the dish would be served with fava beans I would have avoided ordering it. HOWEVER, the chef here prepared them so well I feel I actually like them now! WHOO HOO.
Side side note: I also had the avocado salad with duck prosciutto. While it was indeed tasty, I don't recommend it. It's literally two entire avocados!
Side side side note: Apparently there is parking across the street. I took a cab so can't vouch for this but there was a sign informing me of such a parking lot
My five star review is based not only on the food and service, but in comparison to other "French" type/inspired restaurants around DC. Montmartre is indeed the place to go if your pallet is craving succulent and tasty French food.
I walked by this place a million times on the way to Eastern Market, but my first trip here was by pure chance when my family was in town. After walking by other overly-crowded brunch places, we stopped at Montmartre because the line was so reasonable. (I later figured out that it was probably because those other restaurants were closer to the metro stop and people just stopped there first. I can't imagine taking an alternative over this place!)
We weren't able to sit on the patio, but the decor and ambiance inside were really lovely. Our server was amazing and attentive. We had drinks within the first 5 minutes and, following our order, our food came promptly. In between drinks and food, we were given a basket of fresh sourdough bread and butter.
I had the best Eggs Benedict ever here, which is saying quite a lot since that is my default breakfast item whenever I go out. I had it with prosciutto and spinach. The spinach on this dish was amazing - not wilted at all, tasty, and added just the right amount of "something" to the entire dish. The hollandaise sauce was to die for. Oh, I forgot to mention that I had the best cup of house coffee here in addition to this glorious food. Both my aunt and uncle loved their food, as well. My uncle was very impressed by the buckwheat crepe, which he got with smoked salmon. I don't even like salmon but it was delicious!
I highly recommend this place and would definitely return for brunch again.
Oh my. Oh my oh my oh my. Pork cheeks with rappini gnocchi chestnut soup halibut duck pancetta (tastes like duck pancetta) beautiful service fun decor AND a parking place right out front? Be still my heart! You see? This place was so good I lost my punctuation! Lovely. A true bistro...not too fussy, excellent food, good wine, and people who care. Formidable!
Went for brunch today, and no complaints. If you plan to go for Sunday brunch get there early, about 30 minutes into service there was already a wait for tables. My hanger steak, potatoes, and veggies was a breakfast for champions. My only complaint was that the butter with the crusty bread was cold---not spreadable.....that is a big pet peeve of mine. The service was great though, and the food was tasty--I would be back again.
4.25 stars. Conveniently located in the heart of Eastern Market, Montmartre provides a slice of French culture and cuisine that perfectly complements a lazy day viewing the various wares on display in the surrounding area.
Consistent with the casual - almost lax - atmosphere that so clearly emanates from the owner's principles on the European restaurant experience, Montmartre takes no reservations for brunch. Thus, without this artificial time limitation in place, one is allowed to enjoy their lunch at their own speed. While this simply does not comport with the schedules of a number of denizens of DC, I found it to be a welcome retreat from the overall pace of this city.
My dining companion and I started with the potato leek soup and the mussels. The potato leek soup was served cold, and was remarkably flavorless. This tepid preparation of a classic was certainly disappointing, yet it was the only item that we did not find outstanding.
The mussels (Poulettes) were smooth, succulent, and perfectly plump. They were served in a broth that was not too light and not too heavy. Even Goldilocks would have been pleased with this perfectly balanced appetizer.
I ordered the Croque Monsieur which was surprisingly served on wheat toast. The ham was of stellar quality, and I liked the whole mustard touch that beautifully garnished the plate. A light salad provided an excellent accompaniment to my main course.
For dessert, I went with the creme brulee. The burnt, sugary coating was nice and thin, and the cream was nice and heavy. Montmartre's version of creme brulee was nothing short of amazing. It would definitely fall within the top 10 creme brulees I have eaten in the States. And I still thought the mussels were a better dish.
The atmosphere is fun and light, and the crowd is remarkably photogenic. Indeed, I counted no less than 5 women at brunch that caught my fancy; my dining companion remarked that there were a number of men that he found interesting as well. Since Montmartre sports a fine patio, this is yet another advantage of dining at this delightful European cafe.
I'm certainly looking forward to future visits at Montmartre. Believe the hype on this one. If you are looking for a classy yet casual place to enjoy French cuisine, I would strongly recommend that you visit Montmartre.
Very tasty.
What I would definitely recommend is the lamb (photo available). Typically I'm not a huge fan of lamb due to its distinct flavor, but they do it well. The meat was falling off the bone, and when mixed in with the whipped cilantro cream and stewed squash, it was excellent.
Overall, the service was good, I love the outdoor seating, and the food was great without any pretension. The mussels were simple, but tasty - we mopped up all of the white wine sauce with bread. They had an interesting selection of desserts as well. I can say that the lemon and pear tarts that I've had were both very good, not overly sweet. Most interesting to me was the Floating Island (photo available) - it was incredibly light in texture and not overbearing in flavor at all. The custard and meringue was perfect with the mixed berries.
Great for any occasion. Street parking was incredibly easy both times I've been for dinner (weekend and weekday)
I'm happy.
We had some friends in town one weekend and wanted to take them to brunch somewhere near Eastern Market. The plan was not to go to Montmartre, we just stumbled upon it - probably because we were so hungry! Anyway, we are immediately seated outside, and it was a GORGEOUS day, given bread and our order taken quickly. Here's the reason I docked a point, the waiter didn't ask us if we wanted something to drink, odd...
Anyway my husband and I shared our meals, one sweet and one savory - which is always a good deal for us. =) I got the waffles and he got the buckwheat crepe. Here's my breakdown:
-Buckwheat Crepe: hands down the best crepe I've ever had! And I lived in SF where there were creperies all over the place. It's such a pleasantly light meal, thin buckwheat crepe and grilled veggies inside. I think the key is there's no cheese or cream so you're not coming out feeling like you ate a whole pizza. I'm going back for another crepe.
-Waffle with fresh berries: another house favorite. The waffles are served with fresh cream and a bowl of berries! Syrup on the side. But the cream and berries was enough for me, I didn't even need the syrup to sweeten the dish. Really well done.
We'll be back to Montmartre soon.
Very, very tasty and with pretty excellent service. rolled in here after fooling around at Eastern Market and had some delicious eggs benedict. The hollandaise sauce was rich and delicious, the basil and spinach a perfect match. I was in heaven.
Of course getting in was a small challenge, being located right next to Eastern Market, Montmarte is rather busy when the open-air farmer's market is in full swing. But the wait wasn't bad and we were seated at a nice corner table.
Definitely worth a try if you want something different - there aren't many French restaurants around, much less ones that have an informal setting catering to the passer-by. Price was a little more than normal, but not so much that it was annoying.
This has been one of my favorite restaurants in DC since it opened.
Pure French bistro delight! The mussels are sublime, but the other 11 times a year I come here I get the endive salad with blue cheese and walnuts and the liver and onions. WAIT - do NOT discredit the most tender and perfectly cooked calves liver you will ever taste! The red wine and balsamic reduction sauce and creamy mashed potatoes will transport you!
A few years ago, on a visit, I was greeted at my table by the owner with a sad look on his face. He told me the chef had taken the liver off the menu. He knows this is all I order. I pleasantly picked something else - all good, mind you - and upon leaving told him to give me a call when it is a special. THEY DID. I went in all excited once again...! Shortly after this, they put the liver and onions back on the menu. I have been a happy "mangeur" ever since!
Fast forward to last night - yes, went and had the endive salad and liver.
It's always packed, especially on the weekends. It's necessary to make reservations on Friday and Saturday. And I have never had a problem getting a table by doing this. The rest of the week, I have never waited more than 5-10 minutes for a table.
The staff here all work hard and are very proud of the place. Be nice and understanding, and you will always get good service. They are French, so a petite courtoisie goes a long way!
Oh, I also love the french bread they bring to the table...always warm and soft with a crunchy crust...mmmmm!
Dropped by for a Saturday brunch with some of my family. Decor is rustic with thick wooden tables. The atmosphere is very laid back even though the restaurant was busy.
The waitstaff was very nice and helpful with what to order. Ours gave us a few suggestions that worked out nicely.
And most importantly, the food was excellent. I ordered a savory crepe with smoked salmon and creme fraiche. I got to try a bit of what my sister and cousin ordered too :). Between them they ordered the eggs benedict and a spinach omelette. Both of these were really good as well.
We saw a couple next to our table order this giant ice cream looking dessert. A few minutes into our meal we glanced back over to see how they were doing with that, and they had obliterated the whole thing. So obviously we ordered it. It turns out it wasn't ice cream, it was meringue floating on a vanilla custard topped with berries. It was called "The Floating Island" and was awesome.
I'd go back in a heartbeat.
I only heard of this place via Yelp, surprisingly... and after seeing the rating and reading the reviews, I was anxious to check it out. So glad I did! My low opinion of DC dining options was immediately gone and I'm super excited about eating out once again!
The main draw to Montmartre was the plethora of reviews of the lamb shank. Oddly enough, I have never ordered lamb at a restaurant in any shape or form besides kabobs. It kind of scares me... Well, my friends and I all ordered the lamb - and it was better than even the ravest review! Like other reviews note, the meat fell off the bone, had NO "lamb smell" and was accompanied by the most delectable array of vegetables (eggplant, tomatoes, squash and zucchini) and a whipped cilantro cream. The vegetables were almost better than the lamb itself! The portion size was very hearty (and as girls, we could only finish about half), and the appetizers were great as well.
Having just come back from Paris, I must say the food and service was such a delightful surprise (although it doesn't bring to mind the Montmartre neighborhood... this place is more reminiscent of Provence or southern France)! I will definitely go back regularly and recommend this to any gourmand!
Montmartre is this precious little French place in a neighborhood that couldn't be farther from the Parisian neighborhood of the same name. However, with food this good, I could easily be fooled into thinking I was right back in France.
I came here back for my birthday and had the most wonderful b-day meal I could have wished for. I ordered the snails to start which were divine, as well as the mussels that were also glorious in their own right. The bread that they give you makes for perfect "dippers" with the mussel broth. Next was rabbit; rabbit that was as delicious, deep-flavored, tender, and generally mind-blowing enough for me to still think about it 2 years later. They also have a very nice selection of sparkling waters for those non-drinkers like myself. Oh, and the floating island? Best in the area.
However, the wait staff were unexpectedly snooty for a simple eatery as this one. I remember our waiter being fake "nicey-nicey" to us, then turn around and be SUCH a jerk to the busboy. My girlfriend and I were so appalled by his behavior we left a puny tip on the bill, but gave the busboy a 50% tip in cash when he came to clear our plates.
The rude waiter is the only reason why I knocked a star off, otherwise I would definitely eat here again.
The atmosphere is very casual, but the food was great fine gourmet. Although we had a reservation, we still had to wait 20 minutes to get outdoor seating, which looked much nicer with the white table cloths.
I tried escargot for the first time and it was pretty good, served in an herb butter sauce. Fortunately, the escargot was already removed from the shells, so eating it was easy. My boyfriend ordered lamb, which was very soft and tender. I ordered the rabbit, which was quite good and the pasta served with it was made in a nice, well-made cream sauce.
For two years, I lived only a few blocks away from Montmarte and never tried it -- but better late than never! We just got back, and absolutely no complaints. The service was friendly, attentive, and efficient. The atmosphere was warm, inviting, and romantic. I ordered the avocado & duck prosciutto to start, stuffed hen leg for dinner, and blackberry and marzipan tart for dessert. Alex ordered the escargot to start, the hanger steak for dinner, and the chocolate mousse for desserts. Flavor burst out of each dish. I would order any of them again.
Quite simply, we had one of the best lunches ever here on Monday afternoon.
We had just been down to RFK to fill goodie bags for the military and thought we would head to Belga to reward ourselves. We phoned them up and they said 90 minute wait. Thanks to the the Yelp iPhone app we found Montmartre. Only 30 minutes to wait - enough time to mooch around Eastern Market.
Oh - BTW - did I mention the parking fairy struck twice - once at RFK and then again on the closest possible parking spot to the restaurant. That certainly improves the mood before you eat.
We get in line. I'm getting a bit snitty - its looking grim - about 3 tables have opened up, but only one five top and there are two groups in front of us. We have a reservation dammit. Guy in front wants our five top as it is right in the middle of the window. I don't like the look of him at all. One guy working his butt off - cleaning up, serving drinks, bringing plates. Oh shit. This could be a long lunch.
No worries - we get seated at the five-top, right on the window. Look at the menu. All restaurants should have signature cocktails, and if it is named after the place all the better. The Montmartre is one measure of gin, half of sweet vermouth and half of triple sec. It is magnificent. I have tried all sorts of non-dry vermouth options with gin at home and now I know triple sec is the missing link.
Service was a bit slow to start but the kitchen was dealing aces and the food came out quickly and then the service became smokingly attentive.
The food was phenomenal - snails that taste the way snails were meant to taste - i.e. not like snails at all but like perfect garlic, butter, parsley jewels. Monkfish with a beautiful sauce. The steaks were incredible. Everything was just freakin' gorgeous.
Add in a couple of glasses of wine, the joyful feeling in the streets as we all knew that January 19th 2009 marked the end of an error and the beginning of an era of new hope, the guilty pleasure of a boozy weekday afternoon lunch and the smug self satisfaction of at least having participated in a minor way in a community service effort earlier in the day so dammit I can drink all I want this afternoon and feel good about it and you have a marvellous time. And we did.
I appreciate a good baguette as much as the next guy, so needless to say, this place is solid. The dining room is cute with nice frameless windows overlooking part of the Eastern Market. Also, you know it's authentic when you call for reservations and you can't understand what the girl is saying b/c her French accent is so thick!
The wine selection is great as is the bread. I started with the special crab salad of the day. Not my favorite. The crab had some funky taste that Chris described as "too much magnesium" and there were some shell in there. Boo. Chris got an endive salad that he liked, but I didn't taste.
For the main course I ventured out and got the rabbit pasta thingy. That was some pretty tasty cottontail! The sauce was OK, but the meat was super tender and had a good distinct taste. Chris got mussels in some sort of fancy broth that I don't remember, but the quality was really good.
The desserts we got were a chocolate and fruit tart. Both were great.
Overall, I would put this restaurant at 3.6 stars, but rounded up for the rating b/c it is better than 3. Would love to go back for brunch :)
Quite impressed - I have to say. I had never heard of this place before, but went on a date here last weekend and was exceptional pleased. It certainly looked like a nice quaint place, but nothing that would be too amazing.
I did not have the opportunity to try any of the drinks or wine, but the menu looked extensive and quite good.
To start with the restaurant was like a quaint French bistro - like I mentioned before. It's the type of place where you could wear a tux/cocktail gown, or jeans and polo, and feel out of place in neither. The space is very nice and cozy, an intimate date spot yet also a great place to gather with friends.
The service was quite good - my water glass never went empty and the waiter was quite attentive (and helpful). The menu was seemingly simple, but the dishes had wonderful tastes and a lot going on.
I got the "Kobe" Steak, while my date got the Braised Ribs - we both tried each others dishes after saying how much we loved our own. I can safely say that both were very good. I also have to add that the side of Potatoes (au Gratin) was absolutely to die for. Mine were just generic Potatoes, while my date's were Sweet Potatoes - both we out of this world to die for. The potatoes honestly pushed this review from what would be a 4.5 to a definite 5.
We shared the Creme Brulee for dessert which was not the best I have ever tasted (it was a little burnt in my opinion), but was still an excellent choice. Additionally I should note that they present the desserts on a dessert tray - which I always love, dessert is just one of those things you have to see to be reminded that you want it .
Overall I would definitely recommend Montmarte, whether you are in Eastern Market looking for a place to eat - or coming from across the city. It is definitely worth it.
Je l'adore aussi! Charming restaurant with great waitstaff. It's a good place to bring friends visiting from out of town, or even by yourself with a good book (although they are so busy that it may get a bit too loud to focus in the evenings especially).
Food is authentic and portions are a healthy size. Sometimes I wish they had some fresh goose foie gras, but I regularly settle for the pate appetizer which is tasty with the cornichons and a good starter to share. The braised rabbit with pasta is absolutely divine and one of my favorite dishes. When I get tired of their regular menu, their specials routinely pick up the slack.
It is a great place to go for groups, given the food and atmosphere but I imagine that you must make reservations well in advanced since it is a small space.
A fabulous staple of the neighborhood.
Washington, DC
Category: French
Washington, DC
Category: American (New)
Washington, DC
Category: French
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill/Southeast
Category: American (Traditional)
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill/Southeast
Category: Breakfast & Brunch
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