Pastis

If you are easily overstimulated maybe don't go on a Friday evening like I did. It was loud and crowded. The tables are very close together making it difficult to navigate around the restaurant. I will try to go again sometime Monday - Wednesday to see if it's less stimulating. Escargot was buttery goodness. Duck confit was cooked perfectly and not fatty at all. The sticky toffee pudding was the perfect balance of sweet and boozy. I loved the food!

Really solid French spot with generally something for everyone. It's a very lively space but can get very loud - they should have put more acoustic insulation in as it can sometimes be impossible to hear the other people at your table depending where you're seated.I usually sit at the bar and always have a good experience there. When l've sat at a table the experience has been very mixed. Service is unpredictable in the dining area and it's a toss up if the server is diligent or not. One server didn't know what a meringue was which was puzzling.Management has always been excellent and helpful, though, same as the bar staff, especially Jeffrey.Overall solid spot for a dinner with friends but I wouldn't slate it for a special occasion. Le Dip is definitely the better of Starr's French spots in the city.Food wise, the lemon dessert is delicious and crispy artichoke is really tasty. I recently dined there for restaurant week and the Crab & Avocado is a new favorite: light, bright, and perfectly seasoned. The crème brûlée is also perfection. As far as drinks go the, Petite Pickle martini is the ideal size for a boozy amuse bouche.

Came back for Pastis' brunch during Restaurant Week. We were lucky to get a table reservation at 1:15 pm on a Sunday when we called in earlier in the day at like 12 pm (luck was definitely on our side). We had mimosas at the bar while we waited for our table and the bartenders were very friendly despite the restaurant being very busy. Once we sat down our server was also so sweet, constantly checking in on us. Now because it was restaurant week I decided to try something new which included their passion fruit scallops and creme brûlée. Both were really good, not sure that I would order the scallops again and my sister ordered the steak tartare and said her stomach hurt shortly after. Now I've had their burgers before so I was excited to get it again. The only thing that wasn't so great for me was the fries seemed overcooked they were super crunchy. Our mimosas were tasty however the espresso martini I was not really a fan of. I still need to come back and check out their pancakes. I love the low lighting and vibes that the restaurant gives off so I'll definitely be back.

I had this place on my list for a little bit so it was a treat to try it for restaurant week.They provide complimentary bread, of note, it isn't warm, but it is soft. They have 3 mocktails. I had one made with grapefruit and it was tasty. Now for dinner.Appetizer-I started with the crab and avocado salad. I enjoyed making wraps with the lettuce. 5/5Entree- I had the mussels and fries. Not my favorite, the mussels were good, but several were closed shells and the fries were shoestring which I don't care for. 3/5Dessert- I had the rice pudding, it was ok, but I wouldn't order again. 3/5

Continues to impress!I've wondered how this was going to differentiate itself from Le Dip (both Stephen Starr, menu options are very similar and comparably priced for the most part). And I think I'm starting to appreciate Pastis for being a bit more relaxed atmosphere, increased ability to take walk-ins over reservations, and generally a more casual vibe (no white table cloth, never feel rushed to leave). I actually prefer Pastis because the food is just as good, but way more approachable. Keep it up!

Stopped in after an event at Union Market for drinks and bites. Ended up having the best thing I've tasted all year- the steak sandwich. I don't even like steak so that says something. Perfect balance of fat and acid with a ciabatta that doesn't tear up your mouth. Absolutely delicious. The leeks and vinaigrette were also refreshingly unique and gave a nice little zing. Charles was wonderful, all of the staff was very friendly and helpful. Old school bistro vibes a la Le Diplomate (same owner). The lighting was rough for pictures but hopefully they give you a good idea of what to expect.

Pastis has it all! First of all, the ambiance and vibes in this restaurant are top notch. Moody lighting, Parisian tile, and plenty of seating at tables and the bar. I loved it. I went for dinner during restaurant week and enjoyed everything we had. The apps - fried artichoke and crab & avocado salad- were healthy portions and tasted very fresh, not too heavy. The steak frites were quite good too. The fries especially were delicious the the garlic aoli. I had some issues with how my steak was cooked. The dessert was also delicious - crème brûlée and rice pudding. The menu is pricey when it is not restaurant week but I will be back to try some of their other options.

We had another great experience at Pastis! As a party of two, we walked in for an early dinner and were seated without a reservation. The onion soup was truly delicious! And I really enjoyed the crispy artichokes. My husband had the steak frites, and that was perfectly pink and rare. It was all great!For cocktails, I had the m. marmalade, and it was artfully crafted. I loved it. Definitely check out Pastis! We have been a couple times now, and it lived up to the hype both times.

Pastis was very good. But it was not great. We ate outside -- the interior was too noisy for conversation, even on a Wednesday night when they weren't that busy. The service was excellent.Not surprisingly, the bar steak with frites, was the best dish among everything the three of us ordered. The profiteroles for dessert was the least interesting and seemed like something you could make at home very easily and have turn out just as well. Bottom line: if you're in Union Market (we were), Pastis was an excellent option for dinner. I would not make a trip across DC just to eat here.

Had a delicious meal at Pastis - new Stephen Starr restaurant in Union Market. Very easy to make a reservation - we loved the French onion soup and the crème brûlée, but there are some obvious classics they do so well too such as the beef bourguignon, burger, and New York strip steak! I would love to come back here for brunch!