Bonjour! Rouge Blanc
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Friday, April 3rd, 2009
A pair of downtown McLean eateries will give way to a developing bistro/wine bar concept next week, once Corner Bistro and Le Mistral formally pass the dining torch to the forthcoming Rouge Blanc on April 10.
(Image: Rouge Blanc)
Investor Al Laroussi says Le Mistral chef Yomi Famiyi will remain behind the burners at Rouge Blanc, but indicated that the entire menu has been reworked to feature less costly and more family-friendly selections.
“Prices were just too high,” he suggested, noting that Le Mistral devotees consistently gush about the food and the service but tended to bristle at the outlay required for even a light meal.
As such, many of the Continental standbys (stuffed veal, roasted squab, artichokes Provencal) have been shed in lieu of quirky small plates (crab dumplings with ginger carrot beurre blanc, marinated anchovies with mixed peppers) and pared back entrees (a classic calves’ liver dish will resurface as a liver and onion plate). Traditionalists, however, will still be able to indugle in classic preparations via a few big ticket items (Dover sole imported from Holland, a gourmet duo of veal sweetbreads and foie gras).
According to Laroussi, management wants to make as seamless a transition as possible.
So patrons will be able to enjoy the remaining Corner Bistro tapas items at the Le Mistral bar (Corner Bistro, itself, formally closed earlier this year; Joe’s Burgers moved into it’s spot and has since expanded its own menu) as well as the full Le Mistral carte through next Thursday.
Assuming everything goes according to plan, Rouge Blanc would then hit the ground running next Friday morning.
And what about those unsuspecting fat cats who might wander in next week fully prepared to spend a mint on their Le Mistral favorites?
“They’ll find out it’s [Rouge Blanc] extremely, extremely affordable,” he said of the new venture’s more fiscally pleasing program.
–Warren Rojas
Tags: Al Laroussi, bistro, Corner Bistro, Gut Check, Joe's Burgers, Le Mistral, McLean, Northern Virginia Magazine, restaurants, Rouge Blanc, tapas, Warren Rojas, wine bar