la côte d'or cafe

went there at 5pm for an early supper. the house salad was dressed perfectly. i had dover sole (the special) that was cooked beautifully and for dessert i had a chocolate crepe (good, not great). we also had the boneless beef short ribs (another special), which was fantastic and the chocolate mousse, which was classic and perfect. overall we had a great meal with great service. this restaurant was not cheap, but aspecialoccasion for us and seemed to be well worth it. i went there before and had the paris minute steak with fries. that was also well cooked. i recommend this restaurant.

overpriced, limited skills in preparation. grade: c+/d-

it had been a few years since we visited la côte d'or and it seems that in the intervening time they've gone downhill.

we sat in their back room, where we had previously, and saw that it was in the same need for a wall cleaning or a fresh coat of paint as it had been then. the small tabletop lamp was dusty and tired looking, and the tablecloth had a few too many stains.

we were brought an amuse bouche, a demitasse of carrot and ginger soup. i had to ask whether it was intended to be hot or cold (should've been the latter), as it was served lukewarm - dangerous for food service. at any rate, the carrot was barely discernible through the intense punch of cilantro...i didn't pick up the ginger at all.

one appetizer was a half dozen oysters - all of which were firmly secured to the floor of their shells, and a couple had some grit from inexperienced opening. when we told this to the waiter, he brought one new oyster that had been freed from its mooring.

the other appetizer was fresh foie gras in a raspberry sauce. this was highly disappointing. it tasted as if it hadn't been seasoned at all and that it had sat for a few minutes after plating. bland. and not worth $24.95.

for entrées, we had mushroom crêpes and dover sole meunière. unfortunately, the 10 or so bones i picked out probably should've been caught in preparation. once again, lack of seasoning made this passable but not worth $38.95 on any planet. covered in cheese like a chimichanga, the crêpes had also sat too long after plating and the cheese had begun to harden. there was nothingspecialabout the mushrooms, which tasted as if they could've gone another minute or two.

at the end of the meal - 2 appetizers, 2 entrees, a half bottle of wine and tip - the check surpassed $150.00. for that money, everything should have been perfect and exciting, but nothing wowed me. sorry to say, i don't anticipate a return.

comfortable and classy and darn good food. tempted by the falls church restaurant week offer my wife and i visited la cote on friday evening. we were greeted at the door by raymond who owns the restaurant with his wife lynne. the staff members were all in a pleasant mood, which then sets you in a good mood to relax and enjoy your meal, and we were whisked to our seating. i wandered to the bathroom and along the way i found some other seating outside dining area in the sun off the main dining room and asked to be reseated and we were graciously moved. the whole evening went like that. the food was fabulous even though the restaurant signature dishes (ask your server what they are) were not part of the 3 course meal. it seemed that this restaurant has a real local following and reminded me of café’s that i have visited in when i was in the army and visiting france. how do i say this: clients were mostly upper crust folks who seem to appreciate and a good meal and to expect (demand) professional service? i have taken pictures of our dishes which i hope you enjoy viewing as much as joan and i enjoyed eating them. when i get a little more change in my pocket i will be back here to enjoy this warm andspecialplace. i like being treated like royalty in a very casual way.