Upscale dining at Bazin’s on Church

March 18, 9:55 AMDC City Buzz ExaminerPeter Forman

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The dining room at Bazin's on Church (Photo by Peter Forman)

Bazin’s on Church is a relatively new fixture in Vienna though the restaurant fits in to the quaint landscape of Church Street as if it has always been there. This upscale restaurant is the creation of husband and wife team Patrick and Julie Bazin and offers one of the best dining experiences around. The decor, food, wine, and clientele are all upscale but the environment is casual and unpretentious. The dining area is large enough to seat everyone without impacting the intimacy of the establishment and the bar is perfect for a casual drink with friends or co-workers.

The start of one patron's dining experience
(Photo by Peter Forman)

On my last visit this past Friday, I choose the crabmeat spring rolls followed by the blue cheese crusted flatiron steak with garlic herb fries along with a few glasses of Pinot Noir. The spring rolls were light and flavorful and loaded with crab. The ginger-mustard vinaigrette dipping sauce enhanced the taste and despite my efforts to pace myself they were quickly gone. The side of Asian slaw they came with kept me occupied for a little while but was also soon gone.

My entree arrived on time and cooked exactly as ordered. The meat was tender and juicy topped with just the right amount of blue cheese. As for the fries, is there anyone who does not like garlic fries? As for me, I think it’s hard to miss with this combination and Bazin’s did not. My words can only describe so much so be sure to check out the slideshow at the end of this piece to see more of these and other dishes.

While eating my entree, I watched the owners as they went about running the restaurant. Julie bounced from one patron to the next and appeared to know each one personally. I think this actually was the case for many of them as the restaurant has its fair share of regulars. I met one such gentleman named Charlie that is refuted to have visited the restaurant every night since they opened several years ago. In contrast, chef Patrick Bazin, watched over the preparation and delivery of each plate with a healthy paranoia, watching, advising, and assisting the rest of the kitchen staff to ensure everything was done just right ready on time.

If you are looking for an unpretentious fine dining experience at a reasonable price, I highly recommend stopping by Bazin’s on Church.