Excellent Food, Service Not Rushed, but Noisy
Every food item was excellent, we never felt rushed (although the bread could have come before we had to ask, but it was very busy). Only problem: we were seated near the bass speaker, and that's all we heard of the music, the bass (and a little loud). I wish they played French music; the restaurant is Belgian (Dutch & Flemish), and there was a Jacque Brel poster right near us.    [02 Mar 2003 14:49:16]

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     ­Mark   

Just Lovely
The food is unbelievable; the service quite good; the atmosphere charming; the chef talented and personable.    [29 May 2003 19:10:58]

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Recommended Dishes: mushroom brioche

     ­Anonymous   

Just Like Being Back Home
We finally had a chance to try "Le Mannequin Pis" in April 2003 for the first time, while my sister was visiting from Belgium. We have it made our regular restaurant when we're in the mood for excellent Belgian food. The atmosphere, service and the food are excellent. I highly recommend the smoked salmon appetizer or the mushroom brioche followed by the mussels. The owner Bernard Dehaene always takes the time to check on his customers and to make sure they are enjoying their food. I highly recommend this restaurant. Reservations are highly recommended because even on a Tuesday night the restaurant was very bus    [19 Jun 2003 18:31:47]

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Recommended Dishes: mussels

     ­Marie-Paule Van Rafelghem-Moore   

Great
A few words - best ever! A must go.    [23 Jun 2003 01:47:34]

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     ­Anonymous   

Wish I Had Tried It Sooner!
I had been meaning to try it about a year ago when I first saw a write-up in Washingtonian. Ordered appetizers (mushroom brioche and pan seared sea scallops) and entrees (braised lamb special and salmon) off the menu before I realized how good the mussels must be. The restaurant is quite cozy and tables for two were squeezed into awkward positions; we were right next to the greeting area but it wasn't bad at all in the long run. Next time I'll be sure to bring a couple of friends. Otherwise, the food was fantastic and the wait staff assisted with some beer selections, which were excellent. Met with the owner as we were stepping out...a pleasant surprise. Although we didn't get a chance to try it, we heard someone order the mussels with double goat cheese, double bacon, and double garlic. It will be the first thing I order when I return at my earliest opportunity.    [24 Jul 2003 21:18:15]

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Recommended Dishes: chocolate mousse, chocolate almond terrine

     ­Eirik   

Fabulous Food - Fawlty Towers Service
What a shame such disorganized service accompanies such fine food. Described as 'erratic' by friends when they went, I would describe it more Fawlty Towers. Service determines my non return. What a shame!    [06 Oct 2003 09:50:29]

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Recommended Dishes: mushroom brioche, pork entree

     ­martricia   

One of Our Favorite Restaurants
My wife and I recently had a spectacular dinner at Le Mannequin Pis in Olney. The service was friendly and attentive. This chef is doing something right. The food was just phenomenal. The carrot soup and escargot appetizers were cooked to perfection - excellent, subtle spicing, not overdone. The New York Strips covered in a brandy-peppercorn sauce were the best we have ever had. Great selection of wine, very reasonably priced or you can indulge in some of the finest Belgian ales in the world.    [01 Jun 2004 09:41:52]

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     ­Paul Henzey   

Excellent Belgian Beer and Cuisine
I took my girlfriend here on her recommendation and now have my new favorite "must-go" restaurant. Everything we ordered was excellent. I ordered the mushroom brioche, followed by the mussels (their specialty) and drank some very good, out-of-stock, Belgian beers, on their recommendation. My girlfriend got the salad to start, and something I cannot recall, but she loved them both.

The price tag was a little steep ($110 with tip for two), mainly due to the excellent quality and selection of beers, which kept _me_ ordering (wink, 4 total, her, of course, 1) and my tendency to tip a straight 20%. If you avoid slight overindulgence in fine Belgian beer, your tab should be quite a bit lower.

The decor takes you back to Europe (if you've been there), and we kept remarking how much we felt like we had left the U.S. and been transported to Paris, Brussels, etc. and considering the location, a slightly worn strip mall in Olney, this is an impressive accomplishment.

They managed to fit us in, considering we called an hour and a half before-hand, and we considered ourselves very lucky! The tables are very close together, but fortunately, we sat next a lovely couple from Canada, who were excellent dinner companions (and neighbors to boot! They live 7 block from me.). 5 stars, without reservation. They are so busy, that the slight delay in getting our bread was more than made up for by the friendly and involved staff. We may even go with the restaurant staff on their annual trip to Beglium for brewer tours in September! Ask them about it, they will gush. I eat out a lot, and have been in the restaurant industry for many years and I loved this place. Terrific.    [07 Jun 2004 10:06:21]

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Recommended Dishes: mushroom brioche, mussels

     ­Christauff   

We Were Rushed out
The food is excellent, no doubt. But the service has much to be desired. They were quite busy and we had to wait quite some time for our food. On a recent visit with two of our friends, we were asked to leave about 2 minutes after we got our check because another group was waiting for our table (we did not ask for the check, by the way, we had just finished our desserts). When we left, angry people were lined up out the door. What is worse is that the Maitre d' was actually pointing us out to an angry person who had been waiting for his table! How rude! The angry person actually made some nasty comments as we left, even though we had done nothing wrong -- we had just finished our desserts. What a shame that the whole experience could be ruined by untalented service staff.    [16 Jan 2005 14:37:44]

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     ­Anonymous   

Bernard, We Miss You
We ate at Le M P from the month Bernard opened and it was our last meal out when we left the USA towards the end of 2004 to move to Switzerland. First we were deeply attracted to the excellent and inventive approach Bernard has to cooking, then charmed by him and his gorgeous partner Cecile, continued to be impressed as the years passed by and spent many wonderful, lengthy, leisurely, often late dinners there. Our son even helped out in the kitchen from time to time!

Now living in Geneva, we have found a lovely local auberge to dine in regularly, but how we miss those marvelous evenings at Le Mannequin Pis. Overlook the occasional inconsistencies in service (I have to say it could be your attitude that's at fault as an excellent meal should be slowly savoured!), indulge in the splendid wines and beers, chill out and enjoy the magnificent cuisine.    [23 Jan 2005 08:21:06]

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Recommended Dishes: the moules

     ­Simon, Lesley and Ben Stagg