800 Connecticut Avenue, NW previously home to the Oval Room
ICYMI: The Oval Room permanently closed here after 26 years here back in November 2020.
“La Bise
Permanently Closed
Modern French cuisine with a twist, located steps from the White House”
Shortly after being “thrilled that La Bise has been recognized in the 2025 Michelin Guide!” – La Bise announced their permanent closure:
La Bise opened here back in June 2021:
“Menu Description: A modern, bright, and colorful 21st century French restaurant, La Bise showcases modern, seasonal interpretations of classic French fare. Standout dishes from the opening menu include Kampachi Crudo with green strawberries, lime and rhubarb consommé; Poached Asparagus Salad with brown butter blue crab, mustard greens, young radish and tarragon emulsion; Grilled Main Lobster with English peas, Chantenay carrot, hoe cake and ginger-carrot emulsions; Spanish Octopus with heirloom bean cassoulet, Calabrian chili, garlic scape and ramp aioli; Barberry Duck Breast with sour cherry, confit leg pressé cannelloni, hakurei turnip and foie gras jus; Steak Frites with house-made French fries, Bibb salad, roasted garlic butter and sauce béarnaise as well as Wild Mushroom Val-au-Vent with wild mushroom bechamel, Spring fricassee and mushroom reduction.
Wine List: La Bise offers a contemporary wine list of French, American and Spanish varietals featuring both Old and New World styles. 110 wines are available by the bottle and 14 wines are available by the glass. Prices range from $60 to $400 by the bottle (with the majority priced from $80 and $150). Wines by the glass are priced from $12 to $20. A selection of eight classic cocktails, each incorporating French spirits, is also available for guests and priced from $12 to $15 each.
Capacity: La Bise features three private dining rooms, which combined can host 150 guests for a standing celebration, or 98 guests for a seated reception. For smaller functions, La Bise can seat 48 people in the main dining room or accommodate 80 people for a standing reception. The totally private Blue Room can accommodate 38 people seated, or 50 for a standing reception, and the semi-private Curtain Room can accommodate up to 15 guests seated for a more intimate gathering. A 12-seat bar overlooking the open kitchen is also available for guests.
An outdoor patio is available in the spring and summer months (weather permitting) and can accommodate 40 guests seated.
Design: James Beard Foundation’s award-nominated restaurant designer Martin Vahtra of Projects Design Associates of New York designed the space. The décor is meant to mirror the memorable French cuisine of La Bise, as it is plated and served from the dynamic open kitchen.
The restaurant features two dining rooms each showcasing their own distinctive style. One dining room has a new light-grabbing reflective mirrored wall. The banquettes in this dining room feature a bold striped fabric design, complementing the salmon-colored wallpaper, which accents the entire room. The second dining room features deep tufted banquettes and custom murals of Paris which evoke memories of this romantic city. Both rooms have deep moldings, new sconces, and vibrant color palettes. Clusters of framed art bedeck La Bise’s walls. The carpet is plush under foot, echoing the octagons above the bar. The colors and patterns on patterns enhance the lively atmosphere.”
Updates when we learn what becomes of the space.
Dining and Cooking