Bistro VivantOutstanding lunch! I will be back!I love the fact that this restaurant is close to home and I always get amazing food... every time. This was my first lunch experience at Bistro Vivant, and I was so happy afterwards, I can't wait to return. They offered a Prix Fix menu for lunch with 2 or 3 courses. I chose the three course meal (Roasted Beet salad, Duck Confit Salade, and Chocolate Mousse). The food was outstanding -- fresh, simple, with amazing flavor combinations -- and the portions were large, especially for lunch. We stayed for a while and were not rushed. The only down side is that it was a beautiful day and there is outside seating, but it's on the parking lot. So we ate inside; after we tasted the food, this seemed like no concession at all.6/5/2013 12:00:00 AMCreative BistroNicely done! Creative food. Good use of unusual vegetables including purple potatoes and tri- colored cauliflower. Interesting lavender creme brûlée. Prices are to be expected in McLean5/28/2013 12:00:00 AMInnovative and deliciousThis was my second dinner at Bistro Vivant. Both times I have had specials of the day, and found them to be truly special. On Mother's Day I had lamb shanks in pesto sauce, and on Escargot Day I had escargots and mussels in a garlic sauce with gnocci. I am not a food critic so can't describe how wonderful they were, but they were 5 star. The bread, desserts, and wine by the glass were also excellent. My companions were equally happy with their choices. The service is very friendly; they are still ironing out a few kinks. There were a couple of long waits - between the appetizer and main course and then between dessert and the bill - and they forgot to bring us all plates for bread. But it did not detract from the experience.5/24/2013 12:00:00 AMDelicieux!!Excellent mussels and frites! Try the squash blossom appetizer. In a strip mall, but a great find for lunch or dinner. Lovely service, too. Nice wine selection.5/24/2013 12:00:00 AMsimply fantasticI enjoyed a lunch here on a Sunday with a friend and the food was remarkable, the menu is well designed and written, the service is attentive and well done, the grilled octopus apatizer is amazing! And the hanger steak with the duck fat fries is wonderful, a must visit!5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat foodThis is a lovely little restaurant in a strip mall. Not cheap but not terribly over priced. Have been dining there a number of times. Every meal was quite delicious.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMNice placeI hadn't been there before and didn't know what to expect. The food was good, the atmosphere pleasant, service attentive without being a distraction to enjoying lunch with a friend. I would go back again and would recommend it.5/14/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent meal...when we got it!Dined on the evening of Mother's Day which likely caused some of the kitchen and server slow down. The food was excellent, the service was very nice. We will definitely go back for the food!5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMA Diamond In The RoughBistro Vivant is simply superb...the seafood dishes are fresh, creative, well prepared and taste excellent. The salads and salad extras are unique to the Norther Virginia restaurant scene...and complement perfectly any lunch or dinner entree. The daily specials rely on local and seasonal produce, and each is prepared with a flair not often found in restaurants today. The owner strolls through the dining area to ensure that all is well, and the wait staff is attentive, but never interrupts the table conversation. The menu is straightforward without the clutter of many menus that require a ring binder. The wines are mostly French and are from smaller vintners...a needed break from the "storied wine lists" many restauranteurs promote.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat birthday dinner!The menu includes something for everyone, and everything was delicious. My two dinner companions had the hanger steak and the trout, and I had the duck confit. Each of us agreed that our meal was properly prepared to our specifications. Unfortunately, my preferred escargo appetizer was not available, but my second choice of oysters was not disappointing; they were firm, juicy, and briney with a touch of caviar. Our friendly server was knowlegable and attentive without hovering. And the half price bottle of wine was worth the trip.5/7/2013 12:00:00 AMAn Exceptional Experience in McLeanThe good people at Bistro Vivant have transformed a location that has seen restaurants come and go. Do NOT drive by thinking you can pass up this new entrant into the McLean dining scene. Bistro Vivant has find food, a wonderful selection of French wines and a total commitment to giving us an exceptional experience. Give them your email and enjoy their special evenings. The food and wine pairings share some of the best of French cuisine and wine. This is a new place to try and return to over and over again!4/30/2013 12:00:00 AMPost- Concert DelightOther than Evans Farm, which has been long gone for many years, I had not eaten at a restaurant in McLean until this past Sunday. Our group of three We were very pleased wwith Bistro Vivant. It was just perfect for a post-concert (as a choral singer, I was the only one in the restaurant wearing a tuxedo). Our waitor was very patient while the three of us had difficulty trying to choose from a wonderful menu. The food was superb. We will return soon (although I won't be wearing a tuxedo the next time.4/28/2013 12:00:00 AMBisto Vivant is a real gem.Bisto Vivant is a real gem. And well needed in McLean which has a clientele that loves to dine out but limited choices. Service is excptional and bistro cuisine very well prepared.4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMSURPRISINGLY GOOD EVERY TIMEThe food has been excellent... and better than the place or location signals--(it's part of a strip shopping mall with parking in front). The service could be better: it's very attentive until things get busy. I've been there 3 or 4 times under the current management and have found the offerings creative (a multi-colored beet salad)... or topping a green salad with really nicely grilled hangar steak(and rare as I'd asked)... but they also had grilled chicken and other protein toppings. The menu is quite varied.4/10/2013 12:00:00 AMHad a wonderful Halibut FridayHad a wonderful Halibut Friday night and everything else everyone else had was very good. Will come back.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was excellent. TheThe food was excellent. The service was impeccable. One could converse without a lot of noise interfering noise. We will come back...many times.4/1/2013 12:00:00 AMBistro Vivant - McLeanThis is a Neighborhood Gem. Everything is so fresh. We've eaten here on several special occasions and even attended a wonderful wine tasting here featuring small French vineyards with food parings. We are always surprised and delighted with the food offerings. Ask for their wine suggestions.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMFrench food is delicious!French food is delicious! Needs warmer/decorative curtains not miniblind to fit more of a French Style high upper scale restaurant which comparable with the price.
Good service!
Will come back! This is my 2nd times at the restaurant.
4M7837 (Mclean, VA)3/16/2013 12:00:00 AM