Thursday, June 1, 2023
‘Reopening, Not Reinventing’
To much fanfare, one of the most beloved restaurants in Georgetown, Chez Billy Sud at 1039 31st Street NW, is projected to reopen in the next few weeks after being shuttered since January for renovations of the bistro, private dining room, and patio.
An integral part of the Georgetown community, Chez Billy Sud serves classic French fare in an intimate bistro setting. Since the new year, Chez Billy Sud has been closed to address restaurant renovations while their wine bar next door, Le Bar à Vin, has been open seven nights a week to tide over those waiting for the reopening. Serving extensive selections of wines and light bites, Le Bar à Vin’s equally intimate wine bar will remain open once the main dining room resumes operations.
Chez Billy Sud’s main dining room has been refurbished. Courtesy Chez Billy Sud.
Most recently, Chez Billy Sud has also hosted a pop up crêperie called Tinette’s during renovations to regale patrons with a classic twist on French favorites. Featuring galettes de blé noir – buckwheat crêpes – and aesthetically pleasing food presentation, the pop up proved to be successful. The creators of the concept, Sam Vasfi and Clementine Thomas, both partners at Chez Billy, temporarily closed the pop up as Chez Billy Sud plans to reopen. Nonetheless, be on the lookout for a new permanent location for Tinette’s in Washington this summer.
After 10 years in Georgetown, executive chef and partner at Chez Billy Sud, Brendan L’Etoile, is excited to bring Chez Billy Sud back and, “give our clients what we feel made our restaurant so special from the get go — honest bistro cooking and hospitality.”
Le Bar à Vin at Chez Billy Sud. Courtesy Chez Billy Sud.
“We’re also grateful to our guests for their support, especially considering the growth of the D.C. restaurant scene,” says Chef L’Etoile.
After quickly becoming a neighborhood staple in Georgetown for its comforting yet high class ambiance, flavorful French fare, and quiet location just off of the C&O canal on 31st Street, Chef L’Etoile reassures longtime patrons that Chez Billy Sud is not reinventing what they do, but rather “giving our restaurant some much needed attention.” It seems as though the friendly Parisian bistro fondly remembered by patrons will persevere. Reservations are expected to begin in early June. In the meantime, check out Chez Billy Sud’s sister restaurants, Cafe Colline in Arlington, and Parc de Ville in the Mosaic District, Virginia.
For the latest updates concerning the reopening of Chef Billy Sud, check out their Instagram page or sign up for email updates via the Chez Billy Sud website.
Chez Billy Sud is located at 1039 31st St NW, Washington, DC 20007. Le Bar à Vin is open Sunday — Monday from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m., Tuesday — Thursday from 5 p.m. – 10 p.m., and Friday – Saturday from 5 p.m. – 11 p.m. For more information go here.