Le Pain Quotidien — Restaurant in Merrifield

The inside of this place is very cute, but the drinks and food were a huge disappointment. Let's start from the beginning: It is extremely hard to hear the cashier and for the cashier to hear you when you're checking out (you can blame this on COVID if you want). I really want to know how they keep track of orders, or if they just don't. It was not busy when we went, but they got confused making our drinks and our premade desserts took forever to come out. The cashier kept coming back to our table to ask what we ordered. The kitchen staff should be keeping track of tickets like everyone else at any other establishment that serves food and drinks. It's unprofessional to make the wrong drinks (they did this twice) and forget our food. When we did get our correct drinks and food eventually, we were not the slightest bit impressed. The drinks were unsweetened. I assume that drinks come sweetened unless otherwise stated. They did not have liquid sweetners out, so we had to use granulated sugar to sweeten our iced drinks. Obviously this was not pleasant to drink, unless you like crunching on sugar. The desserts were beyond overpriced. When I ordered the mini banana chocolate muffin, I knew it would be small but I assumed that at $2.50 it would be reasonably sized for a little snack. Wrong. It was actually bite sized. It seems to have been soaked in some sort of syrup and did not remind me of a muffin in the slightest. I wasn't a fan of the mousse cake either since I'm not huge on dark chocolate. I won't be coming back. The interior might be nice, but that's where the...

Le Pain Quotidien in the Mosaic District offers a taste of European-inspired cafe culture in a bright and inviting setting. This bakery and restaurant is known for its artisanal breads, organic and seasonal menu, and communal tables that encourage a sense of connection. The atmosphere is typically relaxed and welcoming. The focus at Le Pain Quotidien is on simple, high-quality ingredients. Their freshly baked breads are a highlight, often featured in their tartines (open-faced sandwiches) and served alongside their meals. The menu includes a variety of breakfast and lunch options, from pastries and yogurt parfaits to salads, soups, and quiches, often emphasizing organic and locally sourced produce. Their coffee and pastries also make it a popular spot for a morning treat or afternoon pick-me-up. The ambiance of Le Pain Quotidien is characterized by its rustic charm, often featuring natural wood elements and a bright, airy feel. The communal tables are a signature element, inviting guests to share space and conversation. The service is generally friendly and efficient, fitting the cafe style. You typically order at the counter and your food is brought to your table. It’s a comfortable place to linger over a meal, work remotely, or simply enjoy a good cup of coffee and a pastry. In short, Le Pain Quotidien in the Mosaic District provides a pleasant and relaxed European cafe experience. Its focus on quality breads, organic ingredients, and inviting atmosphere makes it a nice spot for breakfast, lunch, or a casual...

I WILL NEVER COME BACK!

I knew Le Pain Quotidien from Miami at which they were so famous for the food and its atmosphere. Last Saturday I came to this location for my first time, ordering 1 almond chocolate croissant, 1 honey lemon ginger and 1 iced green tea. And we did tipped 12% on our order. The old cashier gave me the croissant quite immediately then I walked around to find the table to sit for a while. Since they were making my drinks, I sat at the table and wait. After a while, I stood up to go get my drinks while the old man also walked towards me with my drinks. I said thank you nicely but only received “Next time, if you want to dine in, order with the server. It’s only $2”

At first I didn’t understand which $2 he talked about and what’s wrong with it. Then I realized he complained about how small my tip was for him and it’s too cheap for him to JUST BRING 2 DRINKS for me.

Well, I did tip. And since I didn’t dine in, I only sat there with my drinks and croissant, not like big full meal or anything, how could he behave like that. I know tipping is American culture and I followed, but to complain about customer tipping when it is only a small act of service with your customer is too bad.

I felt so angry and well, will never come back.

The croissant and 2 drinks were just fine,...