Café Bonaparte - a little a lot

In the heart of historic Georgetown, amidst the antique shops, lies a diminutive and cozy European café—Café Bonaparte. Small in stature, it has a surprisingly extensive repertoire of food and drink. What appears from the street as nothing more than a coffee shop, also serves breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner.

The ambiance is personal and romantic. The façade of the café is completely paned windows infusing the dining room with light--coalescing historic Georgetown with a taste of Europe. The walls are adorned with a series of art deco pieces--all of which are for sale. The pastels give added color to an already sunlit room. The tables are tiny and close in proximity, however, amazingly, I have never felt cramped. Meanwhile, the waitresses do an exceptional job of navigating the tight quarters. The size and popularity of the cafe do lend themselves to weekend morning lines. Just leave your name and take a twenty minute jaunt around the corner to the many antique shops—it is worth the wait.

I have yet to try any of their dinner entrees, but their Elba sandwich--smoked turkey with apples, brie, and honey Dijon--was excellent. Their brunch is even more inspiring, as their Renoir—scrambled eggs, Italian sausage, green peppers, and onions rolled in a crepe & topped with cheddar and Swiss cheese—is heavy on the taste buds but not on the stomach. It is light not greasy. The food prices are reasonable, but the drinks can be a bit pricey. Mimosa’s and Bloody Mary’s run around ten dollars and a couple can add up quickly. Nevertheless, they are both excellent. And finally, the small unassuming bar is a great setting for a nightcap, appealing to the night owl craving something sweet. I hear their deserts are excellent.

Café Bonaparte, as small as it is, somehow manages to offer a little of everything for everyone, at anytime.

Café Milano – Where you have to pay to play

Located on Prospect Street, just west of Wisconsin Avenue, is the small but elegant Café Milano. It offers all that you would expect at an Italian café, good food, wine and friendly service. But what Café Milano really offers, is a chance to flaunt one’s social status, which is why it has become my second favorite DC establishment for people watching (the first is Kramerbooks Afterwords Café).

Café Milano markets itself to the “movers and shakers” of DC—businessmen, politicians, diplomats and of course, socialites. I have been there on two occasions, and on both, I would be lying if I said that I saw anyone of any considerable fame. But you sure wouldn’t know it judging from the designer suits, fashionable dresses, and air of self importance. It is a rare occasion (Halloween) that you can observe someone wearing sunglasses after dark, which certainly speaks to the heightened sense of self that abounds among the patrons of Café Milano. Fortunately for the perpetrator, the bar and dining room were well lit enough to reveal that they were, in fact, designer. And if the moon glasses didn’t tell the entire story, the designer three piece, cufflinks and all, did.

The bar is a scene from the Great Gatsby. There is an obvious dichotomy of company here. The women—young and attractive--have a manner about them that says, “I am not looking for just a husband, but a way of life.” The men, twenty years older on average, have a complementary look that declares, “I can provide that lifestyle. Do you see my suit?” There is nothing that would indicate their message to be false—they really ARE well dressed. I’ll leave the judgment regarding the marital success rate of such matches to the experts.

If you want to ingratiate yourself into this crowd, you are going to have to pay up. There is a premium to dine here. Entrees are in the forty dollar range, and you can get a small pizza for 17 bucks. A glass of wine will run you in the vicinity of fifteen dollars. If you are looking for food, walk south to Filomena’s, it is a better value. But if you are looking to people watch, for next season fashion ideas, or for a husband, come to Café Milano.

Cafe La Ruche - Simply Charming

Café La Ruche is just far enough removed from M Street to escape the Georgetown shopping hustle-and-bustle, but close enough to make it easily accessible. It is a conveniently intimate Parisian style café, aptly named (La Ruche is French for beehive) as it is abuzz with energy.

Part of La Ruche’s appeal lies in its simplicity. You will not find the extraneous bells and whistles so common to the modern coffee shop. A booth stretches the length of the left side of the café providing half of the seating for the row of couples tables that flank it. On the right hand side of the café are three dining tables for larger groups. You can also dine outside on their garden patio when the weather is nice. The décor is simple, not ornate. A French flag hangs in the rafters, and there are a series of rural Parisian pictures on the wall.

As you enter you are greeted by an adorable older man and shown to your table. The service is great, and the attitude and ambiance are cheerful. La Ruche’s typical patrons range from couples, old and young, to friends and co-workers. It is as common to hear French as it is English, further augmenting the Parisian flavor.

The food is excellent. The L’Assiette de Brie (brie and apple) is a fresh and an ample appetizer, while the Poulet Cordon Bleu was one of the best I have had. They offer a small selection of imported beer and have a limited list of wines, but it is sufficient unless you are actively seeking something more exotic.

Café La Ruche is at its core, charming. It is energetic yet relaxing--convenient yet quaint. It is a great place for a date or a quick rendezvous with an old friend. Whether you seek dinner, weekend brunch, or just a cup of espresso, I highly recommend Café La Ruche.

Landini Brother's

Situated off of King Street, one block from the waterfront, Landini’s is a good lunchtime reprieve from Old Town shopping. The exposed brick walls, flagstone floor and dark mahogany trim produce a quaint Tuscan experience. There is a sense of family--it seems all of the waiters know each other, and all have a similar, and sometimes difficult to understand, accent.

Downstairs provides a spirited atmosphere, catering to larger groups. Upon entry, there is a perceptible smell of cigar smoke, lingering from the night before. The non-smoking area to the left is set-apart from the main floor. And, the noticeable red ductwork hanging from the ceiling provides the necessary ventilation, alleviating the smell for its non-smoking patrons. If you are looking for a quieter or more romantic venue, you can sit upstairs adjacent to the wine room, containing a host of Italian favorites.

The food is good. For lunch I had the “Pollo alla Griglia”—a grilled chicken panini that was tender and tasty. I washed it down with a couple of Peroni’s, nothing fancy. On a dinner occasion, I had the “Suprema di Pollo alla Bolognese”—a chicken breast sautéed in butter and white wine, topped with mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce—for my entrée. It was excellent, but the portion was a bit small for what I have come to expect from a family Italian Restaurant. Perhaps I was spoiled from my visit to Filomena’s in Georgetown only days prior.

All in all, I cannot complain about my experiences at Landini Brother’s—the food and service are good, it is not overly-expensive, they have an ample selection, and the atmosphere is vibrant. I will go there again without hesitation, but for a really special dinner or celebration, I will probably search elsewhere as it lacks that extra “wow” factor.