Le Diplomate proves as pricey as its fancy name suggests. Tucked into the corner of 14th and Q, the restaurant mimics its French counterparts with high, open windows, rustic white and oak-paneled walls, and tiled floors. All this establishes the feeling of old Paris as you walk through a set of wooden doors. At 6:30 on a Monday night (that’s right, Monday), the restaurant was already filled, and I was cheerfully given a table on the sidewalk—nothing to complain about on such a beautiful day. That quiet, idyllic corner spot where expats scribble masterpieces is nowhere to be found at Le Dip. Instead, the patio bubbles with noise—the restaurant is quickly becoming a lively neighborhood spot.
Bozhena, our server with a buoyant attitude and French accent, promptly took our order and brought out bread swiftly. White baguettes, rye-wheat slices, and cranberry-walnut boule loaves were heaped in a basket with a small cup of butter. Though not quite warm, it was better than any typical restaurant’s offering, especially the soft and sweet walnut bread. Still, I regretted not ordering some fresh Brie, as I enviously watched a couple at the table behind me eagerly slicing into a petite wheel of fromage.
The ricotta ravioli, cooked simply with tomato and basil and stuffed full of soft ricotta, is nothing special. Instead, the sides are better than the main dishes they support. Small servings of corn and zucchini are cooked to be sweet and creamy without being too oily. Le Diplomate’s pomme frites are a bonus to the main orders, not too salty and never overdone.
Though pricey, most of the restaurant’s food lives up to the sophisticated atmosphere, though the only genuine French aspects of Le Dip are its presentation and its cheese. Most selections like the burger Americain are gourmet American entrees translated on the menu into French. Still, the restaurant offers a few classic dishes like beef bourguignon and steak frites.
For dessert, the milk chocolate pot de crème doesn’t disappoint. A tall glass bowl filled with chocolate and topped with thick, homemade whipped cream was the highlight of our meal. Scratch that—the highlight of our day. Its smooth, pudding consistency remains cold and refreshing. Light and feathery, the pot de crème melts on the tongue despite its deceptively heavy appearance. If you visit Le Diplomate for nothing else, order a pot de crème.
Dining at a French café is no longer the exclusive luxury of those lucky study abroad kids. While the menu at Le Diplomate exceeds the typical college student’s budget, it’s certainly cheaper than a plane ride to Paris.
Le Diplomate
1601 14th Street, NW D.C.
lediplomatedc.com
