Chevy Chase, Spring Valley, Cabin John on Le Pain Quotidien's closure wish list

Bethesda Row, Wildwood not on list

The future of Le Pain Quotidien as a whole is murky indeed, but a court filing in its bankruptcy case is giving us our first hint as to the future of some of its area locations. It contained a list of Le Pain locations where a rejection of unexpired leases and abandonment of property would be undertaken by the firm, if approved in the proceedings.

Notably, Bethesda Row and Wildwood Shopping Center were not on the list. Unlucky locations that made the list included  Wisconsin Place in Friendship Heights, Spring Valley in Northwest Washington, Cabin John Shopping Center, Union Station, F Street NW, and K Street NW.

More Sunday brunch options at La Ferme in Chevy Chase (Photos)

One can never tire of pretending they are in Paris in downtown Bethesda's Bethesda Row area. A breakfast at Paul Bakery or Le Pain Quotidien, enjoyed on Bethesda Lane with the morning news from Le Parisien, Le Monde or Le Figaro. Dining Parisian café-style on the sidewalk with Steak Frites at Mon Ami Gabi. Catching the latest French import at Landmark Bethesda Row Cinema.

But sometimes you have to escape to the French countryside, and in Bethesda you can do that, too. A French farmhouse awaits minutes away at 7101 Brookeville Road in Chevy Chase, where La Ferme has been in operation since 1985.

Thirty-one years later, La Ferme is updating its popular Sunday brunch with new options geared to 2016 diners. You can still get the three-course, $31 menu. But now you can order any two menu items, and add a beverage, Mimosa, Bloody Mary or a glass of house Champagne for $31, as well. Choose two appetizers and a drink. Two desserts and a drink. Two entrees and a drink, etc.

Mimosa

I tested out the brunch menu for you yesterday, with the dashboard thermometer reading over 90°F and the air thick with humidity. That made a perfect and refreshing Mimosa an easy choice to start off with, in the air-conditioned dining room of this rural retreat surrounded by tall trees. 5 stars (out of 5).

French Onion Soup

Another no-brainer - order the French Onion Soup, one of the restaurant's signature items. Under a thick topper of rich Gruyère cheese is a highly-flavorful broth filled with lots of tender onions and chunks of bread. The soup easily earns a 5-star rating, putting more pedestrian, watery "French Onion" soups to shame.

Look at that cheese!

House-made croissant

A starter basket of house-made croissants are just-right in terms of texture, but could use just a bit more buttery flavor, earning a solid 4-stars.

Linguine with fresh vegetables,
olive oil, garlic and arugula

On to the main course, where I chose one not typical of France: linguine with fresh vegetables, olive oil, garlic and arugula. The vegetables yesterday included sun-dried tomatoes and mushrooms, which gave the entree an earthy, rustic flavor. Black olives are the secret weapon in this dish, giving a pickled zing. I would definitely get this again. 5 stars.

Chocolate and Grand Marnier
Cake

For the big finish, I ordered the Chocolate and Grand Marnier Cake, which joins their warm crepes filled with milk chocolate and hazelnut ganache as the best choices from the dessert menu. A yellow orange Grand Marnier cake sandwiched between a chocolate mousse filling and a layer of creme, topped with chocolate icing and shaved chocolate, gets an extra boost from the raspberry coulis that garnishes the plate. This is the best slice of cake I've had in a restaurant this year. It melts in your mouth, and disappears from the plate before you know it. A solid 5 stars.

So, whether you are a Francophile or just seeking a good Sunday brunch deal, stop by La Ferme on a future Sunday this summer between 11:30 AM and 2:00 PM. They have a porch for dining al fresco, and are in the process of adding a new bar that will feature a special selection of Cognac and small plates.

Renderings of the future
bar addition 

The airy side porch
capitalizes on the
tree-lined setting

Check out the Sunday brunch menu online, and call 301-986-5255, as reservations are recommended.

BETHESDA ROW RESTAURANT WEEK - Inside the Menus: MON AMI GABI

Today is the final day of Bethesda Row Restaurant Week 2012!

Where better to close it out on a dark and rainy evening than in the cozy confines of Bethesda Row's French bistro, Mon Ami Gabi!

Menu s'il vous plait, garcon!

DINNER ($30)

Course 1:
-----------

Petit Caesar Salad with Romaine, black pepper, olive oil, crouton and Parmesan cheese

Onion Soup au gratin

Chilled Gazpacho with Chopped Red and Green Pepper garnish

(choice of one)

Course 2:
-----------

Steak Frites (this is the specialty of the house at Mon Ami Gabi)

OR

Seared Atlantic Salmon au Poivre with Pommes Puree, Spring Mushroom Mix, and Red Wine Sauce

OR

Half-roasted Chicken and Frites, Grandmere style

Course 3:
-----------

Creme Brulee

Chocolate Mousse with Chocolate Perles Craquantes* (this is my recommendation!)

Sorbet du jour
----------------------------------
Mon Ami Gabi has put some of their most popular items on the Restaurant Week menu, so you know you'll be getting the best of what they have to offer tonight.

So stop by this evening.  Au revoir for now!

BETHESDA ROW

RESTAURANT WEEK

Inside the Menus:

LE PAIN QUOTIDIEN

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

One of the greatest things about Bethesda Row is the ability to escape to Paris any time of the day. The decor and setting of Mon Ami Gabi - even when dining on the patio - evoke an evening out in the City of Light.

Le Pain Quotidien is the sweet spot on our pedestrian street at Bethesda Row, Bethesda Lane, where the cuisine perfectly matches the architecture.

It is almost like a movie set, with the dramatic arch above and stone street. LPQ provides the sidewalk cafe and French food to complete the scene. It is, hands down, the best spot in Bethesda for a leisurely breakfast. Is there a better way to start the day than a Toasted Paris Ham & Gruyere Croissant (they put Paris in the name; clearly I am in the target audience for their marketing!) and a real Cafe au Lait, served European-style? Add in a French newspaper or magazine, and you'll feel the urge to hand the staff your passport. And did I mention the Belgian waffle? And the fact that you can find the best fresh lemonade in town here on a hot day in Bethesda?

It's too bad breakfast isn't part of Bethesda Row Restaurant Week, but fortunately, LPQ has lunch and dinner flights to France available for only $15 or $30 through April 22!

LUNCH ($15)

Course 1:

--------------

Soup du jour

Course 2:

--------------

Organic Quinoa Taboule with arugula, chickpeas, avocado and vinaigrette (quinoa is a superfood - super healthy - by the way! Taboule is a variation on a traditional Middle Eastern salad)

OR

Chicken Curry Tartine with cranberry harissa chutney

Course 3:

--------------

Organic Iced Tea

OR

Organic Mint Lemonade sweetened with raw, organic agave nectar

(I'm picking the lemonade here!)

DINNER ($30)

Course 1:

--------------

Baked Goat Cheese Toasts with organic acacia honey and thyme

Course 2:

--------------

Warm Morroccan Chicken Salad with chickpeas, olives, harissa, cucumber and arugula (hard to argue with this one)

OR

Seared Quinoa Cake with corn, zucchini, carrots, tomato, hummus and avocado

Course 3:

--------------

Mini Tart Quartette (Matcha Tea Mousse, Lemon, Chocolate Ganache, Blueberry)

Course 4:

--------------

Beverages!

Glass of House Wine RN13 - White, Rose or Red

(I think the white pairs best with this menu)

OR

Organic Iced Tea

OR

Mint Lemonade

Much like Vapiano, LPQ is throwing in a beverage. So you're essentially getting a nice glass of wine free!

For me, the day at Bethesda Row isn't officially over until the little Le Pain Quotidien truck pulls up to the end of Bethesda Lane, at the Elm Street side.

And so too does today's edition of Inside the Menus end!

Au revoir!

FRENCH COOKING

CLASS AT

BETHESDA ROW

SATURDAY

Learn How to Whip Up Some of

Mon Ami Gabi's Most Popular Dishes

During this Interactive Course

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

Would Jacques Pepin scream if he stood by as you prepared French classics in your kitchen? It doesn't have to be that way anymore!

Sign up for this Saturday's cooking class at Bethesda Row's favorite French bistro, Mon Ami Gabi!

Learn the secrets behind the executive chef's Soupe au Pistou with Tubetti pasta and white beans, Jumbo Lump Crab Salad Tartini with avocado, and "Floating Island," with Creme Anglaise, caramel and toasted almond.

Sample these dishes, as well as the wines perfectly matched to them.

The cost is $50, and all guests receive a free recipe booklet.

Mon Ami Gabi's interactive class begins at 10 AM Saturday. Call now to reserve your spot before the class is full!

Mon Ami Gabi, 7239 Woodmont Avenue, Bethesda. 301-654-1234.