As much as we all love the Georgetown experience, it’s sometimes nice to get off campus and explore other options – especially for brunch. But where do you go if you want to feel like you’re far from home, just a few minutes away from Georgetown’s gates?
Just a little ways up Wisconsin, Cafe Bonaparte invites patrons in with the promising smell of French-press coffee and fresh crepes. With its black exterior, window-filled facade, and tiny interior, Cafe Bonaparte succeeds in feeling like a brasserie plucked straight out of the seventh arrondissement. Once seated in either a cushy banquette or a small table for two by the window, the loud chatter of dining patrons, soft lounge music in the background, and etchings of Paris will make you feel like you’re leagues from home.
The experience only gets better once you take a look at the menu. Cafe Bonaparte has several delicious options for brunch, ranging from exquisite omelets (all named after artists) to succulent crepes (named after European cities). Of course, you can also order brunch staples, such as eggs benedict, french toast, and so on. Deciding to get one of each to benefit the cause, my brother chose the Dali omelet, a variation of the traditional Mediterranean omelet. I personally opted for the Lisbon crepe. Although it isn’t your traditional brunch staple, we also ordered a side of the Bonaparte fries to share (when in a French brasserie for brunch, am I right?)
Named after the zany surrealist, the Dali omelet consists of spinach, feta, and red onions for an extra kick. The Greek in me thoroughly relished the perfect balance between feta and spinach, the fluffy texture of the eggs only complimenting the two flavors. According to my brother, the potatoes that came with the omelets were perfectly crunchy; just the way the Baker family likes them.
While the Dali omelette was certainly good, it was the Lisbon crepe that stole the show at Cafe Bonaparte. The plate was a smoke salmon crepe, paired with cream cheese, dill, shallots, and served with a fresh side salads. Each bite was more satisfying than the last, having more than sufficient amounts of salmon in each bit of crepe. The taste of the dill and the fish blended perfectly. Served within a warm crepe, a hungry patron couldn’t really ask for more. And of course, the Bonaparte frites. Served with either ketchup or herbed mayonnaise, the hand-cut fries were deliciously crunchy and paired surprisingly well with our brunch selections.
What’s beautiful about Cafe Bonaparte is the price of the food. For our delicious brunch, plus splitting the fries, my brother and I only payed $20 each; certainly not egregious in comparison to other restaurants in the area. Cafe Bonaparte may not be bottomless, but its vibrant atmosphere and delicious bites makes it an excellent location for a Sunday brunch.
Price: $20 for both split appetizer and entre (10)
Venue: 10 out of 10 French brasseries (10)
Creativity/originality: 10 out of 10 famous artists (10)
Food: 11 out of 10 crepes. (11)
Brunch Bracket Update: With a final score of 41, Cafe Bonaparte beats out Kafe Leopold (38.5) and will move onto the next round.
