Le Caprice DC Café Bakery — Restaurant in Washington

I only stopped by for a cappucino, but to be honest about it, it tastes a little strange compared to, say, Elle Bakery's cappuccinos in Mt. Pleasant, or perhaps Rue Cafe just up the same street a few blocks away.

The beans Le Caprice DC used for my cup taste, well, I don't wish to assume anything, so I'll just say the roast that ended up in my cappuccino made it taste a little differently than I'm used to cappuccinos tasting at cafés. For reference, my go-tos for espresso drinks are places like Tatte (several locations throughout DC), Elle Bakery (Mt. Pleasant), Yerevan Cafe (Adams Morgan), Saku Saku Flakery or Fresh Baguette (Cleveland Park), and so on.

This cappuccino from Le Caprice DC didn't quite evoke the flavors and aromas that I'm keen to perceiving from my usual café stops.

Also, one big hang-up for me from Le Caprice DC was that they offer one size: large. Not only that, but for just over $4, the amount they filled up my large cup with milk foam relative to actual liquid was immediately evident the second they handed the to-go cup to me. Upon waiting for the foam to dissipate a bit, the liquid revealed itself (pictured).

I honestly hate it when cafés do this and fill your cup with significantly more foam than espresso. It takes skill to froth milk to a point where it becomes creamy with light froth (suitable for café art, for example). When you froth milk to the point when it's just air and bubbles, however, and then sell it to me as a size large...well...that's disappointing.

About the service: minimalistic. They took my order, fulfilled my order, said thanks and goodbye. That's it. If I sat in to stay, I might have received a little more attention, but that's alright--I was just in for a quick stop and wasn't asking for any special treatment.

PS: the Square/Block credit card reader at the counter follows the unfortunate trend of the increasing "guilt-trip" tipping option, where you have the "choice" to tip 15%, 20%, or 25%. Off of what total, I'm not sure as I did not look nor did I keep my receipt. This tactic is increasingly used shamefully towards customers for places that oftentimes don't offer much or any actual service, and it's known to increase irritation and play on a customer's sense of obligation to tip. Le Caprice DC implements this tipping mechanism, FYI.

Finally, bsed off the cappuccino I purchased and my purchasing experience from Le Caprice DC Café Bakery, I'm going to give them a disappointing 2/5 stars. ⭐️⭐️ You'd be better off getting...

I've been living nearby for the last two years and nearly always have a terrible experience in my dozen or so visits.

It costs $11 for an egg bacon croissant, but the price fluctuates from sloppiness and mistakes are made about half of the time on the order. I never know what I will get or what they will up-charge me. The wait is sometimes incredible - 20 minutes or more for a basic order. On top of that the manager has been rude.

I wish there were more options nearby, but try to find something else.

Edit: in reply to the response: yes, bacon/egg is $11, but I've also paid $7, and $9 depending on what is decided that day. The wait is almost always long, over 10 minutes, usually 20, even if empty, and the (assumed) manager I spoke with was a woman. I never submit posts like these, but frustration has built from over a dozen visits. Wishing there would less ridiculous prices that were actually consistent (and when I ask why it's different not yelled at),, orders would not be messed up 50% of the time, and the wait not 20 minutes when no one is there. I was there today, yesterday, and Monday of this week.

Edit x2: this same order of a croissant +...

I have been a frequent customer at this bakery over the past two years. I can’t speak to the desserts, but I’ve had everything on the breakfast menu. Their breakfast sandwiches are sub-par, largely flavorless ingredients, no salt. Almost always a disappointment, but hey, there’s not really anything else around here when you want breakfast on the go.

Firstly, the variety of baked goods is impressive. Their lunch sandwiches are hit or miss, I’ve tossed at least one in the can. That’s a problem, given how expensive the sandwiches are. The coffee is just fine, certainly not bad and does the job, but perhaps a bit overpriced for its quality. The croissants, however, hit it out of the park! They’re really as good as people say.

Ultimately, I’m grateful to have this place in the neighborhood, disappointing as it can be. It’s a quiet place to work and has nice atmosphere. If the owners put a new effort in, this place could fulfill its...