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Food & service is excellent after many times to this restaurant.

Montmatre didn't look like much when I first passed it, then several of us went in for a late lunch in an attempt to avoid the crowd. Because it is cramped that the wait staff can maneuver is a wonder unto itself. And it's noisey, nearly on the scale of Ray's the Steaks in Arlington. You can monitor and comment on the conversation held by the next table's party easily. But the food makes up for it. The hanger steak and calve's liver are excellent, the terrines exceptional. Montmatre used to have a creamed carrot and ginger soup that really got things going. Just remember, the tables are tiny. Timing is everything: try for weekday lunch. Also, they've got an escellent and reasonably priced wine list. And the dessert cart ain't bad.

The value at Montmartre is unbeatable for DC. Their signature mussels in a pastis broth is always spot-on. If they ever have oxtail in phyllo as a first course - get it! As for the entrees, the rabbit with linguine is always a reliable choice, as is the stuffed veal. The fish dishes are uniformely excellent. My quibbles are with the crampt, crowded, noisy interior and rushed service. The service, though always polite (and French - accented), is a bit wobbly: why can't just one person be in charge of your table instead of three? The interior is tight, and sometimes all the wine glasses, plates, and dishes barely fit... But as I said, the food makes all the difference. I'm convinced their chef is a genius. Best time to go: on warm evenings when you can sit outside on their patio. Lovely! Bonus - check out Montmartre's sister restaurant Montsouris on P Street in Dupont. It's also fantastic.

This is the most underrated place in D.C. The food is exemplary, classically French and done very well. The atmosphere couldn't be more low-key and quaint. Everything was perfect from beginning to end, including the French waitstaff who were extremely competent and efficient. I would heartily recommend it to anyone in D.C., even if you don't live anywhere near the Hill. We live in Georgetown, home to many other French restaurants, and schlep up to Eastern Market to go to Montmartre almost weekly. Try the confit of duck, you will not be sorry!