Washington Travels: Brasserie Beck

This final meal during my trip in Washington at Brasserie Beck was certainly a highlight for me because 1) It was by far the best meal of my trip 2) this meal was scheduled only a few hours before our flight but thankfully everything went somewhat smoothly so we were able to make our flight in time.

Brasserie Beck (@marcelsbeckdc) is a European style restaurant located at McPherson Square. The decor of this eatery reminds me of Toronto’s Beer Bistro with sturdy wooden tables, blue backed chairs, high ceilings, tiled kitchen “feel” and spacious seats.

So Service at the beginning was somewhat confusing for us. We had made online reservations for 5pm on a Sunday evening a few weeks in advance.  Upon our arrival we were told to wait alongside with other groups of people at the bar for the dinner service to begin – which was fine so we sat at the bar ordered a drink and studied the menu. After 15 minutes or so after dinner service had begun the hostess told us to keep waiting in the bar area, I noticed food started to arrive for diners eating at the bar so I asked the bartender if food was only being served towards diners in the bar area and he said no, we could sit in the dining area. So I went back up to the hostess and reminded him again we had made reservations for the dining area – and so he quickly seated us after. I had no idea why we were sitting in the bar area for so long and why he couldn’t have simply seated us elsewhere after dinner service begun. I usually don’t mind waiting but since we needed to catch a flight everything was a bit time sensitive.

Besides the whole hiccup in the beginning, everything else went smoothly afterwards. After taking our order, everything came one after another. Our waiter checked on us every so often.

Table Setting:

Escargots de Bourgogne ($16.00)

• Garlic Butter & Herbed Bread Crumbs
• The escargot here were incredibly fresh and innovative. The herbs and garlic butter made the escargot taste super yums. Cooked perfectly and super hot

Mediterranean Mussels ($26.00)

• Featuring Penn Cove Mussels / Tomatoes, Chorizo & Fennel
• Full portions include frites
• Brasserie Beck is highly known for their mussels. And Holy crap these mussels were amazing. Upon finishing the mussels,we wanted to drink the soup in the large cast iron skillet. The mussels were cooked perfectly as well, wasn’t too soft or hard – came out of the shell easily.
• The soup itself was creamy and flavourful. The bits and pieces of Chorizo gave the dish a bit of texture.

Belgium frites served with mussels

• A full portion of mussels is served with a side of Belgium frites. I love these frites – especially skinny frites. The 3 dips that accompanied these frites were not memorable but the frites were perfectly seasoned so they tasted fine without them.

I would not come back to Basserie Beck without ordering a full portion of mussels along side with frites. I can totally see myself as a regular but unfortunately I can only think about the day I visit Washington again. Despite the hiccup during the beginning, no restaurant is without flaws, Basserie Beck offers a simple but uber tasty meal for a palatable price. Considering the mussels  here were delicious my subsequent meals better be on par with the ones with Brasserie Beck.

So this post concludes my Washington Trip! Back to my foodie adventures in Toronto (or Hong Kong)!

More Washington Posts: 

WASHINGTON MEMORIES 4.67 
HANK’S OYSTER HOUSE
BIRCH & BARLEY  
OLD EBBITT GRILL
DEAN & DELUCA
BAKED & WIRED