The Coffee House Hop (7/26/16)

The District is a semi-posh area with scenic landscapes, a rich history, and nooks around every corner with interesting stories.  It is truly a place like no other; where adventures find you and experiences are what you make them.

This summer, my younger sister and I decided that we would get out of the house as much as possible and one of our favorite places to go is into Washington DC. It’s a short trip, but we always have big fun! As coffee enthusiasts, we like to explore the coffee shop circuit in the District and discover which places tickle our fancy.

We happened upon a coffee house on a non-hectic corner of Northwest called Le Pain Quotidien. This adorable shop has a rustic look and organic feel. The ambiance: chic minimalistic light fixtures, distressed wooden walls, communal sized tables and chairs, and large windows allowing for natural sunlight to stream in, adds to the overall tranquility of the space. 
What keeps my sister and me coming back is the variety of hot and cold beverages on the menu and the kind nature of the people who work there. The price range for any drink on Le Pain Quotidien’s menu is two (2) to five (5) dollars depending on whether or not you get a small or a large.  The coffee is superb. Whether it’s hot or iced it will definitely put pep in your step. Want something a little more mild? Try their Chai Latte. It is the perfect blend of spice and sweetness (sweetened with organic agave nectar).

 If you’re looking for some sustenance to go with your morning or afternoon coffee, keep in mind that you can spend anywhere from $3.95 for a pastry to just under $15 for a breakfast omelet or salad.  I suspect that is because everything here is organic. Le Pain Quotidien prides itself on being 100% Botanical/Vegan and this year the café is celebrating 25 years of successful business!  They are certainly doing something right!

Be sure to stop in!

Le Pain Quotidien Carroll Square
975 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004
 
We couldn’t leave DC without having another coffee shop excursion, so we headed up to 18th St. NW to check out Tryst which is a Coffeehouse, Bar and Lounge.  Tryst is a unique space, perfect for hipsters in the DMV. There is such an eclectic mix of people who come through the establishment: from young professionals to a more seasoned group of men and women. Those who choose to dine in are either sitting on colorful couches or by windows with their faces nestled in front of their Apple laptops.
Tryst’s menu is just as unique as the people who work there and prices for food are reasonably priced from nine (9) dollars to twelve (12) dollars.  They have ALL Day brunch with yummy options to satisfy the pallet of any breakfast connoisseur, salads,sharable nachos and quesadillas and for those with a sweet tooth, they also have decadent desserts.
Tryst has a wide variety of drinks as well; with non-alcoholic drinks ranging between $2.75 to $5 and cocktails, wines and beers that are priced anywhere from eight (8) to twelve (12) dollars by the glass.
My sister got an Americano and I sipped on an Iced Mexican coffee, both were an acquired taste, not bad, just different.

For a DC spot, Tryst has a vibe all its own.
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Next time you’re near Dupont Circle, make Tryst one of your stops and see what you think.

Tryst
2459 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009