La Grande Boucherie, Elegance and Decadent Eats Steps from the White House

Another New York hotspot has opened in DC — but don’t worry about a Big Apple invasion; its majestic location makes it about as Capital as can be.

La Grande Boucherie opened its sixth location at the renovated National Bank Building a block from the White House last month.

It’s unmissable — not only for the delicious menu, but its two-story Belle Epoque interior is absolutely jaw-dropping. Expect a grand entrance staircase, exquisite gilded ceiling and chandelier, and some of DC’s best scene-gazing, either from tables along the upstairs terrace dining or from the curved bar imported from Paris.

 

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 “The historic architecture, burgeoning food scene, and international community [of Washington, DC] all align with The Group’s goal: to continue transforming landmark spaces into iconic restaurant destinations in America’s most captivating cities,” said Emil Stafkov, founder of The Group Hospitality.

La Grande Boucherie’s grand opening party was a throwback to DC’s opulent golden event days (estimates claim over $80,000 of food was served… gratuit bien sûr!) And since its debut fête, LGB has been a DC darling on the rise, sure to be the city’s newest hotspot.

The menu is French bistro at its finest: meats, a raw bar, and classic bistro dishes. It’s a boucherie, so high-quality prime cuts like Filet de Bœuf or Filet Mignon Au Poivre, grass-feed ribeye Entrecôte Grillée, large-formats like Chateaubriand pour Deux and Plateau du Boucher, and in-house dry-aged and wagyu meat are obvious temptations. That is, if you can pass up the melty cheesy Soupe à l’Oignon, Moules a la Basquaise, or Les Escargots. 

The wine list has more than the usual extensive favorites from France, so you can’t go wrong, but we were especially enamored with La Grande Boucherie’s absinthe offerings. There is also some fun in three special cocktails made in collaboration with D.C. mixologist and winner of Netflix’s Drink Masters, LP O’Brien.

And while you are enjoying, remember that the same restaurant group that brought you La Grande Boucherie is actually opening three additional concepts in the same building this year: Olio e Più, an Italian trattoria, Omakase Room, an intimate Japanese omakase, and a new underground speakeasy are all on the way!