Washingtonians will have a new spot for steak-frites as of Thursday, when Maxime opens its doors in the longtime Guards location. The casual French bistro from the Bodega and Thunder Burger owners announced they’ll debut for dinner, serving a concise brasserie menu in a rustic French setting. Owners Ben Kirane, Moe Idrissi, and Joe Idrissi formerly ran an Italian eatery, Rialto, in the same space, but wanted to change over to a more casual, high-energy concept.
While classics like onion soup, mussels, and quiche are options, the focus is “La Formule,” a set meal priced at $19.95 that includes steak, “secret sauce,” salad, frites, and a baguette bread basket. The formula is similar to that of Medium Rare, or for those who remember 1970’s dining in Georgetown, Le Steak. Chef Ryan Fichter also offers a marinated portobello mushroom or salmon filet as red meat alternatives.
The 75-seat eatery aims to be a neighborhood spot, with wallet-friendly dishes and a wine list that keeps bottles at $45 and under.
Maxime. 2915 M St., NW. Open daily, 4 to 11.
Anna Spiegel covers the dining and drinking scene in her native DC. Prior to joining Washingtonian in 2010, she attended the French Culinary Institute and Columbia University’s MFA program in New York, and held various cooking and writing positions in NYC and in St. John, US Virgin Islands.
