Sour grapes around: Almost 3 years later, Les Halles spot still vacant

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Back in November 2008, Les Halles on Pennsylvania Avenue NW closed after not coming to an agreement on a new lease. A recent walk by the former location revealed that the spot was still empty. Well played, Asadoorian Retail Services!

I was disappointed by the closure, because Les Halles was my favorite Pennsylvania Avenue restaurant — I don’t enjoy the food at Occidental and Cafe Du Parc nearly as much.

Last year, Anthony Bourdain, the celebrity chef who created Les Halles was not disappointed at all (Young & Hungry, CityPaper:

Les Halles Washington, DC, closed its doors, and Les Halles Miami changed ownership. Thank God, the way I look at it. They were always, in my experience, a drag on the reputation and finances of the mother ship on Park Avenue — and the successful downtown branch of John Street.

After that comment, I decided I do not need to visit the New York locations. It is too bad, because I loved Les Halles pomme frites.

In addition to the frites, I miss arguing about the proper pronunciation of Les Halles.