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800 Connecticut Ave. NW
(202) 835-2233
Hours of Operation and Prices
Breakfast: M-F 8-11; Entrees: $5-$10
Lunch: M-F 11-3; Entrees: $8-$15
Afternoon Tea: M-F 3-7; Entrees: $2.50-$9
Closed: Sat-Sun
Other Information
• Credit Cards: American Express, MasterCard, Visa
• Dress: Casual
• Reservations: Accepted for parties of 5 or more
• Parking: Street
• Nearest Metro: Farragut West
• Handicapped accessible
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In this semi-self-service cafe, music from the 1940s plays and sun streams in through the big cafe windows. Beyond them are the green, pierced-metal cafe tables on the sidewalk and Decatur House across the street. Paris flourishes inside, in the accents of the utterly chic staff, in the floor of small mosaic tiles and the marble tables on ornate iron pedestals, and in the magazines filed in wall holders. Around a central column, clocks are set to times around the world.
The food looks magnificent; even the wines, stored behind the bar in horizontal cubicles, look especially tempting. And if the sandwiches and salads don't taste exactly marvelous, they are all fresh and agreeable. As for the high prices, it's worth a premium to spend a lunch hour in a place stylish enough to be at home on the Rue du Faubourg St. Honoré.
The menu changes daily, but there are always two soups. Pâté is also always available as an appetizer (enough for two) or a light entree. Sandwich fillings are layered with restraint, European style, rather than piled on heavily, American style, so sandwiches are no bargain, and I've been bored by the fillings. So I've mostly eaten salads. Sparkling with bright colors and mounded on huge white platters, they look irresistible: artichokes with green beans and asparagus, couscous with black olives and dried cranberries, cubes of grill-striped chicken with sliced leeks, Caesar dressed to order and topped with shrimp. The salad vegetables are fresh and precisely cooked. Everything in the fruit salad is also fresh, and moistened with its own juices.
Vox Populi provides a very civilized break for coffee and a croissant in the morning, soup and a small salad at lunch, a glass of wine and a quick sandwich for an early dinner.
© Copyright 1998 The Washington Post Company
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