Restaurant Review: Marvin

Located in the bustling area of 14th and U Street is an inconspicuous restaurant called Marvin. It's a bistro and bar dedicated to the late Marvin Gaye ("DC's native son" as they say). During the early evening, it's a vibrant but relaxing restaurant and at night it turns into a bar featuring soul music and a great rooftop deck.

I came here last Saturday with my boyfriend because we were both too lazy to cook and we were meeting up with friends in Dupont. We didn't make a reservation so we hung out at the bar upstairs while we waited for a table to open up. The drink menu is pretty standard but the rooftop deck has a few different levels/rooms so patrons can spread out. Not only were they playing some Marvin Gaye classics ("What's going on?" and "I Heard It Through The Grapevine") but other songs from his contemporaries.

The menu here mixes classic French/Belgian bistro dishes like mussels and coq au vin with traditional Southern dishes like shrimp and grits and country fried chicken. To start off the meal, we ordered chicken fried oysters with the house remoulade sauce. They were incredible! I would highly recommend this as an appetizer. And, of course, I ordered the mussels with white wine, garlic, and shallots for my entree because I like seeing how different restaurants put their own spin on mussels. My boyfriend ordered mussels too but he got them with bacon, creme fraiche, tarragon, leeks, and Belgian wheat beer. Both mussels dishes were unique in their supplemental ingredients but delicious nonetheless. Plus, the fries were delicious and possibly my favorite at any place that has oysters (maybe even better fries than at Bistro Du Coin...and that's saying a lot). My only complaint is that they isn't much broth with the mussels but I wouldn't say that's a huge downside.

I can't wait to come back and try out the other entrees at Marvin's. The atmosphere is perfect for both a date or with a group of friends.

Check out the menu here.

Address: 2007 14th Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20009