4. Restaurants

Bistro Provence

4933 Fairmont Ave, Bethesda, MD, 20814
  • (301) 656-7373
  • Store is closed

Bistro Provence Menu

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Visit below restaurant in Bethesda for healthy meals suggestion.

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  • Eddie K.

    I really enjoyed the food at Bistro Provence. It's rare you see the chef do the actual cooking cause the sous chef's usually do it these days. If you can sit by the open kitchen you can watch Yannick Cam do the cooking. The reason I am deducting two stars was our waitress. She had no idea what wine to recommend or did she have any knowledge of wine. She was very snobbish - I guess she's acting like the French part, but she's Asian - LOL. Also, one of our entrees was really overcooked - the veal chop. There was no juices coming out and it was supposed to be medium rare - and our waitress said that looks like medium rare to her - sheesh!. Very snobbish waitress. The kitchen gave us a proper medium rare after that. For the food, we shared several appetizers. Skip the stuffed clams - it was over baked and very dry. My favorite ones were the Risotto with Heirloom Tomatoes, Saffron, Roasted Shrimp, Lobster Purse (it was a special), and foie gras (another special). They were really good- highly recommend them. For our entrees, I got the Branzino with clams and scallops (daily special) - portion was small, but man was it tasty! My brother loved his duck confit and my wife enjoyed her duck breast. Now, as stated before, the veal chop is really good if it's cooked medium-rare. We ordered the molton chocolate cake for dessert. Again, our waitress didn't tell us it would take 30 minutes to make - she should of told us when we were ordering our food to tell us if we wanted that to let her know earlier. Most upscale restaurants I've been to does that. Instead she was busy chit-chatting in the bar. I would of gave this place five stars - maybe I would of if we had a different waiter/waitress.

    (3)

  • Tim H.

    5 stars for service and presentations. I had the baby squids for appetizer, and it was cooked just right, not overly done like other places. As you'd expect from a top French restaurant, presentation and taste are without question best in the area. Our waiter was also very pleasant, made efforts to entertain us without being pretentious. As far as deserts go, the mango sorbet was definitely worth a try - not typical and it's made on order. Many yelpers indicated as well, with drinks, appetizer and desert, the final bill will cost you. Make it a special event.

    (4)

  • M L.

    Occasion: Father's Day Who: Myself, my boyfriend, and his parents My eyes widened as my boyfriend called at 10:45am for an 11:30am reservation on Father's day, thinking there would be no way we'd get in. He proved me wrong, and off we went! We were the first patrons in the restaurant and opted to sit outside. The ambiance of the entire restaurant is so nice and quaint. The flowers outside and in the patio were really inviting. We so enjoyed having the place to ourselves for a bit. Our waiter was knowledgeable and attentive. He did not stop singing the chef's praises, and rightfully so! It was one of the best brunches we have ever had. The bread which isn't made in-house, but delivered from a bakery in Sterling, VA was baked to crispy perfection. The raisin bread and olive bread were phenomenal. We ordered off the Bistro Fare menu and had an appetizer, entree, and dessert for $29. I am a steak girl myself and was saddened to learn the hanger steak wouldn't be available to order that day. The waiter informed us that though the hanger steak had been delivered, the chef didn't feel it met his standards, so he would not be serving it that day. Whoa! #Respect. Appetizer: The quiche is individually made to order and is an explosion of flavor from start to finish. The salmon works so well in there and the crust is out of this world tasty. I ordered the heirloom tomato and mozzarella appetizer, but I couldn't get over the quiche that everyone else had ordered. Do not pass on that quiche! Entree: We all ordered the asparagus risotto, seared sea scallops, with shiitake mushrooms dish. Boyfriend's mom was not too hungry upon arrival, but hers and all of our plates were left CLEAN. The scallops were seared perfectly; so soft and buttery. The risotto was PIPING HOT and so flavorful. The mushrooms were a perfect addition to a great entree. Dessert: Boyfriend and his dad ordered some type of mousse they found delectable. Boyfriend's mom and I ordered apple torte with creme fraiche. The creme fraiche is absolutely needed to balance out the strong apple dessert. The presentation of every item of food was grandiose in the classiest ways. Upon leaving the chef made direct eye contact and thanked us for dining at the restaurant. It was a really nice gesture that makes you feel good about eating there. We will be back again, and sooner rather than later.

    (5)

  • Sonj H.

    YES! This place is WONDERFUL. Yannick's cooking outclasses probably any chef who I have had the luxury and luck of tasting in DC. The lobster purses are a one of a kind taste experience. The calamari delicious. Everything we had was incredibly good, a taste explosion. a dance of flavor. I trust this man with my tastebuds and suggest you let him order your wine as well, we had a delightful Chablis. Adorable back area takes you to the streets of Paris and the tucked away urban garden eating and seating. This is my happy place. ok, the service is not the smoothest but they are very sweet ...so what, the finesse is on your plate!

    (5)

  • Judi G.

    A beautiful building for a romantic French dinner. Lovely flower pots greet you outside before you pass by the open kitchen filled with small copper pots and simmering sauces. The experience is the romance of outdoor dining here. The food is good although a little basic French. Pan seared foie gras on roasted plums nice although a sliver of brioche bread pudding would have enhanced the dish. Watercress, bacon and poached egg salad quite nice. A pet peeve is when the butter comes right out of the refrigerator. Not user friendly with the warm bread. Unfortunate for this roasted chicken lover, the dish was quite dry and left me wanting for cafe constant in Paris. Served sea scallops on feel cream very nice. Tartar tine redeemed the dry chicken but the staff is someone unavailable, especially the bus girls that prefer chatting near your table and avoid filling water glasses or checking candles. Worth a romantic dinner outside if you can handle the flaws.

    (2)

  • Kha L.

    Food here is superb. Took the boyfriend here on a whim Thursday night at around 7pm since we were in the area. He was in jeans and a black T-shirt, I was in a blouse and leggings. There were a total of two parties seated with no one else waiting. When we asked for a table, the waiter who greeted us asked if we had a reservation from about 3 feet away. When we said no, he turned us away in front of the other patrons, stating they were full of reservations for the evening and that the kitchen was already behind. I was unaware of their strict dress code or I wouldn't have tried dining there at all that night. I also would've been less insulted and inclined to write this review if the waiter had just pulled us aside semi-privately and told us that he couldn't seat us because the boyfriend wasn't abiding by their dress code. That would be more respectable. But don't worry, we went to Black's and had a great experience and they were happy to take our money.

    (2)

  • John G.

    A little bit of France in Bethesda! There is plenty to recommend at Bistro Provence. Food: Outstanding (5/5) That's what it's all about right? Our party of 5 did plenty of sharing, so we were able to experience a little bit of everything. Appetizers: The Lobster Purse is the best. The Lobster Bisque is delicious - rich, creamy with a good amount of lobster. The foie gras is rich and flavorful, well complemented with blueberry sauce. And the escargots good as expected with a nice eggplant garnish. Entrees: The duck confit was excellent - just as you would expect in Paris. The duck breast was perfectly cooked at medium and very flavorful. Our party really enjoyed the branzino special - fish, scallops and clams... no leftovers! Desserts were all crowd pleasers too! Service: Outstanding (5/5) Our waiter was the life of the party - great personality with plenty of humor matching our mood at the table. French food is always best with a little joie de vivre! Food and drinks were served right on time and the few modifications we asked for were handled quickly and professionally. Ambiance: Very Good (4/5) It's a small restaurant, but nicely decorated inside with a view of Chef Yannick doing his thing in the finishing kitchen. Cost: Expensive... The specials can be pricey, so make sure you know the cost of what you are ordering - it's not listed anywhere. Drinks and wine add up quickly as well. This is not bargain pricing for sure. For a special occasion, where you plan on spending more than usual, Bistro Provence is a great place!

    (5)

  • Natalie A.

    Impeccable service and totally delicious. Came here with 5 people on a Friday at 6:30 for dinner and it was pretty empty but quickly got packed within the hour. It's a small, intimate place and from what I understand there's also an outdoor terrace you can sit on in the warmer months. Our waiter was very knowledgable and hilarious - constantly making jokes and telling us interesting stories about ingredients in our food. I tried a little of everyone's food, so I can tell you the best thing there is the risotto appetizer with saffron, shrimp, and tomatoes. Unbelievable. Next up, I'd recommend the roasted duck breast, then the branzino. I didn't like the scallops as much because they come covered in this fennel cream that I don't think goes well with it, so I'd get those others!

    (5)

  • Fred K.

    We always walk by here, thinking is this really Chef Yannick Cams restaurant (was very popular chef back in the days when French fine dining in DC was either Jean Louis at Watergate or Chef Yannick Cam's restaurant, Le Pavillion)? Sure enough he was in the small open kitchen with two sous chefs, cooking away. Like what other yelpers mentioned, this place is rather cozy (especially when their patio is closed) and decor and ambiance is nicely done. People's dress code really varied. Many wore jeans, tshirts, some dressed up. Is this Bethesda fine dining or upscale casual dining? It's hard to tell, except for the prices they command in their menu, clearly wants to be a fine dining spot. They have a long list of daily specials, which they really should have them printed. It's hard to remember their six to eight appetizer and entree specials!! I had their foie gras with blueberry sauce as an appetizer and their duck confit for an entree. No complaints at all. Cooked perfectly and tasted great. No complaints on the food. The one real negative comment was the service though. Does anyone there know their wines? Should have a wine sommelier, for the prices of wine they charge. Our waitress was clueless. Was she new? Spending $80-$90 a bottle flying blind is not ideal.

    (4)

  • Jenny N.

    Father's Day dinner, a failed attempt to introduce the parents to French food. I should've known better when the reservation call went like this: "Hello, this is (static)" "Uh, is this.... (mind you, I've been calling many French restaurants) the French restaurant?" "NO. Nono, this is Bistro ProVANG-ce." A little side note. I stay in Paris longer than the US and I spend all my free time trying out every Michelin starred restaurants in Paris, Cote D'azur, and Monaco. So to say the least, I know a snobby American host who DOESN'T speak French when I hear one. Despite this girl trying to educate me on their oh-so-upscale restaurant, which is in Maryland US last time I checked, I went ahead and reserved. The table setting with no butter knife for the bread - the French consider their bread and butter sacred. Water available was only the Italian kind, not the French Evian. OK, maybe I'm being nit picky. The waiter made me face palm. The menu was in English and French, so naturally I ordered the English name since the waiter was Spanish. But that didn't stop him from repeating my order in French. It took me some self control to not tell him I ONLY SAID THE ENGLISH NAME BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT FRENCH. Sigh, I'm hoping food is a bit better. But alas, the appetizers took 1 hour to get to us because the chef had hurt himself, which is sad, but they forgot to tell us in advance or at least put our dishes first before serving others who sat 30 minutes AFTER us. Behold, my Boudin aka duck and foie gras sausage, with no foie gras flavor to be found in miles. 'Lobster purse' ravioli with 50% cheese when I've never seen a lobster ravioli in France with cheese at all. Even when they do, it's usually a parmesan foam - just a tiny hint. Shrimp saffron risotto. Also no hint of saffron and too much cheese as common in many American dishes. And isn't risotto Italian, not French? The mains took another hour, with equally bland flavor (bouillabaisse, duck breast) at which point I cancelled the dessert and suggested to get froyo instead. Desserts hold a sacred place in my heart, so I'd rather have none than have a bad one and end up yelling at the chef and the staff. So my parents still hate French food and do not want to visit Paris. Thanks a lot.

    (1)

  • Kristen B.

    Delicious.... and superb service. Their menu changes but I would eat anything the chef made gladly. We had their Petites Crevettes with lobster with a ginger-carrot sauce that was out of this world. Up there in the top 5 appetizers I've ever eaten. We also had their Foie Gras which was also delicious. My date had I believe a lamb dish at the time which was delicious and I had duck which was also good. Food is 5/5 delicious and creative. The thing that is really special about this place is the intimate and romantic ambiance. It's tucked away and though I've walked down this street many times I've never noticed it but it has a beautiful entrance hidden by flowers and plants and a beautiful patio out back- which we didn't use. Our waiter was also fantastic if not a little too doting on us, possibly because when we went there were very few patrons. I would definitely come back here especially for a special dinner or date.

    (5)

  • Mike B.

    I kinda love this place...for everything that it is. I would have never even known about this place unless my friend had happily stumbled upon it one day as she looked for parking near me. From now on, I'm gonna make her drive around to find parking wherever we go. The building sticks out like Elton John at a black tie affair. The architecture is just so different and it looks like it was built in the...not nows. The cuisine is French and one of the biggest surprises, its very reasonable for what your getting. Roasted sea scallops with fennel puree for 16. Saffron Risotto, Confit of Tomato. Roasted Shrimp for 16.50. For the setting, the restaurant, and the location, I would think it would be twice as much. The stand out dish we got was : Assiette of Norwegian Smoked Salmon, Capers, Hard Boiled Eggs, Chervil ---- ( Ours had a canelle of creme fraiche on it!) The smoked salmon was "Simply the best" #TinaT4Eva I've ever had ( and I've had a lot of smoked salmon) AND if you got everything in on bite - it was an unbelievably perfect marriage. The risotto dish we got was a little too cheesy for me, but the risotto and shrimp were perfectly cooked. I can't believe that I have world renowned chef Yannick Cam in my backyard...but from the looks of it I do. Yannick's laundry list of achievements is extremely impressive and you can taste all of them through his food. I can't wait to go back and try more. They have a beautiful outside garden to dine in when the weather gets nice. Can't wait!

    (5)

  • Angelo E.

    Place looks outstanding although a bit small during the winter since the patio is not open but dont let that deceive you. This place gets it gets really busy on week nights so make reservations ahead. All the food looks and tastes marvelous! Chef Yannick Cam really does exceed himself when cooking. He's also extremely friendly and you can bet that he in his restaurant everyday making sure the place runs smoothly. Ingrients are truely some of the best from local oragnic farms and you can taste the quality in every bite. When it comes making a desicion however, it's extremly tough based on all the choices available. From crisp salads to rich hot soups to tasty seafood dishes as well as a variation of meats there is truely no day of the same when dinning here. Escargots, Roasted Miane Lobster, Bouillabase, as well as the New York Strip Steak are a few of the many highlights.

    (5)

  • Lori S.

    Terrible experience in general, and especially considering the cost. Sat for at least 15 minutes before even getting menus. Two of us ordered NY strip- one medium, one medium rare. Both steaks came well done. We sent them back, saying they were overcooked. The chef/ owner relayed through our server that he would not re-cook our steaks because they are "premium cuts and that is the proper color for the temperatures we requested." I am a steak lover and have had NY strip a million times at excellent restaurants- medium and medium rare should not be gray on the inside. When we expressed disbelief to our server that not only did the chef refuse to fix our meal, but he didn't even come to our table himself to explain his (incorrect) reasoning, the server basically told us that he thought the chef was just too busy to re-cook our dishes. Wow- talk about horrific customer service. A junior chef quickly showed up at our table and talked us into getting the hanger steak since it could be quickly prepared. Since half of our table already had their food, and we had now spent about 2 hours in the restaurant and were just now getting our entrees, we decided that would be the best way to go in order to just eat and get out. The hanger steak was delicious, and the rest of the staff very apologetic. Our server reassured us that the chef had been "doing this for 50 years." I'm surprised he made it this far with that kind of attitude toward customers. We told the server he could assure the chef that we would give Yelp reviews that matched the service we received. We left without ordering dessert, because we did not want to give the restaurant one more penny of our money. Avoid this restaurant like the plague. It is not worth your money to be treated so poorly.

    (1)

  • Alex B.

    Yannick Cam of Bistro Provence of Bethesda MD is one of world's most talented chefs. I know the master from Le Pavillon going back to 1989. L Street and Connecticut Ave, Washington DC. Le Pavillon it was the restaurant of the Washington DC elite and Japanese business man. Now for much less in Bistro Provence in Bethesda. In my opinion is the same or higher class of the cusine as Michel Richard is a French-born chef, formerly the owner of the restaurant Citrus in Los Angeles. He in the past owns the restaurant Citronelle in Georgetown. Yannick Cam of Bistro Provence of Bethesda MD The best restaurants are booked weeks in advance. Last week dinner we had : Appetizers. had a wonderful time and a memorable meal: Aumonieres de Homard, Emulsion de Carottes au Gingembre Lobster Purse, Carrot and Ginger Emulsion and after: Poitrine de Pigeonneau Roti, Confit de Chaux Rouge aux Dates, Cumin en Aigre Deux Roasted Pigeon, Red Cabbage Confict with Dates with with one of the best wine selection. After: Tanzanian Dark Chocolate Mousse, Milk Jam Bistro Provence of Bethesda it is the best of the best and hard to find in Washington DC

    (5)

  • QuantStyle ..

    The food wasn't very good...especially for the price. And it's more Italian then French. The bouillabaisse was bland and flavorless, and the duck confit my mother ordered was too salty. I understand these things are sometimes hit or miss, we're definitely not going back for again. One thing I can't understand is why they are serving tap water instead of filtered. For the price they charge, you'd think they can afford some Brita water filters.

    (2)

  • Tony P.

    Thanks to fellow Yelper NicoleL's recommendation for getting me here. Tucked away in quaint Bethesda, this is a beautifully appointed French restaurant. The decor is classically elegant and romantic. The service was attentive and expedient. The fois gras appetizer is seriously decadent. Seared to perfection, I paired it with a rhone white. The escargot with eggplant puree and garlic butter was also very good and paired well with the same rhone white. The herb de provence is present but not overwhelming like some restaurants that over season with it. The generous portion of bone-in veal chop is outstanding, and I opted for the cote du rhone red, but I think something that was more fruity and less tannic would have paired better with the delicate veal. The chocolate souffle dessert was very good and appealing to those with a sweet tooth. I finished it off with a strong cappucino. This would be a great spot to celebrate an anniversary or for a fancy romantic outing.

    (4)

  • Chris K.

    ok, i didn't leave here angry, which is pretty good for bethesda. but i've been doing yoga lately, so i'm not sure whether this is a reflection of my inner peace more than anything else. anyhow, the duck i ordered arrived grey at "medium rare." this either means it was overcooked or a poor piece of meat. the foie gras that accompanied it was seared appropriately, i guess, but a bad piece of liver--lots of vascularization. maybe it was from a cancerous goose. wife's chicken was fine-ish. the mushrooms with it were actually good. tomato and cheese appetizer was ordinary and worse than what i'd prepare at home. the service was friendly and sincere, although everything seemed to take an eternity to arrive. the outdoor space is nice, too. oh--given the meh quality of the meal, the wine was way too expensive. most bottles start in the 50s or 60s. given the shortcomings of the food, there should be bottles in the 30s or 40s, i think. i really can't square the pricey list with what's going on in the kitchen. total tab was close to $200--miles from a value.

    (2)

  • Aman A.

    Had a dinner party for 17 people. The service was dedicated and attentive to our desires. The food was excellent, really top-notch, specifically the crab and lobster appetizer (forgot the name of it). Very classy place and the food is gourmet. The only negative was parking (needs maintenance, either feed the meter till 10 pm, or park in a garage with a midnight curfew).

    (4)

  • Frank S.

    We ate here last night. We thought the food was outstanding and the service to be more than adequate. We did not have to wait too long for our food, as others have written in their reviews, but the table of two next to us did. I heard them say if the food didn't arrive soon, they would walk out. They were there for awhile before us, but we got served before them. Must be some major problems in the kitchen of this restaurant. Anyhow, my bouillabaise was excellent (best I have ever had) with the seafood cooked just right and not overlooked. My wife's chicken moist and juicey and not dried out as usually the case in restaurants. The asparagus soup was delicious and salads were adequate. We will definitely return here for the food, and hope we never experience the ridiculous delays we observed with other patrons.

    (5)

  • Tanya G.

    To express myself in terms of "Yum yum yummmm!!" or "Ohhhh nom nommmmmm!!" would be classless of me when referring to a fine establishment such as Bistro Provence. This place requires finesse, not my strong suit but I am going to try anyway. The restaurant is hidden, like the Secret Garden, behind bushes and bushes of roses. In fact these roses completely surround the restaurant, run along the side and blossoms in the back for outdoor patio seating. I was impressed that the back patio seating can be open on good days or protected with an automatic cover on particularly hot or wet days. If it is comfortable to sit outside, I would recommend this option. Everything that I was thoughtful enough to order and privileged enough to eat were delightful. The philosophy of this restaurant is simplicity. Each dish maximizes the ingredient's natural flavors instead of overpowering raw ingredients with spices and herbs. The food and kitchen reminds of something my grandmother would create at home for special occasions. Simple, elegant, beautiful. The star of the menu, or at least in my opinion, is the duck confit. Crisp exterior with tender fall off bone with just your fork interior. And don't even get me started with the flavor!! It amazes me that a simple dish with minimal seasoning can taste so incredible. I am ashamed that it has taken me two full years of living in Bethesda before I ventured here. . . Must be the bushes!! Seriously if you are not looking for this place, you will not find it.

    (5)

  • Kutlu S.

    The best restaurant in Bethesda and the best value for money in the Washington Metropolitan Area (this does not mean it is cheap though). If all you want is a glass of wine of indeterminate origin, a small plate of whatever and on to other endeavors, Bistro Provence is not for you. Classical French cuisine interpreted by the creative Chef Yannick Cam of Pavillion, Provence and Paradou is superlative in short. Lunch or dinner here deserves a leisurely pace, accompanied with wine. Appetizers, soups, salads, using quality ingredients such as lobster or scallops... Entrees of seafood, lamb and the superb lobster purse make choices difficult. Deserts such as crepes are deliciousness defined. To end, you have the Chef in his tiny kitchen cooking for you, not like many others going around in their empires, writing cookbooks or competing in TV shows. To be experienced...

    (5)

  • Gavin B.

    The food is wonderful! The service was rushed. Watch-out for the prices of the specials! Saddle of lamb $46. Salmon tartar appetizer $29. I

    (3)

  • Craig B.

    The food is *wonderful*, but the service when I visited was indifferent, at best. Watch out: at the moment (May 2014), their website is advertising a "Spring Menu" that they're actually *not* serving at the restaurant. This was a big disappointment for those of us who were looking forward to an entree that wasn't actually being offered.

    (3)

  • Kevin K.

    You know you are in a great restaurant when you have another chef regarded as one of the best in the area eating lunch in the dining room as well. Robert Weidmaier was enjoying lunch with his family as I walked into the dining area here at Bistro Provence. Here nothing is short of attention to detail. The terrace to dine outside is beautiful and should be taken advantage of without a doubt. The food is incredible with rich and deep flavors in every bite. We had the dorado, lobster salad, asparagus soup, escargots, and saffron risotto. The soup had a parmesan flan in the center which was creamy, deep in umami flavor, and just perfect accompaniment of the light airy asparagus soup. The earthy smooth and tender texture of the escargots with the oyster mushrooms were perfect with a tangy puree of eggplant. The lobster salad was cooked absolutely perfectly there was no chewiness here just the gentle brininess of tail medallions along with a slight peppery finish with the roquette and a nice nutty salty finish with the shaved parmesan. The risotto was cooked perfectly but was a little salty. I think that every dish was definitely spot on and it is great to witness a great chef like Yannick Cam with his open kitchen which is just so entertaining to see. The plating is definitely well thought out with eating food off of actual china is a rarity nowadays so it really was a great experience. Again its pricey for the meal but looking at some of the selection on the wine list this could be an epic dining experience. Cheers and happy eats BTW. I think that this is the only real fine dining french in Bethesda.

    (5)

  • C K.

    Dined here last evening with my fella. We got very lucky. It was a special night and we were celebrating an achievement, and didn't know where to go. The forecast threatened with pouring rain and t-storms at any moment, and when we couldn't get into Houstons (on a Friday circa 7 pm, 1 hour wait), my fella suggested "that French place w the beautiful flowers we always go by in the building we love." Somehow, the Gods smiled upon us, because we were welcomed and seated promptly, wherever we liked. We went back to watch the chef do his thing in the open kitchen. As people who like to cook, we were amazed and really loved being able to see what he was doing. Little did we know, before reading the yelp reviews, his reputation! The meal was amazing; we did not order off of the specials list. We both had starter salads and an entre. I did not have wine, my beaux only had 1 glass, at $14. We also had desert. Other than that, it was really very reasonably priced for the beautiful meal we received. I understand this place might book many weeks in advance, so do consider a reservation, but we did get lucky on a night that threatened to have bad weather. We will certainly be back to enjoy the beautiful patio, where the chef also enjoys cultivating plants. There is also an upstairs dining room that seems it can hold about 30 folks; should be strongly considered for larger groups. Not sure how many the patio can hold. When we went, it was the Chef and 1 sous-chef cooking. I'd love to host an event here, perhaps a small wedding. The whole ambiance of the place is very French, I love everything about it. Many older couples enjoying but also highly recommended for any special occasion. This place is special, and even if you have the opportunity to go often, it should be treated as such. :)

    (5)

  • Hue K.

    There is something about french restaurant made me feel romantic. Bistro provence, name itself already is very cozy and romantic. I heard about the reputation of the chef so my expectation was high. I went there for dinner on thursday. Food was very good. 1. Especially, risotto. It's not on the regular menu but if you see it as a special of the day, try it. You won't regret it. I'm picky about risotto but this one was Velvety and creamy and perfectly cooked. Lovely flavor with tomato sauce and rough-cut parmasan and big shrimp. 2. Grilled calamari: ok but I won't choose it again next time. nothing special or pretty... 3. My friend had steak. I was told that it was very flavorful and tender. 4. Crepe w/ almond cream and passion fruit: Flavor of strong passion fruit blended perfectly with mild almond cream and buttery crepe. 5. Highlight of the day: Polenta side-dish. It was fluffy and light. Almost like souffle. If you like souffle and polenta, try this. You might want this as your main dish. - Basket of bread was OK but a bit dry and cold... I prefer warm soft bread. *Cons: Very limited options for glass of wine (a few red and white) and all are over $10. * Service: friendly and attentive, but can be a bit too much by the manager.. **Very friendly grandpa-looking (reminded me of jacques pepin) chef comes out and talked to me how I liked the food. What a treat! PS: Well.. I forgot that Bistro provence is in Bethesda, residential area where 10 PM is curfew for most places.. I went there at around 8:45pm and obviously, we were the only ones in the restaurant after 9pm. -If you can, try to get a table in the back patio(?) area. Much better than inside.

    (4)

  • Jason G.

    This place is worth checking out if you are at all into fine dining. The entire time I as here, I wondered how these amazing French chefs ended up running a restaurant in Bethesda. This was an excellent French bistro experience, perhaps deserving of a Michelin star. I had mussels for an appetizer, drenched in butter, garlic, and parsley. They were picked clean out of the shells. There is no better recipe for happiness. The civet of rabbit was hearty and delicious, somewhat reminiscent of a tagine in a good Moroccan restaurant. And the vanilla mousse was a phenomenal way to end the meal, a dish that isn't very common but should be. The waiter gave us a vibe that he owned the place... maybe he was the owner. He was quite charming and offerred us a great Armagnac that went with out dessert. The presentation of all the food was exemplary. The atmosphere is cozy. It's a medium sized restaurant with warm yellow undertones in the wall.

    (5)

  • Rhonda G.

    Save your money! The food was beautifully presented, but not exceptional. The service was awful. The prices are steep and the least expensive bottle of chardonnay was $58. Our Napa Valley $78 chardonnay was good, but not worth the price. We waited for over 30 minutes for wine which had to be chilled at our table and which was served by a waiter who seemed more confused than the four of us who had to deal with his sometimes rude and often misleading statements. A special foie gras appetizer surprised us all -- perfectly cooked, but not what we expected -- and only $24.95! My scallops were delicious, but salty. The special sea bass with ratatouille and shrimp wasn't up to what we'd expect from this noted chef. Fine dining isn't always about price, but when one has to yell to talk, deal with an incompetent waiter, eat food that either is over seasoned or fairly tasteless, it may be time to try another restaurant. I don't enjoy panning a restaurant, but this was an absolute disappointment.

    (1)

  • Raquel O.

    Appallingly bad service at every level, from the hostess who repeatedly misinformed us about the status of our table and ultimately seated us 45 minutes after our reservation; to the manager who held absolutely no accountability and thought it was sufficient enough to just blame it on a large party that arrived late earlier in the evening; to the rude waiter who didn't read us the evening specials, made bizarre remarks throughout the meal and delivered veiled insults when we inquired about any sort of restitution for the poor service we endured. Disparaging comments included, "Well did you actually arrive at the reservation time," "Did you really time the amount you waited," "You'll have to find the manager yourself," and "next time don't come in on a Saturday." While the food was good it was so overshadowed by the lousy service that the entire experience was ruined.

    (2)

  • William F.

    This is a great restaurant, with a serious chef who really knows his food. And I like the feel of the place. My wife and I had dinner here recently, and we were very pleased with our meals. I had the green asparagus soup, the roasted salmon, and a dessert that was really marvelous. My wife had the chicken, which she raved about. The place is a little pricey, but well worth it to "enjoy some of life's little pleasures." Regrettably, on the negative side, my wife thought her tea creme brule was the worst she's had. Room for improvement there.

    (4)

  • Jennifer A.

    The food is delicious but the service is somewhat off. I highly enjoyed the butternut squash soup with the crab cake. This was my favorite food of the evening. I'm not an escargot fan but my boyfriend said it was good. Our waiter was charming, clever and cordial. The food was well cooked. The sea bass was ok. The salmon was good. The downsides were: 1. We sat by a window and it was cold out... therefore I was cold. Not much insulation by the windows. 2. It took forever to get our order taken. They even brought us bread and we had to get out of our seat twice to request plates for the bread. 3. They don't check on you very often, and when they do, it's very quick so you hardly have time to announce if something isn't right. Also, hardly anyone is around. 4. If you're not a fan of creamy or salty or oily, you may not enjoy the food here. This place is good to try but the super high prices and the mediocre service make it not a repeat hotspot for me.

    (3)

  • Michael Q.

    Best restaurant in Bethesda. Seriously good French food. Open kitchen where you can often see yannick cam himself cooking. Tonight I had the veal chop which was huge and delicious medium rare. Mozzarella, tomato, nicoise olives for salad that was good. Mozzarella was not what you get in italy but this is a general complaint in usa all over. Companions had hanger steak and bouillabaisse that were Delicious. Tomato saffron risotto was amazing. Terrific bread. Never disappointed coming here. Great selection of wines but didn't try any this time. The Lobster bisque is awesome but not offered tonight. Can't go wrong here.

    (5)

  • Rose D.

    This place was...fine. The food tasted OK, and the servers were nice, but the whole was less than the sum of its parts. We were there for 2.5 hours, of which over 1.5 hours was waiting for food. We did four courses, and while each tasted fine, nothing wowed, and for the price and length of time, we should have left super excited and satisfied. I would never go back.

    (2)

  • amit s.

    Our waiter has quit and gone home in the middle of New Year's Eve dinner service. It was quite surreal. My family and I have chosen to spend New Year's Eve at Bistro Provence. We have dined at the Bistro a couple of times in the past. The service did vary from great (the gentleman with the moustache who served us there the first time we visited was really great) to "ok" at other times, but we enjoyed the food very much. It is an open kitchen (if you get a table on the ground floor next to the kitchen you get to see the kitchen operate like a well oiled machine). So we decided to spend a lovely dinner there on New Year's Eve. Our reservation was for 9PM. When we showed up the place was packed, but we were seated on the 2nd floor by 9:09. The service was problematic from the outset. No one came to ask for drinks, give us menus, etc. About 10 minutes post our seating, I have asked whether the entire 2nd floor was catered to by only one waiter (as no one has come to us even with water), so it was clear very early on that something was wrong, and yet not much was done by the management team to try and mitigate the problem. At some point, I grabbed the water server and asked for some water. After about 20 minutes - the waiter came up to us to take our order. Are there any specials? I had to ask him because he did not volunteer that info, and they always have specials. May we order some wine? I had to ask him as he seemed, a little absent minded. Time went by, 40 minutes, 50 minutes. - Nothing. Not the bottle of wine, no appetizers. Nothing. After about 60 minute, a lady came by (I presume the manager) to tell us that she was sorry but a) Our waiter has quit and gone home. b) His last act before quitting was NOT to place our order in the kitchen, and so if we still wanted to eat we would have to wait another 20-30 minutes. We decided that the evening was ruined and it was time to go. I fully understand that a restaurant can get hit when a waiter up and leaves in the middle of a service, especially on a busy evening like New Year's eve, but it is than up to the management team (or manager) to try and minimize the negative effects. I was assuming that someone would call us the next day, to apologize. Nothing. I sent them an email layong out my story to see if they would respond some how. Nothing. I am saddened, as I thought that Bistro Provence would be a regular neighborhood restaurant for us.

    (1)

  • Jackie N.

    This is a true French restaurant. Snooty people, terrible service, overpriced and small portions. First off, the menu is extremely selective but the waiter memorizes 15 daily "specials." There is a very large wine selection, but be prepared to spend your money here. A glass is $15 and bottles start at $55-100. We ordered a bottle of rose and after the appetizers were finished the waiter brought it out at room temperature, he said that is how French restaurants serve rose. False. If you're hungry this is not the place to go. We had fois grois and calamari for appetizers. Both items were very small and meant for two people. However, the bread was great! But then again how can a French restaurant mess that up? The entrees were ok. Nothing too special especially for the price. The true reason for this rating was the horrible service. I would not recommend this restaurant at all. The waiter was rude and would disappear for long periods of time. We sat in the outdoor patio with four other tables that were occupied. There was one waiter, two busers, and the rest of the staff were food runners. In conclusion, if you're in the mood for expensive wine, slow service, and small portions this is the place for you. If you're looking for a real French restaurant I would highly recommend Chez Francois in Great Falls!

    (2)

  • Suzanne G.

    They have transformed an unassuming, non-descript Bethesda office building into a little European haven. Enjoyed chatting in French with Yannick Cam, and with our charming waiter, as the place was deserted on an August Saturday at lunch. Husband's mesclun salad had an overly pepper-y dressing, but fortunately he is fond of pepper. Bread was clearly "pain perdu" from Friday, albeit high quality house-baked. They reheated it for Sat lunch bread basket, which consists of baguette nature, pain aux olives and a hearty raisin-walnut partially whole grain bread. My scallops were served with mushrooms in a perfect cream sauce. Small portion, but that's why French Women Don't Get Fat:-) Husband's salmon and 12 yo's hanger steak were decent, but restaurant has not quite replicated Paris (yet) as the sides weren't wonderful. Mango sorbet was unbelievably fresh & flavorful. White chocolate mousse was good, but not a stand-out. However, caramel sauce drizzled on la mousse au chocolat blanc, together with sprinkled pistachios, made it a special dessert. 3-level space is divided into lots of party rooms, and 2 different outdoor terraces, so would be perfect for groups. I won a gift card to Yannick Cam's latest incarnation, and was delighted to redeem (tipped separately and generously). But due to the relatively high prices, in spite of the food being high-end French, would be reluctant to return here without a Groupon-type deal. If you've never tried, recommend lunch, which we chose since prices are 20-30% lower than dinner. They offered us both the lunch and the brunch menus, although we ordered only from the lunch menu.

    (4)

  • Arthur K.

    The low rating really is more of a bad fit than really a bad restaurant. "It's me, not you". You know how it goes. The restaurant is nice on the eyes. Like they took a bit of France, polished it up real nice, and packed it to over Bethesda. The open kitchen is a nice touch. I'm not much of a fan of French food, so don't hate. Like I said "it's me, not you". In addition most of the food was very bland. The risotto which people say they love, was meh. Bland. The prime steak I got was also bland. There were these really neatly cut potatoes with the steak. They were also bland. Ok, so I think you get the theme here. Moving on.. The server was trying real hard to upsell on everything. It was a bit annoying.

    (2)

  • Paul L.

    Unbelievable restaurant. I have been in the area for years and never knew it was there. One day, a colleague told me about this place, because my wife and I love French food. After one dinner, I am convinced this is one of the best restaurants in the area. While the prices are on the high side, this place is worth every dime.

    (5)

  • Adriana H.

    Absolutely WONDERFUL!! I love this place, from bread to desert. Everything is cooked with perfection. I had the best creme brulee ever! The salad was wonderful and my pasta with shrimp was great. I had three other friends with me and we were unable to talk for while because we just went really quiet enjoying the food. The service was excellent. The waiter talked to us in Italian, French, Portuguese and Spanish. He suggested the right food for us and we felt very welcome. It is true there is little room for walking around, but I was quite happy sitting there and enjoying the food and the service. I told my husband, we will go there for our anniversary.

    (5)

  • Becky R.

    We went here last night for our Anniversary Dinner, so special occasion. Despite the delightful cozy French atmosphere, we did not get off to a good start. It had rained the night before and when I sat down out on their covered terrace, I sat in a cushion full of water! The wait staff did not do much about it..we arrived when several other parties were being seated so we fixed the problem ourselves by grabbing a dry cushion. So while I sat soaked, we were then ignored for about 20 minutes during which time we were silently handed menus and water but no offers of getting a cocktail while we waited. After perusing the menu for what seemed like forever, we waived down someone to take a food order. The waiter was brusk, rattled off a long list of specials, and seemed rushed. He then brought us the wrong bottle of wine... we had ordered an $80 "reserve" bottle to then be handed the ordinary screw cap variety from the same producer. After an argument with the waiter he said he would discount the price of the bottle... the reserves bottle was not even available. (bait and switch? Perhaps) Luckily the food made up for the lousy service..the lobster bisque was lovely and the tomato salad with fried goat cheese was delicious but nothing out of the ordinary. The food was all served in humongous bowls which seemed a bit overkill and trying too hard. The scallops were great and the dorado was good as well. Dessert was the highlight... a frozen nougat concoction with blackberries and caramel..really unique and refreshing. The waiter finally came to life after the busy rush hour service. We wish he had been that way all evening. So a mixed review... ambience and food was good... however the service caters to the regulars and everyone else must fend for themselves! There are better bistros around..just none so close to home. Kind of a wasted opportunity.

    (3)

  • Elizabeth B.

    The food at Bistro Provence is excellent, but the service is extremely slow and the room noisy. I toyed with giving three stars instead of four, because although one of our party was allergic to shellfish and told the waiter, and he promised to substitute vegetables, they still put scallops in her dish. Rule 1 for running a restaurant -- don't try to kill your patrons. Other than the near-manslaughter and the slow service, we had a good time.

    (4)

  • Nicole L.

    We almost made it to Bistro Provence few weeks ago but it was closed on Mondays. We were very happy to make it this time on a friday night it was fairly crowded but we had a late dinner reservation. The maitre'd told us ahead of time to be patient with them we requested for the kitchen table so we waited for it to become available. It was refreshing that we had a friendly sommelier who was knowledgeable and proud of his wine list. I agreed with that - a very comprehensive french wine list plus other wine. I was happy to see a few selections of Vacqueyras so I picked out a 2009 Vacqueyras Seigneur de Lauris the sommelier was happy with my choice letting us know it's one that would improve in characteristics as it oxidized. It turned out a nice medium but well-balanced wine a very pleasant wine for the both of us. We proceeded to the kitchen we were given a very nice 4-seater table so we both seat facing the kitchen. The three-staff kitchen was run smoothly with nice copper cookware on display. Exciting ingredients used, food was classically prepared but not overly salted. Foie Gras in Plum-wine reduction: The foie was much more solid than most I had in the US. It was meaty, creamy and rich surrounded by a nice reduction with a pleasant acidity to balance the fat. Turbot, lobster, sea urchin: A fine dish of fish cooked perfect on the outside with a nice crisp while still moist on the inside. The lobster and sea urchin added such complex flavor to the dish, finished off with a light wine/broth reduction wth tomato brunoise. Chocolate souffle: A nice rise in the souffle served with a side of creme fraiche it was good but I preferred a stronger chocolate flavor. A solid restaurant with great french food and good table service, it sets a higher bar at the Bethesda dining scene.

    (5)

  • Juliet M.

    Food was amazing, as was service. I ordered the foie gras appetizer and the halibut special. My husband ordered the lobster crepes and seafood bouillabaisse. For dessert we ordered the white chocolate mousse and jasmine tea creme brulee. The foie gras was especially delicious, as was the fennel puree underneath my halibut (which was cooked perfectly); the scallops in the bouillabaisse were cooked perfectly as well. The white chocolate mousse was the table's favorite; I have never had anything like it! I had two reasons for giving 4 stars instead of 5: 1) we had to wait a little too long for the main dish and dessert to come out, and; 2) we had called the restaurant twice to notify them that we would be celebrating our anniversary, but upon arrival, the maitre'd must have not communicated that to the server. We happened to mention that it was out anniversary to our server only after paying our bill, but he was thoughtful enough to give us a special treat at the end. Overall, a great dining experience! We will be back in the spring.

    (4)

  • Paul M.

    Came here a few weeks ago to dine with the in-laws. They live in Africa and were keen for some "proper French food". In the "pretentious-moi?" department the last time we ate with them was probably in Provence. So, thus establishing my bona fides I can say this: This place is absolutely exquisite in every respect. Yeah, it's pricey -but you have to expect to pay for quality, and yeah, it's in Bethesda, so the customer demographic is going to be a bit skewed towards old white people ( much like Provence itself in fact). However - if you are looking for a truly special night out this is the place to come. The courtyard is magnificent, although parts of the back of the house still seem to be a work in progress. If you are even thinking about it you are going to love it.

    (5)

  • Greg O.

    I did not enjoy Bistro Provence at all. First, the arrangement is a little odd- while its interesting to see the kitchen more out in the open, the sacrifice seems to be available space for seating, so that the tables and chairs are literally on top of each other and circulation is minimal. The result of this is there is no room when people try to sit at adjacent tables. The maitre-d made me perfectly aware of this when he shoved my chair, with me in it, out of the way to allow a person behind me to sit down. Then he hastily mumbled an apology. The service continued to be lacking. First, service was slow the entire time. Ordering, receiving drinks and food, getting refills, all happened at a snail's pace. Then I ordered the duck breast for my entree. But it turns out they were all out, which is simply not acceptable when its only 6 o'clock in the evening. You have two different duck entrees on your menu- how can you be out when dinner is just starting?? To top it off the waiter also forgot one of the side dishes. As for the food, I've has much better. I will never understand the modern food concept- small portions on large dishes, with the emphasis on presentation rather than flavor. It's food, not art. The heirloom tomato salad was disappointing, since nothing seemed particularly fresh or flavorful. I ended up with the hanger steak since I couldn't get the duck (and can't eat seafood). Now, I know hanger steak can be tricky- if its not cooked properly it can be pretty tough. But this was just plain bad- I would have returned it but at that point I was just plain hungry. Not the best dinner, but at least the company and conversation was good.

    (2)

  • Brandon L.

    I really enjoyed my dinner here. The service was very warm and friendly. The food was just as good as the service. I specifically went here for the foie gras, as I live in California and we did the unthinkable (banned foie gras).

    (4)

  • Christina C.

    Overall had a good experience here. Was really interesting to see the chef in action, as the kitchen is out in the open. You never realize how much really goes into preparing meals and boy is it a sight to see. So much to learn! Onto the review... Went here for New Years Day dinner with the fam. Pros: Good ambiance. While the tables are a bit packed, it's very cozy inside. The bread is fresh. A variety of options. I had the salmon, which was perfectly cooked. Good portion sizes- definitely atypical for restaurants in the U.S. because they are on the smaller side but, quality over quantity; the quality of most of the dishes was good. Cons: Waiter forgot to bring our drinks (we timed it, took ~7 mins. to bring them). Then he forgot to put in the vegetable dish that we ordered with our meal. Hmmm. Mistakes happen but there was just too much forgetting that night- deduction of a star (would have given it 4stars). I will be coming back- there are a few other items on the menu that I'd like to try.

    (3)

  • Jessica B.

    Best French restaurant in the area. Outside area it absolutely romantic and green. We went for my parents anniversary and because my dad is extremely critical of food I was trying to please him! The food delivered and was good portion size. Unfortunately it did get very tornado-ish outside and they were able to quickly wisk all the diners inside to open tables or upstairs to the party room very quickly without missing a beat. I Highly recommended the veal chop and you must order dessert. They are worth every calorie.

    (5)

  • Ericka C.

    I visited this restaurant for my birthday on 10/12/11. Overall our meal was excellent and the staff was friendly and accommodating. I started with a parmesan and arugula salad, which was delicious, but I must admit the price for such a simple salad was a bit astounding. My husband started with the mussels, which were DELICIOUS and the sauce was incredible (we saved the sauce for some good bread-dipping!) My mother started with a white corn and scallop soup, which was amazing. My husband and I both ordered the veal chop for dinner. This was seriously the best veal chop I've ever had. It was so tender and flavorful and the jus it was served in paired perfectly with the meat. They served small potatoes and artichoke hearts as a side, which were also delicious. My mother ordered an appetizer as her meal- I believe it was a tomato and saffron risotto with shrimp. The portion size was perfect for a meal and it was very flavorful. According to my mother, who has dined at Bistro Provence numerous times, most of the appetizers are sufficient enough for a full dinner. My father ordered the bouillabaisse and he seemed quite pleased with his selection. For dessert we had the almond crepe in passion fruit sauce and also the marscapone and fig tart. The tart was to die for! So delicious, yet delicate. I loved every bite. The crepes were wonderful, too. The prices certainly were high, but we enjoyed everything we ordered. It was a delicious experience.

    (4)

  • Here I.

    I have mixed feelings about this restaurant. Took my wife there just before Christmas. Was expecting more than mixed feelings for the price ($250 for 2 with wine,tax, tip). I had a lovely meal at this restaurant a year ago, with a charming and quirky waiter who spent a great deal of time explaining the menu and chatting with us. We didn't see him on this visit. The meals were pleasant but uninspired. Far from the quality and nuance of our meal here a year ago. The most optimistic thing I can think of is that the holiday rush must tax their staff too much. Things got weird from the beginning - I selected a wine off the wine list - $55 which is pretty cheap in a restaurant like this, but one that I knew - a 2005 vintage which would be 7 years old (starting to improve, from a good year, about 91 points if you care about that sort of thing). The young man presenting himself as the sommelier came by to announce they didn't have it, but presented a 2009 that I had never heard of. I asked him specifically if he recommended the wine and he said he did. My wife and I thought it was pathetic. We left most of it in the bottle. When they asked us if we liked the wine, we said no, but the waiter just walked away (the theme of our night). The real insult was when the bill came - the pathetic wine was $75 - I felt like I had been upsold by a used car dealer !! Live and learn. I asked the waiter where I could get change for the meter - he said he would get some, walked away and never brought the change. Live and learn. My chocolate lava cake was from an inactive volcano (the inside was thoroughly cooked). I don't think we will be back.

    (3)

  • Bill G.

    I rarely put 5 stars unless something is a surprise and consistent,mehich is the hardest thing to do in the culinary arts...but I have been to Bistro Provence a coupe of times now and my experience has gotten better each time! It's a small restaurant that offers a wonderful menu that will leave your mouth watering. This Sat time I have faux grois as a starter with beats which was simply the best way to have faux grois! I usually cannot stand it after a while if its alone but the texture and sweetness of the beats cut thigh the richness of the faux grois! Brilliant. I had squab that was simply to die for and a jasmine tea creme brûlée in which they nailed. I love my creme brûlée warm with a jellitan texture which is hard to do but they executed it to perfection. The jasmine tea was a great twist as well.. Pros: amazing ambiance ( you feel like your in a French courtyard), amazing menu, amazing service, doesn't take too long for food to come out, very fresh, Fine Dining in Bethesda, amazing wine list. Cons: still trying to figure this one out! It is expensive ( we did buy a $138 bottle of wine and for 2 it came out to 300 with tip....so not too bad at all I have been searching for a fine dining experience close to my home and I have finally found it! Don't listen to me...try it! BG

    (5)

  • Aaron C.

    This is the worst place ever mostly because it pretends to be delicious and is just plain dull. The food leaves something to be desired and the wait staff is not much better. I honestly can't even remember what I ordered it was that forgettable. The waiter present himself in French and refused to speak English. We tried to accommodate speaking in French. He made snood remarks at our attempts and laughed at us earning him a $0 tip. Honestly I think the reviews are rigged, definitely reminds me of a before Ramsey's kitchen nightmares.

    (1)

  • Amanda H.

    Let me start out by saying that I am obsessed with all-things-Provence, so of course I was excited to try this place. Unfortunately we decided to try it on prom night (not my prom). The service was incredibly slow because there was a large party of prom-goers in the back. That said, the wine list was good, and the food was quite good as well. I definitely want to give this place another try. If you go early, you can save some cash by getting their prefix menu (I think it's available until 6:30 or 7pm). Otherwise, it gets a little pricey. Very good food though.

    (3)

  • Robert S.

    A lovely Thursday in June was a fine opportunity to try Yannick Cam's bistro in Bethesda, because the super small restaurant boasts a lovely outdoor dining room. Surrounded by rock walls and hydrangeas in pots, and shaded by canvas awnings, the weather accommodated perfectly, with low humidity and gentle breezes. The restaurant was sparsely populated on the early side, but by the time we left (around 8PM) it was full in the courtyard. The service was friebdly and attentive without being overly solicitous or hammy, and our waiter moved us through the long list of specials and made some recommendations. We decided on the asparagus "clafoutis" with frisée and bacon and a poached quail egg, a cold lobster salad for appetizers, and a veal chop and hanger steak for entrees. The pacing of the meal was excellent. The appetizers were wonderful, although the clafoutis aspect was more like a frittata (thin and baked rather than custard-like, which actually would have been better) The lobster salad contained a generous amount of tail and a full claw in a citrus dressing with some hard-cooked quail eggs. It was a nice serving and a nicely balanced combination of elements. The entrees were also delicious. I had the veal chop, served with a long frenched bone and a demiglace sauce. It must have been around 8 ounces of meat and was perfectly presented with roasted potatoes and artichoke hearts. The hanger steak was cooked to order (medium rare) and served with thin pan roasted potatoes, which were addictively crunchy. For dessert we had a pineapple baba au ruhm and coffee. The dessert was delicious but I would have liked a bit more pineapple. The quality of the food and the cooking was very high, as should be expected from Cam, but the small kitchen has its own idiosyncrasies and whether they are coming from the owner or the chef, they shouldn't interfere with the dining experience, but they do... First of all, the dishes were very undersalted, and in fact the waiter agreed with our assessment and was quick to bring a salt shaker. Like many French restaurants, there was none on the table, but at least the staff didn't ridicule us for demanding it. And--at least to our palates--additional salt made a world of difference, heightening the taste of all the entree food. Don't be afraid to ask for salt if you want it. Second, I wasn't asked how my veal should be cooked, and it was a nice juicy medium, but my tastes run to something a bit rarer, but veal can be tricky and I wasn't too miffed that it was cooked as it was. It is nice to be asked though. Third, the coffee was served with milk, not cream. If you are going to serve American coffee in a restaurant, you should serve cream, or at least heat the milk. At least for my taste, the strong and nicely bitter coffee needed lots of the milk, and the small cups were filled nearly to the brim. My SO actually had to ask for another cup and for warm milk, both requests were quickly and graciously accommodated. Finally, there is the matter of the bill. The total with the tip came to about $140 for two, which isn't outrageous considering the food and service, but it still made me slightly pissed off. Why? One of my pet peeves--my special veal chop was $36 (not even $34, as a previous review stated), fully 10 bucks more than anything else on the menu listing. Would I have still ordered it if the waiter had mentioned the price along with the initial listing of specials? Probably, although I would maybe have considered other choices more carefully. At the price the serving was adequate but not generous. I think if a special is going to be a significant amount more than the prices of the menu entrees, a diner should be alerted to that up front. The lobster salad was $17--also a few dollars more than the other appetizers, but in that case the ingredients and serving size seemed appropriate. Still, I would like to have known at the start. The thing is, these are problems that are easy to remedy and make a big difference at very little cost to the restauranteur. Like the small matter of refreshing sodas for free rather than charging for another glass, or upselling water to ridiculously pricy bottles of San Pellegrino or such, these things can turn an otherwise positive experience into something that ultimately feels exploitative. I am not sure why restaurants--usually the more upscale ones--don't get that. Still, I would return again. Forewarned is forearmed as they say, and the food, service and ambiance is worth another meal.

    (4)

  • Mickey L.

    The second visit was meh enough to drop a 5+ stars rating down to an overall 3 stars. The food was not quite as good, many of the servers (while trying hard) were being trained and showed their inexperience (despite us being the only party for our first half hour), and sitting near the window on a cloudy day was a bit cold. As with most restaurants we visit for the first time, my dining companion and I seemed to hit the best dishes on the first visit (lobster special, scallops with bouillabaisse broth, sugar crepe with passion fruit sauce). On to the food: 1) Baked Clams with Walnut Crust and Spinach: My dining companion and I noticed it was sitting waiting to be picked up (lukewarm) because it was not the same piping hot, aromatic, and fresh dish as before. My DC also did not like having one single giant clam piece per shell (unlike previous visit where some had up to several bite-size pieces per shell.) 2) Crab Cake: The crab was very flavorful, lump meaty, and aromatic. However, it was too plain (especially for $18): just two small cakes atop an interesting orange sauce. It definitely needed some greens for color and refreshing contrast. The lobster salad was way better of a value ($15) and could sit without getting cold or soggy. 3) Milk-Fed Veal Saddle with Salsify and Carrots: The veal and salsify did not seem to be seasoned with salt at all, which really took away from the potentially flavorful ingredients. The carrots, meanwhile, were surprisingly very flavorful and naturally sweet. The texture, however, seemed unintentionally varied, from fork tender to verrry al dente (almost raw). They split this like our entrée on our previous visit, but my DC's portion was a bit overdone compared to mine. They did NOT have a serrated or steak knife--a first time ever--which got my DC's hand imprinted from cutting the veal. 4) Dark Chocolate Mousse with Milk Jam: Very rich mousse in a chocolate shell with milk jam (think lighter caramel) and one blackberry. It was pretty plain and missing something(s)--mint and more berries would have been nice to cut through the rich/sweetness. Service-wise, it was head and shoulders below our first visit--despite being the only table for half our meal. The Maître d', while okay in his selections, he could have been less chatty and more helpful with the timing of our dishes. Our clams were sitting waiting for us while the crab cakes were being finished. Just minutes after our first two courses arrived--we were clearly just starting them--they brought our veal entrée. We did not want the veal to get too cold, so we had to hurry our pace (I also had to leave some of the clam until later). The servers being trained were polite and trying, but their inexperience contrasted heavily to our previous visit where Agnes really enhanced our experience. Overall, I am still very hopeful about Bistro Provence. Unfortunately, I am a bit uneasy with possible inconsistencies in service and even the food. Regarding the service inconsistency, perhaps they could ensure a mix of rookies and veteran servers everyday rather than all of one or the other.

    (3)

  • Debbie C.

    I liked BP and would return. My meal was very flavorful and they accommodated my food allergy (which isn't always a given at some restaurants). My other guests enjoyed their meals also, and we found the price point a bit high, but the quality was there. Our server was friendly and timely. It is very crowded in there and I felt a little cramped at our table, but the interior is bright and lovely. We were celebrating a birthday, so they delivered a lovely happy birthday candle on a plate of chocolate writing. I would return for a special lunch.

    (3)

  • Lisa M.

    Bistro Provence is just absolutely lovely, from the decor to the service. The food alone is reason enough to try - Chef Yannick prepares simple yet incredibly flavorful dishes with both traditional French touches as well as modern, unique flair. I came here for an early Saturday dinner with my boyfriend and decided to share the asparagus appetizer, which was more like a small frittata with asparagus and sweet onion, topped with a poached egg, fresh cracked black pepper and tiny bacon pieces. It was phenomenal - despite seeming so simple and more like a breakfast dish than an appetizer, it was incredibly flavorful. I ordered the salmon with ratatouille and my bf ordered the Coquilles St. Jacques. I loved my dish, with it's perfectly cooked salmon steak that didn't need a knife to cut. It was that tender and flaky. The ratatouille was nice and comforting and didn't taste too tomato-y. My bf unfortunately was not too happy with his dish, only because it was "too sweet" for his taste buds. Turns out he simply doesn't have a liking for scallops, which he didn't realize until that moment. I, however, do like scallops and agreed to switch plates and I loved this dish just as much. The monkfish in the dish was also perfectly tender and the broth had a subtle hints of tomato. The dish includes a toasted piece of brioche bread topped with a melted cheese that just rounded everything out perfectly. We also tried dessert: their molten chocolate cake. It was heavenly. I loved the soft outer cake and warm, oozing chocolate inside. It was all complemented well by the spiced (not sure which spice it was now...) ice cream. Yum. The service here is excellent. Our waiter, Jay, was very nice and hospitable and the various table runners and other wait staff were all very kind - despite the fact that we had no idea that Bistro Provence is more of an upscale-atmosphere type place and we were wearing very casual clothes. Everyone else around us was dressed in dresses and suits while we had on t-shirts and shorts. Whoops. But we were treated just as nicely as the better-dressed patrons.

    (5)

  • Bruno C.

    We went here tonight for diner. This being their second night open...ever it was a truly great experience. The place is simple in decor, but has great atmosphere. The ambiance is casual yet still holds a refined french style. The staff is extremely friendly and did a great job for their second night out. The food...well this is truly at the heart of the place. The food is simple, yet extremely tasty and high in quality. Not to mention, very reasonably priced. This is what makes Bistro Provence an exceptional dining experience and a great addition to the Bethesda restaurant theme. not to mention, the head chef and owner is a delightful person who is there cooking in front of you, attentive to every detail on each plate and makes a point of coming to your table and greeting you. There are some kinks to work out, but again, the "Bistro" is a great little, laid back neighborhood restaurant and a great addition to the bethesda food scene.

    (5)

  • John B.

    Had dinner last night last was just average. The crab flan dish was good except for the 2shrimp which reeked of ammonia. Very bad and not fresh shrimp! Sitting near the kitchen someone else must have ordered shrimp and the ammonia fumes could be smelled in the restaurant. They can buy fresh shrimp. Would not recommend or return.

    (2)

  • autumn j.

    Excellent food. Excellent service and the seating area is amazing! The food has rich flavours...a must go place!

    (5)

  • Ron S.

    The four of us had a nice dinner. Our meal consisted of asparagus and lobster soups which were good, and three different fish entrees which were also quite good. Service was somewhat reserved yet adequate. I think overall the kitchen executions are very enjoyable. There are two issues with this restaurant: 1. The list of specials is quite long (may be 10-12 items) and the waiter recites all of them from his notes. By the time he recites item 6, one forgets the detail of item 1. When we asked the waiter why the restaurant does not print a special menu sheet. he told us that the chef objects to it. This did not make any sense to us. Also when reciting the specials, somehow the cost is always omitted. Why does the diner have to interrupt and ask for it? It seems to me it should be a part of the recitation. 2. The wine list is WAY overpriced and apparently many other diners thought so as few tables had bottles of wine; I noted a few diners enjoyed an overpriced glass of wine. For example, the wine menu lists a Perrin Cote-du-Rhone for $13.50 a glass. The same wine was on sale at Rodmans three weeks ago for $9.99 a bottle. Two months ago the price per bottle was $7.99 if you purchased a case. The point is that the restaurant sells a glass of wine for about twice the price of a bottle (retail). I checked the prices of other wines and they were also overpriced. I fully understand that restaurants try to increase their profit margins by selling wine at 3-4 times the retail price but the marked up price here is excessive. Furthermore, you cannot make money if you do not sell the product, and apparently not much wine is being sold.

    (3)

  • Lev P.

    The service was awful. We made reservation the day before and were seated at the table next to the entrance. The waiter could not explain the menu and was interrupted by other waiters passing by (?!) We had to wait for about 45 minutes before getting appetizers. The food was decent, but the mood was ruined by the time we received it. The place is way overpriced for the kind of crappy service provided. Unacceptable.

    (2)

  • Brett M.

    Why does this restaurant have 17 reviews? It's run by a reasonably famous local chef? Is yelp being manipulated? My meal was mediocre and the service was the worst I can recall.

    (2)

  • Kathy N.

    An absolute delight. Fine dining at casual dining prices. One of the best French meals that I have had in a very long time. Very good staff. Transcendent experience. A lot of chefs open less formal restaurants but only Yannick Cam can deliver the highest quality and innovation at reasonable prices. He knows how to run a restaurant and a kitchen.

    (5)

  • Jeffrey B.

    Went March 9, 2012 -- Our 28th Wedding Anniversary we notified them of this twice -- The worst experience I ever had at a restaurant -- We eat out alot!!! -- First the tables are so close together we might just as well had dinner with the couples on either side of us -- We sat in the back and the noise from the kitchen ( bang, bang, bang ) was very very loud and gave my wife and I a headache -- Food was OK the portions extremely small -- The waiter at one point whispered in my ear "would you like another beer" -- I am not under age and why he chose to whisper this I do not know -- My wife inquired what he had asked me??? -- But the final straw!!! -- We wanted to order desert relax and have another adult beverage -- The waiter gave us the desert menu and left us for a good ten minutes and came back and we ordered desert and as we were ordering the waiter told us the kitchen was backed up and a desert would take 30 minutes -- I said this was unacceptable and he said he could not promise any quicker -- No acknowledgement of our anniversary whatsoever??? Do your self a favor -- Go somewhere else

    (1)

  • Stefani B.

    A true Kitchen Nightmare. Where is Gordon Ramsay when you need him? Avoid this restaurant at all costs. If not just to spare yourself from a potentially disastrous experience like the one I am about to detail, but to support a fellow member of your community based on the highly unprofessional, rude &completely disappointing treatment my family received during my mom's birthday dinner on Sat night. Let me break it down for you. -We had an 8:30p dinner reservation. After arriving at 8:20p, we watched the manager saunter through the restaurant numerous times looking completely unable to handle the Saturday night rush, & at the same time seemed unfazed by it. Despite promising our table was "bring readied," we didn't get seated until almost 9p. -We realized when we made our way to the table in the "back of the restaurant" that we'd basically be eating outside in the dead of winter in nothing more than a TENT with some heat lamps - half of which were not even lit prior to our arrival (they turned them on when we complained of the chilly temps). Had we been made aware that making a reservation at this restaurant meant sitting outside in JANUARY, I'm sure we would've reconsidered. Or, we would've at least worn an extra couple of layers for the occasion! For the prices this restaurant charges, it's a complete SHAM to eat dinner under these conditions. -Once seated, we waited literally 25 mins for a server to show up to our table. When I was finally so annoyed by the lack of service (&also in need of a glass of wine at this point), I flagged down a waitress to find out who our waiter was. Fortunately, this waitress understood our situation & thankfully took all our food & drink orders, knowing how long we had sat unattended. After that, I ran into the manager on my way to the restroom & politely explained the situation to her (i.e. no one had come to our table, we were cold, etc.) & she profusely apologized, promising to rectify the situation. Apparently rectifying the situation to her meant cranking up the heat lamps & assigning the waitress (Kelly) to help our table since no one else had still bothered to come serve us. Other than that, there was little improvement in our overall experience. -Time until our first course = ~35 mins after ordering. -After appetizers, we saw that snow from above the tent was melting from the heat lamps, & water was coming through the tent & dripping right onto my mom's sweater. Simultaneously, we watched a huge hunk of ice & snow bulging through the tent start to melt, looking like it would drop near us at any time. Pleasurable eating conditions, as you can see. It was then that we insisted on being seated in the "main" dining area to finish our meal - where we should've been to begin with. Time at this point: prob ~10:15p w/ no main courses in sight. -We were brought inside to a table right in front of the kitchen & the manager offered a minor apology. At least another 15 mins passed before the kitchen even started plating our meals. The way I interpret this problem? For the restaurant's size, the kitchen is simply too small to accommodate the # of meals coming out the dining room. So even after the crowd died down at 10:15p, we STILL waited even longer for our food. I must say, once the food arrived, it was delicious (as were the appetizers), but coupled with the service received at the restaurant, the entire experience was simply appalling. -After dinner, the waitress (a total delight in contrast to everything else) asked us if we wanted dessert. We unknowingly made the mistake of ordering dessert to celebrate my mom's birthday - thinking that after this disgraceful experience, the manager would AT LEAST comp us the desserts. Another 25 mins elapsed before the dessert arrived, & had we known dessert would've extended our misery evenfurther, we wouldn't have ordered ANYTHING! -When we received the bill for the evening, confident we would receive a generous break for the restaurant blunders experienced all night, to our complete shock, the ONLY discount was my 2 glasses (NOT BOTTLES) of wine, removed from the bill. So essentially, we paid full price for a wholly incomplete dining experience. When I called the manager over 2 explain her rationale for charging us full price for the bill, she told me she already figured that I would write a bad review of the restaurant regardless of the extent of the discount. Readers of Yelp, have you ever heard of such audacity & ineptitude? As you can probably understand, this is why I am completely furious with this incompetent & useless woman who clearly knows nothing about the restaurant biz & succeeded in ruining my family's evening. Unreal. Mark my words, NEVER AGAIN. This place is a disgrace & I feel sorry for Chef Cam for leaving this brainless manager at the helm of what COULD be a very exceptional place. Sorry Bistro Provence, you have disgraced your name & rep among these foodies.

    (1)

  • David R.

    I ate at BP last night with three friends. We were there for an enjoyable evening, ready to take our time and relax. We were seated in the patio outside; they have a canvas ceiling, walls formed by nearby buildings, and a LOT of patio heaters. Remarkably, it works! The atmosphere for dinner was very pleasant, and the high ceiling controlled ambient noise. The food was outstanding. I had the foie gras in plum confit, and if you like foie gras, go get this dish, it's as good as any foie gras I've ever had. The other dishes the party had, two soups, scallops, fish, all were excellent. BP has an extraordinary kitchen. Service was slow, obviously held up by delays in the kitchen. The kitchen appears to be quite small, and I'd guess that the kitchen help is having a hard time keeping up with the number of tables in the restaurant. I hope that this is a temporary situation as they get established, until they move to a location with a larger kitchen! But if you do plan a meal at BP, be prepared for the wait between courses. My reason for assignment three rather than four stars is the wine list. The prices are simply outrageous. The wines listed are generally low-priced wines, and they are given high prices. Fifty dollars for a bottle of vouvray is simply too much to pay! At these prices, we simply can't have nice wine with dinner, and it's a shame, because the food is so good. Dave Roberts webmarketingadvantage.com

    (4)

  • mondo g.

    I left Bistro Provence after my first visit feeling happy and content. We had a lovely meal for four in celebration of a special event. We sat in the front room which felt alive, but not chaotic with close tables that did not feel cramped. Service is very professional and knowledgeable with just the right amount of friendliness, openness, and conversation. When my boyfriend ordered his main course, for instance, they server made sure to explain the finer points about the ratio of contents in the course's preparation, without our asking, to insure no disappointment. I enjoyed the duck foie gras with plums--a large portion in a simple, subtly artful bowl--its richness successfully cut with the lovely sauce. For the main course, osso bucco, I was given the appropriate silverware including a tiny little spoon, in order to best enjoy the bone marrow. This was a hearty, yet light meal and I enjoyed the carrot and cardammom sauce accompaniments as well as the texture of the dish, yet can't say the meat itself was absolutely drenched with flavor. Dessert, though not necessary for we were full with food and a bit of wine, was a very good warm chocolate cake with caraway ice cream--as with the foie gras and plums, a very good match. A little conversation with Yannick Cam, delightful in personality, added to the overall evening. And he is supportive and uses organic vegetables! Yes! As an aside, I found the menu to have more selections than necessary given the size of the restaurant and the kitchen--and it's just a style thing, but I found it curious that some of the prices ended in .00 while others were .50 and .95. I'd like to eat in their outside area which they open it, at busy times even in the winter, with an insulated canopy and heat lamps. How fun would that be? Enjoyable overall.

    (4)

  • Mike C.

    Went here when it first opened and found the food fine and service horrific (items forgotten, not everyone served at the same time, etc.). Fast forward several years, and we decided to try it again tonight. It was deja vu all over again. First, we were sitting in the front room and something was wrong with the lights so that they flickered every few minutes the whole time we were there. The service was glacial, and appropriately French. Took forever to get anything, even the sommelier. Food was fine, but I'll probably wait another couple years before returning because of the indifferent, slow service.

    (3)

  • Evgueni M.

    Presentation is stylish, decor is very romantic. Food was good, but not spectacular. Expensive, but not expansive. Very very slow service... could not wait for dessert... would have been breakfast. We got there at 7, and left at 10, still hungry and frustrated by the overdone steaks and salt-less appetizers. However, they did re-make our steaks to go as they were with consistency of a horseshoe. Sommalier was too attentive - with the spirit of a Rottweiler making sure we ordered more wine.

    (2)

  • Bruce n.

    I'm perplexed by the bad reviews, although they are few, so I had to add my two cents. I've dined here four times in the past year and a half. I've never had an unpleasant experience. The kitchen as small as it is, can get overwhelmed, so I learned to go earlier than is probably fashionable. Going early however will allow you to experience the best Chef Cam has to offer, if you order one of the tasting menus. (I call ahead to see if they will offer it on the day I make reservations).I've done that three times and remember every course, they are that exquisite. Dishes like Lobster Ravioli in a broth with fresh fava beans and truffles, or a crab flan topped with caviar, in a sweet corn chowder, Turbot with Sea urchin, and stuffed quail with boudin blanc (his boudin blanc is by far the most delicate I've ever tasted, like eating a cloud of meat). That was just one meal, and I didn't mention the fresh asparagus risotto or the chocolate volcano for desert. Go early, order a tasting menu, and you won't be dissapointed. I forgot to mention the wine list, extensive, lots of wine out of my price range, but plenty of reasonably priced choices.

    (5)

  • Jamison C.

    This is a delightful casual restaurant with amazing food. A silky corn soup with exquisite fried oysters (unlike any I have tasted), divine lobster with lentils, perfect fish, and celestial desserts. What a treat! The only reason I do not say five stars is because it is more approachable than that. Congratulations to the chef! We will be back if we can get in! JFC

    (4)

  • Hilary M.

    Lovely dinner and delicious food in every way, with one small drawback. I had the foie gras appetizer and veal chop. Both were excellent, and the veal chop was really extraordinary -- it almost melted in my mouth like osso buco and completely lacked the tough, chewy consistency that is almost expected. Our waiter was knowledgeable and reasonably attentive. Dinner was at peak time on a Friday night, and the place was bustling. Ultimately, things moved fairly slowly. The pace was not objectionable. The kitchen is literally in the restaurant, and this, if anything, is the drawback of the restaurant's design. I left with my clothes smelling of cooking smells. Waiters line up next to the diners' tables to pick up food, which contributes to a lack of serenity and considerable noise. Personally, I prefer not to see or smell the kitchen. I realize this is the fad now, but it doesn't work if there is absolutely no segregation of food preparation from the customers. Otherwise, delightful. Small but good and varied wine list.

    (4)

  • Raul C.

    Great place. I've been a fan of this chef's resturants so I know I'm a bit partial. Although I think this place really fulfilled my expectations. Also the courtyrad is beautiful place to have dinner.

    (5)

  • Brian G.

    Very pleasent atmospere and well organized for a place that's only been opened a few days. Salads had very good flavors with ample portion of lobster. Pepper, goat cheese, and olive salad was a very nice surprise - the flavors complimented each other quite well. The squid appetiser was somewhat bland but the crab cakes were a unique flavor twist on a classic Maryland dish. Excellent pepper steak and fantastic passion fruit crepe. The elevator to the bathroom needs better signage. Very friendly staff. However, the overall mood seemed somewhat tainted by the fact the a Journey soundtract played in the background. Now, I'm a fan of Journey but it just doesn't seem right in a nice French restaurant.

    (4)

  • Gloria M.

    This is the most charming place in Bethesda! the courtyard is delightful! I cant believe I did not know about this place and I have been to every restaurant in Bethesda! cant wait for my next visit! Amazing Food!

    (5)

  • Donna H.

    I recently took my boyfriend to Bistro Provence for his birthday, and the evening was nothing short of an embarrassment. It was the closest we've ever come to walking out of a restaurant, and several people who heard our story said they would have done exactly that. The food was delicious, but the service was horrendous. After getting a bottle of wine and a basket of bread at our table, that's the last we saw of anyone for an hour. We were patient because we weren't in a rush, but we found it odd that the waiter never acknowledged the delay or commented on how much longer it might be. The restaurant wasn't full and the waiter had a clear view of us from his station, so there was no excuse for ignoring us. After we flagged him down, he assured us our food would be ready in another few minutes, and the maitre'd followed up with a similar promise, acknowledging that the wait was unacceptable. Another 15 or 20 minutes passed, and we were just about to leave when the appetizers finally arrived. No excuse was ever given for the delay. Both the waiter and maitre'd offered weak apologies but did nothing to demonstrate that they were truly sorry for the poor service. Even after the food arrived, there was little follow-up at our table, and there was certainly no offer to comp any part of the meal, which a classier restaurant would have done. The only person who was efficient and courteous throughout the evening was the busboy. Despite the terrible service, I foolishly left a sympathy tip for the waiter because I figured he'd be getting fired in no time, perhaps with the maitre'd right behind him. My boyfriend and I have the luxury of being able to eat out frequently, but we'll never go back to Bistro Provence and we wouldn't recommend it to anyone. Bethesda has many wonderful restaurants to choose from. This isn't one of them.

    (2)

  • Catherine B.

    I went there for lunch with my husband and parents to celebrate my father's 89th b'day. We were the only group in the small main dining room looking out at the kitchen It was too hot to sit on the patio and the fans weren't on. There were only a few occupied tables. Ambiance is lovely. Many many flowers thruout the main dining area and the patio. Three of us had the frisee salad with its excellent vinaigrette. One in our party had the squid appetizer. It was deemed outstanding and was beautifully presented. We all ordered different mains. One had the fried fish cakes with an excellent rouille on top. One had the bouilliabaise. The sauce was outstanding. Another had the largest bowl of mussels ever served in a restaurant. The only disappointment was that there were no frites to go with and nothing else to offer. I had the monk fish w/lentils. Another wonderful dish. We highly recommend the food. A few disappointments. We have followed Chef Cam thru Papillon to Le Relais to Paradou. We even bought wine from his restaurant cellar auction. It was disappointing to not have him come over or even wave from the kitchen. We tried to get his attention a few times but were ignored. A little congeniality goes a long way in this world. (And be careful what you say to your staff in public. There are a great many of us who understand French). I get the "bistro" movement. But even bistros should have proper service. Here, it needs work. We ordered a bottle of Viognier. Did not get it until the appetizers were delivered and we reminded our waitress. Plates were removed before everyone is finished their meal.

    (4)

  • Tom O.

    Recently, my wife and I had a mid-week lunch at Bistro Provence, on Fairmont Ave in Bethesda, and it was absolutely wonderful. We ordered from the daily specials - escargot (sauteed with chanterelle mushrooms and thinly sliced potatoes in a garlic/parsley sauce), duck breast with turnips, and seared scallops on shaved fennel and Parmesan with fresh figs, and a fig and mascarpone tarte for desert. Wow! Beautiful presentations and out-of-this-world flavors all around. The food was perfectly cooked and not over-salted. Service was excellent and the place is very charming; we sat in the lovely courtyard in the back. I can not recommend this place more strongly; the food was better here, in my opinion, than anything we had during a two week driving tour of Provence a few years ago. It was a little expensive - the bill came to $60 for two, without wine (excellent list, but overpriced). We will return

    (5)

  • Janet B.

    One of the worst experiences in fine dining for many years. Waited almost 90 minutes for a table with no where to stand. Food and wait staff were no consolation. Will never go there again, or recommend to anyone wanting a calm, professional dining experience.

    (2)

  • My I.

    This review will share my observations with the ambiance of the restaurant, with only brief comments about the meal. First off, if you are sitting in the front of the restaurant, you have NO view of the open kitchen. So, if you are expecting a show with glimpses of the chef, you will be disappointed. We were seated at a table for two just adjacent to, and parallel with the bar, which runs about 1/3 way down the right hand wall as you enter. This table (#11 according to the matre'di) is the WORST table in this very loud restaurant. It is squeezed in to a space where there should be NO table at all. Every time someone walked past the table, there was so little space, that their jackets, purses or rear end would brush the table, causing glasses to wobble. A few times we had to grab our water and wine glasses to prevent them from being knocked off the table. To make matters worse, every time a waiter needed to reach the tables on the other side of us, they had to turn their bodies sideways and lift plates high just to squeeze behind our chairs. Hundreds of times during the 45 minute wait for our appetizers and the remaining 75 minute dining experience did we have to endure waiters, the matre'di and patrons brushing behind our chair and knocking in to us. When I told the manager and the matre'di, they apologized, but offered nothing in return. It got really bad whenever groups of diners arriving separately would meet up at the restaurant and greet each other. Because there is only room for 3-4 people to stand at the entrance, our table was right there in the middle of the loud greeting at the bar when people greeted each other. It looked to us like the rest of the tables, even ones against the wall were also very tightly squeezed together. Forget a private conversation. Dining at one of these other tables would have been like having dinner with people you didn't know. Regarding the meal, I agree with another reviewer who said the although the breads may have been tasty, they were small pieces and cold. The salmon I had was over cooked, and my wife thought the broth of the asparagus soup was too thin. Thankfully there are so many choices of restaurants in Bethesda that we won't have to return.

    (2)

  • Randi V.

    Don't bother! It is a disaster!!!! We arrived at 7:55 with a reservation for a table for four for 8:00. We didn't get seated until 8:30. No one even filled water glasses or brought bread until 8:55. The waiter was very unfriendly and inattentive. We ordered appetizers and sat..and sat...and sat! Finally the appetizers came-an hour after we were seated. My husband's chestnut soup (although delicious) was in the shallowest bowl I have every seen. My friend's small shrimp appetizer was in a ridiculously deep and large bowl. After appetizers we were given two more bread baskets while we waited and waited and waited for the entrees. I should mention that all the while we were watching the propane heaters teeter as the wait staff and customers nudged them as they walked by -on the canvas tented patio. The smell of the propane seemed to be very evident as well. After waiting close to two hours, my husband said let's just call it quits. He went to go pay for the appetizers, at the same time the entrees were presented at the table. No one cared that we were leaving. No one asked what they could do to rectify the situation. We will certainly never go back and will be telling everyone and anyone who is willing to listen to take their business elsewhere. Clearly there is no shortage of excellent restaurants in Bethesda..this one doesn't make the cut at all.

    (1)

  • Julie G.

    What a strange experience we had at this restaurant. My husband ordered the lobster on a bed of lentils as a first course, which was very nice, although underseasoned. For his entree, he ordered the monkfish. However, this was the "exact" same dish he had just eaten, except with monkfish, but the waiter accidentally failed to tell us this. Literally, it was the identical bed of lentils and nothing else. We kindly asked the waiter if he could have get a different entree since he just ate this same dish. He was very gracious and said that he would see what he could do. Then the maitre'd came over and told us that this was not possible, that we could not get another entree. Huh? We're spending over $30 on an entree and they can't 'make this right'? Clearly, the customer does NOT come first here. Fortunately, our waiter was able to work something out and brought my husband a new entree. We will not be returning to BP and be warned that the chef comes first here, not the customer.

    (2)

  • Matt S.

    Went out for a dinner for a friend's birthday. Was looking forward to some great French food and the meal definitely didn't disappoint. To start off the meal I had a great roasted red pepper appetizer. The combination of fried feta along with watercress and FRESH anchovies worked extremely well with the red peppers. The entree I went with was the branzino special. It was done with mussels and lobster. Absolutely delicious and light. I highly recommend it for anyone when the special is available. The meal along with great wines made for a perfect dining experience. I'd highly recommend it for anyone willing to shell out the cash for a meal.

    (4)

  • Grace R.

    Truly one of the worst meals and extra worse service in the greater Washington area. We were not waited on for at least 30 mins. then were told that the wine we wanted was not available. Then we were not served the wine because it was not the proper temperature. The server charged us $5 for an "extra plate" when we asked to split an appetizer. But the icing on the cake was the two candles with nothing underneath or in between to celebrate a 33 year anniversary. The fishy smell in the basement (where the restrooms are) was kind of like the way the fish tasted. Yuk! And for only $400 for the 4 of us! Pathetic.

    (1)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :5:30 pm - 8:3

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : No
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Garage, Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Dressy
    Ambience : Intimate, Romantic, Classy
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : Yes

Bistro Provence

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