Smaller than a restaurant but with more room to relax than a carry-out joint, cafés are meant for light bites with little wait and warm coffee for defrosting. Despite their name, cafés are not limited to French cuisine, and a bounty of options is available just north of campus on Wisconsin Avenue.
The Bean Counter
From outside the Bean Counter looks like another anonymous building, but inside it instantly charms with the painting of a pensive, smiling coffee-cup-man, autographed paper menus and leopard print carpets. The friendliness of the three-person staff is as infectious as the aroma of the organic fair-trade coffee. While the Bean Counter is famous for sandwiches with Georgetown-appropriate names such as the “Trust Fund,” their all-day breakfast menu alone is worth a stop. The English muffin breakfast sandwiches range from $3-$4 and are all made to order. Those with a sweet tooth will gravitate toward the Nutella sandwich, which is warm, half-melted and luscious without being too sweet. Even better, though, are the huevos rancheros. This is a sandwich the McMuffin aspires to be: made fresh from real eggs instead of a pre-frozen patty, and the English muffin is softened but not made soggy by the cheese and salsa. Before you know it, the savory sandwich will have disappeared, leaving you with an empty paper plate and a desire for more.
The Bean Counter is located at 1665 Wisconsin Ave NW and is open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Dolcezza Gelato
If you’re looking to indulge a sugar craving for under $5, Dolcezza Gelato is the way to go. Even with only half the fat and calories, Dolcezza’s smooth gelato is creamier and richer than ice cream. Their artisanal Argentinean gelato is handmade in small batches every day using only local fruits, herbs, cheese, milk and cream. The results are astounding: each flavor tastes exactly as advertised—the pistachio has a hint of salty nuttiness, the dulce de leche granizado melts into liquid caramel, and the “counter culture tiramisu” expertly combines espresso and rum flavors. Only true dark chocolate lovers should try the chocolate amargo, as it may be too rich for lighter tastes, while Nutella enthusiasts will find their favorite in the nocciola del piemonte, a creamy hazelnut. Those looking for a light, airy taste will find the Sicilian blood orange sweet, tart and refreshing. The subtle grapefruit and sweet clementine go well with any of the other flavors—you can combine up to three flavors in a cup. Dolcezza also serves Toscano espresso and churros for those seeking warmer fare, and the one of a kind dulce de leche churro is a tantalizing concoction—the caramel inside has a thinner consistency and is not as sweet as the gelato, which makes it ambrosial instead of overpowering.
Dolcezza Gelato is located at 1560 Wisconsin Ave NW and is open Sunday through Thursday 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Patisserie Poupon
Those looking for the more traditional café experience can look to Patisserie Poupon, whose long hallway layout and sleek marble tables aptly emulate the quintessential French sidewalk café specializing in tartes, cakes and croissants. Although the restaurant offers a variety of lunch items, most customers will stick to what Patisserie Poupon does best: pastries. Poupon executes the typical French pastry perfectly: the strawberry tart comes with a delicate crust that falls off in the mouth, a cream base that is light in flavor with a rich consistency and fresh slivers of sweet strawberries. The pain au chocolat, served warm, is flaky and buttery enough to melt in your mouth, and melted chocolate pieces provide a surprise in every bite. The Royale is a small treat made of chocolate mousse, crunchy hazelnut feuilletine and chocolate meringue. Patisserie Poupon also serves illy espresso, an Italian specialty that students who have studied abroad will surely recognize, but this version fortunately lacks the trademark grainy bitterness. The cappuccinos are made European-style (sans copious amounts of foam) and go perfectly with any of the pastries.
Patisserie Poupon is located at 1645 Wisconsin Ave NW and is open Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
