Bistro L'Hermitage

12724 Occoquan Rd.
Woodbridge, VA 22192
(703) 499-9550

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I was so excited when I signed up to participate in this year's taste of Lake Ridge to learn that a new non-chain restaurant had opened in Occoquan. Even better to learn was that it was French! And the owners and kitchen staff have some very impressive credentials. (See a news story written about them here.)

I used to live in Paris and as an amateur foodie, I took classes at the famous cooking school, Le Cordon Bleu. I love French food, especially when it is done right. I've been to Bistro L'Hermitage three times now, twice for lunch and once for dinner. WOW.

For lunch I started with a lobster bisque with sherry cream with a fresh baked baguette and some of the most delicious butter I've ever tasted. I highly recommend it. Then I had their chicken ceasar salad. Again, so deliciious. The chicken medallions on top of whole leaf lettuce were perfectly cooked and oh so tender. The ceasar dressing was delightful. The portions are large so don't worry that you might get a smaller than usual dish. My second lunch there topped my first trip. If you have been following my reviews, I'm on a constant hunt for the best Reuben sandwich in the area. I'VE FOUND IT! They have the best rueben bar none. However, instead of pastrami, they use chicken on a marbled rye/pumpernickel bread. Man was it good.

For dinner, I ordered something I usually don't crave but really like if it is done well. So scallops it was. Again, wow, wow, wow. Perfectly tender and the seasoning superb. Now I'm not a desert eater so I was so pleased they had a traditional French offering after dinner -- a selection of cheeses. So good -- bleu, brie, cheddar. I did try their creme brulee as well. Very, very good.

So as you might guess, I highly suggest you give Bistro L'Hermitage a try.

MORE REVIEWS FROM WL READERS:

WL reader Erin has sent us her own review of Bistro L'Hermitage:

After reading the Woodbridge review on this new place to eat, I decided that is where I was going to take my husband and father for their Father’s Day dinner. I called and made reservations and everything was set. My Father and Step mother joined us at our house so that we could pile into one car for this new French treat that was so close by to where we live. I myself, my 2 year old daughter , husband and parents arrived at Bistro L’Hermitage at about 6pm. We were very impressed with the outside building and could not believe that this place was so quant looking. When we got inside I commented about how nice the walls were that were all lined in stone as if you were in a castle. We were seated right away and ready to enjoy a very nice meal. NICE is the operative word here. The food was VERY good and I would recommend this restaurant for the couple who want a really romantic fine cuisine dinner, but it is no place to take children. There was nothing on the menu that a child of 2 could eat and nothing was offered to that effect. The food was delicious and cooked to perfection but was overly excessive in price in my opinion. Overall we had a really lovely time and would go there again but I would defiantly leave my daughter with a babysitter, and go there for special occasions only.