Busboys And Poets Blog

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So it’s 9:51 on a saturday morning, and I’m watching Bravo reality tv on personal trainers. You would think watching people work out would motivate me to do the same, but no. It reminded me I wanted to write a new post in my food blog. about eating. yes!

Where: Busboys and Poets, 14th and V st, with two other locations in DC and Virginia. (sidenote and shout out to fellow Pennsylvanians, we aren’t the only ones who refer to their state by its abbreviation! DC, duh. how did we not realize this for so long?)

What: BB&P as I will from now on refer to it, is a coffee shop of a different animal. It’s got a cafe vibe with lots of couches, low tables, ports for your laptop, but also a bar, also a restaurant, also a venue for screenings, poetry readings and open mics and a bookstore. This place is a major multi-tasker. The whole place is centered around social justice, community activism, equal rights, peace and love. It’s cool. To be honest, I haven’t participated in any of that, just the eating part, but I’m a fan of what it’s all about. You go BB&P.

The Food: Awesome. Apparently there are healthy choices on this menu, like green juice, salads and tempeh sandwiches, but I tend to avoid them. The temptations of other more decadent items on the menu are just too great. And reasonably priced. for DC. (another sidenote. having grown up in NW PA and spent plenty of time in upstate NY, I am spoiled by a ridiculously low cost of living. I miss paying $1 for a beer and $8 for an entree. yes I do. oh  yeah and having an apt twice the size and half the price of what I have now. but apart from that. LOVE DC. )

That was a really long sidenote. Ok, the food. I’m going to combine a few visits in this post.

Dish #1: I can’t remember it’s name. I *think* it’s called Afghani breakfast. I could be completely wrong on that. Sorry. I really should start writing these things down. Anyways, whatever it’s called, it is awesome. It’s a dish of ground meat, tomatoes, peppers and spices with two fried eggs on top. If you like eggs and gouolash, you should order this, it’s kind of like the same thing. but way more delicious. Just order it, you will like it.

Dish# 2: Cobb Salad. This is a big boy of a salad. Scratch that. This is a man salad. I split this with a friend one night and it was totally filling. That is quite a feat for me to split a salad with someone and not be raging hungry still. Taken straight from the menu description: this is mixed field greens, grilled chicken, bacon, tomatoes, hard boiled egg, caramelized onions, blue cheese and a balsamic vinaigrette. And now I want to eat my computer. Best. salad. ever.

Dish #3: Key lime pie. It’s good. Not the most amazing key lime pie ever, but very tasty, light and refreshing. and pretty. on a pretty white plate, with pretty strawberry garnish, and pretty dusting of powdered sugar. awww. you can see how pretty it is in the picture above. umm I got a little hungry before I took it 

Dish #4: not a dish. Cafe Medici. the prettiest, daintiest little coffee drink I have ever seen. Two shots espresso, chocolate, fresh whipped cream, orange peel in a teeny tiny little glass. I also love this drink because my guy friend ordered it and it looked just precious in his man hands. HAAA.

Dish #5: the Betty Ford. nah just kidding. it’s called the Neptune Benedict, but it’s addiction inducing like no other benedict. Two eggs, perfectly poached on top of lightly toasted english muffin, with a rich, velvety hollandaise and really fresh, meaty lump crab seasoned with cilatro, s&p and probably something else. As a side, order grits, not homefries. I’m sure the homefries are good, but the grits are so creamy and good I don’t even have to s&p them. This dish is groan-inducing good, you will eat it too fast because you’re enjoying it so much. You will be crazy full, but still want more. You will smile as you sink into food bliss at every bite. Mmm I could eat it again right now.

The vibe: The place is always buzzing. Tons of people and a nice mix of couples, groups and singles and a diverse crowd. Totally a place I bring friends, have dates, and go to read and chill on my own. Few places can meet all those needs. The service is really good, which is amazing given how crowded it is. This place gets busy fast. Oh and bonus, if you go alone, you can seated in a group of people clustered around couches which either a) results in making new friends or b) allows you to eavesdrop on dates which is almost always hilarious. seriously, men and woman act really funny on dates. of course when you are on the date, this is not funny at all, but watching people trying to simultaneously impress and judge another person is fascinating. and yes, it’s true. i have no shame.

BB&P is like your friend from college who on any given night could be found at either a coffee shop, poetry slam, indie film screening or protesting something. Except make that friend doing all those things at once, being really friendly about it, letting you completely ignore them and work on your laptop if you choose, and feeding you.