Tim Monaghan transitioned from a career in banking and finance to open his own Italian restaurant, Ulivo, in Park View.
5
Every visit to La Bonne Vache feels like a little escape to the charming bistros of France. The atmosphere, the food, and the hospitality consistently make this one of our favorite places in DC.
Our go-to dishes never disappoint: the Gougères, Salade Lyonnaise, Truffle Brie, and the Rôti de Bœuf are absolutely outstanding and keep us coming back time and time again.
A special thank you to James, our server, who was incredibly attentive, kind, and knowledgeable. His recommendations and genuine hospitality made an already wonderful lunch even better.
We also tried the new Mango Choux dessert, and it was fantastic—light, refreshing, and the perfect way to end the meal.
If you're looking for an authentic French dining experience in Washington, DC, La Bonne Vache delivers every time. We always leave feeling like we've spent an afternoon in a cozy French bistro rather than in the middle of the city. Highly recommended!
Really loved this place! It’s small and cozy, and sitting near the kitchen lets you feel all the great energy. We were a group of four and waited about 30 minutes. If you don’t want to wait too long, the tip is to come during non-peak hours or a little before peak to beat the rush.
The staff was incredibly helpful and friendly in getting us seated, and they have a fair policy where your entire party must be present to seated. We had a few minor mix-ups with our orders, but the team was quick to fix them and made everything right.
I had the French Onion burger, which was unique and delicious. We also ordered sides of fries that come separately. They are definitely worth it as well. I’m already looking forward to coming back!
LBV is a true gem of Georgetown! We happened to be in area one day when they had Santa. We had reservations elsewhere but wanted to take our some to see him. The owner was extremely pleasant and welcoming and we made it a point to go back. And when we finally did, it did not disappoint!
Really nice decor and ambiance, cozy setting and friendly service.
The mussels in curry broth were a great way to start our meal. Broth was warming and flavorful and just the right amount of lime to awaken my taste buds. *Pro Tip* If you don’t sop up all that delicious broth with the bread, save it for the fries. You’re welcome 😉
The truffle Brie burger was flavorful and loved how the acidic and briny cornichons cut through the creamy truffle aioli. Can’t wait to try all the other burgers!
The chocolate mousse was one of my favorite desserts I’ve ever had!! Rich and velveety and decadent, leaves you satisfied and content. And the texture contrast from the cocoa nibs and chocolate pearls takes it to the next level. Make sure to leave room for this incredible dessert!
La Bonne Vache offers excellent food, a welcoming atmosphere, and genuinely attentive service from a great team. In those aspects, it's a solid 5/5.
However, there's a big issue: the restaurant automatically adds over 20% to your bill. No option to opt out. This is problematic because it takes away the customer's ability to tip based on service quality, or to show disappointment if something isn’t up to standard. The automatic gratuity means the restaurant has less motivation to keep standards high, which encourages repeat visits. Good service should be ongoing, not guaranteed just because a tip is automatically included.
The team here is excellent and clearly deserves recognition. But they should be rewarded for earning it, not because it's already included in the bill. That difference is important for maintaining a well-run restaurant.
Thank you & God bless you and your family 😊
Had the most romantic dinner ever. My boyfriend and I want to go to Paris and we love how much this is a tease to the Parisian feel. The escargot is to die for. I came with my friend a few weeks ago and had to go back. 10/10. The only thing I didn’t like is that there are no reservations here.
