It will be five years this September since owners Chef Christophe Poteaux and Pastry Chef Michelle Garbee-Poteaux opened Bastille, an award winning modern French bistro and wine bar.

The husband and wife team met while working at the Watergate's Aquarelle restaurant—Christophe as the executive chef and Michelle, the pastry chef. With Bastille, their vision was to contemporize the classic dishes from Christophe's childhood years in France while keeping prices affordable. They admirably strive to use only the best seasonal and local products available. 

Drinks: The restaurant offers a large variety of wines, representing many of the highly regarded French regions as well as select New World whites and reds. You can also enjoy an impressive selection of Belgian beers, with prices from $7 to $9. If cocktails are your weakness, you'll find a selection of top shelf quality drinks to choose from, such as “The Corrado” named after a loyal customer—a mix of Grey Goose Vodka, White Lillet and Dry Vermouth. Cocktails will cost you $11-$17, with most around the $13 mark.

Brunch: Served from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sundays. Brunch options range from two organic eggs over a grilled Flat-iron steak to the fresh baked biscuit, sausage, eggs and gravy platter; both entrees will cost you $15. In addition, the restaurant offers a three-course prix fixe brunch for $25. 

Lunch: Offered from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturdays. Again, a three-course prix fixe menu is an option for $25 or you can opt for an a la carte entree such as the mussels steamed in a curry sauce, served with french fries, or the Virginia ham and Gruyere cheese sandwich with fried-egg, both for $14. 

Dinner: Hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. According to Michelle, a signature dish is their Hudson Valley Farm Moullard duck breast served with sauteed apples, winter root puree, Calvados and organic cider sauce. Or you can select the red-wine braised Virginia beef entree served with horseradish creme fraiche. A la carte entrees will cost you between $23 to $29. The restaurants also presents a French "classics" three-course bistro menu for $39 or the four-course "foodie" gourmand menu for $54. Be sure to check out their signature appetizers before dinner, such as the duck charcuterie plate, the rock shrimp beignets or the classic foie gras duo. And don't forget to save room for their award winning desserts!

Bastille is located at 1201 North Royal Street in Old Town Alexandria. There is a small parking lot on the property but plenty of street parking near the restaurant. Bastille also offers Wine Dinners on the second Monday of every month, as well as Wine Maker Dinners. For more information regarding these special events you can check the website, follow their Facebook page or ask to be added to their email list. Phone: 703-519-3776