“Convivial” is a word that conjures up visions of lively conversation, good friendship, and a celebratory atmosphere. Those are precisely the elements that Cedric Maupillier seeks to channel at his DC restaurant with the same name. The space itself is clean and modern, with gray leather seating, a granite-topped bar, and natural wood paneling on the walls. The kitchen is focused on using local, organic ingredients to make upscale, French-inspired fare. 

If you visit for dinner, Yelp reviewers suggest you begin with an order of creamy burrata with cucumber, tomato, and basil for the table to share. Popular main dishes include the moulard duck breast a l’orange with braised Belgian endive, or the bavette steak frites topped with ramp butter. If you don’t have time for a full meal, consider rounding up a group of friends to stop by for happy hour, which runs seven days a week here. 

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