A hidden gem off Rockville Pike, Mosaic Cuisine is an inventive French fusion restaurant founded by Chef Thierry Jugnet in 2001. Rather than focusing on typical French cuisine, the four-course menu offers a variety of diverse options, ranging from Belgian toast to Chinese Peking duck rolls. The food accommodates dietary restrictions, including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
Over the years, the restaurant has become known for its waffle-centric food series, including notable courses such as the waffle croque monsieur and Peking duck waffle. Their salads are topped with savory pieces of waffle instead of croutons, their grilled cheese is melted between two waffles and the boeuf bourguignon is served with a waffle. These unique choices add to Mosaic’s distinctive vibe and led to the restaurant winning the Open Table Diners’ Choice Award in 2024.
The panko fried chicken waffle and the Caesar salad came within twenty minutes. The fried chicken waffle’s crispy and moist chicken was sandwiched between two layers of light and airy waffles and accompanied by sweet potato fries. The Caesar salad was excellent, and the waffle croutons helped balance out the flavor of the dressing with the rest of the dish. The unique mango and brie cheese waffle was a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors that added a delightful dimension to the meal.
Walking into Mosaic Cuisine transports customers from the gray buildings of typical Rockville strip malls to an elegant, well-lit room. The bar sits in the restaurant’s corner, and seating options are flexible: booths line the walls and tables fill the middle of the room. Though right on the edge of the busy Rockville Pike, the restaurant has a classy and inviting atmosphere. “We were looking for a French restaurant for a nice dinner, and were pleasantly surprised with how cozy the setting was,” wrote customer Martine Palmiter on Google Reviews.
The staff, led by the Jugnet family, are attentive and accommodating. Since its founding in 2001, Jugnet and his relatives have become a cornerstone of their community. In a review on LinkedIn, customer Michael Akbar, who chose Mosaic Cuisine as the home for his business chapter meetings, wrote that “Thierry has been extremely supportive of the chapter and has gone out of his way to accommodate us through our growth . . . Mosaic is the perfect place for catering to small businesses.” Not only does the restaurant provide a welcoming environment for individual customers, but Jugnet prioritizes connecting with businesses and local organizations.
On its Instagram and Facebook pages, Mosaic Cuisine advertises its themed menus for various holidays, ranging from Valentine’s Day cocktails accompanied by cello music to Thanksgiving feasts featuring a spread of mouthwatering dishes.
If you are looking to try Mosaic Cuisine, the best time to go is during their brunch hours. Their food is a great start to the morning and rivals other local brunch spots with unconventional meals to satisfy any craving.
Mosaic Cuisine is a unique restaurant that serves well-balanced and distinctive cultural fusion dishes. It is located at 186 Halpine Road in Rockville, Md.