The salmon with rich port sauce is now made with a lighter saffron shallot sauce. There’s a veggie burger, grilled boneless breast of chicken with a medley of European salads, and a new, simply prepared shrimp dish. The sea scallops Provencal has 450 calories.
Le Vieux Logis, the long-running French restaurant and cozy garden spot at 7925 Old Georgetown Road in Bethesda, has revamped its menu, focusing on healthier preparations and more contemporary ingredients.
Not everything is new—traditional favorites remain, and there are still dishes that are far from diet conscious. But some items have been dropped, other entrees have different sauces, popular specials are now permanent, and there’s a new section of appetizers called “shared things to start with” that includes avocado spring rolls and mushroom and blue cheese crostini.
“I’ve been wanting to do it for awhile,” says owner Diana Dahan, of the menu changes. “Things needed to be updated. I kept putting it off, but spring is here, shad is here, and I thought it was the perfect time.”
The restaurant, which has been in business for 31 years, has a loyal clientele. But Dahan acknowledged that she’s trying to woo new customers. “Necessity demands,” she said. “The young [people] think French dining is rich, stuffy and expensive. I’m trying to show that it’s not.”
