Has anyone been to La Tire Bouchon in Fairfax City?

would you recommend it? Thank you for your input.

I purchase my tires from Costco. After assiduously studying the tire market, I found that Costco offered the best deal (to include balancing, mounting, and life-long rotation--might include balancing, also). You can enjoy a great Polish hotdog while you wait. Sorry, no Freedom Fries.

here
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Jim Vance Wrote:
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> Has anyone been to La Tire Bouchon in Fairfax
> City?
>
> would you recommend it? Thank you for your input.


This is a nice special occasion restaurant with a solid waitstaff and very good food. Not nearly as pretentious as L'Auberge Chez Francois in Great Falls and a less varied menu, but still a very nice place for dinner. I enjoy good food and like a variety of cuisines, but a lot of traditional French cooking (e.g., sweetbreads) are not my favorite. However, there is not one thing on Le Tire Bouchon's menu that I would not order.

Both the Ceasar and house salads are very good and the entrees we have tried have all been nicely prepared. My only real complaint is the wine list which is small and lacking in wines priced under $40. Expect to pay $120-130 per couple plus tip for dinner.

Personally, I think that it is worth it if you are looking for a romantic dinner without driving into the District. I would, however, also highly Bellissimo on Main Street. A bit less expensive, but great service and very good Italian food.

Jim Vance Wrote:
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> Has anyone been to La Tire Bouchon in Fairfax
> City?
>
> would you recommend it? Thank you for your input.

Not sure what "La Tire Bouchon" means, but if you do, you will clean it
up by yourself!

I agree with Mr. Burnham about both restaurants. The tire place is small and very pretty inside with the owner coming to each table to check on things and to chat.
Bellisimo is also good but recently they have gone to seatings by time. The last time we went, we got stuck by the door where a bunch of people were waiting for the next shift. It was distractingnot to mention cold. Food is very good but both places are pricey.

Trickie

My .02

I thought Tire Bouchon was expensive for what you got and would not go back. I didn't care for Bellissimo either. It must be my tastes but for the money you're shelling out at these places for, say a steak and some wine, you could do better at Wegmans for a hell of a lot cheaper.

That said, I stopped at the Spanish Tapas place (I think it was las tapas -- big huge place with an upstairs) in Old Town Alexandria last week and had a great meal. Seafood paella was great as were the sangria. A bit pricey but good nonetheless.

I would also recommend the Surf and Turf at Rio Grande (served only on weekends) as well as their fajitas. I don't know what they use as a marinade on their meats but it's damn good.

Buck

It's closed...there's a new restaurant there now, I think it's called Villa Mozart or something like that. Not sure if it's open yet.

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/446698

> could do better at Wegmans for a hell of a lot cheaper.

Hahaha, yeah just go to Wegmans?? srsly wtf, lol

I do give you credit for your comment on Las Tapas though, that place kicks ass. I usually don't order paella but will try it the next time I'm down there.

Thank you, everyone, for your replies and input.

I'm Jim Vance and I approve this message..
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As MBF mentioned, La Tire Bouchon is now closed. Thats a shame.

F-ing french food. Snails and brains. Only the lowly french could make that crap and call it food.

Best picture of all time when I think of the french.
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Hey, you can knock the French people all you like - but you cannot speak negatively about their food. The French are known for exquisite cuisine and that is a tough point to argue.

Only because the french self promote the myth of excellent french food. People are afraid to look uncivilized if they say the french food is actually garbage.
It is kind of like going to the Kennedy Center. People always say what a great experience a show was when actually they hated being there. They don't want to admit they paid good money to see a crummy show.

While most people are pouring salt on snails to kill them the french are heating up the hot water to make dinner of them.

TheMeeper Wrote:
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> Hahaha, yeah just go to Wegmans?? srsly wtf, lol

Go buy their filet or aged steak and throw it on the grill with a little salt and pepper. Go med rare. Also grab a bottle of Chateauneuf Du Pape and get back to me.

Get the seafood paella and a pitcher of sangria. That sangria was great!

Buck

Buck Wrote:
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> Go buy their filet or aged steak and throw it on
> the grill with a little salt and pepper. Go med
> rare. Also grab a bottle of Chateauneuf Du Pape
> and get back to me.
>
> Get the seafood paella and a pitcher of sangria.
> That sangria was great!

Where does Wegman's have paella? I agree with the beef - the dry aged ribeye is pricey, but a great cut of meat when cooked on a hot grill. Even better, however, is the beef at the new Whole Foods in Fair Lakes. This is one of the few places which sells hanger steak and it worth trying to see what great beef tastes like. Not the most attractive cut of meat, but with a simple marinade, cooked quickly over high heat and cut properly you will have a fine meal indeed.

Lester Burnham Wrote:
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>
> Where does Wegman's have paella?

Was referring to Las Tapas in Old Town from my prior message.

Buck

My husband and I ate at La Tire Bouchon once. the service was adequate, the food was ok but not memorable and the price was steep for a two star ( my rating) restaurant.

we haven't been back

It's always better to try a restaurant for yourself.

what I find just OK you might find fabulous.

I'm a pretty hard to impress diner. I'm one of the few who thinks chez francios is over rated and way to pricey.

foodie Wrote:
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> I'm a pretty hard to impress diner. I'm one of the
> few who thinks chez francios is over rated and way
> to pricey.

Actually, you may just be one of the few people confident enough to say that to others who think that Chez Francois is outstanding. I agree and, frankly, never understood the fascination. I would rather save up for an outstanding meal and experience at Inn at Little Washington.

Le Tire Bouchon was fine for what it was...a decent French restaurant in Old Town Fairfax, but more like 1 or 1 1/2 stars using Tom Sietsema's scale (WaPo food critic). Overall, I think that Le Tire tried too hard and it is a tough menu to pull off in a small space which makes it difficult to turn a profit. It will be interesting to see whether La Rue 123 (located in the Bailiwick Inn) has better success.

if it's in fairfax city, it's overpriced, out-of-date and should be burned. that goes for everything in fairfax city, not just buildings.


"the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish."

Lester Burnham Wrote:
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> Actually, you may just be one of the few people
> confident enough to say that to others who think
> that Chez Francois is outstanding. I agree and,
> frankly, never understood the fascination. I
> would rather save up for an outstanding meal and
> experience at Inn at Little Washington.
>

I thought Inn at Little Washington was ok but definitely not worth the price for the food. The service was outstanding; probably the best I've ever head but I can't say that the food was that memorable for $200/head.

Buck

Outback Steak House and Coastal Flats have excellent food, attentive staffs, and are very consistent in fresh, quality offerings. Moderately priced by today's standards. Try the new Wednesday night special at the Outback--aged beef, shrimp, and chicken. What a nice mid-week treat. And for grouper lovers, Coastal Flats told me that grouper will be back on the menu.

Outback Steak House-excellent food, attentive staffs, and are very
> consistent in fresh, quality offerings.

Hahaha. I mean really.

I seriously think I'll just stick with that Wegman's idea, mate.

Got me! Guess I'm too pretentious. I really an just a plain pumpkinburger type of guy.
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If you want good French restaurant, head over to Great Falls:

L'Auberge Chez Francois

Not your everyday place, excellent food and service, always.

I highly recommend it.

I second L'Auberge Chez Francois, it's expensive about $100 per couple. http://www.laubergechezfrancois.com/

Almost forgot, in the busy season you may need to make reservations a month in advance.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/18/2007 01:10PM by Lurker..

> If you want good French restaurant,

Le Canard in Vienna has always been one of my personal favs in this area. It's not as fancy as L'auberge, but the food and service has always been great, it's worth checking out. Bistro 123 was also really excellent but I haven't been there since they moved into the mall.

Again, thank you everyone for your input and suggestions.

I decided to shift plans from French to Japanese and will be taking my guest to 'Makoto' off MacArthur Boulevard in the city. Has anyone been to Makato? The write up in the post sounds very interesting. You have to remove your shoes, saki is served in the traditional box I believe, etc. Very small and loud but I will take that as part of the experience.

here are the Yelp reviews-

http://www.yelp.com/biz/bKefKWGTot0Zc7XGvLMW1Q#hrid:-WTg6RcGSzmlv1ZWS-0Ceg/query:Makoto

Lurker. Wrote:
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> I second L'Auberge Chez Francois, it's expensive
> about $100 per couple.
> http://www.laubergechezfrancois.com/
>
> Almost forgot, in the busy season you may need to
> make reservations a month in advance.


Yeah, we usually call 2-3 weeks in advance.

For quick sushi I used to go to Todai few times a month.

Quality was good when they first opened, but it came down since.

I guess that typical when you go to a mall based restaurant/buffet.

To each his own, but I still think that L'Auberge is way overrated. For whatever reason, French restaurants seem to draw out strong feelings on both sides. While I don't consider myself a foodie, I think that I have learned to appreciate good restaurants and separate the hype from the truly excellent. With the growth in celebrity chefs and their restaurants it is easy to get caught up in the belief that it has to be good, but the reality is varied.

For quick sushi, my personal local favorites are Arrigato Sushi in Fair Lakes and Fortune House in Burke (Wal-Mart plaza). Going upscale, Makoto is very good, but I prefer Sushi-Ko. Both have good reviews in the latest WaPo dining guide http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/cityguide/features/2007/dining-guide/.

L'Auberge is just different from what everyone in this area is so used to.

Its a different level of atmosphere too I think, compared to your regular chain restaurants

I like it, overrated or not, food is good, and priced well.

L'Auberge's tasting menu is excellent; as is their wine pairings. I usually take clients and family there by first choice for the last 7-8 years. Order the Alsatian Feast which is a variety of game meats over kraut for the main dish. It's a great sample.

As for sushi, Matusuri in Herndon for value, especially during lunch. -§

TheMeeper Wrote:
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> > If you want good French restaurant,
>
> Le Canard in Vienna has always been one of my
> personal favs in this area. It's not as fancy as
> L'auberge, but the food and service has always
> been great, it's worth checking out. Bistro 123
> was also really excellent but I haven't been there
> since they moved into the mall.



I agree! Le Canard is much better than chez francois or Bouchon

another good choice in vienna is Cafe Renaissance