Tatte Bakery & Cafe | National Landing — Restaurant in Washington

I have a story, bear with me. I’m in DC for a conference and I fell ill (severe cold or maybe flu). Stuck in my hotel room with just cough drops and DayQuil I go and ask the bar-restaurant in the lobby if I can get a hot tea. They point me to a self serve area that dispenses tea and coffee out of a machine into a small 8oz cup for $7 (small bottled water for $5). I think to myself “absolutely not” and I proceed into the tunnels to seek out another option. The Lily Bubble Tea place showed open on my maps, but when I get there it was shutdown and vacant. I continued to the end of the tunnel and held the door for someone and asked her if she knew a good place for tea in the area. She must be a local because she immediately said “go to Tatte, it’s right around the corner.” I walked into Tatte and was immediately impressed with the atmosphere. However, I realized I couldn’t sit and enjoy because I’m sick and just wanted to get tea to go. The menu was clear and easy to read, the staff were friendly, and ordering was easy. After ordering two teas (Blood Orange Hibiscus and Lemon Chamomile) the staff doubled up the takeout cups and offered a cup holder. Two 16oz herbal teas for $6, a pretty good deal for the DC area, and much better than my hotel. I asked about honey and they pointed out the fully stocked self serve condiment station. Here is where my story gets interesting, thanks for sticking with me this far. On my way back to my hotel room I slipped and fell. While my pride was hurt, I was okay, but the teas both popped open and I lost my treasured herbal tea find. Slightly embarrassed I walked back to Tatte and repeated my order, along with my story about slipping. The staff showed concern and asked if I was ok. Prepared to pay again they said “no worries, it’s on us.” I don’t know if they realized how much that meant to me, but I left them another tip and safely navigated back to my hotel room where I thoroughly enjoyed both teas (they were both still warm). I didn’t catch their names, but I’m certain to go back tomorrow, try out their soup (to go) and tell management about the amazing service and kindness their...

I visited this café today to evaluate it as a potential location for a business lunch with an important customer. I arrived around 11:30am and asked whether it might be possible to reserve a table for three at 12:30pm. I was told that the café doesn’t take reservations and works on a walk-in basis, but the first staff member I spoke with was polite and open—he suggested I browse the space and see what might work, and said we could see what’s possible. I appreciated that openness.

After identifying a table, I returned to the counter and spoke with an older gentleman—possibly the owner, based on how he took charge of the interaction. From the beginning, his tone was abrupt and dismissive. As I started explaining the context of my visit, he cut me off and said, “You need to talk to me,” disregarding the earlier staff member’s input entirely. The other staff member was quietly working nearby and could hear everything, which made the moment even more uncomfortable.

I explained I was assessing the space for a professional meeting, but the conversation offered no support, guidance, or even a welcoming tone. Instead, I was met with vague responses and a clear sense that I wasn’t particularly welcome. That impression lingered—more than anything, it was the atmosphere and the way I was treated that shaped my experience.

They might have some good pastries or offerings—I didn’t get the chance to try anything. But unfortunately, based on that interaction alone, this didn’t feel like the right place for me, or the kind of setting I’d bring guests to.

Thankfully, I did manage to secure a different venue afterward, and we ended up having a great time—which helped take the edge off the...

The customer service here was really disappointing. I ordered three things: a pistachio latte, a breakfast sandwich, and a pastry. The staff told me where to pick up my latte but didn’t say anything different about the sandwich, so I assumed I’d get everything from the same spot.

I waited about ten minutes for the latte and was confused when the sandwich wasn’t there. I asked at the coffee station if I should go to the breakfast area, and they said yes. When I walked over, a man approached me and asked what I needed, then told me to “back up” from the counter. I’m guessing he was the manager, which made it even more surprising. How do you speak to a customer like that?

On top of that, the staff today looked like they didn’t want to be there. No smiles, no welcoming attitude, just blank expressions all around. The vibe felt cold and uninviting from the moment I walked in.

When I finally got my sandwich, it wasn’t even right. I had asked for the egg to be well done, and it wasn’t. The pistachio latte had little bits of pistachio swimming around it and the pastry was stale. I came here hoping for a quick takeaway to start my day off right, but instead I left irritated and disappointed.

Attached is what I got after all that waiting and poor communication. I had wondered why such a nice looking place didn’t have better reviews, and now I get it. I won’t be...