Baker’s Daughter — Restaurant in Washington

First time there. Drove from Germantown because I receive emails form their restaurant and Bakers Daughter. Andrea who was at the register and I believe is the manager too. Very kind, professional, and accommodating.

I figured because I drove from Germantown for coffee Breakfast, I’d make it a lunch visit as well. Had coffee was Luke warm brought to her attention brewed new batch. Ordered the breakfast bowl with granola, fresh fruit and breakfast pudding, shaved coconut. Fruit plump plenty however the granola was skimpy. I had to dig to get to complement the pudding.

Could not resist the beautiful chocolate croissant warmed up for service delicious. Not to be to but the chocolate was sparse but not a deal breaker.

Then kicked back then had the matzo ball soup. Really big portion 4 balls, plenty of chicken,and vegetables chicken stock clear, clean, but it needs bit of salt but I didn’t ask for my bad. Dill was hardly present in flavor. Matzo Balls were good but all considered it was a good bowl of soup fro the value. I had the garbanzo bean salad like the vinaigrette. I would have added a little bit of Flavor to the beans like toasted them or marinated them as they just seem to have been just soaked overnight but no flavor just a bean.Overall I ate to much but the value and quality is very good. Nice selection of grab and go, Cheese, house made truffle mousse, dressing etc. After 3 hours I left and exited to return again.

Chef was there working on Thanksgiving and out door seating for winter right behind me. Chefs life never resting driven people. I pick up on about everything around me in dining or eating out, and even going for coffee. 46 years in the restaurant business you get hospitality ears and eyes. He thanked one regular for stopping by. who was there for maybe 30 minutes. But did not even thank me or extend the same to me. It’s just what I picked up. Guess I was not that important. I just thought hum I have been in front of the chef/ owner for almost 3 hours spending money not just having coffee and I was the only one sitting down there other than the other guy. Just a feeling I get as a patron that another is thanked. When 2 people were In there. No bad feelings just resonates on the hospitality business the good and not so good. I don’t expect everyone to drop everything but 2 people 1 recognize one not. Hey people have their mind filled with survival so I shrug it off but wanted to bring it it. Nothing...

Great place for sandwiches, juices and dessert! Between breakfast choices, lunch and dinner entrees, interesting sides and grab-and-go items, the options are extensive. They have a limited number of warm entrees, of which we tried the braised beef with polenta and greens. It was delicious. The breakfast sandwich was great, toasted bread with generous cheese slices and over-medium fried eggs and arugula...but there were no substitutes for the bacon and ham (thinking of beef bacon served at Estuary with their burger). Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think the overused chicken apple sausage is a great substitute, but avocado for example never disappoints and at $11 a substitute is not unreasonable. I appreciated that most of the single-use packaging and utensils were compostable. The violatta juice has all the hallmarks of a new “Best of DC” candidate. The dessert options were impressive, I counted 6. Chocolate mousse cake, chocolate mousse and coffee cake, lemon bar, banana pudding, cheesecake, carrot cake... we loved the chocolate mousse cake. The carrot cake while moist, had too much coconut flavor, an interesting innovation that fell flat for me. I still prefer the richness and depth of flavor of toasted walnuts and toasted walnut oil. On our next visit, I am looking forward to trying their eggplant lasagna and lentil curry. Overall, the freshness and the ingredients are excellent. the juices, pickled ramps and sauces/dips showed innovative flavors or hyperseasonal menu items. The bakery (this is the BAKER’s daughter after all) could do with a little more unique items. For example, there are three options for croissants: plain, almond and ham and cheese. Yep, Whole Foods has those. Baker’s daughter, if it is to become a destination (in slightly dodgy ivy city) can do with a few more interesting menu choices. Since we visited within their inaugural month, I am looking forward to a more interesting menu...

I really want to like this place. It's concept is good, but I think there is a lot to be desired in the execution. I've been disappointed more times than not, and don't get me started on the prices. For what they charge, I would expect a consistently good meal. I've tried the lasagna, which was cold in the middle and cheese not fully melted, I've tried breakfast quiche, which was also cold and not full cooked through.

I've also had decent (good, but still not worth the high price) experiences. If this review was written solely on the raspberry bars, 5+ stars! They are delicious. I'd also recommend the brussels sprout, one of the only items on the menu that I think are legitimately worth the price they've set. I've had positive experiences with some of their take-away prepared items as well, like the enchiladas, which are supposed to be cold until...