If you are looking for a unique place to go for brunch, lunch, or dinner, Brasserie Monte Carlo is the place to go. Stepping into the restaurant, one can not help but notice the beautiful mural (designed by Dianne Hoppman) that takes up the whole right wall, and the rustic decor that helps add warmth to the room. Sonny Abraham owner/chef of Brasserie Monte Carlo has been in the restaurant business since 1985. Sonny has done a wonderful job of staffing his restaurant with only the best. He personally completed his culinary training in Lausanne, Switzerland and his matre d' worked at the Watergate Hotel in Washington, DC. It is truly a team effort at Brasserie Monte Carlo, at times you may even see Sonny waiting on a table to help his staff out, or helping in the kitchen or even providing wine service. Sonny's goal is to bring the taste of Washington's well known restaurants to downtown Bethesda but for a fraction of the cost maintaining quality, value and service.
"It was better than expected. The onion tart was outstanding, as was the beet salad. The main courses were tasty and not overfilling. The hot bread was also good. We all enjoyed our desserts."
Dined on 6/12/2013
2003
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem
Share:
+1point
1of1voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"We were a party of 8, three generations, a very classy restaurant. Had the 3-course menu. Great Value for the price. We all had different things. We loved it. Food was simple,artful and flavorful! My personal favorites, The Chilled Vichyssoise, Shrimp Imperiale(crab) and the Apple Tart. Originally we wanted to sit on patio, but too cold. They already had anticipated us in-door's. The place was packed. Food and service was timely. I briefly saw the Chef, do a round of the main-room and go back to the kitchen. We have been here for brunch before, it was still great! I guess they must be something "right" to be here for almost 14 Year's. Very romantique!!!"
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, great for brunch, romantic, neighborhood gem, great for lunch, special occasion
Share:
+2points
2of2voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"We hosted a large group which they handled well. We were greeted by one of the chef/owners. The menu was delightfully varied with enough choices without being overwhelming. We had two different seafood dishes (the chef's special was really special!) several braised short ribs (fabulous) and a lamb stew (I forget the French name) which was excellent. Desserts were also a hit, and we had almost every appetizer on the menu. A very nice meal at a good price point."
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, neighborhood gem
Share:
+1point
1of1voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Food is nicely presented but quite salty. Others in our group mentioned that. They were friendly however service was very slow, 2minute wait for coffee."
Dined on 5/04/2013
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"We had a late Sunday brunch for a group of six. We all had excellent meals, loved the restaurant, enjoyed the service which was excellent and look forward to coming back. It was very quiet, I think because we were the last table there, so I am not sure if it is really quiet when the restaurant is full as it's a small place. Due to the small size of the restaurant, I am not sure that this is good for groups. I think our table just got lucky that we were not taking up a large space while lots of folks waited. I think this is best for two and four tops."
Dined on 04/28/2013
2010
Special Features: great for brunch, neighborhood gem, romantic
Share:
+1point
1of1voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Great food, good service, very pleasent atmosphere. We have been here before, enjoyed it then and enjoyed it again. We really enjoyed a meal with friends and would go back without hesitation. Wine list is good. The restaurant sits on a corner and it is pleasent to watch the world go by and we look forward to eating outdoors when the weather allows."
Dined on 04/28/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
Share:
+2points
2of2voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Always good food and pleasant service. We have never been disappointed. This restaurant is a recent discovery of ours less than a year ago and we have returned frequently."
Dined on 04/21/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
Share:
+2points
2of2voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"The service was lovely, and the waiter's wine recommendation excellent. However we were not too impressed with the food overall. The french onion soup was rather salty, and the beef ribs osso bucco style tasted a bit like bolognese from a jar. The desserts however made up for the disappointing appetizer & entree. Both the warm apple tart and the chocolate mousse were delicious. It's a cute small romantic restaurant though."
Dined on 04/19/2013
2009
Special Features: romantic
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"I recently dined here with a colleague for a business meal and enjoyed it very much. The food was delicious and the service was good. Would definitely recommend it for either a business or personal meal. Just don't bring a large crowd - seems much more suitable for small, intimate gatherings."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
Share:
+2points
2of2voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"We sat outside on the first nice day in Spring. I had a delicious salad and my companion had oysters and a salad. Everything was perfect. Highly recommended."
Dined on 04/09/2013
2003
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, special occasion
Share:
+2points
2of2voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"A bit too pricey for what you get. I would rather go to Bistro du Coin in Dupont or L'Auberge chez Francois, where at least you get a good bang for your buck. Vive la bouffe!"
Dined on 04/16/2013
2006
Special Features: romantic
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"The restaurant is cute and the food was average. It is definitely not a bad place, but I think we were expecting more. When we first booked our reservation we thought that if we liked the food alot we would bring my husband's brother and family there since they live outside of Lyon. After we finished our meal we decided we could not take them there."
Dined on 04/16/2013
2012
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"It's not necessarily kid friendly, but when asked for the pasta and just tomato sauce, they accommodated and my 12-year-old son like it. They only appear to serve beer and wine, which was fine. The wines are limited, but Ithink certainly satisfactory. Would definitely go again."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2012
Special Features: neighborhood gem, scenic view
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"this is the best French/ Mediterranean food I have ever had. the most flavorful, well served, and lovely ambiance of a restaurant I've been to. it's truly a neighborhood gem."
Dined on 04/07/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"The meal was quite tasty, so it did not disappoint. The service, however was a bit lacking. To the restaurant's credit, it appeared that they were short staffed, so I hope that that was not their typical style. I will give it another try though as the meal was quite enjoyable."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Food was disappointing and service was a bit uneven. The beet salad I ordered had only 2 slices of beets and lettuce. I expected (I have ordered it in other restaurants) at least a majority of the ingredients to have been beets. The leg of lamb was a small portion with more fat than I wanted. The apple tart dessert did not taste freshly baked. For $30 for the brunch, I expected more quality of food. We were five people and the restaurant was not filled. We had to wait too long for our coffees at the beginning of the meal and had to remind the waiter again for the 5th person's serving of coffee."
Dined on 03/31/2013
2010
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"VERY delicious, everyone thoroughly enjoyed every item in every course, but, was over-priced for what we got with so many other great options nearby. if the price or value of your meal is not a concern, we really did enjoy the food. The mushroom ragout, the onion tart, the filet, the fettucine carbonara, the lamb stew, the apple tarte and the chocolate mousse cake were all phenomenal and had us all eager for tastes of one another's dish."
Dined on 03/29/2013
2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"We were disappointed in the service (servers were unable to speak in complete sentences, unwilling to make accommodations) and the beverage service (short list but high end selection of wines ranging in price from $400+ to $30 something and, with the exception of martinis, no mixed drinks available) but impressed with the food service. We were a party of three and each of us was duly impressed with the items we ordered (and shared amongst ourselves, including the short ribs osso buco style, salmon, lamb stew, apple tart, and chocolate mousse cake. Our hope on a return visit is that we will find the table service comparable to the food service."
Dined on 03/26/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"The Brasserie Monte Carlo packs in the tables and the diners (at least on a Saturday night) - but presents an atmosphere that is both warm and intimate. We ate beautifully grilled salmon (the Pernod sauce could have used a bit more Pernod but the tricky bit is getting the salmon right and they really did that), an excellent lamb navarin, first-rate salads, and a green apple tart that was "to die for." Noise level didn't prevent three old folks from having a real conversation. Friendly and attentive service. Suggested a rather unconventional wine pairing that worked out really well. Staff cheerfully gave us extra forks with the dessert. Finished off the meal with a lovely sip of peach schnapps. We'll be back."
Dined on 03/23/2013
2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
Share:
+1point
1of1voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Our first visit to the restaurant, went on a week night, nice ambiance, liked the meal very much, nice menu. Only 1 hostesss/server for the whole room just a bit slow but I think she managed it very well and she had a nice personality. Overall I'm glad we went & plan on another visit."
Dined on 03/19/2013
2007
Special Features: romantic
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"There are over 200+ restaurants in Bethesda and there is a definite reason BRASSERIE MONTE CARLO has been successful for the last 13 yearsoutstanding service, delicious food and on-site owner management by Sonny Abraham. We had the special Long Island duck was was fantastic AND it was really from Long Island. The salads were delicious especial the roasted beets as well as the white anchovies salad
They are serving brunch on weekends too.
Go, enjoy and I promise that you'll return again and again. I came all the way from LA to eat here!!"
Dined on 03/10/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
Share:
+2points
2of2voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"This was my third visit and I have yet to have anything that wasn't excellent. We took friends who are "foodies" and that said they had the best carbonnera ever Can't wait to go back...."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
Share:
+3points
3of3voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"The place is pretty small with clear wish of the owners to make use every single inch of its area. This is reflected in very tight table organization which does not allow you to feel comfortable during the staying there. The food was very good and came in reasonable size (regarding the profile of the restaurant) however the wine glasses were quite small and the amount of the wine was definitely not worth the 11$/glass price tag. Service was very kind and courteous, and we were granted the dessert on the house as a compensation for splashing my wine all over my dish and my pants by other guest. Overall, we liked it very much and would visit this place again!"
Dined on 03/08/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, great for lunch
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"They have a variety of food options. What we had was very good, presented well and very tasty. Staff was pleasant, but service somewhat lackadaisical. Would definitely give it another try!"
Dined on 02/24/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"We have been to BMC on many special occasions, of-course full house valentines day, everyone wants the "best" table, everyone wants the "quite" table or the "window". So did we. I have learned to accept, valentines is the most busy day in a "known" restaurant(perhaps 10 or more, years). We had the pre-fixe menu $50/pp 3-courses, which was a deal! My partner did check out other "known" restaurants in Bethesda, and we choose Monte Carlo for the Food, ambiance and definitely the value! A Very European feel. I loved the Veal Chop and my better half the Chilean Sea Bass. A beautiful Romantic Evening; Great Food and Service. Will recommend this Romantic gem to anyone. They even had rose petals on the table!"
Dined on 02/14/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
Share:
+1point
1of1voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"We went there on Valentine's Day. Pre-set menu for $50 per person. Not very cheap. The server REALLY tried to push the bottle of wine. I mean really tried. Opted for just a glass of wine for each of us. Then they forget to bring out the bread. Then they forget to bring out the WINE!!! I had to tell them they forgot. After a minute or two they came back ask us to repeat which wines did we order. The meal was good. Fresh, delicious, full of flavor. After the meal they bring us a wrong check. TWICE! I would say that for an expensive Valentine's Day dinner, the service was a huge disappointment! Maybe for brunch, but not for a special occasion."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2012
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"VERY nice. The food was delicious; the menu offered a nice variety and unique dishes; the waiters were pleasant and helpful. It was difficult to evaluate the noise level because we ate early. The tables are pretty crowded together, though."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2005
Special Features: notable wine list, special occasion
Share:
+1point
1of1voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"The food was good although my sea bass was a little over cooked. It was Valentine's day. The service was a little slow due to the number of patrons although the restaurant was not full. Also, the tables for two were a little crowded together. Our experience has been better when the restaurant was not as busy."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2007
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Food was very average with too much salt. This restaurant is quite small and a tight squize when it's full as it was on that Valentine's Night. Not impressed at all."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2013
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.