PAUL
| Address: | 801 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA |
| Phone: | +1 202-524-4500 |
| Site: | paul-usa.com |
| Rating: | 3.9 |
| Working: | 7AM–7PM 7AM–7PM 7AM–7PM 7AM–7PM 7AM–8PM 8AM–8PM 8AM–8PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 15
MA
Marc Neilson
How refreshing to have a proper French Patisserie and Bistro just next to GW and the IMF with real pastry chefs and food made in-house. You can even watch the chefs through the glass window into the kitchen. I highly recommend their pain au chocolat and for tea lovers, they actually have a decent selection. The coffee is the best around in my opinion as well. The interior is beautiful and elegant plus a great place (and Starbucks alternative) to meet friends or clients. Yes its pricey but what isnt in downtown DC. The only thing is that there does not seem to be enough staff to take orders so even a line of 3 people can take up to 10 minutes (Ive never seen more than one person at the cash register even though they have 3 machines up there). Also, I asked about which type of coffee was brewing and even after repeated attempts, the staff could not understand what I was saying so perhaps they could brush up on their English skills a bit. Overall, I highly recommend it et vives les pains aux chocolats!
JA
Jane Browne
Being European Iam partial to a good Bakery & Patisserie and this is an EXCELLENT one. A wide selection of breads, danish, tartes, croissants and cakes which will make make you return again and again and again. You are also offered a selection of filled rolls, sandwiches, salads and homemade soup, so a good lunch stop. Its my favourite place for coffee, have really struggled finding good takeout coffee in DC, coffee here in DC is served very weak -- but an extra shot coffee from here is more the strength of european coffee. I love the fact if you sit inside you can watch the bakers at work, or on a nice day just sit outside an enjoy the view.
HA
Hamed D
Excellent food and a nice French gourmet experience .. only down side is the whole food order system ..Not to bring the employees down but the number ordering system seems too bewildering .. we had a couple orders and 3/8 orders were mixed up and after waiting forever and then getting up and following up on where in the world r the orders the waiters finally delivered our omelets. Surprisingly there was no management to talk to just some hard working yet confused employees trying their best to figure out our orders. Paul is trying hard in creating high quality French meals yet they are just way behind in overall customer experience.
LE
Le Dubious
That Randy Tabit guy really hit the nail on the head! The service is egregious and unhelpful. I asked for a tart but mispronounced the name and they had a five minute laughing session while they roasted me for being "uncultured" and "a peasant." It was in front of my coworkers too which made it that much more degrading. I may or may not have cried myself to sleep that night... The food was repugnant and lets just say I got REALLL friendly with my toilet that night. I dont understand how this place hasnt shut down yet but im putting forth a motion to never going there again. Avoid this place at all costs.
GI
Gilda Sires
Three stars only because of the extremely poor customer service and lack of cleanliness of the fascility. We came on a Sunday. Got Here at 4:50 they close at 7. Unfortunately, there was not many pastries left EVEN WHEN THERE ARE TWO HOURS LEFT TO CLOSE. No smiles, no welcoming or approachable people working. There was no sugar or utensils left on the counter and it seemed that it wasnt urgency to fill it back. I got the 3 chocolate a la part and it was delicious. Coffee was pretty good , average taste latte. Not sure if I will be back to this location, maybe not on a Sunday.
MA
Maria J.P. da Silva
I discovered Paul several years ago on the way to "Jazz in the Garden" at NGA sculpture garden. They filled the void left by the venerable Vie de France, which shuttered its doors downtown around 2009. Pauls food is more light fare than what Vie de France used to serve. I love their macaroons and brioche bread; their coffee is good too. They have opened several other locations downtown: F Street, K Street and Connecticut Avenue. Penn Quarters is my favorite, the ambiance is cozy and can be romantic.
JA
James Lormans
I thought somewhere named Paul would provide some decent value and quality, but I had left thinking I had just been to Ringo. Poor customer service, zero taste omelettes and one preserve....butter. For $30 you got two oily omelettes, a tonne of salad and two rock hard pieces of bread. If you are hungry, dont go there. If you are just after a coffee, try a little family run chain that puts taste into their coffee called Starbucks.
AB
Ab Villanueva
Paul is not really that big a deal in France. Youll pretty much find them all over the place, as such some are better than others but theyre consistent with quality. Theyre still is one of my favorite boulangeries in France. This one in DC has really good ambiance and service is decent. The baguette they have is good and the brioche is excellent. My girlfriend tried the salmon salad and it was delicious as well.
LI
Liz Hoopes
This place is hit or miss. For a bakery, they run out of stuff constantly. What part of bake dont they understand? The staff turnover is astounding. Not sure if its the inept management or lack of training but the place is so disorganized its ridiculous. Ive seen better customer service at the DMV. If you can get through the ordering process, the high price and waiting for your food, its not so bad.
EL
Ellen Anderson
During a visit to the National Archives we had both breakfast and lunch here. I frequented Paul when I lived in France so it was nice to have a taste of the pastries and sandwiches I miss. A little pricey but worth it for the quality food. In our visits I had a pain au chocolat, vanilla macaron and a ham & cheese sandwich, all excellent. Id highly recommend it if you need a breakfast spot to relax!
DI
Dianne Brooks
Sorely disappointed. Not seeing a cake on display that I wanted I asked if they had anymore. I was told they had a chocolate cake and strawberry cake, I picked chocolate. I just opened the box to find a huge round one layer brownie, not a chocolate cake at all. No icing, nothing. it was upside down in the box and part of the edge was missing . I paid $29 for a ole brownie.
KA
Karina Valverde
Its a nicer setting than a cafe but not quite a restaurant and still not a bistro. The food is simply ok. Only by appearance does it bring back memories of my days in Paris. If only they focused on improving the food freshness and wow factor, then it would be a place Id recommend and a place Id frequent more. Given the location, Id probably end up at Teaism instead.
FR
Fred FERU
Nous avons pris 2 thés glacés aromatisés qui étaient sur tout composés deau et avec peu de goût Par contre, la tartelette aux fraise était delicieuse
MI
Michael LaRosa
Paul Bakery is such a great, go to spot. I love having an early breakfast here. The staff is always helpful and friendly, the food quality is great and I can always find a seat (at this location). I often send people there when Im asked on the street where to go - much better than alternative (Starbucks).
DA
David Matsibekker
Not worth the time except for the coffee. It was very expensive. For the price the sandwich was only ok (and small), and the salmon in one of the salads was actively bad. Pauls in other locations and cities are usually much better. The cappuccinos were good to be fair and the deserts were ok.
