Bread & Chocolate
611 King St, Alexandria, VA, 22314
Bread & Chocolate Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Alexandria for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Alexandria for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Alexandria for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
611 King St
Alexandria, VA, 22314 - Phone (703) 548-0992
- Website https://www.breadandchocolate.net
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :7:00 am - 7:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Stephanie W.
I really enjoy their brunch special! For $16 you get juice, coffee, pastries and an entree. Not cheap for food, but you always have enough pastries to take home. I usually order a bagel with lox, it's pretty standard and comes with all the fixins'. The pastries are delicious and come out almost immediately after ordering. This is a godsend, since I always arrive to brunch ravenous. I've been here several times, and sometimes the waitress mixes up the drink orders, but service is otherwise prompt and very friendly! I never have to wait for a table either. I really like it here, and will come back. Also yes, the bathroom is kind of gross.
(4)Richell L.
There are many delicious desserts! So difficult to choose from. Here with family and the chocolate eclair was very dry according to two family members. They give it 1star. The vanilla latte, was perfect, not to strong, but not to sweet. As far as the chocolate crossiants go, they were perfect, airy, and not too sweet. The service was superb and very helpful.
(3)Hadil A.
Found this spot while looking for both coffee and lunch. Place is clean and very inviting. We were greeted as soon as we walked in and directed to a table in the back. Our waitress was very friendly and brought water to our table immediately. The mocha was very big and very good. We ordered the shakshuka (very good) and the Thai salad (delicious.) The portions were perfect and our food came out very quickly. I felt like we barely waited. Sure enough we were too full for dessert but there were so many good options! They serve breakfast all day and that makes me very happy. I will be back for dessert! Make sure you check this place out.
(5)Brianna F.
My boyfriend and I came here for dinner last Saturday on a whim. We didn't have a reservation but were seated right away. We each ordered a sandwich with a side salad and loved them. When it came time to order dessert, we couldn't decide, so we got 2! Both were absolutely delicious. To top it off, our server was really sweet and attentive. I would definitely recommend stopping in for a casual dinner one night.
(4)Janelle V.
My roommate and I came here one sunday morning for brunch and we didn't really have many expectations. We decided to share the Inclusive Brunch that costs you $16 for one entree, a basket of pastries, juice, & coffee! I HIGHLY recommend you get your money's worth (whether you're sharing or want to conquer your brunch alone) shelling out a few extra dollars! We ordered the Black Forest Ham & Cheese Pfannkuchen, which is basically a thin German pancake that you can say resembles a crepe! And we weren't disappointed. It was a yummy well-balanced crepe that combined the sweetness from the pancake with the savoriness of the ham/cheese. I'm not sure if they have a set type of pastries that come with the inclusive brunch, but our basket had chocolate croissants, chocolate muffins, butter croissants, and bread. Service-wise, our waitress was very accommodating and helpful & didn't mind we were a group of four only ordering two inclusive brunches! She refilled our coffees and waters as needed. I wouldn't say this is a five-star restaurant or brunch place, it's pretty average but you can get a pretty good deal here and the food's not too shabby depending on what you order, but I can only really speak for my pfannkuchen!
(3)Renee B.
What a cute little place! Good was delicious and service was excellent! Would definitely come back again!
(5)Dani P.
I needed to get out of my house and study for GREs last Winter, and after some shopping on King Street, decided to hop in here and give it a try. The person working at the time was so nice; I ordered a pot of tea and a cheesecake. I sat by the window people watching while studying, and every now and then he'd ask if I wanted a refill of water for my tea. I tried to return again post dinner with friends in hopes of getting some desert. However, I guess because it was later at night, their selection was very limited, and one of my friends is gluten-intolerant, so we had to make our way elsewhere. I'll probably update my review once I've had more substantial food, but so far it's been a decent experience. It's in a killer location, if you can find parking.
(3)Kayla H.
This facility is quite cute. I like the set up. But, the service was only so-so. One of my party of six didn't get her order taken for some reason. Then, as we were finishing, we were lingering over the end of a conversation and two of the staff were sort of aggressively hovering, pointing, and making faces at our table. That was rude, plus, they weren't our table's server. Our server seemed a bit embarrassed by this. I would be too. Food wise, everything was reasonable. Nothing outstanding. My salmon had an industrial refrigerator taste too it--not fresh at all. But, it wasn't bad. Just not good. It was weird to me that they serve expensive tea bags when everything else was so middle-y in quality. The chocolate croissant tasted old, but I could imagine that had it been fresh, it'd have been quite tasty. If I were stuck in a rain storm and every other place was full, I'd eat here again without complaint. But if I had options, I wouldn't.
(2)He Said She Said ..
This is a review of our visits on the mornings of July 11 and 12. He Said: Well, my family has lived in the area for twenty-some years and this place has always been a favorite. It's been a bit since I've been because I moved south, but when it came time to leave my parents' house south of Old Town for a day of doing DC and then an Oriole's game there was no doubt a stop here was in the offing. Tasty tea, tasty coffee, flaky and buttery croissant and hearty muffins prove they are continuing to do what they've done. I've never been here for anything other than a baguette, croissant or muffin so I can't speak to the larger menu. But for cafe et pain, this is what I want. She Said: The tea was tasty--but I recommend two tea bags if you're getting a large to-go cup. The Morning Glory muffin was good, and the kids enjoyed their croissants. We didn't order a full meal, but what we had was definitely well worth the visit! Potty Points: I didn't visit the potty this time around.
(4)Stephanie S.
Been here twice first time stopped by to grab a loaf and the second to eat ...Fondue was amazing! !
(4)Janeen D.
Was excited to have brunch here at an outdoor table with my dog. I wanted to patronize a local place. However, the server assigned to the outside section seemed very afraid of my dog. I asked if she was, and she said she was not, but she was not very friendly at all. My dog is 11 years old and medium sized, and was being very mellow! She also never smiled and was very annoyed when I asked for the bread basket that was supposed to come with our breakfast. When I spoke to one of the managers, one of the servers's friends came over to hear what I was saying. Very unprofessional. What a shame...this could be a great spot if it weren't for the service.
(2)Meghan F.
My husband and I popped in here today for a light lunch and were very satisfied! This place has been on our Old Town to-do list and we were happy we decided to eat there today. We each had a cup of the potato leek soup and split the sandwich sliders. The soup was very tasty - flavorful, warm & not too heavy. It was perfect on a cold snowy day. The sliders included ham & Brie, roast beef & bleu cheese, and a turkey with chipotle spread. All were delicious! The size of the sliders was perfect - not tiny but about the half size of a normal hamburger bun. They were the perfect size to split between two people. We did not have any room left for desserts but they all looked amazing. The atmosphere in the restaurant is nice and cozy. They have a small bar that looked like a great place to come sit and study or work during the day. The prices might seem a little high but they are normal here in Old Town. They seemed about the same as La Madeleine and I would rather go here because it's much less crowded. I would definitely recommend Bread & Chocolate to someone looking for a lighter meal and a cozy atmosphere.
(4)Lendsey C.
This little shop was tucked away near one of my favorite sangria spots. It seems a little ornate for what is essentially a coffee shop. Customer service was average, prices were a little high, and the desserts while looking appealing weren't as flavorful as I had hoped. My "cheese" danish was lacking a lot of cheese. The seating in the front seems like an afterthought just because it is very small/tight to sit in. I think this place might be good for a try to make your own opinion but I doubt I'll be returning.
(2)B R.
I've been here several times over the past few years. It's an ok option for coffee and dessert if other places aren't open or convenient but nothing special at all. I've enjoyed their coffee drinks, especially their cafe lattes in cool weather. And it's a decent place to sit outside on warmer days. However their pastries are pretty average and about half of the time they aren't fresh. Also the ambience inside feels stale and even a bit cafeteria-esk. If you are looking for a place for dessert and coffee I'd recommend Fontaine Creperie or Lavender Moon Cupcakery, if you can go when they are open.
(3)Catherine S.
I've been coming here for over 5 years. They're service is always good and the food is great.
(4)Juliet A.
I'll keep this short and sweet. -The hot chocolate is to die for. Velvety and rich. -The coffee is horrible. Super watery tasting and lukewarm. -I ordered a chocolate croissant to go, and the gal forgot about it (despite the fact there was no one in line after me, so it isn't like this was busy...). I waited a few minutes for her to remember and when it was clear she had just forgotten, I asked and she did one of those classic "Ooooh RIGHT what was it you wanted again?" -That being said, the croissant was delish.
(2)Ruvinda P.
My fiancée and I have been going here for years since we started dating. We love going here for brunch after doing some shopping/looking around the farmers market/pottering about Cameron and king street. Great french toast, nice omelets and bread baskets.
(5)Molly J.
5 stars because the food is very very delicious, and the staff is very friendly. A few favorites: Chocolate French toast, potato leek soup, salmon bisque soup, all of the sandwiches, turkey pot pie, chili, ... Everything that I have tried I have loved.
(5)Sonia T.
Oh how I wish we had Bread and Chocolates in the South! When I travel back to DC, I always make it a point to stop in. I love that they have a $15 breakfast that comes with coffee or juice and a basket of pastries. Their fresh OJ is delicious, and their German Pancakes are the best. This last time I had the nutella, which was very sweet, but still very good. They also have areally great waffles, crepes, and omelets. Such a cuttle little place with outdoor seating.
(4)Michael J.
Saturday bunch was very good...had the "big breakfast." If u r n area...excellent service...great atmosphere!(don't forget to get your "mimosa" it comes w/meal)
(4)Marie G.
Epic French toast! Delish cinnamon bread, Nutella, custard, ganache...it doesn't get any better! Service was good, the ladies left me alone which is great but they were around when I needed them. Prices are resonance. The outdoor seating is limited to two tables.
(4)Alexandra H.
Get the shakshuka. So good! Very prompt, friendly service and a unique and tasty menu. I'd definitely go back!
(4)John A.
I moved to Alexandria 6 months ago and have been coming to Bread and Chocolate every single weekend for brunch since I moved here - I even came here on valentines day with my wife. I decided to come here on a snow day (02/26/2015 from 12pm-2pm) during the week to read the newspaper and get some work done on my laptop while enjoying coffee and a nice breakfast. I did just that, the food was above average as usual, however the service was deplorable to the point where they have lost my business. The server did not once smile or even greet me when she came to my table, she was very standoffish to the point where I felt bad for just asking for a glass of water, which she did not bring - This is all not a big deal and it happens, but this is not the reason I am not returning, it is only what set the stage for what was to come. I ordered my food, it came in a timely fashion, and it was fine as usual. I finished my cup of coffee and the waitress did not bring a refill. For reasons stated previously, I almost felt bad having to ask her for a refill because of the way she was acting and the look on her face the whole time she was in the restaurant, but I did finally ask for one after losing hope that she would notice I needed a refill, but she clearly did not want to give me a refill based on her demeanor. I asked for the refill and got it about 5 minutes later. None the less, ten minutes later after I finished my cup of coffee, I requested another refill, which took about 15 minutes to get only after I had to remind her again that I would like a refill on my coffee (the coffee was already brewed). None of this is a big deal, it is just classic poor restaurant service, but really its not a big deal. This is the big deal: Another 15 minutes later, I requested another refill at which point she said "I am not giving you a refill. Our policy is we only give TWO refills and then you have to pay for any extra coffee you drink." Are you kidding me? Really? An restaurant that serves coffee and their policy is they only serve TWO refills on coffee? And mind you, the cups are TINY, i'm talking in the 5oz range, they might as well be espresso shot glasses. I told her that I am a regular and have been coming here every weekend for the last 6 months and have always received more than two refills on coffee, she then looked at me with an angry look and she said "You're not a regular i've never seen you here before. You can't come and sit here for 2 hours and drink free coffee after two refills." Wow. Unbelievable. That is a verbatim quote. I replied stating "I simply request another refill on my coffee or I will leave the restaurant and never return." She then begrudgingly brought me another cup of coffee that was topped off all the way to the top to the point where a some of it spilled when she put it on the table. None got on me or anything like that, but it was just the principle of it and quite obvious that it was not a mistake. It is important to note that from the time period of 12pm to 2pm, I was one of maybe FOUR total patrons in the entire restaurant. It is inexcusable to treat me like this. Thanks a lot for good consistent brunches over the last 6 months Bread and Chocolate, but thanks to this poor experience, I will never come back.
(1)John I.
It's just average! Food is ok. Although the they are known for pastries and baked goods, the croissants tasted stale, cake was dry as if not fresh. The service is slow, hostess nervously scurried around as if it's her first day. I think they need to train the service staff much better ....seems like they wing it. Coffee was good. It's just ok!
(3)Nathan B.
Damn sorriest place I've ever been to. Waited at a table for 20 minutes and no one came by to serve us
(1)Karisa D.
*****3 1/2 stars**** With a name like Bread and Chocolate, you would hope that they make decent bread and chocolate treats. I came here with a group of friends for brunch recently. Their menu is full of various brunch items. During the weekend, they have a brunch good deal: brunch entree, pastry basket, coffee, tea and, juice (with refills which I appreciate) all for $15.00. The pastry basket comes with a chocolate croissant, muffin, and apple danish. I ordered the Salmon Benedict, which was tasty. The pastries were good too, though I would have liked more chocolate in the chocolate croissant. There was barely any chocolate. The service was wonderful. Our waitress really knew the menu, made great recommendations, and made sure our beverages were never empty. I'll be back to Bread and Chocolate...hopefully they'll have more chocolate :)
(3)Charles R.
I have been enjoying cakes from B@C for over 20 years, but my recent experience with B@C at 611 King St. was totally disappointing. The 6 inch fruit bavarian that I ordered on-line on Sat.(10/11) and picked up Sun.(10/12) was not close to being fresh and the fruit on top was mostly not edible. I was somewhat wary when I phoned in my order because they did not ask for my name or ask for any payment guarantee. I firmly believe that I was given a left-over product instead of a freshly backed cake. i
(1)Gabby F.
My husband and I ate brunch here. The food was tasty and our waitress Tricia was delightful. Unfortunately the price was high and we decided not to come back again because of the price.
(3)Brandi S.
Very elegant setting. The desserts were all we got and they were presented well and tasty, but messy. Counter ladies were nice :-)
(4)Mattie C.
Yummmm - this place is great! I have always wanted to go here and had some time the other day while getting a prescription filled at CVS. I decided to have a nice breakfast while people-watching out the window. I had the chocolate banana french toast, which was delicious but quite rich - I had trouble finishing it even though I enjoyed every bite. There was a pile of what I think is called creme frece on the side of it that was amazing by itself and also complimented the toast when you dipped into it. Heaven. I had latkas on the side with sour cream and baked apple glop. Honestly, I have had better latkas before but these weren't bad. The sour cream and baked apple glop was a really good idea and the tastes really complimented each other. I LOVE sour cream as well as baked apples and the tastes worked together really well. I also had coffee with some milk. I got my own nice little milk pourer and the coffee was very delicious. The service was also great - they were very friendly and really good at regularly returning to the table to refill the coffee. And lastly, for the quality of the food, I did not find the prices to be unreasonable. This is overall a very nice little cafe to get some good breakfast food and coffee. There were also some very interesting sounding omelettes on the menu that I may try next time. I definitely recommend!
(4)Emily L.
This cafe is adorable! Hand-painted murals, wrought-iron tables and an impressive display of pastries greet you upon entry. I had a latte while waiting for my friend, and when she arrived, we moved back into the more formal dining area to talk and work. It was midmorning and I wasn't very hungry, so I ordered a fruit salad: it was beautifully presented and very fresh. My friend enjoyed the French Dip sandwich, which was served with salad (I think an across-the-board transition from fries to salad would do a lot for the collective health of our country! Just saying.) Service was a little odd; the woman who appeared to be our server was absent a lot, so the very helpful barista brought us drinks and took care of us about half the time. My friend did have to ask three times for water with no ice; I know that's a specific request but it didn't seem to be a difficult one. I would love to return when hungrier, especially for one of those amazing desserts I walked by.
(3)sonia g.
Had a Saturday brunch at this place - a perfect spot for that. It's located on a cute, busy street in the heart of Old Town Alexandria. Service - the staff were beyond nice. Food -- delicious! The Norwegian salmon platter was fresh and perfect to share and the German apple pancakes were INCREDIBLE. I liked how the menu was versatile and not just the usual set of breakfast/lunch items. The place also struck me as very well-run and clean. P.S. Good lattes. Will definitely be back!
(4)Chris E.
We sat outside on the small two top just to the left of the entrance. Nice little spot, great for people watching during the art festival. We ordered the big breakfast and two chai lattes. The big breakfast which came with three scrambled eggs, sausage, and potatoes was nothing to write home about but was palatable nonetheless. The chai latte was excellent as was the fresh bread and jam. Hana, our server, was simply amazing. Friendly, attentive and took very good care of us. Had the service been bad I would have had to knock two stars from the rating. We will definitely return but probably won't order the big breakfast again.
(4)Jennifer P.
In general good but not great. However you won't regret the chocolate rugelach - a tasty blend of chocolate, sugar pastry, and nuts. The quiche is a bit greasy but yummy and very cheesy. Service is a little slow.
(3)Leigh D.
Letter B: The reason I'm giving this one star was the rudeness of the server. The food itself was very mediocre. After a month living in DC area in November, I wanted to try a new restaurant, and I tried a Groupon Now deal. The server was slow and unfriendly; never smiled at me once. I normally tipped 20% (sometimes more), but I was so angry at her rudeness, I used my credit card and put about a 50 cent tip (or 6% of the original total), and I wrote a note on the credit card bill saying 'The reason your tip is so low is that you were unfriendly and didn't smile once.' Because of one really bad service experience, I will NEVER go back here.
(1)Ken C.
A little over price for their quality of breakfast. During the weekday is very quiet and perfect for a quick morning meet up before work. The environment is comfortable and not a bad place for couple.
(3)John T.
Never actually ate here, so this is a review of our negative experience with one waitress. My wife and I were coming from the Farmer's Market when we decided to stop in. It was Saturday around 10:30am. The place was not busy -- I'd guess less than 50% of the tables were taken. We hadn't eaten breakfast but weren't terribly hungry, so decided to grab a coffee to-go. While I was waiting for the coffee, my (36 week pregnant) wife walked outside and looked through the menu sitting on an outdoor table. She sat down and was reading the menu. When I came out, she noted that they served Nutella w/ pancakes (knowing Nutella is like my kryptonite!) I immediately sat down to find what else they might have. At this point, "Bread and Chocolate" was going to likely turn an unplanned $2 coffee stop into $20 of revenue / meal. Out walks an old bitty of a waitress that quickly snips in broken English* "are you eat"? She obviously sees my to-go coffee and I replied, with a smile to try to meet her bitterness with calm, "We might. I think we're going to take a look at the menu and decide." She literally tossed two sets of silverware/napkins on the table and said "Yeah, this full service table only". She came back like 30 seconds later, ready for us to order or bounce us out, lol. I told her "I think we're just going to stick with this coffee". I don't think I finished my sentence before she yanked the silverware and napkins off the table and turned back inside without a word. I will be back for the pancakes w/ Nutella, but will have to avoid Grandma Grumpy.
(1)Isel L.
Came here with friends this past Sunday for brunch/breakfast. They had a brunch special for $15 that included chocolate and banana French toast (there were other options but that is what I chose!), coffee and apple juice. And to top it off, you get a plate with 4 pastries that included an apple strudel, mini blueberry muffin, a chocolate croissant and another item I can't remember. The food was amazing! Def needed after running a half marathon the day before. That was my treat to myself. Haha. Highly recommend. Quick service but I only gave it 4 stars since we were pretty much pushed out because we were just sitting there taking up space/talking to friends long after we finished our food.
(4)Aleena S.
Amazing place to go. Great service and food. I came here some time ago with my friend V on a very, very cold & windy night. There was barely anyone on the streets. We were willing to go anywhere and came in to this cozy, modestly sized place. There was one other couple sitting inside of the restaurant (which I'm sure was because it was below freezing outside, and it was good. We had all the attention on us!) The waitress was a very sweet and offered us tea & coffee to warm us up from the cold outside. She started a short but pleasant conversation with V and I and it got it off to a good start. Although it was about 9 pm, I was craving something off the breakfast menu and the waitress was more than happy to have the chef make it for me. The food was delicious (I don't quite remember what we got but the salad + sandwich that V ordered came with this amazing, mouth watering sauce. It was heaven) The desserts are average. Nothing I could complain about. The waitress offered us a second serving of my tea/V's latte. In the end, after checking the receipt, she hadn't charged me or her for the drinks (thank you!) I would definitely come back here again! Cute place for a date
(5)Jenni H.
Oh man! Wonderful service and a new (Amazing) menu. Take a stroll down King St and make a good decision for once, eat at Bread and Chocolate!!
(4)Dana P.
I can't say enough wonderful things about this place. Their food is right up my alley - fresh, delicious, and has a home feel about it that is really hard to get at a restaurant. I am a tough critic, as I am a foodie myself and appreciate really good service. This place really delivers. Their staff is so on point, very attentive, and really cares that you have a good experience. They are always smiling, have my water filled at all times, and make sure my food is out in a timely manner. My best friend and I are here almost every Sunday and would never think to go anywhere else. By far, one of my favorite places to eat.
(5)Alexandra N.
Fortunately my food and drink was delicious because service from young lady at the counter was really bad.
(3)Mehkta W.
Hidden gem!! Get their chicken empanadas and berries & cream latte. Strangely very good!
(5)John A.
You serve breakfast all day? "We're out of the Euro pastry basket that comes with your brunch...We're out of the french toast you just ordered...We're out of orange juice...& apple juice...& most of what's on the breakfast menu." Sunday 1pm. Father's day. You're out of OJ then squeeze some oranges or go to the store. Ridiculous.
(2)Jim K.
A nice spring Sunday morning, and I found myself here to have a light breakfast on the tiny patio. The service was pleasant and attentive. The Ham and Swiss omelet I ordered was wonderful. I sampled a few of their pastries, and they were quite good. A great place for breakfast and people watching.
(4)Terrie R.
stopped in for breakfast while waiting for a certain tea shop to open. The waitress suggested the chocolate croissant with my tea and eggs benedict. I thought she had forgotten me, and was just getting ready to check on her when she returned with hot water and a cup--no tea--and an apple danish (???). She set them down and didn't actually come back with the tea until my water was only lukewarm. When I asked about the croissant, she said they were out. When my breakfast came, she didn't get the silverware to the table for another five minutes. The eggs benedict were tasteless except for an overpowering lemon flavor, and the latkes that were served with it were burnt black, and so salty I could hardly eat them! Yeah, I could have gotten a better breakfast across the street at Starbucks!
(2)Rachel S.
The latte I had here was definitely tasty, however the chocolate croissant was just meh. It wasn't actually a real croissant...not buttery at all or light. My husband's brioche was also not technically a brioche. Neither were bad, per se but both were not what they were being called. The brioche was a bit dry and more like challah. The three stars are for the good coffee, don't expect a whole lot from their pastry selection.
(3)Julie W.
The service is great but the food is hit or miss. We've tried for both brunch and lunch now and probably won't be going back. The espresso drinks are delic but the food just isn't ever impressive. Breakfast potatoes and panini bread have been cold and soggy every time. Presentation of the food is also lacking. Croissants and Desserts look beautiful but we haven't ever tried. Maybe that's what this place should stick to.
(2)Shamika F.
I'm a big fan of Bread & Chocolate, I even worked at the one that used to be on the corner of Pennsylvania Ave when I was a teenager. I've always enjoyed popping in for brunch or just picking up a sandwich and coffee to go. Now and days I go to the one in Old Town and I find it very enjoyable. The new brunch menu is great, and the crab cakes with a poached egg on the side is what I'm digging right now. The ladies that work there are very nice and attentive and make the visit all the more pleasant.
(4)Raffi M.
Bread & Chocolate serves a relatively tasty and inexpensive lunch. No, the pastries aren't that good*, and the eggs are somewhat tough, and the coffee's not so great, but for whatever reason I've left in a good mood the two times I've visited. I suppose that's usually worth 3 stars from me, but I'm feeling stingy. By the way, the brunch deal isn't that great. You're probably better off ordering a la carte, unless you must have the (not that good, see above) pastries. * How are they not that good? Let's take the chocolate croissant, my favorite pastry in the world. Leathery exterior, a bread-like crumb inside, and lame chocolate to boot. Like I said -not great. Just go to Trader Joe's and buy their (truly excellent) frozen chocolate croissants.
(2)Vishal S.
Stopped by for a quick cappuccino and mango cake and was not disappointed. The coffee was good, a tad bit too strong for me. The cake was almost as good as the Mango cake from Whole Foods (which I love!). Service was friendly and quick too.
(3)Matt C.
Really disappointed in this place. Overpriced, bland tasteless baked goods. Had the (very large) chocolate chip cookie. Had a total of ONE chocolate chip in a cookie 4" in diameter.
(2)Dan H.
My wife and I wanted some croissants during our late morning bike ride...we'd been to Bread & Chocolate once before and we wandered in to see they had a bounty! Unfortunately, the croissants were awful...tough, dry, and without flavor. The service left a little to be desired...a long time waiting for 2 croissants to be placed on a plate and brought the 10 feet to us. Also, I specifically asked for some jam with mine at the outset but then had to ask twice more before it came 5 minutes later. I will say their "baker's basket" filled with mini offerings looks very good... I especially like miniature things.
(2)Amanda D.
Service was awful. Food was alright; I've had better.
(2)Dan W.
Walking up from the Farmer's Market one morning and saw the sign saying my 2 favorite words so I decided to go in for a nice Breakfast. All the people that worked there were really friendly since I walked in the door. This is also the only place puts lemon in the water without asking for either, that's good service. The breakfast menu was pretty good, very european. I like the look and taste of my food, l like the look of the food around me too. They actually put lots of ingredients on your dish. Say a banana French Toast, pretty sure has the entire banana, plus some strawberries on it. the Oatmeal comes with plenty of apples, other fruits and nuts. Coffee/Latte was yummy, baked goods were fresh. I don't know how this place has such low ratings but should consider trying.
(4)Kiel R.
Was looking for a place to study in Old Town Alexandria. After many disappointing stops in various coffee shops in Old Town I stumbled upon Bread & Chocolate. The coffee and snacks were adequate but the wifi was great. Fast and responsive. I would recommend coming here if you need a reliable internet connection which is hard to find in this area.
(4)Michelle T.
Just had breakfast there. Waited forever to get our breakfast items. Bread was stale. The shakshuka, although sounding exotic and delish, was anything but. The tomatoes and spice combo tasted like bad vegetarian chili. I should have sent it back and ordered another item. Having spent $80 for breakfast on mother's day, it wasn't a very pleasant experience. Definitely not worth it. Go somewhere else.
(1)Zoey P.
They started out across from the Eisenhower metro and made their way to the prestigious King St. In Old Town Alexandria. Definitely not comparable, unique to the tee, unimaginable hospitality and forever delicious. Some like to say la Madeline a block down is better but they are the retail chain consensus. I continue to eat here since 2005 due to the attention they give to each plate. Pricing is fair as well and the offer the most amazing desert options. Five stars!
(5)Colleen M.
The first time I went in, they had reduced all their pastries/breads to half price at the end of the day. Man, that was a good day. The second time I went in, I paid full price. 2 croissants and 2 small lattes came to 10$. Okay, fair enough. I guess. The lattes were really, really hot. Too hot. We had to wait a good ten minutes before we had the testicular fortitude to try a sip. When we did, they were fine. Not as bitter as Starbucks, but nothing to Yelp about. The croissants were a huge disappointment. At 4pm, they already tasted stale and were just ... heavy. The middles were okay, but the ends were terrible. I've never come that close to leaving a bakery croissant unfinished. Both the lattes and the croissants were the sort of thing you wouldn't bother complaining about if you were, say, visiting your little sister at Grinnell in a small Iowa town. But if you're in the DC metro, you can so easily do better. Indeed, just cross the street to La Madeline (first choice for lattes) or Le Pain Quotidien (tied on croissants). Both are much better for about the same price.
(2)Angela G.
Mixed feelings about Bread and Chocolate in Old Town Alex. Like the European Cafe type atmosphere and their menu offerings. And their location is convenient for me. Had breakfast/brunch there this morning with 2 friends in the neighborhood. I absolutely loved my vanilla latte, consider it one of the better ones I've had. And liked my Birchermuesili (although I still like Teaism's better), which I don't often find in alot of places around here. They did seem to rush us though. They were really ready for us to leave to free up the table and I don't think we were there that that long...we were just enjoying a leisurely breakfast and chatting. It was not like we were there for 2 hours. And the server sort of made a face of annoyance when my friend asked for granola for her greek yogurt...don't think that was necessary. Not overly impressed with the artisan bread basket, was not what I expected I guess. Probably would not order again (although it does come automatically with some entree selections). But remember on another occasion, our party really liked the European Breakfast Basket option...better way to go probably (although more pricey). So not sure I agree with the really negative/dismal reviews, although not rushing to go back, it's a close option for me that I'd visit again. And the noise level is not bad.
(3)Jamie W.
I cannot say enough good things about this place!!! This is one of my favorite places in OT to bring guests to. I am always pleased with my food and the service is always excellent and attentive. If that isn't enough the prices are more than fair. Their menu is so varied. Don't let other reviews talking about European food confuse you. They have a worldly menu. Latin, North African, American southwest, Scandinavian, and of course European. They also change their menu regularly so you will never get bored. Plus, the pastries and desserts are the best! You definitely have to save room so get some small plates and share.
(5)Kristen C.
We wandered in after leaving La Madeleine French bakery because they were out of croissants (?!) and were pleasantly surprised. Here's what we ordered: Cuisine a-go-go Eggs Benedict Chocolate banana french toast (with the European brunch basket with mini-goodies) Cafe Lattes Everything was really good. I was happy with the service, the way my eggs were cooked (and if you've read my review for City Diner, you know I have egg peculiarities), the bread, the portions, and prices. Good option for weekend breakfast/brunch or a quick stop-in for coffee.
(4)Sarah M.
We ate at Bread and Chocolate today on President's Day with friends. Service is quick and pretty down-to-business. Coffee was constantly refilled. I was really missing real bacon - the turkey stuff just doesn't do it for me, but my croissant sandwich was descent. We shared a plate of the nutella pancakes for the table - delicious - but hard to not love those. All of the dishes here were fine, but nothing wowed me.
(3)Jerry V.
I placed an order for a birthday cake a week ago and tried to pick it up today. Unfortunately, when I arrived at the bakery, they didn't have it. I was fully expecting attitude. Instead, I found the store owner/manager extremely sincere and apologetic. To my complete surprise, she then handed me a replacement cake - for free. I've never experienced this kind of customer service from a business before. I was floored. I'll definitely be back. Coincidentally, the cake was delicious - grand marnier, light, and not too sweet. It reminded me of cakes I've grown up on in Europe (or what some reviewers here, subconsciously addicted to high fructose corn syrup, refer to as "bland.") Amazing experience. Thank you!
(5)Jennifer E.
We love going to Bread and Chocolate on our trips up to DC - their breakfasts are our favorite. This time, we had chocolate banana french toast, and an almond croissant. Yumminess. We were on our way to a game, and even though they were a bit busy, they fed us and got us on our way in no time!
(5)Jordan A.
The ONLY reason they are getting two stars is because their cakes are actually good. This is the worst customer service I have ever experienced. I placed an order for a cake one afternoon and scheduled a pick-up the following morning. The woman who took my order confirmed and I went in the next day to pick-up my boss' birthday cake. To my complete and utter disbelief the manager said "We don't make this cake anymore, I tried to call the employee yesterday who took your order, but she didn't answer." I asked her why she didn't call me to let me know they didn't make this cake, and she had no answer for me. NONE. She then tried to lie and say that she just found out about it this morning, when she had already admitted she knew yesterday. Instead of offering me a replacement or suggesting something similar, she said that she could SELL me any cake that was in their display window (not fresh). I won't go back again, the service and response was totally unacceptable, especially from a community that is typically so friendly.
(2)Maria K.
The service leaves something to desire -- it's always awkward, and the servers never seem to really know what they're doing... but the food is incredible; I usually get the strawberry and chocolate french toast, and my friend gets an omelet so we can share! If you're looking for a terribly 'authentic' French bakery, go somewhere else... but if you're happy with a delicious, affordable breakfast -- by all means, stop in!
(4)Erin W.
Brought my daughter and sister there for coffee and a treat, and really liked it. The interior wasn't super fancy or French cutsy, it was rather plain decor. However, the service was great! They brought us sweet bread for my kid (and didn't charge for it), and I had a cafe latte and we got the chocolate fondue. It was yummy and well presented, and the waitress didn't hate us even though my not quite 2 year old had a chocolate frenzy with her bread and everything was fingerpainted to the nines. Very nice, I liked it, and I'd go back. Plus, I really like the name...
(4)Faith C.
My husband and I were walking up and down King Street looking for a place to have breakfast. I looked on Yelp to see what was around, and despite the dismal reviews, we decided to try Bread and Chocolate. We are so glad we did! We were greeted by a very nice hostess/waitress who waited on us throughout our meal. Very sweet person. I ordered the chai latte (so delicious!) and we were given a basket of tasty sweet bread (challah?) and jam. For breakfast, we ordered nutella and apple pancakes (yum!) We wish we lived in the area because we would definitely go back!
(5)Kendal Ann M.
I'm bother that this place has three stars and by the fact that I couldn't give them a half of a star. Last Sunday a friend and I were in the area and decided to take a quick breakfast before the rest of our day. We stumbled upon Bread & Chocolate, which neither of us had been to before, we thought it would be quick, easy, painless, and perfect. Low and behold, it was none of those things. The service was awful, we waited 20 minutes after being seats for menus, we had to ask for water, and our bread basket didn't come until the end of the meal. To top the meal off, our waitress never asked how our meal was or refilled our waters. We had to ask the host to bring our check, which we thought would be the turning point of the breakfast, false...it made things worse. We asked for the check to be split and he charged my friend the whole bill and me half. One transaction went through on my card and the other one is still pending almost a week later. I wouldn't suggest this place to anyone for a sit down breakfast, maybe a grab-and-go.
(1)Felix Y.
I won't say this is out-of-this-world good, and it's certainly not worth making a huge effort to get here, but it was a decent brunch option for me and a friend on Saturday morning. My friend's eggs benedict, and my eggs/bacon/sausage plate were both fine. Service was quick and responsive too. Prices were very reasonable (especially compared to other Old Town locations). The place had a nice, busy weekend morning buzz to it, but we were comfortably seated and didn't feel rushed. I would enjoy coming back here, and if my experience with La Madeleine in Georgetown is any indication, I would pick this over La Madeleine further down the street.
(3)Mark A.
Agree with the lower ratings of this place. While the coffee was good, the baked good were anything but. Stale baked goods on a Saturday morning? Of all days, this should be as fresh as it gets. Pass this place by and leave it for the tourists. Sad for old town.
(1)Ashley C.
The food was amazing, but very filling! Don't eat a lot of the bread if you want to eat your brunch too! We ordered off the of the Saturday/Sunday brunch menu, tons of food for only $15 a piece. Great spot, but service was a little slow.
(3)Lisa L.
Very slow service. I was ignored to the point that I just got up and left before ordering.
(1)Tracie M.
I had such a great meal here today! Iced coffee: Yum! Basket of breads: Three different kinds. I don't know which one I liked best. One was kind of a wheat bread I think, one was cinnamon and one was maybe cardamom. I'm not sure but it was delicious. It was served with quality strawberry jam, too. Ham & cheese omelet: Just perfect. Generous amounts of ham & swiss. Hash brown thing: I'm not quite exactly sure what this was because it seemed more savory than regular hash browns. Don't know what was in it but it was good! The service: Pretty slow but I wasn't in a rush so it was OK. (If I'd been in a rush I don't think I would have been as generous with the stars.) Price: I ended up spending $12 bucks plus tip for my meal. Worth every penny. Someone at the table next to be ordered the banana french toast and it looked wonderful too! Would definitely go back here again next time I'm in Old Town. --- UPDATE: I had such a good experience last time that I came back. This time I had a much different experience. (Revised my stars from 5 to 4.) Consistency is important and the service here just isn't consistent. Five different people waited on me. Not sure why. One person seated me, another took my order, another brought the order, a fourth brought me a coffee refill (after I painstakingly flagged her down) and a fifth brought the bill. It was all super super rushed and not comfortable. (Weird to say this after I commented last week that the service was SLOW. This time it was totally different, and not necessarily in a good way!) The whole service was rushed. Ie., the waitress came by at one point and said "Is everything OK?" I started to says, "Yes, but can I have more coffee?" however before I got to the "but" she was at the next table hurriedly asking customers there "Is everything OK?" Also, I ordered the omlet again, the same like last week, but they didn't bring me any bread. When I asked for bread she said it wasn't included and I had to show the waitress on the menu that yes it is. She brought it right away, though. Verdict: Food: A Service: C-
(4)Khurom K.
Desperate to have a decent breakfast on our way to Mount Vernon from DC we happened upon this little gem in Alexandria. Firstly, they serve breakfast all day. This is awesome when you are a late sleeper like me. They actually looked offended when I asked if they still serve breakfast. Secondly, the food is excellent -- we had omelettes, the big breakfast, and a tuna sandwich. All very good. Complimentary homemade bread basket consisting of cinnamon bread, brioche and challah was also provided; along with complimentary seasonal biscuits. They also serve amazing homemade gourmet hot chocolate. Exemplary service from the waitress e.g. offering to reheat the excellent hot chocolate when it went cold. Best breakfast I have had in the US. Come here for breakfast!
(5)Paul D.
Read all the reviews and was apprehensive about eating here due to many one star ratings. My lunch was just fine: chicken pot pie and an apple turnover. The seasoning was nice and the vegetables in the pot pie fresh and good quality. The turnover was dry and the apple filling didn't couple well to the bread, but only cost $2.50 which is cheap in this part of town for any pastry. Our waitress was friendly, refilled the drinks several times, and was attentive. Give this place a chance!
(3)Janet M.
I had the California turkey croissant sandwich with mixed greens salad. Fresh food and great service. Great for lunch or a pastry.
(3)Isabel B.
I do have to say that I love the look of this restaurant, very Euro-chic, but I'm still ambivalent as to what star rating Bread and Chocolate deserves. The first time I ate brunch here the omelet was runny and oily, but the pastry basket was delicious. The second time, I showed up for brunch again with a group of five people, no reservations, and on a Saturday morning. I was glad to hear the hostess say that she could seat us right away. Sure enough, a few minutes later she took us to a small table towards the front of the restaurant, but given the fact that we didn't wait at all, none of us minded the fact that we were a little cramped. The waitress came by fairly quickly and we all got coffee and waters. To eat I ordered the Mediterranean Omelet ($9), which came with a "tipiti" sauce (feta, bell pepper, garlic) that was very tasty. I also requested that it be made with egg whites only, and they were very accommodating with my request. Also, every main dish came with a basket of artisan bread, butter, and jam, also delicious. Since all my friends seemed pleased with their food and there were no major complaints I have to say that this second visit was way better than my first. I will definitely come back here soon, maybe the third visit will rate Bread and Chocolate more stars. Looking forward to trying it out maybe for lunch, the sandwich selection looks intriguing.
(3)Kate N.
My boyfriend and I were wandering around Old Town one Sunday morning, looking to try a new brunch spot. We stumbled upon Bread & Chocolate, and decided to give it a try. it looked quaint, like it had character. I was pleased by the brunch menu, which includes a neat pastry sampler basket, as well as a wealth of beverage options. Personally, I'm pretty happy when my meal automatically comes with OJ and coffee. The price was a tad steep, but overall I'd say it was worth it based on my meal. I had a smoked salmon eggs benedict, and it was quite tasty. The service was maybe a bit slow at times, but certainly friendly. I'd be happy to return to Bread & Chocolate for another lovely weekend brunch!
(4)Valarie G.
Very very slow service & stale bread basket. Nothing to be impressed by
(2)Joe G.
After going on a 20 mile bike ride from Arlington to Mt. Vernon and then riding back 10 miles to Old Town, we decided to lock our bikes up and get some much needed breakfast at Bread & Chocolate. This is simply a solid place to get a decent breakfast or brunch. For $15 dollars you get an assortment of pastries, juice and coffee in addition to your breakfast entree. I ordered the spinach and chevre omelette and it was pretty good, but definitely not the gourmet quality you'll get at a more upscale brunch place. On the plus side, they did let us in even though we were sweaty and wearing bike shorts.
(3)Scott J.
We've eaten here quite a few times over the years and never really been impressed. The food is just okay and the service... bad. Last time, they were out of what I ordered until the table next to mine ordered the same thing 10 minutes later--then they had it again. Wouldn't recommend this place.
(2)Les D.
Highlights: my companion stated it was the best chai tea she's ever had, and that girl has guzzled some chai in her time. We both thought the french onion soup was excellent. Loads of cheese (baby swiss, I think) melted on top. The mac and cheese didn't really impress, nor did the quinoa salad thing. This could be because we ordered just before close. Or, this could be pushing the envelope for a coffee cafe. Can't blame them for trying. go hard or go home, I say. Stick to the cafe basics: soup, salad, muffins, coffee, tea, cake, and you'll be golden. My visit was 2-3 stars, but the chai and french onion were big enough hits to push it up. Plus, its a nice space in a great location. When the restos are packed on the weekends, B&C is a great fallback, especially if you want something casual, quick...and good!
(4)Eileen O.
I have tried a few different things at Bread & Chocolate, and overall am a fan. I really like the turkey chili - it's a tad spicy, comes with delicious corn bread, and is great on a cold and/or rainy day. I'm not totally sold on their pastries - many are way too sweet and just OK. I've never had any issues with service, and in fact have been pleased with the service that I've received. The prices for lunch are pretty good - especially when compared to other area restaurants.
(4)Chris F.
We ate brunch here and overall it was pretty good. The breads are the star of this place, but the rest of the menu isn't bad either. If you're in a carb-load mood, go for it. There's a bakery in front and restaurant in back...this makes things tricky trying to get through to be seated when the bakery is busy. I had a delicious Mediterranean omelet, with roasted red peppers, feta cheese and garlic with spinach. One of the most negative aspects was the service. Our party of five was just sitting around talking and sipping coffee and the waitress came over and said, "You're all done right?" We said we were and they started clearing the table and even wiping it off while we sat there. You won't get a clearer message of, "You were welcome here before, but now that you've paid, you're not. Please leave."
(3)Hou T.
Cute place for breakfast, brunch or just to sit and have some coffee. There is a small counter to sit at, or tables and booths. My friend and I arrived on a weekday, so it wasn't very busy. We were sat immediately and the waitress was quite prompt. I had the vanilla latte, salmon Benedict and potato latkes. The vanilla latte was excellent! So good, I order another one to go. The salmon Benedict was quite tasty, and the portion was a nice size. The hollandaise sauce excellent. Th potato latkes were bland and soggy. It would not order that again. Service was promptly and courteous. I recommend this place !
(4)Mark E.
This is one of those places that looks so promising at first glance. My wife ordered a breakfast sandwich with turkey sausage. The croissant was good but the sausage was so overcooked as to be inedible. It was very dry and very overcooked. It should have been thrown out and another cooked. My turkey sandwich was ok. Nothing spectacular. Couldn't taste the cheese or the sun dried tomato pesto sauce. Turkey was good. We won't be going back. I really can't get over the cook thought it was ok to serve that sausage.
(2)Nejla R.
I have eaten here 3 times since I have lived in Alexandria. Each time the experience was awful and I couldn't remember why I hadn't eaten here in so long until I came in again and experienced the same thing! The wait staff are all very haughty and rude. If you order the $8 Breakfast Basket, which is supposed to be a basket of croissants and other baked goods, they bring you a BREAD basket of yucky brown bread. Last time, I actually just ate the bread. Today, I had to ask them to bring the correct item, at which case the manager came to my table and tried to tell me I had to order an omelette to get the correct item (unlike it says on the menu). Finally, I showed her the menu and she admitted she was wrong and brought the right item. I then had to ask for butter and jam, which she acted like was a luxury item. All-in-all, each visit here has been fraught with rudeness and cheapness on their part. As I said, it's always 6 months between my visits here and I keep forgetting how terrible it is and eventually come back. Not this time. I've had enough of this place.
(1)SHANE D.
Bread & Chocolate a.k.a the european bakery. I've passed several times under this gems bright yellow awning, becoming more a more comfortable with the variety on the menu. I have yet to be disappointed. Every thing is made fresh! The three tartines are my favorite, with a slight nod to the hummus. All three are served on a toasted baguette, which I believe is buttered... yum. Three baguettes with generous servings of either hummus, tuna salad, or chicken salad. In the middle of the plate there is a fresh arugula salad with three kalamata olives (in the hummus tartine the olives are on the sandwich, a great pairing for a shot of dopamine.) I was also impressed with their chicken pot pie. I only tasted some of my friends, but I will be ordering it next time a hearty meal is in order on a cool fall day. It's very light and full of taste, which is much welcomed after growing up on frozen versions of this meal. I had NO idea. I've had the breakfast here once, but it doesn't resonate in my memory quite like the other meals. But, as with all the menu, it is priced very reasonably considering the chef isn't cutting corners. I've noticed some bad reviews on the waiting staff. I'd warn people to take those with a grain of salt. Although I wouldn't say it's top notch service... definitely not even close. A smile and a little bit of patience will get you by. European Bakery = European service. So relax and enjoy the food!
(4)Mark D.
Well, at least I bumping up the number of stars this place gets. Our experience wasn't that bad, but we just came for dessert, hot chocolate, and tea. So it's pretty hard to mess that up. The hot chocolate was served a little messy, spilled outside of the mug and the whipped cream was a little lacking in body...but it's the only reason I took off a star. The staff behind the counter were both courteous and pleasant to deal with...
(3)Laurie B.
The waitress was very attentive and asked how we were doing about every 3 minutes. The food just OK. I have the chocolate and banana french toast. It wasn't bad but not fabulous. My friend got this parfait thing that looked sickly. My other friend got eggs Benedict and it looked pretty good.
(3)Peter H.
Eating breakfast at a restaurant alone while reading the newspaper is one of my favorite pastimes, so when I found myself in the DC area for a visit I made a point to set aside a morning for going out to breakfast and reading a local paper. I chose to read the Washington Post and -- on a friend's recommendation -- chose to eat at Bread and Chocolate. All in all I found myself quite pleased with my choices for both newspaper and dining establishment. The interior of the restaurant is warm and friendly, with a two-tiered seating arrangement that that allows sit-down diners to remain segregated from the bakery's to-go customers. The restaurant serves "Morning Savories" that come with an "artisan bread basket" and I choose The Big Breakfast. The Big Breakfast is described as "A massive meal of three eggs scrambled, two pieces of bacon, two of pieces turkey sausage and a potato latke." In fact, despite the variety of food items presented for my eating pleasure, the overall portion size was quite reasonable. Now were this California I would have been given a plate large enough to serve a small village; rather I found myself completing a meal that left me just a little too full, which was exactly where I wanted to be. The coffee was decent, and each of the items in the meal were well prepared, which is not always the case when you're given so many items. The bread was also quite good, and came with butter and an assortment of jams. Service was pleasant and reasonably prompt, although were there many more customers I can see how it would slow down.
(4)Jason S.
The sterile atmosphere betrays a failed attempt at cute on the cheap, but otherwise I really enjoyed this place. Why in God's name did I have the smoked salmon and toasted bagels? Ot wasn't bad, but I passed up the Nutella Pfankuchen, the Birchermusili, and the Pfankuchen stuffed with black forest ham and Swiss cheese. I am an idiot, but I'll be coming back to order better next time.
(3)Janet E.
Wow! I cant believe this place has such bad reviews. I thought it was actually ok. I'd give it a 3.5 since I had an okay experience during the two times I've been here. I had ordered the mediterranean omelette which tasted pretty good. I think the special sauce they put in the omelette made all the difference. The menu offers a Sunday brunch which offers a main breakfast dish, a plate of pastries, and a drink (which includes champagne). The food came out pretty quickly and the service was ok. Prices are a bit on the high side but I figure its because its in the DC area that they jack up the prices.
(3)Jason W.
Very good chocolate fondue plate. Reasonably priced compared to the alternatives. The coffee was good.
(3)Danielle K.
okay. second meal wasn't as good. the guac/cream cheese omelet was gross. Not real avocado, too much cream cheese and the potatoes were down right cold.... I'd still go back again, but maybe its just hit or miss.
(3)Claire R.
My husband and I have breakfast here on many Sunday mornings and just love the food, service and atmosphere. We have never had bad service. We'll keep coming back.
(4)Susan T.
I hate being in restaurants or stores where I have to beg for service. My friend and I walked in and looked over the case of sweets. The girls behind the counter made eye contact and then turned away. We gestured, we postured, we did everything we could to use body-language to signal our readiness to order. The girls behind the counter drifted around, not doing anything in particular, but admiately not helping us. When one of the women does turn to help us, she leaves the faucet on the back wall running. Number one, have you heard of the environment? Number two, that made us feel even less welcome, like she was hurrying to get back to the dishes. When we finally had our cookies in hand, the girl that got them out of the case didn't even ring us up: someone else came crawling out of the woodwork to do that. What a bummer!
(1)Amanda H.
Not impressed. I cam here for lunch and had an uninspired spinach salad. It was a complete waste of time and money. Thankfully I had good company, because the food and atmosphere were lacking.
(1)Liz K.
The first experience at Bread and Chocolate was all right. I was trying to avoid Starbucks and this little place had a nice variety of tea. I also picked up their Birchermuesli (fresh fruit, nuts, oats and strawberry yogurt mixed together) for my boss. I decided to try the Birchermuesli myself and I have to say it was quite satisfying. The staff is friendly and pleasant, which is preferable in the morning. From looking around it seems very clean and well kept. Their pastries seem a little overpriced, and I probably wouldn't visit here frequently.
(3)Chris A.
I made a lot of bad choices last night during a 12-hour Irish Pub Crawl. I shouldn't have made such loud comments about male genitalia and slapping my friend who is a 6'4" ex-cop while he was drunk wasn't a good idea. Of course, the decision I made while 100% sober on how to cure the ills of the night before was the worst of all of the calls I made. Don't go to Bread & Chocolate. Just don't do it. It's not good and the service is poor, to boot. We were five going to brunch at around 1pm. We finally all got waters after we requested waters for the table 5 times. The plates are small and they're stingy with the sides (the home fries were literally only 5 tiny wedges). The cherry cheese danish didn't have any of the cheese. But the worst sin of all: the coffee tastes like muck. Seriously bad. In the end, none of us were happy with our food and none of us will be back. I'd maybe give it two stars if I were feeling generous, but after making the trek out to VA and the long walk down King Street, all generosity was gone. Boo.
(1)Kate P.
Really delicious brunch! This place is definitely a place for a luxurious, lingering brunch--not a grab and go place at all, so don't come in expecting that (there's a Starbucks nearby). Cozy, crowded, neighborhood place. No complaints here!
(4)Jeff B.
I was enjoying a great cup of coffee and a lady with her granddaughter and their Dog came up and tried to sit outside after buying breakfast and a lady worker came and told them they couldn't sit here OUTSIDE with their dog! OMG I did not know the side walk belongs to the bakery! No Dogs who in old town doesn't allow you to sit outside with your dog! This will be my last Visit
(1)Mikkela T.
One star until next time... when they have a cow... and milk it. It was prime coffee time, a cold and blustery Friday, and they ran out of milk. Seriously? It wasn't even five p.m. yet and they ran out milk. Goody for them that their business was going so well. But, seriously, go out and buy some milk. This chain bakery looks like an Austrian cafe (und vi even had Austrians at ze next table), the cakes looked delightful, and my friend had raved about this place... But, it's not a good sign when (even at a chain where the staff have measurements and rules to follow) the staff and manager can't come up with a solution to lack of milk... other than to ask if we want iced tea. We left. Out on the street, it seemed like everyone walking on the street had a jug of milk in their hand... we went to the Fourbucks and sat stunned, ruminating about cows and lactation.
(1)Frank C.
It gets the distinction of being staffed by the rudest, bitchy-est staff in Alexandria. They obviously have more important things to be doing THAT job. I mean, they all are famous millionaires and rock stars, so screw you, get your own loaf of bread, and you can kiss their a$$ on the way out.
(1)Rachel P.
My friends and I had a positive experience for lunch on Saturday. You could get breakfast or lunch all day and they had a grossly overpriced brunch special. But I got the turkey chili, which was just $7 and quite good. The corn muffin it came with was awesome. My boyfriend got the spinach and chevre quiche which was really yummy. My friend says the portabella sandwich is really good. Tried a bit of the cappucino cake which was fine. Service was fine, too. I'd say that the servings are pretty small, though, so even though it's not too expensive you're still paying too much for what you get.
(3)Zak S.
spend your money elsewhere food is bland - service was ok, but not warm or inviting. The omelet with spinach and goat cheese was about as bland as I've ever tasted, bread was stale and the tasteless sauce on my friends omelet was pitiful. I guess if your old and you can't taste your food and you want to be around other old people then you may want to go. The desserts in the display case look good - but who really needs those...
(2)Ashleigh D.
I thought with a name like Bread and Chocolate, how can you go wrong? I am a bakery hound - love cupcakes! So, when I peered into the case and saw a chocolate cupcake loaded with frosting, I thought I was in for a great experience. Not so. Cake part was dry and the frosting was confectioner's sugar and lard. Tasteless, heavy, blech. I had a breakfast sandwich there and it was ok - a bit better than my experience with the cupcake.
(2)James C.
At first when we walked in, we weren't sure how it was going to go to be honest. I decided to try the turkey chili. It was strong. Pretty much meat, beans, tomato... cannot go wrong with that! Topped with cheese...c'mon. The bread was good, the jalapeno cheese muffins were great. Service was good, under $20, all round good experience. Not sure what's with the other reviews here, but it's worth the try.
(3)