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Adventures with Barb: Eating out healthy or at least trying to in DC
By robyn | May 5, 2008
When the book, French Women Don’t Get Fat made its debut, I did absolutely agree with all the lovely author wrote. However, for American audiences we have a bit more of challenge. So, Barb and I decided to venture out to a French restaurant and see what indeed would fit for us.
We chose Bistrot Du Coin on Conn Avenue in Dupont Circle as it does indeed remind me of the many of the French bistros I have visited and loved during my many trips to France. As many of my Washington readers know, Tom Sietsema, restaurant critic for the Washington Post rated Bistrot Du Coin’s noise level practically off the charts, but at lunch , it was just pleasantly humming with tourists and businesspeople.
So with the noise levels under control, time to dig into the menu! After perusing the long list, I came up with a few options for us. The Salade Nicoise could work with its greens, tuna, egg, anchovies and olives. Just ask for light on the olives and anchovies and dressing on the side. Albeit the salad is a little protein heavy, but not too much so ( hey, its better than their big portion of Hanger Steak).
There is also a grilled salmon on the menu that could fit our healthy lifestyles. But what we ultimately settled on were two salads: Barb: an artichoke and greens and me: a field green salad, dressing on the side, natch! And then two steaming bowls of really to die for mussels prepared with tomatoes and garlic. There are several preparations of mussels on the menu, but our choice was clearly the least artery clogging ( there are preparations with cream and sausage among others). The mussels were perfect, soft, not chewy and redolent of garlic( with all the garlic the French use and all the kissing they do, I think the garlic becomes just part of their being, no one seems to mind that you can reek of the stuff!)
Mussels are naturally low in calories and a good source of iron and eating them takes a little work, which we were both happy to indulge in.
Beyond our choice and the Salade Nicoise and Salmon as mentioned above, everything else onthe menu was a bit much: lots of heavy French casseroles and steaks, tartines( open face sandwiches) which were just too big ( you could take home half) and really nothing to speak of for dessert.
But all in all we dined well and in an atmosphere that is typical Parisian with an adorable and very competent waiter all on a glorious sun filled day. Really, what more can you ask for.
Oooh , La, La! Viva la Francais!
Bistrot Du Coin, 1738 Conn Avenue, Washington DC, 202-234-6969, Open 7 days a week.
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May 5th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
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