Bistro Blanc, Glenelg

Food was very, very good, with ample portions for what you pay. Frankly, I was surprised by the amount of food that was served to us. Decorations and atmosphere were a bit odd (everything is done up in red), but I was impressed by the popularity of this place. BB is kind of out in the sticks in a fairly small strip mall, yet the place was packed on a Wednesday night in January. I don't think we could have gotten in without a reservation. Entree prices ranged from the high teens to the mid 20's, which again I didn't think was a bad deal for what you got. My dining partner ordered the restaurant week special (have noticed that with the difficult economy, restaurant week now occurs every week), and for $30, I was very impressed. Her root stock chowder was excellent, and the duck confit was not only very good, but huge. Her creme brule was also excellent. My Peking duck breast was very good, with a surprising amount of duck breast (quite a bit in other words). My ceaser salad was also excellent, and I think was made with organic, heirloom romaine lettuce. All things considered, this was easily the best new restaurant I've been to in the Baltimore area in some time (assuming Glenelg qualifies as in the Baltimore area). That being said, there were a few minor problems I thought. For such a relatively high end restaurant, service was surprisingly amaturish. The wait staff were all college age kids, and as is so often the case, they really didn't know much about the menu or the wine list. Also, while the wine list is pretty good, wine mark-ups are all over the place. We ordered a bottle of Caymus Conundrum for $40, which in this market isn't bad at all (it retails in the $25 range out here). On the other hand, the D-cubed zin (not one of the vineyard designated wines from them) was $76, and even out here, I don't think it costs more then $30. So you have to exercise a little caution when you order wine here. Also, they don't bring you any bread (you have to order it off the menu if you want bread), and they don't leave the bottle of wine on your table after they open it (which I always find annoying, as you have to rely on your server to hopefully notice your glass is empty if you want a refill - this is a real problem on a busy night). Lastly, a glass of port I ordered at the end of the meal came in champagne flute, which was kind of odd (given the type of flute used - their glassware selection is definitely not the best). All that aside, we had a great time, as the food was truly excellent (we also split a Foie Gras starter, which was also quite good and generous in size). I'd go back in a heart beat. Also, a few things we learned while there (don't think this info is on the website), Tuesday is half price bottle of wine night, and Wednesday is their no corkage fee night. Thursday is 25% off any wine on the list you want to take home (as was last night apparently), but you'd have to be out of your mind to purchase wine to take home. There was nothing on the wine list that had only a 25% mark-up over retail price, and I didn't see anything on the list that was so rare you couldn't find it elsewhere (though out in Glenelg, who knows, maybe that's not the case). 2 glasses of champagne, the restaurant week menu for for my dining partner, the foie gras starter, my salad and entree, the bottle of wine and a glass of Grahm's 20 year old tawny for yours truly. Total price with tax and tip was right at two bills.

Nothing to rave about. Over priced and and food does not live up to the price tag. Located in an unpleasant strip mall. Sorry but wondering what is French about this place.

Great food, great wine, great service, bizarre space - I hear you have to try the wine tasting fountain... but I haven't experienced it yet.