There’s nothing I like more than bread and chocolate. Except enjoying that bread and chocolate while sitting outside under an umbrella on a breezy summer-turns-to-fall kind of day.

Even better yet is a brunch for less than $20. Bread & Chocolate in Foggy Bottom offers a $14 prix fixe on Saturdays, Sundays, and Monday holidays. You get a small juice (orange, tomato, grapefruit, cranberry, or apple), caffeine (coffee, decaf, or hot tea), a personal mini bread basket, and an entrée. Entrees are typical brunch fare—omelets, French toasts, Benedicts. For the chocoholics in us, notable options are the Nutella Pfannkuchen (read: nutella crepe) and chocolate banana French toast.

The waitress was friendly and fairly timely. She was more than happy to bring iced coffee, which I greatly prefer. To be honest, though, the juices, although fresh squeezed, were rather small, and the coffee rather bland.

The bread basket (read: plate) was sub-par. The mini-versions of croissants, apple-raisin croissants, and muffins, which are baked by Bread & Chocolate (who also sells wholesale) were dry and lacked flavor. Frankly, no better than those in an office cafeteria.

I had the very berry French toast, and they were pretty cheap on the berry compote, my friends. But, the cinnamon challah and Bavarian cream were nice touches, differentiating this dish from your run-of-the-mill egg-battered bread.

Bridget had the Mediterranean omelet—made with sautéed spinach and tipiti, a red pepper, feta, garlic sauce—and the better dish on our table. She was satisfied, overall, with her meal. I quite liked the omelet’s sauce—unique touch—but it could have used more veggies, in my book.

The bitches say: B-. All in all, a decent spot for a quick, affordable brunch if you’re in Foggy Bottom. Work on the bread, though, people; it’s in your name.

Bread & Chocolate
2301 M St. N.W.
Washington, D.C.
(202) 833-8360