If you've ever visited any of the bistrots in Paris, you'd be familiar with the restrained lighting and the magical aura that characterizes these cosy little places, which are all so tremendously typical of Bistrot Lepic in Washington. Closely packed tables and pictures of Frenchmen walking in the rain keeps alive the Provençal spirit in the main restaurant while at the Wine Bar the décor is eons apart with cube tables and chairs which could almost embrace you.

The dinner menu is inimitably presented with starters of cream of yellow corn with crab meat and potatoes or hors d'oeuvres of organic Burgundy snails baked in garlic butter, and crusty boneless pig's feet with onion sauce. Seafood lovers are sure to be intrigued by the sight of salmon in potato crust and grilled rainbow trout with snow peas julienne and shrimp bisque sauce, and for the rest it could be calves' liver with capers or beef medallions with polenta and shiitake mushroom sauce.