| I have a rare kid-free weekend coming up and have fantasies of eating a fabulous worth-the-calories pastry and drinking coffee in a beautiful, outdoor setting. Ideally this would be happening somewhere in the French countryside, but in reality somewhere within 90 minutes of Northern Virginia will need to do. Any recommendations? |
| I don’t know if this fits the bill, but Kafe Leopold in Georgetown is in a lovely courtyard near C and O canal, and you could stroll the waterfront after |
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The almond croissants at Point Chaud on Wisconsin Ave are amazing. They often sell out by early afternoon though. Nice outside terrace and the inside looks more or less like a typical european cafe.
The pastries at Boulangerie Christophe in Georgetown are a little meh, but lovely back courtyard that feels very French countryside-y. Okay pasteries at Patisserie Poupon and it's nice to sit on the sidewalk café in Georgetown. Fresh Baguette on Wisconsin, also okay pastries, but they're all a little...industrial European pastries if you know what I mean. Like you'd be happy to eat them in a train station in Lyon. But you're probably interested in more quality. The Sculpture Garden's Metropolitan Cafe is sort of nice bc they're trying to be parisian. Food is meh. I would have recommended getting a pastry and coffee at Bakers and Baristas up the street in Penn Quarter (they has the very best pastries) but RIP Bakers and Baristas. |
| Red Truck Bakery |
| Dessert First Kent Island. |
It’s not French themed…it’s a coffee shop in a dock that serves yummy desserts. Over bay bridge and a neat spot if you can miss bridge traffic. |
That can’t be possibly less than 30 minutes from NoVA. |
They asked for something within 90 mins. If you aren’t trying to go during peak times it’s about an hour. |
| Bread Furst! |
And sit next to car wash fumes?! No thank you…good for takeout only, or sit indoors!! |
Some are a little meh but I find their almond croissants delightful. |
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Jacques in Great Falls has a great patio. You can just go for a dessert (I asked last time I ate there).
Or Cafe Leopold in Georgetown, although the view isn't great. |
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Zinnia's cafe juuuuuust opened. I don't think they have pastries, but they have the outdoor spot covered well. They probably wouldn't care if you brought a pastry to eat as long as you ordered coffee.
https://eatzinnia.com/ https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/dine/zinnia-restaurant-to-open-cafe-expansion-on-wednesday/ |
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Isn't there a cafe at Glenstone in Potomac?
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There’s Fontaine Caffe and Creperie in Old Town Alexandria by Market Square.
https://fontainebistro.com/ |