Normandie Farm
10710 Falls Rd, Potomac, MD, 20854
Normandie Farm Menu
-
Main Menu
Healthy Meal suggestions for Normandie Farm
-
Main Menu
Visit below restaurant in Potomac for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Potomac for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
10710 Falls Rd
Potomac, MD, 20854 - Phone (301) 983-8838
- Website https://www.popovers.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
- Mon :Closed
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Brunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Dressy
Ambience : Romantic, Upscale
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Richard Y.
Really good food and really good service. Went the whole 9 yards...got the mussels, baked artichoke, and sausage pate for appetizer. I had the rack of lamb for the main course. Meat was juicy and tender...seasoning made the bone and tendon crispy and tasty. Apple pie came with scoop of vanilla ice cream was melt in your mouth good. Waitress attentive and friendly. Great experience would definitely come back again.
(4)Jess C.
Took a friend here for his birthday brunch, and I must say this is one good fancy pancy brunch buffet place. Everything was delicious, they had a good selection of stuff cold plates, hot plates, desserts, pancake station, omelette station, cheese platters, soups, popovers (my first time having big poofy pieces of bread) and OYSTERS!! You name it, they got it. Service was super, the dining areas were ornate, I was pretty happy with my Sunday brunch. Definitely a great place to take the folks or your classy friends. :) $/Person: ~$40 ; Beware they charge for orange juice, and no free refills either.
(4)Laura P.
My family & I came here for Thanksgiving dinner. We arrived on time for our reservation at 7, walked up to the host stand where we were "greeted" by a rude hostess whose only words to me upon hearing my reservation name were "we're 10 minutes behind." That's it. No "welcome & happy Thanksgiving" or anything even remotely resembling a friendly greeting. I'm not the needy type who requires complete strangers to bid me well wishes to feel secure about myself but that's your job in this industry. I've worked as a server and as a bartender for the past 7 years. As the hostess, you're the first person a guest sees upon their arrival & you set the tone for the guest's experience in your restaurant. First impressions are key for a reason. Your hostess leaves much to be desired. I get it. She's pissed off that she has to work on Thanksgiving. I've been there. But if you were nice to me, I'd have sent a drink your way. So I've been told that we have to wait to be seated. Ok fine. Is there a bar where we may wait & have a drink? "No", I'm told. The bar is being used for a service station tonight. Ok. Stand around crammed in the foyer with 20 other guests. No problem. 10 minutes goes by. Maybe 15. My name is yelled out & we approach the host stand. Hostess says nothing to us & has now turned her attention elsewhere but there's a guy with menus (the maitre d I assume) walking to the dining area so I assume we follow him. We are seated at a table right next to the doorway from whence we came with the surly hostess. Great. Whatever. It's busy. No point waiting longer for a nicer table. We're all starving. We want to go straight to the buffet to grab some food but we decide to wait to order some wine. So we wait. And wait. A busser came around to fill our waters. We wait some more. And wait. Same busser comes by again with some bread (the bread was pretty much the only good part of the entire meal). He was friendly. We asked him if he could get a server for us as we'd like to order drinks. Wait some more. Screw it. We're starving. Go get food. More on the food in a moment. Return to our table. Still no server to take our wine order. Maitre d comes by and asks if a server has been to our table yet. Nope. So he flags down our server and disappears. No apology for the wait. Whatever. Ok. Wine order in. Go to the buffet for main course now (we've finished our appetizers at this point). Lots of food, but it's all bland & the food that should be served warm is lukewarm. I was looking forward to their Thanksgiving spread from the website, but every single item was given a lackluster presentation. Some items were even sloppy. Turkey: bland - the centerpiece of a Thanksgiving meal! Roast beef? Instead of someone being there to cut fresh slices as guests approached, someone had cut some slices & left them on the cutting board with the knife under a heat lamp. When one of the guys came out from the kitchen, I asked him if he could cut us some fresh slices from the slab of beef on the cutting board. He told us it's already been cut. No. We want fresh slices. Oh no. We've inconvenienced him. I guess we were supposed to cut it ourselves. Maybe that's why they left the carving knife there. It's a buffet, after all. Every single thing must be DIY. Sarcasm. Dinner: bland. Dessert equally bland. Friendly bussers. Friendly server too, albeit awkward, inexperienced, and slow. To the management, you should know that when you're open on a holiday, you should be extra vigilant that your staff is delivering a great experience to your guests. We want to enjoy our holiday at your establishment. We want to feel good when we leave. We trust you to deliver that great experience. But you did not. Everything fell very short of expectations. Management was too preoccupied with making sure not a single penny was lost for his pockets at $45 a head for crap food. So preoccupied, in fact, that when our server had not returned after 20 minutes to run our check, he couldn't be bothered with running the check for us in her place. My husband approached him with our tab & asked him if he could run our check as we didn't know where our server was. Here's what a good manager would say: "My pleasure. I'll bring that right over to you." Here's what the king of check closing said (without really looking up): "You can leave your check there." (Points to the bar counter). What can be expected from a guy who did not ONCE greet guests around the dining room for the ENTIRE 2+ hours that we were there? Normandie Farm, I hope your regular dinner is better and that service is faster and that you have a manager on the floor who actually gives a damn... but I'm not sure that I'll be back to find out.
(2)Dan S.
This place continued a recent trend I've been having with dining experiences where I love the opening of a meal and am underwhelmed by the entree and dessert options. The popover is a great way to start a meal, and who can pass up on six slightly fishy shots of cheesy buttery goodness topped with a crouton (escargot)? But then Entree time came. I ordered the lamb shank, and my wife ordered the beef wellington since we had never tried it. Unfortunately, they both came with the same bland beefy sauce, and my wife's beef was rare bordering on raw even though she ordered medium-rare. When she sent it back they just reheated the plate until it was medium-well, which was disappointing. The vegetables were ok, but also swimming in that same bland sauce. The dessert menu doesn't feel particularly French, and didn't have anything we had to have. But they did bring out a delicious chocolate truffle cake for my birthday. It was exactly the right amount of richness to finish the meal. Any more would have been overkill. Overall, it's a charming place with a sort of "country" appeal, great service, and I'm sure some of the other dishes are great. Unfortunately, I was underwhelmed by what I got, but it was definitely worth a try. Maybe the brunch would be better?
(3)Fred K.
I've been here for Sunday brunch buffet and also for dinner to celebrate my mom's birthday. This review is for the dinner we had here. We went on a Wednesday evening for dinner, and I believe there were only 6 or 7 other tables occupied, so it was rather empty. They had a nice fire going in the fireplace, which added some warmth to a rather lonely dining room. As for the food, the popovers was a bit overcooked this time around. My baked oysters Rockefeller was good. Everyone who had the french onion soup and lobster was quite pleased with their selections. My beef wellington was overcooked (medium was more like well done) and was huge. I was so full! They do have a kids menu and highchairs too. Since it wasn't crowded, we had really good and attentive service, wishing my mom Happy Birthday was a nice touch too. Overall, the food wasn't the best I've tasted and it wasn't bad either. My parents and my Aunt had no complaints with their dinner, so overall was quite pleased with my mom's birthday dinner experience. It's a safe bet for dining with elderly parents.
(4)Eddie K.
Lobster! You get a 1¼ lb Maine Lobster served w/Drawn Butter, Baked Potato & Fresh Vegetable & Popovers for $20.95! What a deal. It's not your boring lobster that has no seasoning- this has plenty of butter and flavor. I think this is the best deal for lobster in MoCo. The French onion soup was great as well as the Tres Leches cake
(5)Dustin T.
Came here with my GF on Valentine's Day... guess a lotta of other people had the same idea, haha... though i will say that most of the other customers were on the older side... The wait time was long, but I think that's just because we went on Valentine's Day... the food was great... loved the Popovers (just think of a bread that exploded) Parking is great since they have their own private lot Overall, well worth the wait!
(4)Sheila C.
We had our sons rehearsal dinner two years ago and we just had our others sons engagement party at Normandy Farm. I feel that the back event rooms at Normandy Farm are the most underrated event space in the metro area. First off the food is very good, service was perfect both times. The event space holds at least 80+ people and it has large french doors that walk out to a beautiful large patio with a larger green grassy flat area that can be tented. We put tables and chairs out back under the tent. We tented the back patio area with a bar for the engagement event and it worked out very well. We served filet mignon two years ago and it was perfectly cooked. We served chicken Marsala at the engagement party, it was cooked perfect. All the sides dishes were well prepared and severed perfectly. Service was perfect. You can decorate the event space to add charm. Mr Kay the event manger is delightful and easy to work with. Highly recommend!
(5)Heather J.
I came here for the Easter buffet and was really impressed. All you can eat fresh oysters?? Where have you ever seen that? Well, look no further - it's here, along with tons of great salads, roast beef, fish, chicken, fresh fruits and cheeses....I could go on and on. Fresh food was constantly being brought to the buffet. The servers kept our popover basket and coffee cups full. This place is known for their popovers and I can see why - yum! For dessert, there were several cakes, pies, and puddings, but my favorite thing was the caramel flan. We will be back for their Easter brunch again next year!
(4)Solace C.
I was sorely disappointed with the service I received recently. usually I come here for Sunday buffets and whenever my family reserves table its a joke because when I come here the table isnt ready. I guess we should come in wearing chaps or sweaters drapped on our shoulders or have our hubbys coming in wearing members only jackets. The maitre d... or however you call it always appears to be in rush. I hate to say this but I must, it appears that they cater to Potomacs finest better than to the commoners like myself. One day, I popped in to get a french onion soup to go, boy did I get the most crappy service ever. wow. i see how this restaurant is taking a turn for the worst as management has probably changed. It has some type of moldy smell as you enter. As for the buffet, i think its a little overpriced, and the pate appears to be very old and dated because pate isnt suppose to look like that and the oysters they serve us are very very low cheap grade as well as the clams. The desserts continue to look like they borrowed a truck load from old country buffet because I dont picture andy reputable chef putting crap like that out there. this place is severely expensive for what you get.
(2)Jessica L.
This is the spot to be for Sunday brunch. There are so many delicious items on the huge buffet from fish and rice to waffles and turkey bacon, an omelet station, salads and yummy desserts. The popovers are so good my youngest daughter always wants one to take home to eat later. We go once a month and on special occasions like New Year's Eve. The atmosphere is very charming and many a famous person has eaten here over the years. Service is outstanding and the place is filled with regulars. Love this place! Request a table near the fireplace during winter for an added touch of charm. Two seatings on Sunday for brunch.
(5)Cat P.
Normandie Farms Sunday brunch buffet is spectacular! Pay $35 for an all-you-can-eat feast and dine like a king. Offerings include Raw oysters (seemingly bottomless; they keep coming) Raw clams Smoked salmon with all the fixings (sour cream, capers, red onion) Coq au vin Beef stroganoff Eggs benedict with hollandaise sauce (topped with Canadian ham, it looks like) Omelet station (fried eggs, scrambled, omelets--whatever your heart desires) Celery root salad Artichoke salad Assorted domestic and foreign cheeses, including brie, bleu, and Gouda Deviled eggs Portobello mushroom pasta salad (refreshing) Caviar (imitation or real I can't tell, but they did it for me) Pancakes (and other standard breakfast fare) Beautiful desserts, including chocolate mousse (highly recommend), rice pudding, key lime pie, and red velvet cake slices This list is not exhaustive. You will see. Go! Go! Go! And the quality? Pretty up there! I know there are other "fancy" brunch buffets around town, but this is pretty darn awesome enough for commoner me. :P Not to mention they also offer an endless supply of their famous popovers mmmmmm. With or without butter or jam, those popovers are MONEY! And BTW, they do sell them for carryout; I believe they're $2.00 a piece. I can see the line forming now.... Coffee and fizzy beverages are included with the price. I'm voting Normandie's the best brunch buffet in the metropolitan area for price and quality.
(5)David Y.
Went here for NYE dinner. Some quick thoughts from the experience: * the hostess was rude, bad start to the meal. * waiter greeted a table that was sat after us, hate that shit. * they didn't offer the regular menu. Didn't have the Wellington or scallops. Only offered the "special NYE menu", meaning they have everything precooked in the back. Which was confirmed when our dinners were brought out 5 min after ordering them. * food was on the lower end of the meh scale. Eating here was like attending a catered funeral. Do you like eating at the local VFW? This is your place.
(2)Tim H.
I have been here twice now for Sunday brunch. The assortment of buffet items is large and always fresh. The omelette bar is great for building your own omelette and having it cooked right in front of you while you wait. The selection of desserts is large and they too are on the buffet,. From fresh fruits and vegetables to comfort food favorites, this place has got a great brunch buffet. If you are in the mood for an all you can eat brunch, give this place a try. It's a definite win for any crowd you are with. Thank you for reading my review. This review is based on my personal experience and opinion.
(4)Duyen T.
They have a wonderful spread for Father's Day brunch. Everything from raw oysters and clams with caviar to house smoked salmon to roasted lamb to veal pate to a million lovely salads and desserts like trifle, rice pudding and chocolate mousse. Oh my! There was even plenty to satisfy the kids like chocolate-chip pancakes, waffles and an omelette station. Service was nice and friendly, though the crowd made for slightly slow attention.
(4)Norman G.
Normandie Farm is among the oldest restaurants in the area, and as far as I can tell the dinner menu is pretty much the same as it was when I first visited well over 50 years ago. I can't speak to the Sunday brunch since I've never been to one but calling this restaurant French is a reach. Except for the popovers, which are (as far as I know) unequalled in this region, the choices are pretty standard for a somewhat upscale restaurant and the cooking is acceptable without being particularly special. The treat is the ambience--a sort of French country inn. The main dining room is comfortable and spacious. There is music and room to dance in a second room and a fairly sizable back room is available for parties. At one time, Normandie Farm was a destination restaurant. That seems less true now but less because Normandie Farm has gone downhill than because the competition has improved quite a bit.
(3)Jennifer K.
So disappointed. Was not aware their NYE menu was limited. It wasn't posted on their website so imagine my surprise when all of my top choices were not offered. When we got there, the hostess spoke with the harshest tone. I don't think she meant to be rude but the way she carried herself was not a good representation of a nice establishment. Anyway, we ordered steak and veal. The steak was ok, not really worth $40. My bf ordered it med-rare, came out more like med. Everything was bland and seemed like it was sitting out for awhile. As if they pre-made a bunch and kept it under a heat lamp. The chocolate truffle cake was too sweet, the texture was like "pudding", and there was nothing special about it. The only thing I enjoyed was the soufflé before the meal and the French onion soup. The soufflé was eggy and fresh. The soup was super cheesy and salty. Base on the food I would give it 2 stars but it's really not worth the price tag, so one deduction. Maybe I need to try it on a non event night.
(1)Elaine N.
Great place for reasonably priced AYCE brunch... Raw oysters, & clams! Their daily soup is delish! Fresh carved pork loin, turkey, or prime rib station! Apple turnovers are a must! Veal marsala and beef stroganoff! Fresh nova lox... Their pop overs with their jam is heaven... but don't fill up on that.... too many things to eat! Rice pudding, & flan too... yummy!
(5)Christopher T.
Food was good but not great for the price. I went there with my girl friend for Valentine's Day and was pleased to get seated by the fire place which made it better. Service was really good. I was hoping to get the full dinner menu but got the "special" menu of the night. More expensive and not as much of a choice. The popovers were great. Food presentation was good. Decor was a little dated. It did snow while we were inside and was disappointed in the fact that the driveway wasn't cleared or salted. When we went to leave my car got stuck. Needed help from other patroons to get out. I am sure 99% of the days this is a non-issue.
(3)Nikki L.
My parents have gone there every year for their anniversary and I can see why. The staff is excellent, attentive and personable! I love going and starting off with the popovers while deciding which French dish I'd like to try next! Lastly they're very accommodating if you go for a birthday or such!
(5)Rachel A.
Love, love, love this place! We come here for brunch every so often. The one issue is that the people at the door are somewhat harried and hence a little rude. We usually have to wait about 20 minutes to be seated, even though we have reservations. I will say that the prices have really gone up, and I believe the price for Mother's Day was around $50 per person. Service is kind of hit or miss. Sometimes we've had great wait-staff, sometimes we've had mediocre waitstaff. The food is fantastic, fresh, usually plentiful, and a nice variety! Popovers are delicious, but make sure you get it hot! Basically, the delicious food and atmosphere make up for any service deficiencies. I really love coming here, and we always linger as long as we want, with no issue.
(4)VW D.
I am very dissappointed in this place to say the least. Went there today for a Sunday buffet birthday and now I'm at home sick as a dog in bed. Second time... but never again... Some people just don't have the cast iron belly necessary to tollerate such processed food where nothing stands out, nothing on their old & dated menu tastes delicious, just fair and their musty smelling decor is desperately screaming for a refreshing update. Waste of time, waste of money, and an upset stomach.
(1)Ben A.
Average restaurant filled with old people and tacky decorations. Best part of the meal was the Andes mint given with the overpriced check
(2)Mark R.
We found Normandy Farms on Yelp and left the highway to dine there. Worth the drive...fireplaces, popovers, lovely menu and helpful wait staff.
(4)Eric L.
This definetely fits my bill for an awesome place for brunch. Decent price, ultimated food and lots of it! Normandie Farm serves a delicious brunch buffet of everything from Eggs Benedict to Veal Marsala. Be sure to try the omelet bar and oysters and salad bar. Be sure thought to save room for the desert bar!
(4)Jessica L.
I'm giving this place an extra star for its ambiance alone. My martini was great, but my roasted veggie salad was drenched in butter and dressing. I would assume most people who order a roasted veggie salad would want to actually taste the veggies. French onion soup and popovers were wonderful. Can't beat Normandie Farm's ambiance in a local culture overcrowded with chains. Service was slow. Maybe they were trying to make sure we didn't feel rushed?
(4)Greg H.
Went here for Thanksgiving. The reservation system was all out of wack and groups were being seated 45+ minutes late. I think they misjudged how long diners were going to be seated for their Thanksgiving meals. The service was average. The food was awesome. I will definitely return.
(3)Colleen M.
The Mister and I went here for a date night last week. We're not foodies, but we do appreciate a good meal and French is probably our favorite continental cuisine. We had requested a quiet table on OpenTable.com and they obliged, sort of. We were seated next to a part of six or eight, but in the quietist of the many dining rooms. The atmosphere was sort of frozen in time. This place is not at all cool, hip, or pretentious. Let's face it - in DC, at times, that can have its own appeal. However, the loud, outdoor party next door sort of ruined the 'nice restaurant' mood. Service was attentive, although I did feel like we waited a bit long between courses. I was incredibly impatient for the popovers! They were very good and I thought we were off to a good start. I could have ate another, but sadly, it was one and done. The wine list was very short, but we're not very picky, so it wasn't a big deal. We both had the French onion soup. It was a solid soup, although we'd both definitely had better. We both ordered beef entrees medium rare, myself the Wellington and the Mister some form of beef medallions served on rice. My Wellington was massive! It wasn't a slice, but rather a self contained Wellington. It was very good and cooked perfectly. The Mister's entree caused him to comment that he 'didn't know [he'd] ordered the kebab plate.' The presentation did leave something to be desired. However, the most frustrating thing was how overdone the meat was. It was a solid 'well.' The rice was well seasoned and the pan sauce was very good. We ordered lattes and profiteroles to share. What is it about a nice restaurant insisting on finishing a nice meal with mediocre coffee? Oh, well. The profiteroles were decent, but 'nothing to write home again,' the Mister declared. The prices were very reasonable and it's likely we'll be back. We weren't bowled over, but it seemed very dependable. Accept Normandie for what it is - a piece of Potomac seemingly frozen in a time when Julia Child was recording her first cooking show.
(3)David S.
I stopped by here after work for some adult beverages and a bite to eat. I really liked the atmosphere here even though most people here were twice my age. The service always makes me yelp, and I had a good experience here despite the somewhat negative reviews. I had a couple of drinks and a really good veal oscar which had imperial crab. I mean it's veal, and veal is delicious. Overall I really enjoyed myself, and I must say the conversation I had with the bartender was excellent. The next time I want to take a lady to a fancy restaurant I am going to come here. 4 stars because it is pretty expensive..
(4)PIstachio B.
This review is for the brunch buffet. We went for the first time for father's day and it was $45/person. It was not my choice and I'll never come back for brunch buffet. I'm not sure why this place is getting such high ratings for the buffet and really, who are the repeat customers? If you're expecting anything on par with Vegas buffets (Bellagio, Caesar's) especially given the price point, you'll be disappointed. If the cost was $25 max a person, maybe I'd understand it. I'd say it's like a step up from an old country buffet. But I still can't get over the cleanliness. Why are there no breath/sneeze guards? Little kids also have their heads hovering right over the serving platters. There was a patron I saw who instead of using serving utensils, used her own hands to grab off the cheese plate. Food presentation is sloppy and décor is dated (see the yelp pics). Two highlights: popovers and crispy potatoes. The popovers are good and I haven't found them at any other restaurant. But again, paying $45 and getting one good thing out of it sounds like a bad deal. Crispy potatoes were really good, but they're nothing special.
(1)Phil D.
Marginal. I don't know if it was an off day, but the food was just OK. Lots of old people, good prices, and nothing special
(3)Lisa K.
incredibly poor service both times I 've been here . there won't be a third ,
(2)Joanne M.
The worst meal I have had in years. The restaurant was so busy with private functions that they were totally indifferent, in fact rude about the fact that my meal was not what I ordered. It was brought back to me three times before the restaurant admitted that they didn't have what I had ordered. Thirty minutes after the rest of my party was done, they brought me another different meal. It was not any good. I ate only a bit of it and was charged more for the food I didn't want. The manager was obnoxious and accused me of having complained previously, which I never have and refused to make any concession on the bill. Do not go to this restaurant, it is awful.
(1)Brooke B.
We took my mother-in-law for her birthday and had an awful rushed experience bringing out or next course barely after we received the first. Didn't feel like the service was on par with the type of restaurant this is supposed to be.
(1)S V.
Notice the web address -- popovers !! they are awesome -- comes with nice soft butter and tasty jam -- but dont fill up, the buffet is sure to have at least 5 to 10 other things you will love. Nice French country dining ambiance -- but much better since its here. For major weekends expect it to be packed as there must be thousands of loyal customers to this place that has proved itsself for many many years running. Not good for dieters.
(4)Micah C.
Delicious! Loved the omelettes and popovers!
(4)Elly S.
As long as we've lived in Potomac, my family has been going to Normandie Farm at least once every other month for their fabulous Sunday brunch! I can't tell you how special this restaurant is - from the staff, to the menu, to their popovers - they can't do anything wrong. I especially love their yellow rice with beef stroganoff - it truly is one of those brunch items that is unique to Normandie Farm and absolutely drool-worthy. I definitely suggest pacing yourself and only putting a little of this delectable combo on your plate each trip to the buffet, otherwise, you'll only eat this and not have any room for the made-to-order omelets, seafood, meats, salads and other treats that await you. And while this may not be the healthiest tip, make sure you really slather on the butter when you're eating one of their hot and toasty popovers! While it doesn't need it, I feel like I've died and gone to Paula Deen heaven when I do this, and nothing can beat that feeling!
(5)Saralee S.
Retro dining at its best. My grandfather used to eat here in the days when Normandy Farms was really a farm, and people used to sit out on the lawn in Adarondack chairs and have cocktails. Nowadays it resembles a country club, with food a cut above the usual country club fare. It is a family favorite, and we last dined here for lunch. Light, voluptuous popovers start the meal, so I ordered a shrimp salad as an entree. Superb service, as we were early for a Saturday lunch. Retro French decor with wise sayings in French and two large fireplaces grace the main room. A memorable meal, in a historic setting. Brunch and dinner get crowded, so dress up and plan ahead!
(4)Allison L.
I wish a few things had happened before I ate here... like, that I'd read the Yelp reviews and saw that it was dressy, that my mom had said "hey, maybe we shouldn't go here since you're wearing jeans and flip flops," that I'd paid attention to anything more than the OpenTable dress code saying "casual dress." And then maybe I wouldn't have been like, one of the few people wearing jeans in a sea of suits, dresses, and wedding attire. At least they were expensive jeans, a nice shirt, and "nice" flip fips.... right? No? Oh well... no one seemed to bat an eye. I'm really glad we didn't go somewhere else though because the popovers were pretty delicious. The rest of the food was very good as well but the popovers were excellent. Every time they came around with the basket, I wanted more but just stuck to the one since they're pretty large. My dad and I both got the crab cakes, while the others got the duck, chicken, and veal. The crab cakes were really good, although I would've preferred broiled instead of fried (I should've thought to ask this) and came with a yummy bearnaise sauce. I can't remember what the sides were but I really didn't need to eat anything besides the 2 crab cakes anyway. I felt like the prices were really reasonable. We were originally going to go to another less formal French restaurant where the prices for similar dishes are substantially higher. Service was pretty good... especially earlier in the evening. When we got there for our reservation, we were seated immediately, the waiter was pretty attentive, our water glasses were filled when they were empty, etc, but after a while all of our regular drinks sat empty for the rest of the meal and water was brought around sporadically by a bus boy. It was crowded (night before mother's day, plus there was a wedding going on) but they did seem a bit understaffed for the crowd they had. It was definitely a nice dinner and I'd love to come back for brunch at some point.
(4)Susan L.
My family went to Normandie Farm occasionally (long ago) for special-occasion dinners, as well as to Mrs. K's Toll House (see my separate review). We took my mother here for brunch on Sunday, after an absence of several years - and previously we'd always eaten dinner here, so it was fun to try the brunch. It was slightly less expensive than the one at Mrs. K's and we thought it was better; the choices were *much* more extensive and everything was delicious. We had a reservation for the earliest seating (11:00 a.m.) and we enjoyed seeing the entire array of food before anyone attacked it. :) All of the hosts were very pleasant - and our server (for drinks) & the busboy were really sweet-natured (be aware that drinks other than coffee and tea aren't included in the brunch price). We were interested in reading the restaurant's history....it opened in 1931 and a second family purchased it in 1958.
(5)Ruth A.
We just enjoyed another brunch 'experience' at Normandie Farm. I wanted to write an update because my recent brunch was still worthy of five stars. The salads, seafood, sliced meats are great with huge, piping hot popovers but heed my warning, leave room for dessert. My key lime pie was terrific, the lime filling had a texture not like ordinary pudding-type filling that was exceptional, more like a cheesecake but with a distinct lime flavor, not cheesy at all, just similar texture. Excellent! I thought that I was yearning to go for a popover, now it's the Key Lime. So next time, I'm having dessert first! I can't wait to have another occasion to celebrate at this restaurant.
(5)Kory S.
I've never done a review before but our experience was so bad I had to warn others. This was the worst meal we have ever eaten at a restaurant. This place needs a Ramsey Kitchen Nightmares episode. I will spare discussing the decor and ambiance, the least of their worries. Here's our meal. Starters Popovers- listed as golden brown on website, they were just brown and dry. Oysters on the Half Shell-- warm, tasteless, served with stale oyster crackers Shrimp Cocktail- served in a bowl with a ramekin of cocktail sauce on the side Caprese Salad- giant mound of diced tomato, four basil leaves, four mozzarella slices, everything tasteless Lobster Bisque- gooey brown, snot-like texture. Looked more like vomit. Nutmeg overwhelmed any hint of Lobster Prime Rib- unseasoned, minimal taste, horseradish was sweet and crunch, no bite whatsoever, baked potato was hard and had clearly been under a heat lamp for a long time Lobster Special- boiled lobster on menu-- stuffed on plate, cut in half it was amazingly overdone, chewy isnt even the right word. Same problem with baked potato. Honestly we were ready to leave after the Caprese and Bisque, but didn't want to be rude and figured our order was cooking. Plus we had a gift certificate. We needed to spend an extra $15 to cover the certificate so we got dessert. Brownie Lava with Pistachio Gelato- no brownie, it was a lava cake. That was pretty good aka they bought it from somewhere else premade. The pistachio ICE CREAM (not gelato) also had good flavor, except it was so freezer burned there was ice throughout the whole thing. The entire scoop was crunch and not for the nuts. Baklava and Cinnamon Ice Cream- overcooked pastry that was essentially hard. Cinnamon ice cream was actually good. We spent $120 and the only piece of the meal that didn't have something wrong with it was the cinnamon ice cream. Please believe me, we are not snooty, overly picky foodie types or anything. I wouldn't return here to eat for free.
(1)Dan B.
Very disappointed. My family has a long history with this restaurant. I recently traveled to the area for a visit and decided it would be nice to get the family together for lunch. We made a reservation for a Friday at noon for eight. The host greeted us promptly and we were quickly seated. Our server was very nice, and attentive. The restaurant was only about 25% full and did seem a bit run down. I don't expect much from the traditional French country restaurant because they always seem to be a "ghost" of their former selves. Though, patrons keep coming back for the nostalgia. Normandie Farm, just could not deliver on most of the menu. The onion soup was a cold, salty, gooey mess. The pate was very bland. The veal scallopini was soggy. The popovers, which they are famous for, were very bland as well. Seafood salad was very over sauced. My son's beef tenderloin was over cooked. All-in-all the meal was not very good and for the price I felt it could have been much better!
(2)Charlemange F.
Normandie Farms is one of my favorite restaurants. The popovers are really good, and they even gave me the recipe for them. I REALLY love coming here on Thanksgiving. They have an all you can eat raw bar, with delicious oysters and caviar. On the regular menu, I enjoy their Beef Wellington. The atmosphere is quaint and old fashioned. I've never had a bad meal here, definitely worth driving out of the way for.
(5)Krista A.
We took a family of five for Thanksgiving last night. AWFUL. Based on other reviews here we were expecting a little bit of a time capsule experience with an old-fashioned dining room and less than fancy food. We got that and much much less. For $45 a head--15 for my youngest child--oysters and a wide selection of entrees, salads and desserts seemed promising if a bit expensive but hey--it was a holiday. The line of folks waiting to get in was encouraging. But the curt demeanor of the host and hostess should have given us a clue that we were about to experience factory dining at its worst. Our cheerful pleasant waitress was the only bright spot in an otherwise dismal evening out. We ordered a glass of wine and eager to see the spread, headed to the other dining room for the buffet, primed to enjoy the experience. There is a lot of food. Many salad concoctions. I was happy to see celery root salad which I haven't had in years. But there was no ACTUAL salad. Lots of fresh fruit which I didn't eat--focused as I was on the advertised array of entrees. More disappointment. From the rubbery fish to the chewy lamb "marsala" the food was overcooked and flavorless. My husband hit the "raw bar" which was actually a plastic tub of ice--for oysters and littleneck clams. Verdict? Fishy and dessicated. I was relieved when my son spit his clam out (discreetly!) as I was worried about the freshness. The buffet itself was dirty--they were obviously having trouble keeping up with demand. We were hoping dessert would be better but red velvet cake was soggy and inedible. Tried three other desserts and all were met with "meh." I don't understand how this place has stayed open expect perhaps for a loyal clientele willing to ignore quality for quantity. My 9$ glass of cabernet was fine--in retrospect--they ought to give the wine away with the meal--you need something to wash it all down with.
(1)blowfly x.
We've been coming to brunch here for a few years. I liked it pretty well at $25, but every time we come it's higher and higher. It's now $32. With tax and tip and an orange juice, that came to EIGHTY DOLLARS for two people for brunch. For what? I had a few eggs benedict and a snippet or two of some other stuff. My husband had an omelet, waffles, bacon, a sausage. There is no way on the planet that's worth $80. We're totally done with Normandie Farm brunch.
(1)Michael R.
The number of positive reviews for this place puzzles me. The owners are coasting along on an excellent location and an ageing population that has been going there for years. Can anyone deny that the food and service there are just plain dreadful? The physical premises are in need of updating and repair as well. It was a similar story at nearby Old Angler's Inn until the younger generation of the owning family took over, brought in a good chef and began working on the way overdue repairs.
(1)Katie R.
I think for the price, this buffet was just okay. It wasn't bad, but it won't be a frequent place to visit. We went with elderly grandparents who have a hard time walking. I was a bit put off when we requested some sort of menu that we could share with them to read to make their visit to the buffet line easier, and were told none exists. The wait staff seemed a bit out of sorts the day we visited as well. All in all the food was for the most part good. And yes, the popovers were the saving grace.
(3)Carla B.
This place is my family's favorite restaurant for brunch. Conveniently (for those from Potomac) located by the Falls Road Golfcourse, Normandie Farm is the perfect brunch location for any occasion. :) The brunch menu is pretty eclectic. You have your standard pancake, waffle, omelete station selections; hot foods such as beef stroganoff and a veal dish; and plenty of cold dishes like smoked salmon, hearts of palm salad, and oysters. With this much of a variety, it's pretty easy to please people of any palate. Oh, and there are endless mimosas...just sayin' ;-). What makes this restaurant unique are its delicious popovers. They come out fresh and have a crispy outside with a soft, melt-in-your-mouth inside. We usually go through two each and end up ordering a third to take home for later!
(4)Lindsey W.
Great visit for my birthday dinner! I loved the popovers!! I went with my family for lobster night this summer and Normandie Farm experience can't be beat! I've only visited here for special occasions but it hasn't changed at all over the years. There was quite a range of guests from folks on their first date to large parties to people like my family out to celebrate a birthday. It's always a quiet environment which is great if you have older guests but it allows for a romantic dinner for the couples in the room. My mother and I had the lobster while my dad got the prime rib and my brother had the filet. All of our meals were fabulous! Reservations can be made online and there is a private parking lot for the restaurant. I love Normandie Farm and I hope to get back there soon!
(5)Andrea C.
My family and I have been dining at Normandie Farm for over 25 years and it was always a favorite (graduations, birthdays, anniversaries, etc.) until about a year ago. A group of friends planned to meet for Sunday brunch (which we often do). My best friend's husband LOVES the brunch, but he was ill that day and had to miss it. Our service was mediocre....long waits for beverage refills and to have plates taken away, but the food was good. When we received our check, we asked our server if it would be alright for the wife of the man who was ill to wrap up the 2 sausage links she had on her plate to take home to him, since they were his favorite. We were told we would have to speak to the maitre d' (seriously?). He came over and informed us that if we wished to PURCHASE an order of sausage we could take it to go, but basically the food on the plate could not be wrapped up. We paid our check and left "sans sausage". A few months later, I made a reservation for my family to celebrate Easter with Sunday brunch. We arrived about 5 minutes before the doors opened and when they did, I approached the hostess stand and gave the hostess our name. We were told it would just be a minute. We took a seat and watched as the lobby filled up and people were escorted to their tables. When the room had emptied, the host (who had taken the place of the hostess) looked at us and declared "does anyone else here want to eat?" Do you have a reservation? I was appalled!! I told him that we had given our name to the hostess at the stand the moment the restaurant opened. He apologized and seated us....after a 20 minute wait. Once we were seated, the host then came to our table and actually said that "someone had a phone call" and he needed to ask the name of the party in case the call was for us. It was OBVIOUS that he did not check our name off on the reservation list and wanted to know which parties were no-shows and could be charged the $25 fee. That did it. When a regular guest starts to be treated like a second class citizen, I have to wonder what the rest of the clientele is treated like! Since that final experience, I have not returned, nor do I plan to. Since I have always been the one to recommend the establishment and the one who makes the plans, that adds up to over 23 family members and friends who will also no longer be dining there. It is the end of what was a long and happy tradition. :(
(1)Ryan R.
Food was above average for dinner. Unfortunately the popovers were airy and felt like there was barely any substance. The duckling was good with the raspberry sauce. Everything here is a bit on the pricey side, but on some dishes like the duckling or the lobster make up for it. The complimentary greens they served us were unseasoned and undercooked. The waiter service is adequate and there are two fireplaces that attempted to make the restaurant somewhat cozy. However, the restaurant was so brightly lit and the acoustics allowed us to hear other conversations across the room, making the restaurant less intimate. A local restaurant in a wealthy community like Potomac should be more interesting.
(3)Denise C.
LOVE NORMANDIE FARM, AND IF THIS IS THE LAST YELP REVIEW I WRITE, THIS IS THE GREATEST YELP REVIEW. My parents would take me and my sisters to Normandie Farm some weekends. We really enjoyed Normandie Farm. It's genius and brilliant. They offer a really great buffet for a moderately expensive price. This restaurant can only be found in Potomac, Maryland. It's pretty upper class. Loved it.
(5)Daniel H.
Went here with family for their Sunday Brunch. Normandie Farm serves a delicious brunch buffet of everything from Eggs Benedict to Veal Marsala. Be sure to try the omelet bar where a man in a shirt and tie cooks an omelet to your specifications right in front of you. The house pate is great, as are smoked salmon and cheeses. The caviar seemed a bit fishy as if it had been standing too long .Salad bar has every green you could imagine. I haven't tried this place for lunch or dinner yet, I'll update should I in the future. The restaurant is just off of River Road, hidden among the McMansions of Potomac. From the outside, the restaurant looks like an old grand home. This theme is carried through in the dining room with exposed beams and fireplaces, giving a welcoming feel to the place. I would highly recommend this place for a large group that needs to catch up over a slow brunch
(4)Fenny L.
My brother and I were originally trying to get reservations for Volt or Mini Bar for my mom's birthday dinner, but as with all of our family events, things just got larger and more out of control and before we knew it, we needed to get a table for 8 - which either Mini Bar nor the 21-course tasting by Volt could accomedate. Add upon this, that while my brother and I - and to some extent my mom - loves hoity-toity fancy haute cuisine, my dad was more of a fan of hearty unpretentious food. My cousin, who was coming down from NJ to visit my parents, would try anything new, but was most comfortable in tshirts and shorts. My aunt was also interested in anything new, but she is as inquisitive and persnickety as a 5 year old, and my uncle, while adorable, had very keen opinions about seafood (being a noted sushi-chef). My husband was the only one without an opinion, except that he doesn't like buffets. So of course, we ended up with a buffet. Heh, sorry hunny! Well, the buffet part was unintentional. We finally settled upon Sunday brunch at Normandie Farms, as it is charming and lovely, had a great selection of foods, decent reviews, could seat 8...and most importantly, had alcohol, which I needed dearly after trying to balance everyone's needs. We arrive 15 minutes before 11, and check in with the hostess. Although I see that the tables were set up, as well as the brunch buffet, they wouldn't actually seat us until 11. It wasn't a problem except that several other large parties also arrived, which made the foyer lobby quite packed. Fortunately we were seated before the other parties, so we didn't have to deal with that for too long. The brunch buffet had a great selection. Freshly made pancakes (in plain, blueberry and chocolate), belgian waffles and an omelet station (with shrimp even!) were amongst the offerings. However, there was also a raw bar, and although I have read "Kitchen Confidential" whenever I see "raw bar" my eyes glaze over, and I become a voracious oyster and clam eating machine. I believe that on my 4th or 5th trip up to the raw bar, the chefs that were in charge of that station were giving me dirty looks. I didn't really care, because, hello, raw bar! The smoked lox was very tasty - I admit, I ate it straight, without the bagel (key mistake while eating a buffet...never fill up on the carbs!). The chicken liver mousse was light, fluffy and delicious! The omelets were indeed rather tasty, with a decent selection of fillings. I wasn't head over heels in love with the various meat dishes, such as the lamb with tarragon, beef stroganoff, nor the veal marsala, however, my dad really loved the tenderness of the veal. Unfortunately the roast beef was a disaster, with each piece being way too overcooked (even the center cut pieces were well-done!) and was just incredibly tough and flavorless. The roast beef was only saved by the remarkably creamy horseradish sauce, which I ended up slathering all over the roast beef to make it edible. My aunt raved about the cream of asparagus soup, and my cousin was pleasantly surprised by the quiche as well. I realize that this was a brunch and the dining room was packed, however the service left much to be desired. We had to wait incredibly long to get refills on coffees, juices and my mimosas. In my reservations, I had made a note that it was my mother's birthday, so I was pleasantly surprised and pleased when the manager came by and brought out a slice of cake, however, he waited until after we paid the bill and was ready to get up to leave, so the timing was terrible. Still, the gesture was nice, and the cake that was brought out was different then the dessert selections that were a part of the brunch, which was a bonus. Also, I was extremely pleased to see that although we were a large party of 8, a tip was not automatically tacked on - which is one of my pet peeves. All in all, it was a nice meal, and my family had a great time. The food was decent, with some key highlights, however, the service upset my husband and I (as this was a $300 brunch, after drinks and tip!). Even still, I would probably recommend this place for gatherings and special events, as the surrounding area is rather lovely and the selection of food is bound to satisfy most dietary needs.
(3)James S.
I went here with a date last Sunday night and had their duck with the raspberry and walnut dressing- Fantastic! My date had the rainbow trout which she said was delicious. Of course, no visit is complete unless you have their popovers- unbelievable!! I've been to Normandy Farms restaurant a few times before and always had good meals- Steak and Prime Rib come to mind. From the time you walk in to when you leave, the staff has always been professional and on point. 5 stars!
(5)Jennifer S.
I had the shrimp scampi with linguine here. It was good, although a little greasy. The price was good because it was one of the listed specials. Dishes other than their specials can be pricey. The atmosphere is very nice. It is very large with a country club feel to it. The free popovers with dinner are a nice touch.
(4)Tim R.
We went here for my birthday lunch. The food was good, service was not what I would expect for this type of place. The wait staff lacked enthusiasm for the food and my experience. I just think that if I'm spending that much for lunch the waiter should seem interested and not bored. Overall, there are better places, but I don't have really bad to point out. I wouldn't mind eating here again sometime, but it would likely be because someone else wanted to and not because it was my idea.
(3)Mary F.
We went to the Normandie Farm on a Saturday for lunch. The place is decorated in the Old World style and the crowd was mostly older. No loud rock music here! The waiter was somewhat abrupt which was odd for this style of restaurant. The food was pretty bland. I found the renowned popovers to be tasteless and overcooked. My London broil was tough and my husband's trout had no flavor. The worst part of the experience was at the end when the waiter asked if we had tipped on the full amount since we were using a coupon. This is tacky and unprofessional. We will not be back.
(2)Simon O.
I went to Normandie Farm for brunch today, mostly out of curiosity based on other people's reviews of this restaurant. It wasn't a bad meal, but it definitely wasn't great. The restaurant itself has a nice cottage-like feel to it, as it appears to be decorated as a European country lodge. Brunch is served as a buffet here, and they have a pretty decent spread over there, including fruit, salad, cheeses, smoked salmon, oysters, breakfast meats, stewed meats, and carved meats. They also have made-to-order pancakes and omelets. Every once in a while, one of the waiters will come by with a basket of popovers and ask if you would like one. Personally, I preferred the popovers over any of the other pastries and breads served at the buffet. In case you're wondering, popovers are hollow and muffin-shaped, and they taste like toasted crepes. Normandie Farm makes them pretty well, as they're crispy, airy, and contain the right amount of egg. At the buffet, I noticed two different stewed meats in adjacent chafing dishes: veal marsala and beef stroganoff (served without noodles, for some reason). I honestly had trouble finding a significant difference between the two (even though they're normally prepared differently), as they were both stewed in a brown sauce with mushrooms. As far as I could tell, in terms of taste, the marsala had a bit more salt, and in terms of texture, the stroganoff had a bit more cartilage. I would also like to make a particular remark about the eggs benedict at this restaurant. When eggs benedict is served at a buffet, it's pretty common to find that the ones in the chafing dish have been sitting out for a bit. If you're fortunate to be there early enough in the day, a fresh batch might be prepared while you dine. Apparently, however, the eggs benedict had been sitting out for so long that they had become rather toughened. Specifically, the english muffin had become rather impenetrable. What made it worse was that the table knife provided with the rest of your silverware was rather dull. It cannot be called sharp by any stretch of the imagination. At several points during my meal, I honestly had trouble figuring out which edge of my knife was supposed to be the sharpened one. I was able to finish eating my eggs benedict when I altered the grip on my very dull knife and used it instead as a very dull icepick. While the service at Normandie Farm was quite friendly, they also seemed to be short on staff, which means that the waiters aren't as responsive as you might like them to be. In case you'e wondering, the bathroom here is clean, but not particularly fancy. The men's room has two sinks, two urinals, and only one stall. That last bit bothers me somewhat, for reasons I am unable to properly articulate. One last point: the floor of each room seems to be situated at varying heights, and you tend to transition from one room to the next by the use of steps or very short ramps. Please watch your step as you move through the restaurant.
(3)Karen R.
I think the best way to describe how I felt after leaving this place is "food coma." We went for a birthday brunch and to be honest I was a little skeptical at first. Seeing the menu on-line I was worried that it was a bit too fancy for my liking. Although the place seems to be a more upscale than what I'm used to, jean and flips flops not welcomed, the food was delicious! Being a buffet, I had to try a little bit of everything. The things that caught my eye and taste buds were the carving station with turkey breast and roast beef. Both were so tender and flavorful I was tempted to sneak some out for sandwiches. They also have a station that has Belgian waffles and pancakes with all the toppings you can imagine. The cooks are so clever that they even make the waffles in a boat like fashion so your toppings don't get on everything, and who can beat home made whip cream and strawberry preserves! The other items on the buffet such as beef, veal, founder, fruit, veggies, cheeses, were delicious as well. There were so many items that I didn't even get a chance to look over the omelet station, but it smelled delicious and had several people waiting in line for one so its safe to assume they were good. Oh and I can't forget! The popovers that everyone has mentioned are pretty good. It's not something that I would return for, but they are tasty. You truly don't expect this fluffy crunchy pastry to have such a soft center. It lacks a bit on flavor, but the strawberry preserves rescued it! The food is delicious, and I definitely left in a food coma, but it is not enough to bring me back. If I lived closer possibly, but it's not worth the 45 minute drive. The desserts were also lacking, cake was dry, but the abundance of food on the buffet made up for it. I also have to say that the area the restaurant was located is a bit intimidating. I'm a working, middle class woman who drives a simple Ford. Driving to and from the place with a Maserati in front and Bentley behind me scared me for a second as I wondered if I had enough insurance coverage to pay in the event of an accident. I would rather have brunch somewhere closer to home, a bit cheaper, and where I don't have to worry about my insurance policy.
(3)Stacey W.
My husband and I went here for my birthday. We might go back to try the buffet, since othr Yelpers have raved about it, but we would not go back for dinner. Service could best be described as unenthusiastic (we waited ten minutes after being seated for anyone to even come close enough for us to ask for menus). The food was lackluster--trying both too hard and not hard enough. It wanted to be fancy, but mostly lacked flavor. My husband had the stuffed artichoke, which was an interesting concept that seemed thrown together and hard to eat. I had the homemade pate, which was very dry. Our dinners, Beef Wellington and veal, were also disappointing, managing to be both overly rich and mostly tasteless. The popovers were, as advertised, delicious, and the only reason we would consider going back for brunch. The other diners were mostly elderly, and had clearly been coming here forever from their interactions with the staff. Maybe if we had long family traditions here we would have been more forgiving, but for the same price, there are many other places (like Mrs. K's) that produce much better food and have much better service.
(2)Ben and Danielle W.
Normandie Farm was a lovely dining experience. The decor is warm and inviting; you feel like you are in an the over-sized dining room of a French home. The complimentary Popovers are delicious! Certainly a step-up from the standard bread basket. They are freshly made rolls with a hollow inside, delivered to you table when you arrive (or whenever you want throughout the meal) with butter and a (blackberry?) jam. Our appetizer was the Baked Artichoke. it was amazing! The artichoke is opened and filled with melted Swiss cheese and bread crumbs. It is a very intimate and messy treat but so worth it but you must be willing to get your hands dirty. When we first got the dish we were a little confused. We were able to pull over one of the managers who constantly are walking the floor and he very graciously explained to us how to eat it. Ben got the Tournedos of Beef "Henri IV". The various sauces on the dish mix great together and complement the meat very well. The artichoke was a bit on the bland side. The meat was great, not perfect. Overall a very good dish. Danielle ordered the Blackened Stuffed Filet of Salmon. The appetizer was so hard to top that, though satisfying, the salmon was unable to impress her. The two entrees were served with delicious green beans to be shared which were lightly seasoned (with onion?). We would definitely go back but Danielle is pretty sure she will order something else.
(4)Heather H.
Such a shame. I grew up in Potomac and visited this restaurant since they had the ducks and geese out front. I have approx a 20 year history with this place. From brunch to baby showers. I can no longer recommend this restaurant. It is dirty, worn and the food was gross. We went for brunch today and my eggs smelled funny, my sausage had a crunchy thing in it and to top it off the service was less than stellar. The service wasn't slow or mean but everywhere. I couldn't move around to the buffet without bumping into someone in uniform. It had a rushed cafeteria feel not the quaint cozy feel of years passed. They need to clean this place! The chandeliers are bent and grimmy. The beautiful french farmhouse armoires are coated with grease and the ceiling has obvious signs of leaks and soot from the fireplaces. The place has a great history and the "bones" of the place are perfect for a cozy dinner or family brunch. I am sad to say I will not return to Normandie Farms ever again.
(1)Isabella W.
A more upscale French restaurant in the heart of Potomac, which has an awesome buffet brunch/lunch, with $5 mimosas/bloddy mary's. I've had delicious seafood here, and their French onion soup is unforgettable. It's a great venue for parties, showers, events, weddings, with the beautiful hills/scenery of Maryland, and the surrounding greenery. The actually dining areas is in a cozy mansion/house, which adds character to the place and food. They do have Lobster Nights, which I miss dearly from my days in Maryland.
(4)Yu L.
The service was horrible! The same old little Asian guy I get sucks! He always states at us and can't speak English. The food was awful and the presentation was not that impressive. The water was never refilled as well as the wine! The only good thing was the dessert and the person that brought the food, Brandon. He was very friendly and helpful! Last but not least the restaurant supposedly went under renovations but I do not see any difference! The place looks more run down every time I go.
(1)Christina M.
Exceeded my high expectations. We came for a late dinner, having wanted to go many times before... we had immediate, excellent service. We had a salad (split the spinach salad... not exceptional but exactly as listed and a nice way to get the ball rolling.) The popovers were hot and delicious. I had the scallops as an appetizer, he had the french onion soup. The scallops were EXCEPTIONAL. They were the smaller bay scallops, but perfectly cooked and the lobster sauce was just enough to add a little richness. The french onion soup was the style I like (broth thickened a bit with flour) though my boyfriend prefers just the straight broth. The salad, the appetizers, and entrees were perfectly coursed. I had the filet medallions, med rare, and he had the chicken. The chicken was perfect. Juicy, melt-in-your-mouth goodness. My steak was perfectly cooked... just delicious. We had pistachio gelato and after dinner drinks... the gelato was INCREDIBLE!! The wine list was very reasonable... we had a $52 bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape (my favorite) though they have a balanced list of cheaper and more expensive bottles (from Cali to France to New Zealand.) The service was the perfect balance of attentive without being overbearing. The ambiance was dead on, formal without being stuffy. All-in-all a fabulous evening. As someone who has worked in restaurants, and eaten at the best of them, and travelled all over France, my sincerest compliments. We will be back, for sure... and probably with my French mother.
(5)David S.
This place was just OK in my opinion. The French Onion Soup was average to above average, and the Chicken Marsala, while nicely presented was way too bland. I wish I could say the famous Popover bread served at the beginning of our meal impressed, but I regret to say it just did not do so. In Normandie Farm's favor were the superb ambiance, the reasonable lunch prices, and the excellent service we received. Bottom line is nice ambiance, mediocre to average food for reasonable pricing as far as fine dining goes.
(3)Kathy H.
This is a neighborhood restaurant, yet we don't visit often. After my lunch experience there yesterday, I understand why the parking lot is not full when other Potomac restaurants are at capacity. It's the service. First there is a haughty attitude at the point of reception. Once we were seated and were placing our orders, the waiter complained we were making it difficult for him (there were 11 at the table). Popovers are great but when I had quite a few crumbs on the table after eating mine, the waiter scooped them up and while doing so told me "I'll clean up your mess and won't even charge you for it." Whether that was rudeness or sheer stupidity, it didn't sit well with me. I looked up at him and said "that is not something you should say to a customer." His reply was he was only kidding. He then scurried over to his manager and they both shared a laugh on it. He was hardly to be seen and getting him to refill our drinks took quite an effort. At the end he passed dessert menus around. I'm not sure what his agorithm was in taking dessert orders. He was in a hurry and completely skipped several at the table despite their efforts to get his attention. It appears he was finished!! The owner would do well to revisit the parameters for service with all his employees.
(2)L. B.
I really love the popovers, butter and filet mignon at this restaurant, but everything else is just okay. I took my French relatives (two uncles and an aunt visiting from Paris) here once and none of them were impressed at all, but that could have been because they were disappointed that a restaurant billing itself as French was not really that authentically French. As another plus, the service is always wonderful, and they're great for small events (which can be hosted in a private side room). I'm not sure about larger events: I've been to a wedding here, and the quantity of food they served was extremely lacking. But I don't know if that was Normandie Farm's fault or the host's fault for not ordering enough food.
(3)Will I.
Would not go back. Food was average and service was very poor. It took over an hour for the appetizers to arrive. When they did arrive one was missing. The main course arrived an hour later, again one of the meals was missing, we waited 10 minutes more for all the food to arrive. The Prime Rib was tough, the other food was good to average. Given the prices I expected much tastier food and certainly better service. The late food was not due to meal pacing, they just keep forgetting our order and the waiter was to busy with the other tables to notice. i had to call him over to see what was going on. The waiter did not even keep our water and tea cups while we waited for the food. Chief Ramsey would be appalled.
(1)Susan W.
Great family atmosphere. I have been to southern France and Normandie Farm Restaurant really captured the atmosphere I reminisce upon quite frequently. The food was delightful and the service was enjoyable. There was no wait when I went, yet I hear reservations are a bright idea. It was extremely expensive, but for the special occasion I highly recommend for some mild French cuisine.
(4)Christine G.
This place is only getting two stars because of the great customer service. Beware! The food here is SUPER over priced and the food is terrible! No flavor at all.
(2)Irene W.
Yes, Potomac is a bit far from the ritz and glamor of DC and it is not metro-accessible. But since I grew up here and have been to Normandie Farms a bunch of times, I have to say that the drive into the 'burbs is worth it for this upscale brunch buffet. They are known for their fresh popovers and omelet bar but for those non-egg brunch lovers like me, they've got a lot more than a traditional brunch. Some highlights include smoked salmon, oysters with caviar, beef stroganoff, veal marsala, etc. The service is great and the setting is perfect, especially during the holiday season. If you have a car or access to a car, Normandie Farms is definitely worth a drive.
(4)Chickie C.
Went for afternoon tea. Highlights - pleasant staff, a very entertaining viola player and a chocolate fountain. The food was just okay. The pastries seemed dry and old, tea did not taste fresh and table service was slow.
(3)Vaughn M.
Last night was the proverbial "First Date".....now we've known each other for awhile, so I knew that a true French restaurant was something that she always wanted to visit. I searched Yelp and found that in Montgomery County there are very few options for a true French experience. After visiting Normandie Farm, I realized that with food and service this good, there doesn't even need to be competition. The icing on the whole experience was her comment as she savored the last bite of her scallops, "I think this is the best tasting meal I have ever had.".....WIN! Thursday night is apparently swing dancing night.....I thought this might be a nice way to start the late date, so when I made the reservation I noted that we would want to participate in that activity until its end, before sitting down to eat. When we arrived, I found that it wasn't so much swing dancing, but a group of 5 guys playing Jazz. This actually worked out well for us, because she revealed that she didn't know how to swing dance anyway. The host was very kind and attentive, set us up with a nice table by the musicians. Sunday-Thurs or something like that are also wine special nights. We chose our bottle, and even though the special was technically for the dining room, the host was quick to give us the special in the bar area before we sat down. We had a Vognier blend, which was rather good. After enjoying about 30 minutes of music, and one dance on their small dance floor, we moved into the dining room. The host brought the bottle of wine, and we were seated next to one of the two fireplaces. The decor of Normadie Farms is quite old. The restaurant opened in 1931, and the walls and support beams look quite similar to the photos of the original decor. Okay, so the most important thing at any restaurant is the food......To be honest we had a bit of a rough start to the meal. The restaurant apparently prides itself on its "pop-overs" (bread muffins). In fact their website is "popovers.com" However, we came in at 9pm, and they didn't have any which were freshly made. I give them credit that we were the last customers for the night, but this was the one slip-up in what was otherwise top-notch service. I don't think the server knew I saw the conversation, but the buser noticed the pop-overs were old and asked the server what to do.... the server made a blunder by serving us the non-fresh pop-overs without even telling us that they were out of the fresh ones, and asking our opinion. He waited until we were basically done, and then told us that they would be better next time because the batch was not fresh. From there, everything was great.....Me= Wisconsin Roast Duckling. Very tender and a generous portion. I went with the bordelaise sauce, but there were two other options. It was served with wild rice. Extremely good! Next time I am eying the Beef Wellington. As I said earlier, she had the scallops and absolutely loved them. We finished off with a blondie topped with hazelnut sauce and vanilla ice cream for dessert. A very good combination. All in all, a fantastic visit, with the exception of the pop-over blunder. Total bill for two people with 20% tip was $105. I would highly recommend Normandie Farm if you have a special occassion. Unless you live in Potomac though, and have Potomac money, its probably not a place to go on a regular basis. ENJOY!
(5)Jae C.
Great spot for brunch. It's got a nice cozy cabin feel to it with the fireplaces and large hall / side room set up. The meal starts with a fresh popover which they are famous for. Damn these are fluffy and good. You could spread butter on it I guess but I think it's overkill. The buffet gets a bit crowded and busy but it is pretty quick to navigate. There is a wide selection of breads, soups, fruit, oysters, meats, vegetables, made-to-order omelettes, etc. To be honest, I don't think anything is of superb quality but everything is pretty good. The variety is key. I filled up multiple times, had many cups of coffee, ate dessert and left at least a few pounds heavier. I will be back.
(4)Beverly R.
Very Rude Hostess--curt and didn't seat us for a good 15 minutes even though we had a reservation. Several other folks came in after us and they were seated immediately. She obviously forgot about us. And when I asked her whether had she had forgotten us she got curt and said others were in line ahead of us (sorry, but those people were seated at least 15 minutes by that time). An apology would have been nice but instead we got a snotty response. She should not be working as a hostess--she should probably be fired. Everything else was very good.
(4)J Y.
My husband and I recently went for dinner. Popovers are over-hyped and over-baked. Oysters Rockefeller were the highlight of the meal. We weren't wowed by the entrees at all (beef wellington, which was overcooked and mushy, and Crab stuffed filet). Dessert was standard. All in all, just ok. I expected much more. I wouldn't go back or recommend it. Maybe brunch is better?
(2)Aretha H.
We are not getting off to a good start tonight at my mother's birthday dinner. We waited nearly 20 minutes for a server to take orders for our first course. I'm not sure that the popovers are worth the inattentive service.
(1)Tracy O.
Easter brunch. Made a reservation for 10:30, when they opened, for the buffet brunch. Waited to be seated- how? And then our party of 6 was shown to a cozy 4 top posing as a 5 top...upon asking server to be re seated as there weren't enough seats, was argued with and told "yes there are"...manager, only slightly less rude, re-sat us at a table built to accomodate our party size. Umm...strike. Second strike...the food...meh. Aside from an abundance of it, nothing stands out as being more than okay- silty oysters, Grandma style dips and salads...just...meh. Terrible for the price. Popovers, however...awesome. They don't save the experience...but they were pretty great. To sum up: rude service. Boring, borderline crappy food, at least at brunch. Get takeout popovers.
(2)Lucy L.
Best popovers ever! My family comes here as tradition every birthday we have. It is amazing food. Escargot is the best it gets. Also, if it is your birthday, they give you a complimentary cake for the birthday girl/boy. Good environment and decor as well.
(5)