A Downtown Newcomer Is the Sparkly French Soiree D.C. Needs Right Now
In short, the restaurant is 'rooted in the elegance of the Riviera' and rounded out by the rest of the vast Mediterranean coast, says co-owner Nasr El Hage. Also informing the menu: celebrated French American chef and partner Cedric Maupillier, who shuttered his award-winning Shaw staple Convivial last December. Hage, a local real estate exec with Lebanese roots, teamed up with fellow investor Nellie Elana Gebrail and Dany Abi-Najm (whose family is of Lebanese Taverna fame) on the anticipated project (1700 K Street NW).
Caviar service at Barbouzard. Scott Suchman
As luck would have it, El Hage and Maupillier met exactly one year prior to Barbouzard's friends-and-family preview party on Bastille Day 2025 this month. Hitting it off immediately, El Hage realized that Maupillier was the Gallic missing piece to his restaurant-in-planning.
'Nasr came to see me at Convivial while I was looking for new opportunities,' Maupillier recalls. 'I was about to go on vacation back home to France when he started talking about the Riviera, where I was born.'
As El Hage described his vision, Maupillier was entranced, and signed on soon after. Barbouzard features not only fine French dining, which D.C. now has in droves, but also strives to overcome the challenges of uniting food, ambiance, and socialization all in one space.
'I wanted a place that closes late on weekends, so that the good time continues after dinner, to dress up and go out, but not quite nightlife,' says El Hage. 'You can have a great time at 8 p.m. or 12 a.m.'
Barbouzard's mod design features glassy walls of wine. Scott Suchman
Maupillier showcases his South of France education and upbringing across Barbouzard's plates. The menu 'draws from the Riviera but also every nice place in the Mediterranean that has sun, olive trees, thyme, rosemary, and lavender,' he added, even 'where you can hear the cicadas chirp.'
The menu features grilled fish and seafood, plenty of vegetable dishes, and regional specialties, along with a short list of meats, steak-frites, and pasta. Highlights include the heady broth-based Bouillabaisse Marseillaise, a dover sole served Riviera style, a vegan Bolognese, and Maupillier's own must-have favorite: escargot.
'I tried frogs; that didn't work well – but Americans love escargot,' he says.
Escargot is served in its shell at Barbouzard. Scott Suchman
Drawing from other Mediterranean landscapes, the moules gratinee gets heat from 'nduja spice and Calabrian sausage from Italy; a roasted cauliflower receives a shower of Middle Eastern za'atar on a tahini sauce bath.
El Nasr ensured that the menu also included some items for a touch of luxe. See: foie gras 'opera'; caviar service; and a pair of baller shellfish towers. Le Petit is $110 and Le Grand goes for $240, with oysters, littleneck clams, mussels, lobster, shrimp, Tahitian tuna, and hamachi crudo.
The bar highlights French spirits, aperitifs, and house infusions, with fancy drinks like, yes, the Caviar Martini, plus a Provence Negroni for a lighter take on the classic. The bottled list includes a lengthy count of Champagnes and (400-plus) wines focused on French coastal regions that 'tell the story of the sea and French country,' says El Hage. Cocktails and wines can be ordered in the restaurant or the semi-private bubbly lounge.
The opulent seafood tower at Barbouzard. Scott Suchman
Mediterranean fish at Barbouzard. Scott Suchman
Barbouzard completely reimagines the 6,493-square-foot space that formerly housed Kellari Taverna, D.C.'s Greek restaurant that rose to popularity in the early aughts (and closed last year). The look is meant to capture France's posh seaside spirit, with light oak, marble, hand-blown glass chandeliers, and gilded accents. The various booths, alcoves, bar spaces, and leafy veranda seats offer areas for lively postprandial conversation.
The restaurant is equipped with a Funktion-One sound system, a professional-grade audio setup that's a rare get for even a hot-ticketed club. In the very center of the restaurant sits a DJ booth and stage, as Barbouzard will host entertainment throughout the week, including live piano, sax, guitar, and violin performances for 'sexy, elevated' sounds, says El Hage. DJs come in on Thursdays to Saturdays.
'We want guests to feel things,' says El Hage. The goal of the restaurant, adds Maupillier, is 'l'art de vivre [the art of living], served daily.'
A stylish dining nook speaks to the Riviera's Golden Age. Scott Suchman
The open space sports crimson-colored booths and plenty of marble. Scott Suchman
Eater DC
All your essential food and restaurant intel delivered to you Email (required)
Sign Up
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Buzz Feed
10 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
Just 27 Little Treats Since Mercury Is Retrograding
A bottle of Dumpling Daughter's Spicy Sweet Soy sauce if your wontons are a little ~womp womp~ (if you know what I mean). Douse them or dip them in this deliciously sweet and spicy sauce! And there are no artificial flavors, preservatives, or colorings, so nothing will get in the way of tasting this flavorful blend of spices, soy sauce, and brown sugar. Relatedly, a realistic but decorative (as in do not eat) dumpling pillow to make your living space a lil' more scrumptious! These handmade pillows come in three cooking methods: boiled, fried, and baked (read: basically they come in three colors). A sophisticated, handmade barrette for all the horse girls who grew up into Horse Women. Reviewers with thin hair and those with thick hair love it, so giddyup! A nostalgia-inducing composition book MacBook cover — this hard shell protector will probably make you feel like it's time to write a five-paragraph essay in Mrs. Lowell's class every single time you open your laptop to write a five-paragraph email at your big-kid job. A pack of eight spicy margarita instant cocktail tea bags because as cute as it is to go out and spend upwards of $20 on just one at home in your coziest loungewear is also a really ~intoxicating~ idea. All you have to do is let it steep for three minutes in a combination of water and spirits (I'd obvi go with tequila here), and your fave summery drink is good to go! A L'Oreal natural glow enhancer infused with glycerin and shea butter for an illuminating tint and a sun-kissed glow that lasts all day long. Go get your shine on! An easy-to-use mug ice cream maker — now you can have a delicious cold treat in under 20 minutes, which is about how long it'll take you to find a show to watch as you dig into your dessert. And now that you're in the driver's seat, you can blend whatever flavors don't exist at ice cream shops. (I'm thinking chocolate and orange?) Reviewers even say this is a cheaper alternative to the Ninja Creami! An 18-karat gold-plated mood ring because the one you've been wearing since you were 12 can't tell the difference between when you're merry or miffed anymore. And it's got a protective coating to help prevent tarnishing because, I'm sure you've noticed, but your finger's green... An incredibly small Magic 8 Ball so you can immediately get answers to your burning questions. Wondering if you should take the day off to do a little retail therapy? Just give this fortune teller a little shake, and read your destiny: "Ask Again Later." Perfect. A pack of 25 cute and colorful Mediterranean-themed stickers if your love of sardines has taken over your life, and you like it that way! And since they're waterproof vinyl stickers, they can safely go on your water bottle. Just don't ask me which ones; I suck at making decisions. A rabble-rousing enamel keychain you can also sport as a bag charm to let passersby know that, as much as you support women's rights, you believe that women's wrongs (which, I'd argue, are "right") also deserve championing. An actual (OK, well not "actual") kitty cat-a-pult if you believe these furry creatures were brought to earth to be superheroes, but are just missing the ever-essential power of flight. Equipped with capes tied around their necks, this trio of cats is ready for their first mission! A fantastical faux-leather diary whose gilded edges and raised embossing will make you feel like a viscountess retiring to her chambers for an evening's repose so that she might scribble a sincerity she wishes to keep to herself. This lined journal is even fountain pen ink–friendly. A hydrating collagen mask you wear overnight so its collagen-rich formula can work its magic. And by "magic," I mean that it can help minimize the look of pores, improve elasticity, hydrate skin, and strengthen the skin's barrier. This hypoallergenic mask also contains helpful probiotics! A pair of super retro rectangle sunglasses because somehow the '90s are back??? And let's be honest, we love that for us. These sunnies can block both UVA and UVB radiation, so you'll look AMAZE while protecting your precious eyes. A Billie Eilish-inspired teeth-baring necklace if you believe that "Lunch" is actually the most important meal of the day. 😉 This witty, silver-plated necklace will pair well with the flavor profile of any 'fit. A huggable banana duck plush it. That's the tweet. I mean, look at how adorable this little (but kinda big) guy is! A dimmable sad duck night-light who is just oh so relatable. He just needs to lie down real quick forever. This night-light has a 30-minute timer so you don't have to get up and turn it off before falling asleep. A vintage-inspired "and I've always said that" cap because, it's true, you have always said that. That thing that you just said? You've absolutely said it before. A simple CZ tennis bracelet no one will be able to tell is cubic zirconia and not real diamonds. Feel free to wear it on its own or stacked with other gorge bracelets! A pack of three beer-infused hot sauces so you can literally ~spice up~ your meals! You'll get three distinct flavors — all handcrafted with real craft beer — to use as both a topping and an ingredient. A perfectly brined pickle-lovers sweatshirt for all you connoisseurs out there. Tell the world whether you're more of a kosher dill, a gherkin, or a bread-and-butter buff! A pair of waterproof platform slides that'll give you a little extra height without sacrificing comfort. They're designed with pronounced arch support, a deep heel cup, and a toe grip function; some reviewers with plantar fasciitis love them! So sink into the feeling of these lightweight sandals molding to your feet. A New York-coded ceramic coffee cup to remind you of the good ol' days. When a cup of coffee was only $1.99 at the corner store! And you didn't have any of that non-cow milk you kids drink nowadays! You just drank it black. Like a real New Yorker. A mini Bob Ross paint-by-numbers kit so you can relive the magic of the famously wholesome show The Joy of Painting by letting your inner Bob Ross create a masterpiece. An infectious disease coloring book full of sights you may have only seen in horror movies or during those late-night Wiki deep dives. If you're intrigued by body horror and also need a relaxing hobby, this is just the thing. A luxurious soy wax candle scented with jasmine, oud, and sandalwood to bring a sense of worldly wonder to your room.
New York Post
11 hours ago
- New York Post
Trump's tariff plan seems to be working — proving all the naysayers wrong
For all the 'sky-is-falling' cries over President Donald Trump's tariffs, it looks like his strategy may be working — just as his Aug. 1 deadline nears. In the past week, the Trump folks struck deals with Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines — and may be on the verge of a deal with Europe: On Friday, the prez cited a 50-50 chance of reaching an agreement with the European Union. These developments — on top of previous deals with Vietnam, the United Kingdom and a framework on rare-earth exports and tech restrictions with China — go a long way toward standing up Trump's vision for the international economy, with better terms for America. And at least so far, no catastrophic fallout. Heck, the nation looks poised to benefit enormously on several fronts. Trump's deals in Asia, for starters, reopen US access to cheap markets, sidestepping China, our greatest economic and military rival. Indonesia and the Philippines will pay 19% tariffs on their exports to the United States and levy 0% tariffs on more than 99% of US goods. Japan will see 15% tariffs and invest more than half a trillion dollars into the US economy. Washington will also slap fewer restrictions on Indonesian, Filipino and Japanese goods, everything from cars and clothes to electronics and rubber. And now EU officials are signaling their support for a deal that would mirror the one Trump made with Japan — reciprocal tariffs of 15%. Notably, the EU includes 27 countries in a shared common market, representing the largest singular trading bloc for the United States. The EU deal would clearly benefit US consumers looking to buy, say, French wines or German cars, and also US producers seeking wider access to the European markets. Keep up with today's most important news Stay up on the very latest with Evening Update. Thanks for signing up! Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Never miss a story. Check out more newsletters Meanwhile, the resolution of trade issues with so many countries will calm markets and bring confidence and stability to the business community. As for the predicted inflation, it's nowhere to be seen: June's consumer price index came in at a reasonable 2.7%. Recall it hit 9% under Joe Biden. That's partially because corporations, unsure of whether high tariffs will remain permanent and nervous about hiking prices, have absorbed most of the tariffs' costs, at least for now. More good news: The tariffs brought in $64 billion in revenue for the government in just the first three months since Trump's April 2 'Liberation Day' announcement. He's suggested issuing 'rebates' based on that haul, but far better to use the new revenue to pay down the runaway national debt. Yes, there's plenty more to do: Team Trump needs to finalize agreements with Canada, India and Mexico, along with the EU, and numerous smaller countries, before the president's across-the-board reciprocal tariffs hit Aug. 1. So considerable uncertainty remains. But clearly the signs are good, at least so far — despite all the doomy predictions.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
City of Montreal intends to shut down MAGA-affiliated musician's concert
The City of Montreal intends to shut down a performance by Sean Feucht, a controversial Christian rock musician and rising star in the MAGA movement. Feucht, who is scheduled to perform Friday evening in a church in Montreal's Plateau Mont-Royal borough has expressed anti-diversity, anti-2SLGBTQ+ and anti-women's rights views on his platforms. In recent days, Feucht has dealt with several cancellations on his Canadian tour, including in Quebec City. Following the cancellation in Quebec City, Feucht announced that he had found an alternate venue — the church in Montreal. Catherine Cadotte, a spokperson for the Montreal mayor's office, told CBC News that the show "goes against the values of inclusion, solidarity and respect" and that the venue would be advised that the concert cannot take place. "Freedom of expression is one of our fundamental values, but hateful and discriminatory speech is not accepted in Montreal and, as in other Canadian cities, the show will not be tolerated," she wrote in French. But when asked specifically why the city would try to cancel the show, she specified that the church does not have the permits to use its venue for a show. Meanwhile, in a post on X, Feucht wrote the church wasn't backing down, and told his followers it was time to "take a stand for the gospel in Canada." It wasn't clear however if he was referring to the city's plans to stop his performance. When he announced his Canadian tour, Feucht stated in a promotional video that he had made it his mission to save Canada and that through him, hundreds of believers would be freed, healed, and delivered. Since Wednesday, the singer has had his permits to perform revoked in other Canadian cities including Halifax, Charlottetown, Moncton, Gatineau and Vaughan, Ont.
