Bistro L'Hermitage Thrives After Beating Odds

Youssef Eagle Essakl bought the restaurant that would be with every penny he had. He bought the run-down location off of Occoquan Road in February 2003. However the restaurant did not open for business until December 2007.

Essakl once was the Food and Beverage Director at Jeffrey’s Restaurant in Washington, D.C., and hosted parties for Laura Bush. He left with dreams of establishing his own fine restaurant, a first-class establishment that felt like home.

When he bought the location, he bought it in faith, believing that since banks were frequently loaning money to everyone at the time that he would be able to take out a loan for a small business.

“I had a great business plan and credit score and I was rejected,” Essakl said.

He sacrificed everything to be able to start the restaurant, and keep paying mortgage payments on it until it opened. He lowered all of his expenses, to live at the very minimal.

Money was a serious hurdle in starting his business but Youssef managed to clear it, with the faith of his friends and family.

Finally, in late 2006, he caught his break with the Millennium Bank in Reston. One banker took notice of his request and worked with him to get the small business loan.

“She came in and saved us. Even at 2 a.m. in the morning, she helped get the forms filled out that were needed.” He stretched his arms to demonstrate how big that stack was, amazed by her patience.

As things with the restaurant started to look up, his younger brother passed away from a car accident.

Youssef was not quite sure how he made it through that time to reach his end goal. Yet through a course of events that involved meeting his would-be wife he somehow garnered the strength to get the loan request finished and approved, and at the end of 2007, Bistro L’Hermitage opened for business.

Once a Chinese restaurant that was built in 1954, Essakl used the five years to restore the place, focusing on every detail to make it a comfortable and classy place to recline and eat. What was once an old house divided with rooms, with run-down drywall and a drop ceiling, was transformed into a quaint French bistro. He took care with the details - from laying the tiles to laying the stones on the back stonewall, and even making a bar and tables with refurbished cut out doors.

He was inspired by the architecture of the Historic Town of Occoquan.

Not long after the restaurant launched, the Head Chef Dawn Burkhart joined forces with Essakl. He had previously worked with her for 15 years.

According to Essakl, upon visiting the restored restaurant for the first time, Burkhart said, “I can see my food here,” while looking at the tables. The rest was history and Essakl has enjoyed having a Head Chef who gives him a peace of mind.

Even though Bistro L’Hermitage opened at the recession, the doors were open to great local support.

The restaurant has placed Prince William County on the map, having been named in the 10 Diners’ Choice Winner in the Washington DC area by OpenTable.

“It was thanks to neighbors in Prince William County and Occoquan residents who stood side by side in support. They said, 'We want you, we will support you,' and they did,” Said Essakl.

A wishing well is present at the front of the restaurant and is featured in Bistro L’Hermitage’s logo. Glass roosters, a French symbol for luck, adorn each table.  To Youssef, these details represent the good fortune he has had since Bistro L’Hermitage started four years ago, and after nine years poured into the establishment.