Walking home from work, an interesting if not contradictory sign caught my attention: "Bread and Brew: cafe, coffeehouse, cocktails." I stood contemplating the odd conglomeration of coffee, pastries, and alcohol and decided that I could find nothing to object to. Walking in, the main floor looks like a traditional coffee house. Earthy and warm, it invites you to grab a latte, catch up on some reading, or simply relax for a bit. The room is fairly quiet, with only a few other patrons. Whether this is normal or simply because this is a new establishment, I can't say. The staff is as warm and friendly as the decor. While they are certainly not in any rush, you don't feel you need to be either. Though I only sat down to have a coffee, I ended up enticed by the fresh and scrumptious looking food at the cafe.
The menu is a tribute to local, fresh, organic produce. They offer a number of fantastic looking sandwiches, pizzas, and salads, along with a few entrees that change daily. I opted for a Squash and Goat Cheese Quiche. The $7 price-tag wasn't the cheapest but the slice was very generous and came along with a heaping and delicious organic salad. The quiche was completely home-made with a delicious fluffy pie crust. The spinach and cheese tasted as if it had been painstakingly prepared by some rustic Spanish woman, rather than a pleasant Washingtonian titled Chef Eugene. Downstairs at the bar they offer an interesting selection of wines accompanied by a number of small bar plates. While I did not have the opportunity to sample from the wine list, I will most certainly be making a return trip to do so.
