My husband and I went here for my birthday and it was fantastic! The food and service were both excellent! We told them it was my birthday and the staff was so sweet! I had the veal with mushroom sauce and my husband had the seafood pasta. Both entrees were delicious. We started the meal with the cheese platter and ended it with a souffle. We highly recommend it!!!
(5)
James E.
It's a little pricey, but the food is delicious and the service is very attentive. The Sirloin Frites was cooked perfectly. If definitely eat here again.
(4)
Jenny C.
Went there for Valentine's Day dinner and was treated to a 3-course traditional french dinner. Food (3.5/5): Most of the items we ordered were cooked well. I highly recommend the escargots. We got six big escargots cooked in snail shells. Great flavor! The pate de campagne had good flavor as well but the dish could have been presented better. The pate looked like spam and the salad that came with it, while complemented the pate well, could have been plated better. My husband got the venison tenderloin which was tender and the sauce had a hint of sweet and smokiness to it. However, the sweet potato/red bean paste/whatever it was that came with the venison was so sweet that it completely ruined his entree. My arctic char, however, was wonderfully seared and moist. The chocolate mousse cake was made from dark chocolate so it was not overly sweet. The raspberry sauce on the side complimented the cake well. Service (4/5): Great service by an attentive gentlemen. At the end of the night, he helped us to wrap up the roses that my husband bought for me. Decor/Ambiance (1/5): Unfortunately, the decor of the restaurant left something to be desired. In the words of my husband, it desperately needed Gordon Ramsay or Robert Irvine to come in with one of their restaurant makeover shows to bring the restaurant to 2014. The seating, wallpaper, hanging pictures, lighting all look like they were done in the 80s and never got updated.
(3)
Ch T.
[Dog unfriendly - no outdoor seating] I don't even know where to start. Just exceptional. The menu has a lot of options - the traditional french food you'd expect plus some creative combinations. I had the special, something about sirloin and foie gras but what I remember is that it was just amazing. Good wine selection, friendly but professional and knowledgeable service. A great place to go if you're looking for a memorable meal.
(5)
Paul H.
A diner since opening the service and food is always first rate. One of the few placesget the veal liver right and the escargot to die for. Fish dishes are always cooked to perfection.
(5)
Caleb K.
The place was very overpriced, and the food was just ok. I ordered the rack of lamb medium rare and it showed up well done. For the prices that shouldn't happen. It had a nice atmosphere, but overall I will not go back and would not recommend it.
(2)
George C.
Wonderful French food. Service is superb but you pay a heavy price. Expensive, but well wort it. A must place if you really enjoy the best of French cooking. I love it.
(5)
Kylie H.
We had an amazing experience. The only reason I gave four was the foie gras was greasy. But rest of our meal n service was outstanding.
(4)
Grace B.
I just ate here about two weeks ago and I was blown away! Our food was absolutely perfect! And our waiter Eric was very attentive. I pretty much let him order for me and he did not disappoint. He knew everything about the food and went into great detail, where they get it, how its cooked, why its cooked that way instead of another way. I will defiantly be returning here!
(5)
Rachel N.
The food was delicious and everyone loved their food
My family loves this place. Every single time my parents come to visit, they insist on eating here, and we have never been disappointed. Personally, I LOVE the Bouillabase, and have gotten it almost every time. The starter salads are always refreshing (I love it when they have the beet "tartare" salad option). The meat is always perfectly done, as is their fish. They only less than stellar thing that I've encountered is the fact that the oysters are a little heavily breaded in Panko for my family's personal preference. Again, personal preference on our end. (We're from the south and prefer a different type of breading). As for desert, I've also been extremely pleased. Order the souffle ahead of time so that you have it at the end of your meal. It's worth it. Especially the Grand Marnier one. Yum!
(5)
Dawn R.
Fantastic! I made a reservation here for 10 of us to celebrate a friends' 50th birthday. When I made the reservation, I included that it was for a birthday celebration and to my surprise, the staff had gone to the trouble of decorating the table with confetti and other decorations, and even brought out a dancing monkey that played happy birthday during dessert! The service is top notch, really can't be beat.....they were very attentive from the moment we walked in the door, making sure we had everything we wanted. As for the food.....what can I say that hasn't already been said? I had the veal, which was perfect. And the raspberry souffle......divine! There really isn't anything I can add that hasn't already been said, so just trust me and go. You won't regret it.
(5)
Arthur C.
Traditional French restaurants were once the gold standard of fine dining. With our passion for new cuisine, ethnic cuisine, fusion cuisine, etc. French has taken a back seat in recent years. A visit to Les Folies reminds us why French cuisine still has so much to offer. The atmosphere of the restaurant is wonderful, like a visit to a Brasserie in Paris. You are greeted by real French accents and seated in a comfortable dining room. Pate de Campagne with cornichons is wonderful, a family favorite. The summer choice of vichyssoise coats your tongue with the wonder of potato and leek. The veal is excellent and the special of green peppercorn sauce a marvel. The soft shell crabs were savored. Steak Frites were also a popular and delicious choice as was the traditional coq au vin. Visit this restaurant and be charmed and reminded why Julia Child loved French cuisine.
(5)
Amanda H.
I hadn't had French food in years before checking this place out for dinner last night - in fact, I'm pretty sure it was when I was in France 10 years ago. Needless to say, I had high expectations! Les Folies delivered on every one of them. We started with soups - a beautiful gazpacho for me, cream of asparagus for my husband. Delicious. We had venison and salmon for dinner, and both were beautifully prepared and cooked to perfection. Tarte tatin & bread pudding were spot on. The service was excellent - just attentive enough, very timely, and not rushed or overbearing. Even better - there were clearly a number of customers there last night who were regulars. That says a lot about a restaurant! My husband and I agreed that this ranks among the best of restaurants we've been to in the DC metro area (and that includes Obelisk and the former incarnation of MiniBar). Looking for a nice place to celebrate something or just have a special date night? This is your place!
(5)
Gary H.
A great place near Parole in Annapolis. Very authentic French restaurant. After walking in you are transformed to Europe with the feel of the restaurant. We went here for my parents 60th wedding anniversary and they loved it. The cosmos were awesome and so were the appetizers. We got the calamari, muscles, smoked salmon and pate. The menu is extensive but not quite overwhelming. A lot of choices indeed!! I think the place under sells itself from the exterior design. It is next to the Bowen's Farm supply and has zero curb appeal. But once you're inside you will forget about the outside. You'll feel like you're in Paris.
(5)
Regina S.
I like the old stand by places that you can always expect the same smiling faces when you enter, but this place is stuck in some strange time warp. The menu is the same as it was 10 years ago when I first walked through its doors. That maybe somewhat ok, if you excel in what you offer but the luster has come off this coin. Escargot was great, served in the shell, buttery, garlicky and sinful just as it should be. The cream of wild mushroom soup was also a standout, it's richness coming more from the intense flavor of the fungi rather than an abundance of butter and cream. The steak frites was beyond forgettable, a pounded out tasteless piece of meat with straight out of the bag pommes frites. You have to be kidding me. This is such a classic dish and any Frenchman or woman would be aghast that the potatoes are not prepared in the usual bistro style. One of the specials of the night, the duck breast in lingonberry sauce had potential but suffered from an improper rendering of the skin and fat. Anyone who attempts to make a duck dish, knows the importance and the techniques of getting the fat out of the meat, so it results in a crispy, crackling skin. Although the breast was tender and nicely presented, the layer of fat was a turn off and it didn't help in the final flavor profile of the dish. The carrots and squash that came as sides, were well prepared, and the mashed potatoes were ok, but not something I would pair with duck. For dessert, we ordered one chocolate souffle right from the start since it needed a 45 minute preparation time. It was a disaster and three diners didn't even manage to finish one serving. The beautifully puffy beige colored dish tasted like baked egg whites. The milk chocolate sauce that accompanied it tasted like a creamy hershey syrup. What an incredible disappointment. Service was good, but the place is starting to look its age. There is nothing wrong in keeping a certain "vibe" but I think it's time for an update both in the decor and the menu. Tired is the word that sums up our view of Les Folies Brasserie. A repeat visit is not in our future.
(2)
Rob B.
Private Party Brunch Les Folies Sunday Brunch is a hidden gem in the Annapolis dining scene! We loved it so much we booked the restaurant for a family event. While they normally open for brunch at noon, Alain and his crew opened at 11am to allow our family to have the place to ourselves for drinks and passed hors d'oeuvres. We then had a wonderful 3 course meal in the private dining room. We used an abbreviated menu from their extensive "regular" brunch menu. Everyone, kids included, were wowed. Our tween girls loved the chocolate mousses! LOL. The crab flan appetizer was a family favorite. As the wedding season comes, people should consider Les Folies as more than a wonderful special dinner but as a great first class idea for rehearsal, wedding dinners. A total first class experience!
(5)
Debby C.
Not my kind of restaurant. I see by the reviews that I'm in the minority. My grilled portobello was excellent, as were the mussels. Bread was replenished more than once. What we didn't like, we had the house wine-no prices listed-$11. My husband had the steak $38 not that big which we knew, but the sides were less than 1/3 cup each. The spaghetti squash with cherry juice was not good. Our waiter was a little stuffy but fairly attentive. Last of all, I didn't see in the reviews that parking was valet. It just wasn't worth the price for us.
(2)
Richard S.
I have been a long time albeit infrequent customer of Les Folies for maybe 20 years. Visited again last weekend at the suggestion of some friends and were glad to come back as it is not on our normal restaurant rotation list in Annapolis. During my visit, my impressions from past visits were ratified. In some ways nothing has changed. Great to see Alain the owner/greeter and his passion/enthusiasm which says a lot since he has been here forever. The food went from phenomenal (duck l'orange) to a bit mediocre (calves liver, French onion soup), with the venison and the coq au vin somewhere in between. The service was excellent. The prices are high which is okay, but given the food quality and the overall experience the value is just not there. Four of us spent $360 with 20% tip, apps all around, two shared deserts and two bottles of modest priced wine. Ouch! The crowd was mostly grey heads (including me! but not my companions). Is that because we are hanging on to times past or because this is the only demographic that can afford it? This is your typical "fancy French Restaurant" and would have been perfect in the day of Mad Men, but in today's ever advancing world of unique, cutting edge, adventurous, trendy and hip new places, Les Folies, is certainly not the "in" spot anymore. We will be back for sure but maybe only about once per year.
(3)
Maria-Elena T.
We started with the raw oysters, a dozen Kusshi. They were fresh shucked, juicy and served with a tasty mignonette. They put a basket of regular French bread and olive bread on the table and it was difficult not to make a meal of it. It is made fresh daily. We ran out of olive so I asked for more. Eric, the head waiter, readily refilled the basket with olive bread! I ate more. Next I had the Pistou soup which I always get. It seemed off, a little bland, like it was missing something. The waiter suggested I try the soup of the day which was lentil. Wow- it was creamy and delicious! If I see that again as a special, I will order it. My friend had the fois gras. The serving size is ridiculously large, which is the reason he always orders it. It was done to perfection. This is the fois gras standard in which all other fois gras are judged (and many others often fail). For my main, I had the red snapper daily special. It was seared in the outside and flaky on the inside. It sat on top of a bed of perfectly cooked lentils. My friend had the lamb and he raved about them. I finished with the dessert of the day, coconut flan. It was good. It was an excellent meal. My only complaint would be that the kitchen closes at 9pm on a Wednesday but there is a reason- we were the last to leave.
(5)
Vera T.
This place is great! Friendly service and awesome food.
(5)
Brandi E.
We had a date night here with 2 other couple and it was amazing! The food, the wine and the service were all top notch! The atmosphere was quiet and we went on a night that wasn't too busy so there wasn't any waiting. We will definitely be going back for another date night here!
(5)
Mike L.
We've NEVER had a bad meal at Les Folies -- everything had been great EVERY TIME we go! While you expect certain things from a French restaurant, what will surprise you is the quality of their raw bar seafood. You can belly-up to quite a few raw bars in Annapolis, but Les Folies is, by far, the best in town! Great food, great wine, great service and great ambiance! DO yourself a favor and treat yourself to Les Folies a few times a year!
(5)
Adam B.
I never rate things 5 stars, but this place deserves it. The food was outstanding, one of those rare experiences that sticks in your mind for a long time afterwards (I went there months ago and I'm still dreaming about the food). The escargot appetizer was delicious, and wonderfully delicate. I ordered the foie gras and it was an absolute delight. All the flavors worked perfectly together, the whole thing just melted in my mouth and my tongue was treated to wave after wave of unraveling flavors and textures. It's been a long, LONG, time since I've experienced something like that. The muscat pairing also worked perfectly with the dish. The staff was friendly and attentive, and as we sipped out coffee after the meal they also kept our cups full. I also fell in love with the decor. Despite obviously once being a Spanish or Italian restaurant, looking like the cafe from Amilie, and decorated by the French Tourism Board in 1996...it's got an undeniable charm to it. It still pulls off an undeniably real French vibe. When you go, take your friends, take your time, plan on having a couple of courses, and get lost in the meal and the wine. It's one of the few places where you can do it.
(5)
MS R.
Fantastic service and delicious food! So glad my husband and I came here for dinner tonight!
I came here to celebrate and we ordered escargot and pate as appetizers. Pate was great while the escargot was a decent but not as good as France (of course not!). We had steak frites and coq au vin which were exceptionally done well. Service was great as were the prices.
Best mussels and frites in the entire region. Salmon, steak, coq au vin, salads, are consistently excellent. Wait staff caters to your needs and aim to please!!! Great wait staff. It's the real deal--a local treasure--as close to a French Bistro as can be in Annapolis.
(5)
Brian D.
Good food, great service. First time there and would give it good marks. I'm rating it as 3 stars as it really wasn't my style of restaurant. That being said, there is a lot going in favor of it. Great atmosphere, good size and multiple levels. We went with a group and enjoyed appetizers and more. Onion soup was good. My entree was ok (it was about a month ago and don't remember what I had!). We also ordered dessert which was just ok. I don't usually go for fancy food. I like good food and a good quantity. The food was very good, but I left a little hungry. If you're into French cuisine, definitely go to this place. If you are looking to fill up, then you're probably better off somewhere else. I'd be happy to go here again but will definitely make sure I'm not starving before I go.
(3)
Jen L.
It's really hard for me to find good french food up here after spending the summer in New Orleans.... Their wine selection was extensive. Unfortunately, we were having a bad day and opted for the Sangria. Do French restaurant generally have Sangria? It was good Sangria though. Just perfect for a girls night out. I ordered an organge duck dish which was pretty good, but not for the price they were asking for. It was a little dry, but it was pretty good. The Souffle was the best part! I have never had one of those before and we got the Grand Mariner Souffle. It was awesome. You have to order it when you order your main dish because it takes almost an hour to make and serve. If anything that worth coming back for. I would give the desserts here 5 stars. You gotta try it! It's pretty convenient to 50/97 and Riva Road and the ARINC Headquarters (across the street). You can see it off the highway. It fairly easy to get into the parking lot but a pain to make a left turn out of it. If you are not familiar with the Riva road Exit on 50, be very careful, its very confusing and could get you into an accident if you aren't paying attention.
(3)
Howard G.
This is the best French Restaurant in Annapolis. There is always a selection of fresh oysters and other seafood that is always the seasons freshest. The classic french dishes and specials are always great. The food is not cutting edge but always excellent and well prepared. The service is good by a staff that has been there for years b
(5)
S C.
So I go here quite frequently because I have an obsession with pink peppercorn migionette. Two words: Seafood Tower. Costs about a hundred bucks but it is awesome. 2 dozen oysters, softshell crab, mussels, clams, scallops, shrimp cocktail and a whole lobster. $50 bucks a person, way more rewarding tham some pomme frites and mesculn greens with your steak. I did get a Foie gras as my final taste for the night. Branch out, go for the gold. You wont regret it! And tip well because its a pain in the ass for the server, i'm sure!
(5)
Nancy N.
We were very disappointed in Les Folies Brasserie. The service was pleasant but the food pedestrian. The soft shell crabs were tasteless which is a crime in Maryland where crab should be fresh and delicious. We had to apologize to our guest for the poor quality of our meal. We will never return.
(1)
Lisa H.
My boyfriend brought me here for Valentine's Day, but we went 5 days before actual Valentines day on a Thursday night. It was a very romantic atmosphere. I didn't order a French meal so I'm not going to be too harsh on the food, but the soup I got was pretty bland and the steak I ordered wasn't a very good cut. It was cooked well but nothing to rave about. Service was excellent. If I go again I'd definitely want to try the coq au vin. The only thing that was pretty annoying was the music. For the most part it was a very romantic music station - I think it was an Italian station on satellite radio. However, every 20 minutes or so, the music would stop and the radio talk show would interview people for about 10 minutes and the voices were very distracting and loud, in comparison to the music that had been playing. Overall, I'd go back.
(4)
Christine C.
We love this little French place, actually it's not so little. It's tucked away off the Annapolis beaten path and does a wonderful job of setting a atmosphere that is welcoming and cozy. You walk in and you are greeted by a host or one of the wonderful waiters/esses that are just like family here. I have been coming for a while and most of their clients know one another by name and they know all the staff. You can tell and I have been told, many of the staff don't do it for the money per say but because the restaurant is family to them and they enjoy the work they get to do there. We have eaten Easter Brunch with Les Folies, we have been here when my mom visits and we have been here for a night off from our kitchen. The food is amazing but you will pay for amazing. It's great for family or friends. Their food is creative and so is their ambiance. They normally have something going on for the holidays and even on some weekends. They have a little bar if you don't want to sit at a table where Marcel will likely be pouring drinks for you. I highly recommend this restaurant for a nice evening out or just any day of the week. Enjoy!
(5)
Geoff G.
Les Folies was always one of my favorite restaurants in Annapolis during the 6 years I lived in the area. I recently went back with 6 of my family members and left at the end of the night asking myself, "What happened to this place?" In my opinion, Les Folies has really gone downhill. The portion sizes were extremely small..... and I have to agree with my friend Jen L that this place cannot hold a candle to true French cuisine in New Orleans. I talked this place up quite a bit to my parents and I think we all left feeling rather disappointed. My uncle and I ordered the Tuna (trying to stay on my health kick) and it was about a 4 ounce portion.... which I found a little insulting given the price tag. My wife had the Venison Tenderloin and the 3 tiny slices of venison they served her were good. The chestnut puree that accompanied it was a huge disappointment though.... fail on the chef's part. My father and cousin had the dover sole which lacked flavor and was not worth the $38. My mom ordered the lamb chops (because I raved about them) and I think she was disappointed as well. The lamb was rather chewy and nothing about the dish blew her away. Maybe it was an off night, but the portion size and quality of food was definitely not up to par with my past experiences at Les Foiles. A few years ago I never would have thought I ever could have given this place 2 stars. It has always been a 5 star experience. Not sure I will be coming back here anytime soon. Too many other places in Annapolis that surpass my last dining experience at Les Foiles. THE GOOD - Unfortunately, for the first time in the 7 times I have dined here, nothing. THE MEH - Entrees: Tuna, Dover Sole, Venison Tenderloin, Lamb Chops THE BAD - Service, Price Points, Overall Experience
(2)
Gibboney H.
A solid restaurant, but Cafe Normandie is more authentic and has better food in my opinion.
WARNING: this is not about food. I'm sure its tasty. It's about an annoying experience trying to get food here. Open Table said reservations were available - wide open. Show, she didn't make a reservation and we just showed up. Hostess said no tables were available and offered seats at the bar. "i don't control Open Table." That's the best consolation you can offer. She wanted to make a reservation on-line, call to confirm, then to back in. I nixed that idea: 1) If he didn't going to seat us, he wasn't going to. 2) I didn't want to give them money bad enough to take getting shooed away. I will not return.
(1)
Michael B.
Caveat: This was a Valentines Day Dinner We arrived at our reservation time and was seated within 5-10 min. Overall excellent service. We felt like we were well attended to without being hurried. The reason for only 3 stars was due to the food. We didn't feel like the ingredients lived up to the hype. We had cocktails which were well made and a bottle of wine that was pretty awful but that is probable because we chose off of the valentines menu. My wife had the beef wellington which was not very good. The meat was overcooked and stringy and the sauce used made all of the pastry mushy. The veg sides were plain and seemed frozen. The scalloped potatoes were good. I had the bouillabaisse. The broth was rather un-flavorful but the seafood was cooked properly. The crustini's were slathered in an unappealing paste. We did not get dessert. I am glad we tried it but I wouldn't go back.
(3)
Jennic M.
I would give Les Folies a 3.75 if I could. Great food, not so great decor. The good: - Complimentary valet parking - Coat check - Decent wine selection - Warm, friendly owner - Delicious food The not so good: - The decor (Les Folies needs an update, pronto) - The clientele (lots of stuffy White Annapolitans) So obviously, the good outweighs the bad, but I am big on atmosphere in a restaurant. Get the filet mignon, it was great and perfectly cooked. Mmmmmmmm...............
(4)
Jim G.
We had the most enjoyable experience at this fine eatery. From exquisite food, a wonderful warm and professional staff and beautiful decor I don't think you have a mediocre experience. Watching our server, Eric, prepare the Dover Sole table side was an experience we will never forget, what talent. All of our courses were perfect, Lump Crab meat in a 'flan style preparation(featured in the photo's), warm Cream of Celery soup, both followed by signature salads and then entree's with the Sole and Fillet Mignon prepared and severed to perfection. Constantly circulating in symphony, the entire staff, from owner to bus staff are exemplary. Please go for a true dining experience that you won't find in major cities let alone in the Annapolis area. We loved it!
(5)
Bernadette N.
Well, I don't usually return to a restaurant so quickly, but we took my in-laws here last night, knowing they'd love it, and they did. I started with their gazpacho this time, and it's AWESOME. My husband had their homemade pate, which was also incredible. This time I tried their duck confit, my fav french classic, and it was everything I hoped for. I used to go to Les Halles (Anthony Bourdain's restaurant) every sunday for theirs when we lived in NYC, but this may have been better. They're balsamic and chutney sauces were really outstanding. And for $14, a stellar option for dinner. Hubby had the veal with cream mushroom sauce that was really good. Father-in-law had the liver which he said was fantastic. Mother-in-law loved the paella I recommended. One more experience like this, and this place could get moved up to five stars. Maybe sunday brunch is in order?
(4)
Christina S.
7pm dinner reservations for a romantic dinner for 2 - love that they participate on OpenTable. We had a lovely dinner experience. The restaurant has some high-end touches like valet parking (the parking lot is small and I can see how it would be hard to find our own parking spot) and offering to take our coats on arrival. Overall the service was impeccable. The restaurant was moderately full, we found our wait staff attentive and not overly so. We ordered a bottle of Beaujolais Nouveau at our waitress' suggestion. It was a lovely light wine, similar to a rose. We started with a classic caesar salad and the vegetable pistou soup. The caesar salad was very nice and the pistou had lively flavors. For the pistou I do wish that they had served the grated parmesan on the side for me to add at the table; the cheese had all melted together. For entrees we had the bouillabaise and the sole meuniere. Both delicious; bouillabaisse garlicky with well-done seafood and the sole flaky and buttery goodness. The sole was served with potato au gratin, carrots and snow peas. On previous visits I've enjoyed the souffle for dessert, so we shared a chocolate souffle. This was the only (mild) disappointment of the evening. It felt a little odd in texture, a little chewy perhaps? Ah well, the coffee was divine and I enjoyed the night.
(4)
Sam P.
During my first trip to Annapolis, I went here with a co-worker a few hours after arriving for the first time. I guess living in the Pacific Northwest (with the likes of Le Pichet in Seattle) has given me a different picture of French cuisine than the likes of Les Foiles. I had a vision of being transported back to 1977 here and can imagine that the menu wouldn't have changed that much. All the food is extremely rich and really heavy, and really doesn't taste very fresh. A few days later, I did go to the (much reviled on Yelp) Cafe Normandie and found the food there much more fresh and not ridiculously overwrought like Les Foiles. To its credit, Les Foiles has extremely good and attentive service.
(3)
Matt P.
Such a surprise! Great, and I mean great service. Everyone here is a pro. We were traveling to the eastern shore and showed up at 5:15 in a rainstorm. They opened early for us and did not show obvious dismay when we walked in with small children. We do not expect restaurants like this to cater to children and our boys (4 and 6) were well set with a steak and fries- off the main menu which they kindly split into two plates - the fish, quail, calamari and steak were delicious. Definitely going to be a go to restaurant for us when we feel like a night out on the way to the shore- looking forward to stopping for brunch!
(5)
Greg P.
This is Annapolis' most overrated restaurant, easily. My experiences here was 2 stars. I won't eagerly go back to this place, but I could if I had to. Other people at my table had better food, mine was very weak. The place itself which others complained about is nice. The lunch prices are good. But the food is just not that good. In many regards its got above average quality, but unimpressive entrees. If you want your food to not suck, I suggest ordering the steak frittes. Its very good actually, because its simple enough to not screw up in the back. but I had higher expectations for the chefs and their standards. Wine was nice too, and so were desserts. Its the entree's that are just all-out mediocrity. I had three Les Follies visits, each time as mediocre as the next, but the last one was so bad i'm yelping it. I ordered the "paella valencienne". It was CRAP. Its not that it was repulsive or inedble, but this was way, way below any decent chef's standard. It was boiled seafood+a few meat chunks such as "chorizo" (probably one of their other sausages, as it didn't taste like chorizo) thrown on top of rice, totally flavourless. It was parabroiled rice (think Uncle Ben's) cooked in a chicken or vegetable broth (something I do at home so I spotted it easily) and absolutley no herbs, not even a hint of SAFFRON (kind of essential ingredient in a paella), and just no taste. I also tried the lamb chops ----- mediocre. Mustard crusted --- blah blah whatever, its 2-3 lamb chops and they aren't anything at all special. Coq Au Vin, I had another time it was very forgetabble. Also, Coq au vin is supposed to be made with Rooster, and not chicken (coq is french for cock, aka rooster, and yes there is a difference in the meat) I don't expect a real, authentic paella like in Spain or whatever BUT, I do expect something fresh and made with quality from the kitchen if its on their menu. They don't have high standards in this kitchen. I'm sorry to say, but this is mostly just a French place capitalizing on the lack of decent options in Annapolis.
(2)
Tony P.
So my wife and I went here recently on a rare night out without the kids. It scratched our "quiet, elegant, adult" itch. The service was pleasant and businesslike, the decor is sort of folksy, but it feels right. The bread was fresh, the salads were crisp and very nice. The entrees - beef medallions with a red wine reduction and veal with a cream sauce were really nice, great flavor, and just large enough in size to fill without feeling stuffed. We loved it and will eagerly return.
(4)
Juliet G.
The best part of the meal was the chocolate souffle which was just fabulous. I would go back for that alone. I had the duck confit for my dinner with a salad and they were both fine but not worth their high price. The souffle though.... just wonderful and memorable!! The ambience was great though and nice and quiet.
(3)
Beneeta D.
Went here for my birthday on 9/9 and the experience was okay at best. Our reservation was at 5:30, which is opening time, the restaurant was empty which is okay but it meant 4 servers at our table nonstop either refilling drinks, or dropping stuff off, or asking if we were okay-I like good service but this was overkill. When they weren't at our table they were staring at the table like hawks on their prey, it was awkward. The food was okay,ordinary baguette rolls, I got a calamari appetizer which was good, nothing different but good, my mom got French onion soup which she said was good. For our meals I decided to be a little adventurous and got Foie gras.....bad idea, I took one bite and immediately spit it back out, this doesn't reflect on the restaurant just my own foolishness-I should've got the mussels but nooo! My mom got Coq Au Vin, she didn't care for it, but she didn't know what it was supposed to taste like...For dessert I got creme brulee they put a little Happy Birthday White chocolate piece on it and came out with a candle which was a nice touch My children were there with me and while they did alright, it's not a restaurant for children, there's no children's menu and its a quiet atmosphere; they weren't loud and we were the only ones but had it been different I may have felt a little weary about them being there. A combination of suffocating service, and a small knowledge of French food made for a meh experience for my birthday...I might return but not anytime soon
(3)
Janet K.
Ok--I have read all of the remarks about being too loosey-goosey on this site with the five stars--and I agree--but this restaurant truly rates the highest marks. We go there frequently and have NEVER been disappointed....not by the food or the service or the ambiance. It's like a little mini vacation right here in the good ol' Annapolis area. Since Northwoods bit the dust, I don't know of any place that compares. (Maybe O'Leary's, but they are only open for dinner and we prefer mid day dining most of the time)
(5)
Phil B.
The food is good, the service is ok, and the place is quite accessible right off Riva Road. However it is not one of my favorite places to go simply because its a bit too dark and heavy on the theme inside.
(2)
Kaya A.
Three to four decades from now, when my grandchildren are old enough to ask annoying questions and borrow money that they won't pay back, I can guarantee that one of those irritable (a trait they got from Grandpa) yet adorable (a trait they got from Grandma) rugrats would ask about our first date. At my old age, I wouldn't be surprised if I talked about our hot, R-rated night at Carrabbas, but that would be so wrong (in so many ways). Our first date was, in fact, at Les Folies Brasserie, and it was one of his foiled attempts to get me to sleep with his virgin ass. Going as friends aside, he managed to bring me to this rather opulent date as a reward for getting him an A in calc (I was his tutor). When he said the fatal words to order anything on the menu, it opened the floodgates for my undying love for this place. Ordering the coq au vin (French for chicken with wine) is a definite must. Being a crab aficionado, I had to order the crab flan, and the reason he didn't get so lucky was that I was spent after that succulent feast of a flan. And it doesn't matter if you're so damn full, do not skip out on a souffle, which is available in three flavors (I recommend the chocolate). Their wine selection is also excellent, but we skipped on alcohol that night. Perhaps that was his downfall?
(5)
Jessica P.
Most authentic french restaurant ever. The food was very very good, my boyfriend took me here for my birthday and he scored big points for choosing this place off of Riva road in Annapolis. I can see why their clientele comes from DC, VA and all over. I got the Poisson (fish) and gazpacho's, and creme brule' and a few glasses of really good wine. My bf got the al coq al vin' which is the chicken that is braised in a red wine sauce and he said it was really good. It is a nice romantic date spot.
(5)
don q.
The somewhat schmaltzy exterior hides a really decent french bistro. Great classics like coq au vin. Well executed dishes with really nice service.
(4)
Tatyana M.
It was our second Sunday brunch @ Les Folies and I have to admit it was even better then the first time. We had Lump crabmeat flan with lobster sauce and Baked mussels with herbs, garlic, butte and cognac for appetizers, Chicken stew with mushroom, bacon and pearl onions and Veal piccata with lemon butter sauce for entrees, Seasonal Berries, with Sherry Sabayon and Chocolate Mousse cake with Raspberry Sauce for desserts + 2 champagne glasses and 2 coffees. All was prepared and presented wonderfully. The flavors were amazingly good. The service was friendly and attentive; ambience was very cozy and nice. The value you get for all that was offered was amazing ($67 for two including tax/tips). We felt very comfortable in this fine dining establishment and left in a very good mood and very satisfied. Definitely one of the best restaurants of Annapolis area. We'll be back and recommend this restaurant to all the lovers of great food and wonderful service.
(5)
mari d.
A terrific place for a quiet date night with your sweetie. White tablecloths and impeccable service might be intimidating to some,but they pull it off just fine. Authentic French cuisine. A treasure located off Riva Road behind Bowen's Farm Supply (!!!)
(4)
Tim M.
There are only 3 truly french restaurants in the area; Les Folies, Cafe Breton, and Cafe Normandie. Cafe Breton in Arnold is by far the best overall between food and service. Normandie is plagued by its location in the heart of tourist heady Main Street. I've tried Les Folies twice and loved the food and hated the service. The first trip was for Mom's birthday - she ordered a Grey Goose cosmo but apparently they had no bartender that night so the owner fumbled his way though 3 attempts before we gave up and got some wine. Service degraded from there however the cassoulet and country pate I ordered were really tasty. We tried again about a year and a half later with almost identical results - when spending this kind of cash I'm expecting good service no matter what - not sure when they'll get a chance at a third strike. It cracks me up to hear how many people in town rave about this place - there must be something about spending alot of money for a sub-par experience that carries with it a high you never forget. But then again - I'm a true food snob - not easily impressed by much! ;)
(3)
Lindsey W.
One of Annapolis' finest. Must orders include the raw bar tower and the chocolate suffle.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Romantic, Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Emily G.
My husband and I went here for my birthday and it was fantastic! The food and service were both excellent! We told them it was my birthday and the staff was so sweet! I had the veal with mushroom sauce and my husband had the seafood pasta. Both entrees were delicious. We started the meal with the cheese platter and ended it with a souffle. We highly recommend it!!!
(5)James E.
It's a little pricey, but the food is delicious and the service is very attentive. The Sirloin Frites was cooked perfectly. If definitely eat here again.
(4)Jenny C.
Went there for Valentine's Day dinner and was treated to a 3-course traditional french dinner. Food (3.5/5): Most of the items we ordered were cooked well. I highly recommend the escargots. We got six big escargots cooked in snail shells. Great flavor! The pate de campagne had good flavor as well but the dish could have been presented better. The pate looked like spam and the salad that came with it, while complemented the pate well, could have been plated better. My husband got the venison tenderloin which was tender and the sauce had a hint of sweet and smokiness to it. However, the sweet potato/red bean paste/whatever it was that came with the venison was so sweet that it completely ruined his entree. My arctic char, however, was wonderfully seared and moist. The chocolate mousse cake was made from dark chocolate so it was not overly sweet. The raspberry sauce on the side complimented the cake well. Service (4/5): Great service by an attentive gentlemen. At the end of the night, he helped us to wrap up the roses that my husband bought for me. Decor/Ambiance (1/5): Unfortunately, the decor of the restaurant left something to be desired. In the words of my husband, it desperately needed Gordon Ramsay or Robert Irvine to come in with one of their restaurant makeover shows to bring the restaurant to 2014. The seating, wallpaper, hanging pictures, lighting all look like they were done in the 80s and never got updated.
(3)Ch T.
[Dog unfriendly - no outdoor seating] I don't even know where to start. Just exceptional. The menu has a lot of options - the traditional french food you'd expect plus some creative combinations. I had the special, something about sirloin and foie gras but what I remember is that it was just amazing. Good wine selection, friendly but professional and knowledgeable service. A great place to go if you're looking for a memorable meal.
(5)Paul H.
A diner since opening the service and food is always first rate. One of the few placesget the veal liver right and the escargot to die for. Fish dishes are always cooked to perfection.
(5)Caleb K.
The place was very overpriced, and the food was just ok. I ordered the rack of lamb medium rare and it showed up well done. For the prices that shouldn't happen. It had a nice atmosphere, but overall I will not go back and would not recommend it.
(2)George C.
Wonderful French food. Service is superb but you pay a heavy price. Expensive, but well wort it. A must place if you really enjoy the best of French cooking. I love it.
(5)Kylie H.
We had an amazing experience. The only reason I gave four was the foie gras was greasy. But rest of our meal n service was outstanding.
(4)Grace B.
I just ate here about two weeks ago and I was blown away! Our food was absolutely perfect! And our waiter Eric was very attentive. I pretty much let him order for me and he did not disappoint. He knew everything about the food and went into great detail, where they get it, how its cooked, why its cooked that way instead of another way. I will defiantly be returning here!
(5)Rachel N.
The food was delicious and everyone loved their food
(5)Louisa E.
Food and service were good. We started with 6 blue point oysters and the beet and blue cheese salad. Oysters were very delicious! Had a $32 bottle of Pinot noir that they offer on the by the glass menu (starts with B can't remember the name) and that was bland and watery. Then we had the steak frites and the Dover sole. Both were delicious. Wonderful to see a skilled server debone your fish with a spoon table side. Unfortunately, I had a dozen bones left in mine and he didn't pour the sauce from the original plate onto my newly plated plate as the servers around me did. There were three sides with my sole. Snap peas which were overly buttery/greasy and seemed out of season, a red pile or what tasted like beets and potatoes (ok) and a gratin made maybe if cauliflower and potatoes that was delicious. Overall the flavor was good but there was nothing fresh on the plate except the lemon and everything had the same level of richness. I wish the Menu said what accompanied the dish so I knew what I was eating. For dessert we ordered the chocolate soufflé which was big and airy and tasted like warm hershey's cocoa which was good but a little surprising. A perfectly light ending to a meal where we didn't think we could hold another bite. The decor was unpretentious and vintagey- thought it might be cheesy from the photos I've seen but it comes across as fun and capricious. They seat two tops at tables suited for 3-4 so you have room to eat comfortably. The staff definitely did not rush us, in fact we sat awhile after finishing our wine and kind of had to flag a server down for the check. Get there early as the parking lot was so packed we got the last spot at 6:50pm. (There is valet). Bathrooms seemed to need a reno with a non locking door and old fixtures.
(4)Hannah F.
My family loves this place. Every single time my parents come to visit, they insist on eating here, and we have never been disappointed. Personally, I LOVE the Bouillabase, and have gotten it almost every time. The starter salads are always refreshing (I love it when they have the beet "tartare" salad option). The meat is always perfectly done, as is their fish. They only less than stellar thing that I've encountered is the fact that the oysters are a little heavily breaded in Panko for my family's personal preference. Again, personal preference on our end. (We're from the south and prefer a different type of breading). As for desert, I've also been extremely pleased. Order the souffle ahead of time so that you have it at the end of your meal. It's worth it. Especially the Grand Marnier one. Yum!
(5)Dawn R.
Fantastic! I made a reservation here for 10 of us to celebrate a friends' 50th birthday. When I made the reservation, I included that it was for a birthday celebration and to my surprise, the staff had gone to the trouble of decorating the table with confetti and other decorations, and even brought out a dancing monkey that played happy birthday during dessert! The service is top notch, really can't be beat.....they were very attentive from the moment we walked in the door, making sure we had everything we wanted. As for the food.....what can I say that hasn't already been said? I had the veal, which was perfect. And the raspberry souffle......divine! There really isn't anything I can add that hasn't already been said, so just trust me and go. You won't regret it.
(5)Arthur C.
Traditional French restaurants were once the gold standard of fine dining. With our passion for new cuisine, ethnic cuisine, fusion cuisine, etc. French has taken a back seat in recent years. A visit to Les Folies reminds us why French cuisine still has so much to offer. The atmosphere of the restaurant is wonderful, like a visit to a Brasserie in Paris. You are greeted by real French accents and seated in a comfortable dining room. Pate de Campagne with cornichons is wonderful, a family favorite. The summer choice of vichyssoise coats your tongue with the wonder of potato and leek. The veal is excellent and the special of green peppercorn sauce a marvel. The soft shell crabs were savored. Steak Frites were also a popular and delicious choice as was the traditional coq au vin. Visit this restaurant and be charmed and reminded why Julia Child loved French cuisine.
(5)Amanda H.
I hadn't had French food in years before checking this place out for dinner last night - in fact, I'm pretty sure it was when I was in France 10 years ago. Needless to say, I had high expectations! Les Folies delivered on every one of them. We started with soups - a beautiful gazpacho for me, cream of asparagus for my husband. Delicious. We had venison and salmon for dinner, and both were beautifully prepared and cooked to perfection. Tarte tatin & bread pudding were spot on. The service was excellent - just attentive enough, very timely, and not rushed or overbearing. Even better - there were clearly a number of customers there last night who were regulars. That says a lot about a restaurant! My husband and I agreed that this ranks among the best of restaurants we've been to in the DC metro area (and that includes Obelisk and the former incarnation of MiniBar). Looking for a nice place to celebrate something or just have a special date night? This is your place!
(5)Gary H.
A great place near Parole in Annapolis. Very authentic French restaurant. After walking in you are transformed to Europe with the feel of the restaurant. We went here for my parents 60th wedding anniversary and they loved it. The cosmos were awesome and so were the appetizers. We got the calamari, muscles, smoked salmon and pate. The menu is extensive but not quite overwhelming. A lot of choices indeed!! I think the place under sells itself from the exterior design. It is next to the Bowen's Farm supply and has zero curb appeal. But once you're inside you will forget about the outside. You'll feel like you're in Paris.
(5)Regina S.
I like the old stand by places that you can always expect the same smiling faces when you enter, but this place is stuck in some strange time warp. The menu is the same as it was 10 years ago when I first walked through its doors. That maybe somewhat ok, if you excel in what you offer but the luster has come off this coin. Escargot was great, served in the shell, buttery, garlicky and sinful just as it should be. The cream of wild mushroom soup was also a standout, it's richness coming more from the intense flavor of the fungi rather than an abundance of butter and cream. The steak frites was beyond forgettable, a pounded out tasteless piece of meat with straight out of the bag pommes frites. You have to be kidding me. This is such a classic dish and any Frenchman or woman would be aghast that the potatoes are not prepared in the usual bistro style. One of the specials of the night, the duck breast in lingonberry sauce had potential but suffered from an improper rendering of the skin and fat. Anyone who attempts to make a duck dish, knows the importance and the techniques of getting the fat out of the meat, so it results in a crispy, crackling skin. Although the breast was tender and nicely presented, the layer of fat was a turn off and it didn't help in the final flavor profile of the dish. The carrots and squash that came as sides, were well prepared, and the mashed potatoes were ok, but not something I would pair with duck. For dessert, we ordered one chocolate souffle right from the start since it needed a 45 minute preparation time. It was a disaster and three diners didn't even manage to finish one serving. The beautifully puffy beige colored dish tasted like baked egg whites. The milk chocolate sauce that accompanied it tasted like a creamy hershey syrup. What an incredible disappointment. Service was good, but the place is starting to look its age. There is nothing wrong in keeping a certain "vibe" but I think it's time for an update both in the decor and the menu. Tired is the word that sums up our view of Les Folies Brasserie. A repeat visit is not in our future.
(2)Rob B.
Private Party Brunch Les Folies Sunday Brunch is a hidden gem in the Annapolis dining scene! We loved it so much we booked the restaurant for a family event. While they normally open for brunch at noon, Alain and his crew opened at 11am to allow our family to have the place to ourselves for drinks and passed hors d'oeuvres. We then had a wonderful 3 course meal in the private dining room. We used an abbreviated menu from their extensive "regular" brunch menu. Everyone, kids included, were wowed. Our tween girls loved the chocolate mousses! LOL. The crab flan appetizer was a family favorite. As the wedding season comes, people should consider Les Folies as more than a wonderful special dinner but as a great first class idea for rehearsal, wedding dinners. A total first class experience!
(5)Debby C.
Not my kind of restaurant. I see by the reviews that I'm in the minority. My grilled portobello was excellent, as were the mussels. Bread was replenished more than once. What we didn't like, we had the house wine-no prices listed-$11. My husband had the steak $38 not that big which we knew, but the sides were less than 1/3 cup each. The spaghetti squash with cherry juice was not good. Our waiter was a little stuffy but fairly attentive. Last of all, I didn't see in the reviews that parking was valet. It just wasn't worth the price for us.
(2)Richard S.
I have been a long time albeit infrequent customer of Les Folies for maybe 20 years. Visited again last weekend at the suggestion of some friends and were glad to come back as it is not on our normal restaurant rotation list in Annapolis. During my visit, my impressions from past visits were ratified. In some ways nothing has changed. Great to see Alain the owner/greeter and his passion/enthusiasm which says a lot since he has been here forever. The food went from phenomenal (duck l'orange) to a bit mediocre (calves liver, French onion soup), with the venison and the coq au vin somewhere in between. The service was excellent. The prices are high which is okay, but given the food quality and the overall experience the value is just not there. Four of us spent $360 with 20% tip, apps all around, two shared deserts and two bottles of modest priced wine. Ouch! The crowd was mostly grey heads (including me! but not my companions). Is that because we are hanging on to times past or because this is the only demographic that can afford it? This is your typical "fancy French Restaurant" and would have been perfect in the day of Mad Men, but in today's ever advancing world of unique, cutting edge, adventurous, trendy and hip new places, Les Folies, is certainly not the "in" spot anymore. We will be back for sure but maybe only about once per year.
(3)Maria-Elena T.
We started with the raw oysters, a dozen Kusshi. They were fresh shucked, juicy and served with a tasty mignonette. They put a basket of regular French bread and olive bread on the table and it was difficult not to make a meal of it. It is made fresh daily. We ran out of olive so I asked for more. Eric, the head waiter, readily refilled the basket with olive bread! I ate more. Next I had the Pistou soup which I always get. It seemed off, a little bland, like it was missing something. The waiter suggested I try the soup of the day which was lentil. Wow- it was creamy and delicious! If I see that again as a special, I will order it. My friend had the fois gras. The serving size is ridiculously large, which is the reason he always orders it. It was done to perfection. This is the fois gras standard in which all other fois gras are judged (and many others often fail). For my main, I had the red snapper daily special. It was seared in the outside and flaky on the inside. It sat on top of a bed of perfectly cooked lentils. My friend had the lamb and he raved about them. I finished with the dessert of the day, coconut flan. It was good. It was an excellent meal. My only complaint would be that the kitchen closes at 9pm on a Wednesday but there is a reason- we were the last to leave.
(5)Vera T.
This place is great! Friendly service and awesome food.
(5)Brandi E.
We had a date night here with 2 other couple and it was amazing! The food, the wine and the service were all top notch! The atmosphere was quiet and we went on a night that wasn't too busy so there wasn't any waiting. We will definitely be going back for another date night here!
(5)Mike L.
We've NEVER had a bad meal at Les Folies -- everything had been great EVERY TIME we go! While you expect certain things from a French restaurant, what will surprise you is the quality of their raw bar seafood. You can belly-up to quite a few raw bars in Annapolis, but Les Folies is, by far, the best in town! Great food, great wine, great service and great ambiance! DO yourself a favor and treat yourself to Les Folies a few times a year!
(5)Adam B.
I never rate things 5 stars, but this place deserves it. The food was outstanding, one of those rare experiences that sticks in your mind for a long time afterwards (I went there months ago and I'm still dreaming about the food). The escargot appetizer was delicious, and wonderfully delicate. I ordered the foie gras and it was an absolute delight. All the flavors worked perfectly together, the whole thing just melted in my mouth and my tongue was treated to wave after wave of unraveling flavors and textures. It's been a long, LONG, time since I've experienced something like that. The muscat pairing also worked perfectly with the dish. The staff was friendly and attentive, and as we sipped out coffee after the meal they also kept our cups full. I also fell in love with the decor. Despite obviously once being a Spanish or Italian restaurant, looking like the cafe from Amilie, and decorated by the French Tourism Board in 1996...it's got an undeniable charm to it. It still pulls off an undeniably real French vibe. When you go, take your friends, take your time, plan on having a couple of courses, and get lost in the meal and the wine. It's one of the few places where you can do it.
(5)MS R.
Fantastic service and delicious food! So glad my husband and I came here for dinner tonight!
(5)Katherine S.
very good and authentic french food. We had garlic sausage as appetizer, very flavorful. I had duck as my entree, crispy skin and succulent meat, just perfect. The Grand Marnier soufflé is their signature dessert, very rare to see in other restaurant, and Les Folies just executed it flawlessly. I enjoy my dinner very much!
(5)Tri T.
I came here to celebrate and we ordered escargot and pate as appetizers. Pate was great while the escargot was a decent but not as good as France (of course not!). We had steak frites and coq au vin which were exceptionally done well. Service was great as were the prices.
(4)SP F.
Took my wife here for her birthday on a Wednesday night. Place wasn't crowded and we were seated right away. She ordered the crabmeat flan for an appetizer. She loved it. I would get it if we return. Very light and tasty. I got the country pate. It came out with some mixed greens and slaw. It was good. I was kind of underwhelmed. For her entrée my wife got the veal scaloppini. She really liked it. I thought it was very good. I got the filet mignon with the bordelaise sauce. Done medium rare as ordered and very tender and with a good flavor. We ordered the chocolate soufflé at the start of our meal as the menu indicates it takes 45 minutes to be made. The chocolate sauce that came with it was bitter to the point of being unappetizing. The soufflé itself seemed to be under cooked. I am not sure, but should the bottom of the soufflé be loose and runny? This one was. I seem to think it could have gone a few minutes longer. Our waiter, who never did introduce himself, was not the most attentive. He did ask about our entrees and if we like our salads. But he never seemed to notice the half eaten soufflé. I guess since it was a Wednesday night, they may not have had their best working that night. Overall, we would go back again, just not getting the soufflé for dessert.
(3)DON T.
Best mussels and frites in the entire region. Salmon, steak, coq au vin, salads, are consistently excellent. Wait staff caters to your needs and aim to please!!! Great wait staff. It's the real deal--a local treasure--as close to a French Bistro as can be in Annapolis.
(5)Brian D.
Good food, great service. First time there and would give it good marks. I'm rating it as 3 stars as it really wasn't my style of restaurant. That being said, there is a lot going in favor of it. Great atmosphere, good size and multiple levels. We went with a group and enjoyed appetizers and more. Onion soup was good. My entree was ok (it was about a month ago and don't remember what I had!). We also ordered dessert which was just ok. I don't usually go for fancy food. I like good food and a good quantity. The food was very good, but I left a little hungry. If you're into French cuisine, definitely go to this place. If you are looking to fill up, then you're probably better off somewhere else. I'd be happy to go here again but will definitely make sure I'm not starving before I go.
(3)Jen L.
It's really hard for me to find good french food up here after spending the summer in New Orleans.... Their wine selection was extensive. Unfortunately, we were having a bad day and opted for the Sangria. Do French restaurant generally have Sangria? It was good Sangria though. Just perfect for a girls night out. I ordered an organge duck dish which was pretty good, but not for the price they were asking for. It was a little dry, but it was pretty good. The Souffle was the best part! I have never had one of those before and we got the Grand Mariner Souffle. It was awesome. You have to order it when you order your main dish because it takes almost an hour to make and serve. If anything that worth coming back for. I would give the desserts here 5 stars. You gotta try it! It's pretty convenient to 50/97 and Riva Road and the ARINC Headquarters (across the street). You can see it off the highway. It fairly easy to get into the parking lot but a pain to make a left turn out of it. If you are not familiar with the Riva road Exit on 50, be very careful, its very confusing and could get you into an accident if you aren't paying attention.
(3)Howard G.
This is the best French Restaurant in Annapolis. There is always a selection of fresh oysters and other seafood that is always the seasons freshest. The classic french dishes and specials are always great. The food is not cutting edge but always excellent and well prepared. The service is good by a staff that has been there for years b
(5)S C.
So I go here quite frequently because I have an obsession with pink peppercorn migionette. Two words: Seafood Tower. Costs about a hundred bucks but it is awesome. 2 dozen oysters, softshell crab, mussels, clams, scallops, shrimp cocktail and a whole lobster. $50 bucks a person, way more rewarding tham some pomme frites and mesculn greens with your steak. I did get a Foie gras as my final taste for the night. Branch out, go for the gold. You wont regret it! And tip well because its a pain in the ass for the server, i'm sure!
(5)Nancy N.
We were very disappointed in Les Folies Brasserie. The service was pleasant but the food pedestrian. The soft shell crabs were tasteless which is a crime in Maryland where crab should be fresh and delicious. We had to apologize to our guest for the poor quality of our meal. We will never return.
(1)Lisa H.
My boyfriend brought me here for Valentine's Day, but we went 5 days before actual Valentines day on a Thursday night. It was a very romantic atmosphere. I didn't order a French meal so I'm not going to be too harsh on the food, but the soup I got was pretty bland and the steak I ordered wasn't a very good cut. It was cooked well but nothing to rave about. Service was excellent. If I go again I'd definitely want to try the coq au vin. The only thing that was pretty annoying was the music. For the most part it was a very romantic music station - I think it was an Italian station on satellite radio. However, every 20 minutes or so, the music would stop and the radio talk show would interview people for about 10 minutes and the voices were very distracting and loud, in comparison to the music that had been playing. Overall, I'd go back.
(4)Christine C.
We love this little French place, actually it's not so little. It's tucked away off the Annapolis beaten path and does a wonderful job of setting a atmosphere that is welcoming and cozy. You walk in and you are greeted by a host or one of the wonderful waiters/esses that are just like family here. I have been coming for a while and most of their clients know one another by name and they know all the staff. You can tell and I have been told, many of the staff don't do it for the money per say but because the restaurant is family to them and they enjoy the work they get to do there. We have eaten Easter Brunch with Les Folies, we have been here when my mom visits and we have been here for a night off from our kitchen. The food is amazing but you will pay for amazing. It's great for family or friends. Their food is creative and so is their ambiance. They normally have something going on for the holidays and even on some weekends. They have a little bar if you don't want to sit at a table where Marcel will likely be pouring drinks for you. I highly recommend this restaurant for a nice evening out or just any day of the week. Enjoy!
(5)Geoff G.
Les Folies was always one of my favorite restaurants in Annapolis during the 6 years I lived in the area. I recently went back with 6 of my family members and left at the end of the night asking myself, "What happened to this place?" In my opinion, Les Folies has really gone downhill. The portion sizes were extremely small..... and I have to agree with my friend Jen L that this place cannot hold a candle to true French cuisine in New Orleans. I talked this place up quite a bit to my parents and I think we all left feeling rather disappointed. My uncle and I ordered the Tuna (trying to stay on my health kick) and it was about a 4 ounce portion.... which I found a little insulting given the price tag. My wife had the Venison Tenderloin and the 3 tiny slices of venison they served her were good. The chestnut puree that accompanied it was a huge disappointment though.... fail on the chef's part. My father and cousin had the dover sole which lacked flavor and was not worth the $38. My mom ordered the lamb chops (because I raved about them) and I think she was disappointed as well. The lamb was rather chewy and nothing about the dish blew her away. Maybe it was an off night, but the portion size and quality of food was definitely not up to par with my past experiences at Les Foiles. A few years ago I never would have thought I ever could have given this place 2 stars. It has always been a 5 star experience. Not sure I will be coming back here anytime soon. Too many other places in Annapolis that surpass my last dining experience at Les Foiles. THE GOOD - Unfortunately, for the first time in the 7 times I have dined here, nothing. THE MEH - Entrees: Tuna, Dover Sole, Venison Tenderloin, Lamb Chops THE BAD - Service, Price Points, Overall Experience
(2)Gibboney H.
A solid restaurant, but Cafe Normandie is more authentic and has better food in my opinion.
(3)Monica P.
Les Folies in Annapolis Maryland is a wonderful French brasserie. Set along side of a busy road, you an easily miss it, as the building is quite plain and certainly doesn't shout "We're a French brasserie!" Inside is different. It's warm and inviting with a friendly decor. It takes me back to Paris...well, somewhat. The menu is long with lots of traditional French items: Escargot, mussels Provençales, country pate, French onion soup, fish soup, salad Nicoise, croque monsieur, coq au vin, etc. I've eaten here twice now. The first time (a few months ago) was for brunch with my family. Brunch consists of a menu where you can pick two: appetizer and entree or entree and dessert. I had the pate, which was very good. Sorry to say I don't member what else I had but do remember it was a good meal. Back again recently (May 14th) I had lunch with my father. I enjoyed the lump crabmeat flan with lobster sauce. The flan was light and airy and there was plenty of tender lump crabmeat. The sauce had a wonderful flavor of lobster but it wasn't overly rich. My entree was the pan seared salmon, served with a sweet bell pepper sauce and vegetables. The salmon was tender (I always seem to overcook salmon at home) and it was a large portion (leftovers that evening). My father always orders the smoked salmon appetizer (huge portion). Instead of an entrée, my father had the fried calamari - another favorite of his. That was some of the best calamari I've had - perfectly cooked, tender, and not greasy. The waitresses were professional and friendly. With the food, service, reasonable prices, and atmosphere, it's quite an enjoyable place to dine. I wish there was a restaurant like this where I live.
(5)J.A. H.
Great French Restaraunt with authentic cuisine. Always a great place to go a d have dinner. They also have a nice selection of wines which are fairly priced. Alain, who is the owner runs a tight ship and knows what he is doing. Expect to be graciously greeted by either Marcel or Alain when you come into the Restaraunt . I start of with Les Escargots De Bourgogne love thes snails, followed by Le Pave De Thon Au Poivre Et Sesame - Ahi-tuna crusted with black peppercorns, and lobster sauce. Yummy. And to end with a wonderful grand marinier soufflé and a cup of French coffee. Les Folies is a little bit more expensive but every once in a while I like to splurge.
(5)Jack S.
Call ahead for the steak tartare
(4)K V.
WARNING: this is not about food. I'm sure its tasty. It's about an annoying experience trying to get food here. Open Table said reservations were available - wide open. Show, she didn't make a reservation and we just showed up. Hostess said no tables were available and offered seats at the bar. "i don't control Open Table." That's the best consolation you can offer. She wanted to make a reservation on-line, call to confirm, then to back in. I nixed that idea: 1) If he didn't going to seat us, he wasn't going to. 2) I didn't want to give them money bad enough to take getting shooed away. I will not return.
(1)Michael B.
Caveat: This was a Valentines Day Dinner We arrived at our reservation time and was seated within 5-10 min. Overall excellent service. We felt like we were well attended to without being hurried. The reason for only 3 stars was due to the food. We didn't feel like the ingredients lived up to the hype. We had cocktails which were well made and a bottle of wine that was pretty awful but that is probable because we chose off of the valentines menu. My wife had the beef wellington which was not very good. The meat was overcooked and stringy and the sauce used made all of the pastry mushy. The veg sides were plain and seemed frozen. The scalloped potatoes were good. I had the bouillabaisse. The broth was rather un-flavorful but the seafood was cooked properly. The crustini's were slathered in an unappealing paste. We did not get dessert. I am glad we tried it but I wouldn't go back.
(3)Jennic M.
I would give Les Folies a 3.75 if I could. Great food, not so great decor. The good: - Complimentary valet parking - Coat check - Decent wine selection - Warm, friendly owner - Delicious food The not so good: - The decor (Les Folies needs an update, pronto) - The clientele (lots of stuffy White Annapolitans) So obviously, the good outweighs the bad, but I am big on atmosphere in a restaurant. Get the filet mignon, it was great and perfectly cooked. Mmmmmmmm...............
(4)Jim G.
We had the most enjoyable experience at this fine eatery. From exquisite food, a wonderful warm and professional staff and beautiful decor I don't think you have a mediocre experience. Watching our server, Eric, prepare the Dover Sole table side was an experience we will never forget, what talent. All of our courses were perfect, Lump Crab meat in a 'flan style preparation(featured in the photo's), warm Cream of Celery soup, both followed by signature salads and then entree's with the Sole and Fillet Mignon prepared and severed to perfection. Constantly circulating in symphony, the entire staff, from owner to bus staff are exemplary. Please go for a true dining experience that you won't find in major cities let alone in the Annapolis area. We loved it!
(5)Bernadette N.
Well, I don't usually return to a restaurant so quickly, but we took my in-laws here last night, knowing they'd love it, and they did. I started with their gazpacho this time, and it's AWESOME. My husband had their homemade pate, which was also incredible. This time I tried their duck confit, my fav french classic, and it was everything I hoped for. I used to go to Les Halles (Anthony Bourdain's restaurant) every sunday for theirs when we lived in NYC, but this may have been better. They're balsamic and chutney sauces were really outstanding. And for $14, a stellar option for dinner. Hubby had the veal with cream mushroom sauce that was really good. Father-in-law had the liver which he said was fantastic. Mother-in-law loved the paella I recommended. One more experience like this, and this place could get moved up to five stars. Maybe sunday brunch is in order?
(4)Christina S.
7pm dinner reservations for a romantic dinner for 2 - love that they participate on OpenTable. We had a lovely dinner experience. The restaurant has some high-end touches like valet parking (the parking lot is small and I can see how it would be hard to find our own parking spot) and offering to take our coats on arrival. Overall the service was impeccable. The restaurant was moderately full, we found our wait staff attentive and not overly so. We ordered a bottle of Beaujolais Nouveau at our waitress' suggestion. It was a lovely light wine, similar to a rose. We started with a classic caesar salad and the vegetable pistou soup. The caesar salad was very nice and the pistou had lively flavors. For the pistou I do wish that they had served the grated parmesan on the side for me to add at the table; the cheese had all melted together. For entrees we had the bouillabaise and the sole meuniere. Both delicious; bouillabaisse garlicky with well-done seafood and the sole flaky and buttery goodness. The sole was served with potato au gratin, carrots and snow peas. On previous visits I've enjoyed the souffle for dessert, so we shared a chocolate souffle. This was the only (mild) disappointment of the evening. It felt a little odd in texture, a little chewy perhaps? Ah well, the coffee was divine and I enjoyed the night.
(4)Sam P.
During my first trip to Annapolis, I went here with a co-worker a few hours after arriving for the first time. I guess living in the Pacific Northwest (with the likes of Le Pichet in Seattle) has given me a different picture of French cuisine than the likes of Les Foiles. I had a vision of being transported back to 1977 here and can imagine that the menu wouldn't have changed that much. All the food is extremely rich and really heavy, and really doesn't taste very fresh. A few days later, I did go to the (much reviled on Yelp) Cafe Normandie and found the food there much more fresh and not ridiculously overwrought like Les Foiles. To its credit, Les Foiles has extremely good and attentive service.
(3)Matt P.
Such a surprise! Great, and I mean great service. Everyone here is a pro. We were traveling to the eastern shore and showed up at 5:15 in a rainstorm. They opened early for us and did not show obvious dismay when we walked in with small children. We do not expect restaurants like this to cater to children and our boys (4 and 6) were well set with a steak and fries- off the main menu which they kindly split into two plates - the fish, quail, calamari and steak were delicious. Definitely going to be a go to restaurant for us when we feel like a night out on the way to the shore- looking forward to stopping for brunch!
(5)Greg P.
This is Annapolis' most overrated restaurant, easily. My experiences here was 2 stars. I won't eagerly go back to this place, but I could if I had to. Other people at my table had better food, mine was very weak. The place itself which others complained about is nice. The lunch prices are good. But the food is just not that good. In many regards its got above average quality, but unimpressive entrees. If you want your food to not suck, I suggest ordering the steak frittes. Its very good actually, because its simple enough to not screw up in the back. but I had higher expectations for the chefs and their standards. Wine was nice too, and so were desserts. Its the entree's that are just all-out mediocrity. I had three Les Follies visits, each time as mediocre as the next, but the last one was so bad i'm yelping it. I ordered the "paella valencienne". It was CRAP. Its not that it was repulsive or inedble, but this was way, way below any decent chef's standard. It was boiled seafood+a few meat chunks such as "chorizo" (probably one of their other sausages, as it didn't taste like chorizo) thrown on top of rice, totally flavourless. It was parabroiled rice (think Uncle Ben's) cooked in a chicken or vegetable broth (something I do at home so I spotted it easily) and absolutley no herbs, not even a hint of SAFFRON (kind of essential ingredient in a paella), and just no taste. I also tried the lamb chops ----- mediocre. Mustard crusted --- blah blah whatever, its 2-3 lamb chops and they aren't anything at all special. Coq Au Vin, I had another time it was very forgetabble. Also, Coq au vin is supposed to be made with Rooster, and not chicken (coq is french for cock, aka rooster, and yes there is a difference in the meat) I don't expect a real, authentic paella like in Spain or whatever BUT, I do expect something fresh and made with quality from the kitchen if its on their menu. They don't have high standards in this kitchen. I'm sorry to say, but this is mostly just a French place capitalizing on the lack of decent options in Annapolis.
(2)Tony P.
So my wife and I went here recently on a rare night out without the kids. It scratched our "quiet, elegant, adult" itch. The service was pleasant and businesslike, the decor is sort of folksy, but it feels right. The bread was fresh, the salads were crisp and very nice. The entrees - beef medallions with a red wine reduction and veal with a cream sauce were really nice, great flavor, and just large enough in size to fill without feeling stuffed. We loved it and will eagerly return.
(4)Juliet G.
The best part of the meal was the chocolate souffle which was just fabulous. I would go back for that alone. I had the duck confit for my dinner with a salad and they were both fine but not worth their high price. The souffle though.... just wonderful and memorable!! The ambience was great though and nice and quiet.
(3)Beneeta D.
Went here for my birthday on 9/9 and the experience was okay at best. Our reservation was at 5:30, which is opening time, the restaurant was empty which is okay but it meant 4 servers at our table nonstop either refilling drinks, or dropping stuff off, or asking if we were okay-I like good service but this was overkill. When they weren't at our table they were staring at the table like hawks on their prey, it was awkward. The food was okay,ordinary baguette rolls, I got a calamari appetizer which was good, nothing different but good, my mom got French onion soup which she said was good. For our meals I decided to be a little adventurous and got Foie gras.....bad idea, I took one bite and immediately spit it back out, this doesn't reflect on the restaurant just my own foolishness-I should've got the mussels but nooo! My mom got Coq Au Vin, she didn't care for it, but she didn't know what it was supposed to taste like...For dessert I got creme brulee they put a little Happy Birthday White chocolate piece on it and came out with a candle which was a nice touch My children were there with me and while they did alright, it's not a restaurant for children, there's no children's menu and its a quiet atmosphere; they weren't loud and we were the only ones but had it been different I may have felt a little weary about them being there. A combination of suffocating service, and a small knowledge of French food made for a meh experience for my birthday...I might return but not anytime soon
(3)Janet K.
Ok--I have read all of the remarks about being too loosey-goosey on this site with the five stars--and I agree--but this restaurant truly rates the highest marks. We go there frequently and have NEVER been disappointed....not by the food or the service or the ambiance. It's like a little mini vacation right here in the good ol' Annapolis area. Since Northwoods bit the dust, I don't know of any place that compares. (Maybe O'Leary's, but they are only open for dinner and we prefer mid day dining most of the time)
(5)Phil B.
The food is good, the service is ok, and the place is quite accessible right off Riva Road. However it is not one of my favorite places to go simply because its a bit too dark and heavy on the theme inside.
(2)Kaya A.
Three to four decades from now, when my grandchildren are old enough to ask annoying questions and borrow money that they won't pay back, I can guarantee that one of those irritable (a trait they got from Grandpa) yet adorable (a trait they got from Grandma) rugrats would ask about our first date. At my old age, I wouldn't be surprised if I talked about our hot, R-rated night at Carrabbas, but that would be so wrong (in so many ways). Our first date was, in fact, at Les Folies Brasserie, and it was one of his foiled attempts to get me to sleep with his virgin ass. Going as friends aside, he managed to bring me to this rather opulent date as a reward for getting him an A in calc (I was his tutor). When he said the fatal words to order anything on the menu, it opened the floodgates for my undying love for this place. Ordering the coq au vin (French for chicken with wine) is a definite must. Being a crab aficionado, I had to order the crab flan, and the reason he didn't get so lucky was that I was spent after that succulent feast of a flan. And it doesn't matter if you're so damn full, do not skip out on a souffle, which is available in three flavors (I recommend the chocolate). Their wine selection is also excellent, but we skipped on alcohol that night. Perhaps that was his downfall?
(5)Jessica P.
Most authentic french restaurant ever. The food was very very good, my boyfriend took me here for my birthday and he scored big points for choosing this place off of Riva road in Annapolis. I can see why their clientele comes from DC, VA and all over. I got the Poisson (fish) and gazpacho's, and creme brule' and a few glasses of really good wine. My bf got the al coq al vin' which is the chicken that is braised in a red wine sauce and he said it was really good. It is a nice romantic date spot.
(5)don q.
The somewhat schmaltzy exterior hides a really decent french bistro. Great classics like coq au vin. Well executed dishes with really nice service.
(4)Tatyana M.
It was our second Sunday brunch @ Les Folies and I have to admit it was even better then the first time. We had Lump crabmeat flan with lobster sauce and Baked mussels with herbs, garlic, butte and cognac for appetizers, Chicken stew with mushroom, bacon and pearl onions and Veal piccata with lemon butter sauce for entrees, Seasonal Berries, with Sherry Sabayon and Chocolate Mousse cake with Raspberry Sauce for desserts + 2 champagne glasses and 2 coffees. All was prepared and presented wonderfully. The flavors were amazingly good. The service was friendly and attentive; ambience was very cozy and nice. The value you get for all that was offered was amazing ($67 for two including tax/tips). We felt very comfortable in this fine dining establishment and left in a very good mood and very satisfied. Definitely one of the best restaurants of Annapolis area. We'll be back and recommend this restaurant to all the lovers of great food and wonderful service.
(5)mari d.
A terrific place for a quiet date night with your sweetie. White tablecloths and impeccable service might be intimidating to some,but they pull it off just fine. Authentic French cuisine. A treasure located off Riva Road behind Bowen's Farm Supply (!!!)
(4)Tim M.
There are only 3 truly french restaurants in the area; Les Folies, Cafe Breton, and Cafe Normandie. Cafe Breton in Arnold is by far the best overall between food and service. Normandie is plagued by its location in the heart of tourist heady Main Street. I've tried Les Folies twice and loved the food and hated the service. The first trip was for Mom's birthday - she ordered a Grey Goose cosmo but apparently they had no bartender that night so the owner fumbled his way though 3 attempts before we gave up and got some wine. Service degraded from there however the cassoulet and country pate I ordered were really tasty. We tried again about a year and a half later with almost identical results - when spending this kind of cash I'm expecting good service no matter what - not sure when they'll get a chance at a third strike. It cracks me up to hear how many people in town rave about this place - there must be something about spending alot of money for a sub-par experience that carries with it a high you never forget. But then again - I'm a true food snob - not easily impressed by much! ;)
(3)Lindsey W.
One of Annapolis' finest. Must orders include the raw bar tower and the chocolate suffle.
(5)