At last, Philadelphia food mogul Stephen Starr has made his DC debut with Le Diplomate. We hope that this cousin to “Parc” in Philly is the gateway drug to many more Starr restaurants like Alma De Cuba, El Vez and Jones making their way down 95 South to the District.

The restaurant interior, as well as the patio seating, has succeeded in capturing a French feel. This holds especially true for the “Garden Room,” which is appointed with green tiles and a glass ceiling, lending a very Gatsby vibe to your dining experience.

Chef Adam Schop churns out wonders from the kitchen including The Best Thing on the Menu: Sea Scallops with Spring Peas, Orzo and Carrot Vinaigrette. What the menu doesn’t tell you is that the carrot vinaigrette packs a curried punch. This perfectly balanced dish took us by surprise. Come for the frites; come back again and again for the scallops.

There’s something on the menu for every season at Le Diplomate. When November rolls around, we’ll be sure to visit and order two helpings of the Beef Bourguignon to prepare for hibernation.

One note of caution, if you make your dining decisions based on decibels, Le Diplomate reaches the upper echelons of being boisterous. But to most, that’s part of the charm.

The talk around Logan Circle tables these days seems to center on determining if the mussels are better at B TOO (Previously covered on BTM here) or Le Diplomate. We want to hear from you, share your favorites in the comments section.