Monday, June 11, 2007

napoleon complex

"An army marches on its stomach."
-Napoleon Bonaparte

Cafe Bonaparte
www.cafebonaparte.com
1522 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
202/333-8830

A taste of Europe right here in quaint little Georgetown...what could be nicer for a weekend brunch? Omelets are named after artists...it was love at first bite.

Not once, but twice, this weekend I enjoyed brunch at Cafe Bonaparte (it was really that good). The silver coiffered ceiling...the crimson walls...the tiny tables and perfectly portioned omelets and crepes could not have made for a nicer experience.

We started with a bloody mary--peppery, tart, thick, and boozy, these bloody marys were a step above the rest. They use a british mix, then add their own touch with fresh cracked pepper, lime juice, and an olive garnish...shaken once, before poured into a perfectly cyllindrical glass that makes drinking them purely delightful. At $7 apiece...go ahead and have two.

In addition to their wet bar, they've got one doozy of a cafe staff (in the old European sense). For your sweet tooth, they'll spoon Nutella into an espresso cup, top it with a single shot of espresso and some whipped cream. Dining like this on a Sunday morning is both heavenly and sinful.

For brunch, take note of all of their artistically crafted omelets and crepes...there is one for every appetite on the menu. My recommendation, though, is to listen carefully for their special of the day. Each weekend day, they craft an omelet of several carefully selected ingredients into a wonderful, savory, piece of breakfast that is almost too good looking to eat.

Turn the page from their brunch menu, and you will find a dizzying array of savory crepes and other entrees. They have an entirely separate menu for their sweet crepes and other patisserie.

I'll let you discover the rest on your own...you won't be disappointed. Cafe Bonaparte is truly Napoleon, dynamite.

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