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Cafe La Ruche

1039 31st St. NW, Washington, DC 20007 | 202-965-2684 | Web site »
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Neighborhood:

Georgetown

Metro:

Foggy Bottom-GWU (Blue and Orange lines), Dupont Circle (Red Line)

Cuisines:

French, Coffeehouse

Tags:

brunch, outdoor seating, late night

hours:

Mon-Thu 11:30am-midnight, Fri 11:30am-1 am, Sat 10 am-1 am, Sun 10 am-midnight

Atmosphere:

Outdoor Seating

Price:

$$

Quick Take

La Ruche does the classics and does them well: quiche, onion soup, baked salmon, chocolate mousse. Opt for the patio in warm weather.

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Editorial Review

Cafe La Ruche is a good spot for a cup of espresso and a quiet lunch or dinner with a friend. It has been a fixture on 31st Street since 1974, when bistro-style French food served in a cozy atmosphere was a novelty. The French street signs, cheery yellow walls and rush-seat chairs are still there, looking a little tired but definitely homey.

Even while the interior could use a little sprucing up, the food remains dependable. La Ruche does the classics and does them well: quiche, richly delicious onion soup, baked salmon. Be sure to order dessert, especially the pastries and a very good chocolate mousse (but skip the frilly dots of whipped cream that decorate the plate).

Like any good French cafe, Cafe La Ruche has a dedicated following for both lunch and dinner, as well as a small late-evening crowd that comes in for pastries and pastis.

When the weather's nice, don't miss the chance to sit at one of the outdoor tables, tucked into the space between the restaurant and the Yes! bookstore.

-- Kathleen Stanley

 
 
 
 
 

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Reviews

drinks and dessert

Posted by patrickneil | Jun 10, 2009 | Mark as Inappropriate

Cafe La Ruche is a must in my book for drinks and dessert. I fear the food has suffered from ownership changes, but their chocolate mousse is still sinful, and it is a great romantic spot along the canal. My parents had one of their first dates here, and I still seek it out for mine.

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