[mappress]

For a city that contains a significant European presence, there are relatively few contemporary European-style cafés – the types of places you would go and socialize with friends for a few hours in a reserved, hip environment.  You can almost count the venues on one hand: Napoleon in Adams Morgan, Leopold’s in Georgetown, and a few others.  It was with a sense of optimism that I headed down to Georgetown to check out the recently launched Puro Café, which I had heard great things about from a close friend of mine.

Cost – $$

Food – B+
The menu contains a selection of well portioned paninis and flat breads. I tried both the prosciutto, fig & parmesan as well as the chicken breast with tomatoes and fresh basil and both were fantastic.  Rashid Hassouni, the proprietor, also brought a complimentary chocolate craquant, which was fairly light and tasty.

Service – A
I felt that the service was great.  The baristas were helpful and attentive and Hassouni himself came over on several occasions to check on us. He seemed genuinely interested in knowing about our experience at his establishment and what he can do to make it better.

Décor – A-
Simple, white furnishings, hardwood floors and nouveau classical french chandeliers culminate to create a general visual sense that can be described as “South Beach chic.”  It is the result of Hassouni’s vision and Tasty Concept’s design expertise.  The spacious patio is still in development and should prove to push Puro even further ahead once launched.

Feel – A
Hassouni’s goal is to create a contemporary, chic space where people can come to relax and socialize without feeling cramped or rushed and it is safe to say he has delivered on that vision.   The instant I walked in I immediately knew my days waiting for a worn couch at a coffee shop where I would sit in the midst of chaos and leave reeking of coffee, were over.   I went to Puro with the intention of grabbing a quick bite and doing some reading and I ended up staying there for the entire afternoon into the early evening.

Puro Café is located at 1529 Wisconsin Avenue.  They can be reached at (202) 787-1937.

Photos:

What’s the Buzz:

January 22, 2010 – Puro Cafe Opens on Wisconsin Avenue (CarolJoynt.com) – Early afternoon I stopped by the new Puro Cafe in almost upper Georgetown. Can’t tell you too much about it except very cozy, compact and pretty in shades of red and white. Very pretty red chandeliers that are familiar.  Full article…

[mappress]

Having attended Georgetown (many years ago) and frequented most of the Georgetown establishments ad nauseam, there was a period during which I didn’t even consider hanging out in what is probably one of the highlights of Washington, DC.  During the past several years I’ve started to rediscover the area, in large part due to the emergence of L2 and Leopold’s in the Cady’s Alley.  Cady’s Alley in particular has brought a Euro-chic vibrance to the area that it has long needed and long lacked.

Cost – $$

Service – B+
The waitstaff is friendly and professional.  They have come a long way since getting raked over the coals by Sietsema a few years back.

Food – B+
For me, the food is not the highlight of the establishment but it is an original, well-construed menu.  The skirt steak is well prepared and doesn’t disappoint.  The mussels, served in a white wine and parsley broth are also a good choice.  I’m not a dessert guy but people swear by the tortes and I’ve even talked to one person who cited Leopold’s tortes as one of the things they missed after leaving the area.

Decor – A-
The space is the real highlight of the venue.  If you sit out on the patio on a beautiful Spring or Summer day there are moments in which you can imagine yourself transported to Europe.  Beyond the space, the design aesthetics and accoutrements themselves are very Austrian – simple, clean and precise.

Feel – A
As I mentioned in the preface, Leopold’s Kafe has been a big part of the reason I’ve been spending more time in Georgetown recently.  The synthesis of the space, people and style is an ambiance like no other in the DC area.

What’s the Buzz:

May 7, 2009 – Somewhere very “us” (DC Gastronome) - S. came back to DC before embarking on her summer stint at the WHO, and I wanted to treat her to lunch to celebrate the end of her first year in graduate school. I gave her free reign over the location and cuisine – surviving Glennon is no small feat. People that have found their way back to DC often request Ethiopian food. After weeks away, I hanker for Thai. There’s something very interesting about food nostalgia, the twin aspects of the meals that you miss, coupled with the places and people that made them special. S. said she wanted to go “somewhere very us.”  Full Article…

April 21, 2009 – Leopold’s Kafe: A Nibble of Europe without the Passport (Capital Spice) – There is a beating heart of Europe slapped in the middle of Georgetown: outdoor drinking, light entrees and elegant pastries are yours for the taking if you just know when to turn off M Street and head down a stone flight of stairs.  Full Article…