Le Bon Café
| Address: | 210 2nd St SE, Washington, DC 20003, USA |
| Phone: | +1 202-547-7200 |
| Site: | leboncafedc.com |
| Rating: | 4 |
| Working: | 7AM–3PM 7AM–3PM 7AM–3PM 7AM–3PM 7AM–3PM 8AM–3PM 8AM–2PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 8
NE
Neil Scott
Previous two reviews are puzzling as Ive found the young staff to be intent on their jobs, and friendly. Their two weekend staff members are exceptionally outgoing, professional, and anxious to please. I had but one disappointing order—from a new employee who was still learning how to make the orders. The place is small. It can be elbow to elbow, which some find part of small cafe charm. To me, a crowded cafe says theres something good going on. In warm weather, there are tables outside which offer a bit more space. Sparrows pick up dropped crumbs. The food is cooked behind the counter (except for prep in the kitchen) in what I think is a hi-speed convection oven (not a microwave). Their lattes come in huge cups that are almost like soup bowls. Their fruit is fresh. Somehow they found a local farmer who delivers big raspberries and blackberries that they combine with healthy chucks of melons, bananas, and grapes. The croc monsieur is a ham sandwich with cheese on top of the bread. Its big and tasty. They dont skimp on size. It comes with a helping of red potato salad, well seasoned. The salt and pepper grinders contain sea salt and pepper balls. Their coffee is an off-beat brand that I like, "illy." It doesnt leave my nerves jangled. They have raw sugar cubes w/tweezers for selection. They also offer slender yellow tubes of Splenda in a glazed blue cup. Where there are no waiters, the custom in Washington is to pick up your food from the counter and choose one of the marble top tables with iron legs. When finished, customers place the square ceramic plates and (usually) heavy silverware in a bin on a ivory painted, wooden kitchen cabinet opposite the tables. On one occasion, demand was so heavy, they ran out of silverware &substituted heavy, white plastic forks and knives. Your expectations are misplaced if you want an authentic Paris style cafe with a real French chef (although one clerk is studying french and brings tapes of french music for the background sound). Its decorated with a genuine french theme, pastel light blues and contrasting dark blue trim, white whites and blacks. Huge skylight. Theres one bay window table with cushions on the window seat. Prices are within reason for 2014 Washington. They seem to have devoted customers who wouldnt miss their morning pastries (a cut above Starbucks), and soup-bowl size latte cup, for the world. Neither would I.
MA
Mariana Leung
This place is a joke. It looked cute, the pastries looked promising. I ordered breakfast including a croissant. 20 minutes later, I inquired about the food, found out that they had never bother to tell the cook to make it (they just took our money and stared at the wall I guess). I asked for the croissant that had been sitting on the counter, THEN they asked if it should be warmed up Ok We wanted to leave and asked for our money back. They promised they would get it out quickly. Another mistake. They microwaved a ham sandwich with a pile of cheese on top and still cold ham inside. Not broiled, no bechamel, nothing a true croque monsieur should have. The waffle was barely cooked, corn syrup instead of real maple. Even worse? The water dispenser had algae in it! Never an apology from clearly useless staff.
LA
Lafayette Green
First and foremost, the pumpkin bread is outstanding! Seriously, there is no comparing this warm, moist, succulent treat to any cafe desserts in the Capitol Hill/Eastern Market area. I have traveled, on more than one occasion, eleven miles to get ahold of their wonderous pumpkin bread alone. Now that Ive covered the good stuff, lets get down to the nitty-gritty. Sandwiches are always fresh, light, and tasty. The workers make the experience pleasant with their infectious positive attitude. The interior designing is tasteful with inkwell pictures covering the walls and a sitting area for guest. I only wish that there was more of an open-concept to manage the flow of incoming/outgoing traffic. Besides that, Le Bon Cafe is the ideal place to sit back, relax, and soak in the city of Washington.
EM
Emily Basham
Le Bon is my favorite cafe on Capitol Hill. I used to go to Starbucks for my morning usual but if youre honest with yourself you know their coffee is not good. not good. Le Bon has great coffee, they are fast, and their food is hands down DELICIOUS. Their sandwiches have fresh ingredients and are a fair price. The potato salad and house salad are amazing. The staff there is very fast Our office uses them for catering lunch and events and couldnt be happier. One morning their phone was broken so I couldnt put in a catering order. I went into the store and the owner was there. She apologized insisted on giving me a free latte and their wonderful pumpkin bread. She always makes things right.
SH
shelagh mollohan
Went in this morning and got a breakfast sandwich that comes with a side of hash browns. I get my breakfast sandwich in a plastic container and it has fruit inside (so I guess this place wanted to steam fruit in a hot plastic box with my sandwich). I ask the woman at the counter- "is this supposed to come with potatoes" and she answered "the potatoes arent ready yet." Puzzled, I responded "but I paid for them and you never told me they werent ready so I could order something else?" She said "I gave you fruit." Im sorry "WHAT?" In what world does a place of business act like this? Calling later to get my money back because they charged me for something I did not receive.
CA
Callahan Johnson
Came for lunch right before the lunch hour and when we went to order sandwiches we found out they were out of turkey! And half of what they sell for lunch is sandwiches! Apparently there toaster was not working either. Also, one of our four sandwiches ordered was not made to order and the there was very minimal seating. Once finished with food, customers were instructed to place their dishes on a table which the staff apparently would clear later. Overall, the whole experience just seemed very unprofessional and not worth the money. The guidebooks we looked at seemed to make this place sound nice, but after coming I can definitely say its not a great place to eat.
AU
Austin Graff
Le Bon Cafe is definitely not a 5 star restaurant, but it is very classic DC which makes it feel like home. Its a small cafe that is supposed to be French really close to the US Capitol, which makes it great for people watching as Senators and other VIPs walk by. People love the French toast, but I think it is just okay. I always get the quiche (real men DO eat quiche), a chocolate chip muffin, and a chai. Perfect way to start my morning. The downsides: The food is just average and the seating inside is cramped, but if you are visiting the US Capitol in the morning, this cafe is a great place to start your day.
LI
Linda Cole
I had lunch to go yesterday. The ice tea had a slight flavor to it and was refreshingly different. My portabella and roasted tomato panani with pesto was delicious and I also ordered the brocolli soup which I had for dinner and it also was super good. I brought back a piece of their pumpkin dessert for the young fellow who works in my office and he said it was one of the best desserts he has eaten! I found the staff friendly and the place was charming both inside and out. Obviously Im not the only one who feels this is a nice cafe for lunch.....the place was pretty crowded.
