Le Pain Quotidien - Mosaic District
8296 Glass Alley, Fairfax, VA, 22031
Le Pain Quotidien - Mosaic District Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Fairfax for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Fairfax for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Fairfax for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
8296 Glass Alley
Fairfax, VA, 22031 - Phone (703) 462-9322
- Website https://www.lepainquotidien.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :7:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Brunch
Parking : Garage
Bike Parking : 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 : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Rusty R.
Cool looking place, but I stopped in after lunch for a pastry and just about had a heart attack when the cashier handed me my change... A simple chocolate chip cookie was $3.75 plus tax!!! The cookie was dried out and horrible. Can't imagine what a cupcake, muffin, cheese cake, or tart would have been... Even Subway has better cookies. Panera is only a half block away and I will go there next time.
(1)S P.
Poor & inattentive service. Food lacked flavor. Bit pricey.
(1)Karen H.
We should have listened to the prior Yelp reviews. We arrived at 6:15 and did not get our food until 7:15 - it wasn't a hard order - one open faced sandwich, a basket of bread, and goat cheese toast. I have no idea why it took so long since the restaurant was not busy. The management refused to allow us to order a sandwich on a baguette - and the wheat bread they insisted on using was soggy. Seriously the sandwich was barely edible and very pricey. We took a look at the pastries on our way out the door. Save yourself alot of time and money and go to Panera Bread nearby. We will never go back to this place although we live close by.
(1)Todd Y.
Great healthy food with superb coffee. Minus 1 star for not refilling coffee. Located adjacent to the Hyatt House. Otherwise great customer service. Park in the Mom's Organic store parking garage.
(5)Amy N.
Because you just can't make eggs the same way at home.... I love coming here for a long brunch to just read and relax! This is the closest you'll get to a more European breakfast or brunch. The summer items especially trend a little Mediterranean. I have complained pretty vocally on Yelp about the (extremely) slow service and room temperature coffee at other LPQ locations (ahem, Clarendon), but this location seems to run a bit tighter. Lately every time I'm here, I get the two soft boiled eggs and a large fruit cup. The fresh breads and egg dishes are really hard to beat. Other favorite is the Tuscan white bean salad, but I can't pass up breakfast foods usually. House-made drinks are also good.
(4)Huamei Y.
I'm not a big fan of this chain's food per se, I don't find it particularly innovative in terms of taste but this location gets 4 stars for friendly efforts from the man who greeted us, I think he's the manager. They lose a star because it was difficult to get the servers attention for more water and to get change. After waving my arm for a while I gave up and went up to someone, anyone lol. Now..onto the food: The coffee was okay but not hot enough. It was lukewarm at best. The quality is supposed to be good but I somehow ended up having an upset stomach reaction afterwards. Perhaps the coffee was too acidic or the cheese too strong...it's a mystery to me. I also tried their waffle which was very buttery and crispy and it had chunks of sugar hidden within it - not sure if it's supposed to be like that ? It's kind of pricey for an average breakfast in my opinion so I don't plan to frequent this place too often. If anything I just loved the interior of this place lol!
(3)Karen E.
Tried Le Pain Quotidien for the first time on Sunday (8/23). First off, the food was AMAZING. I had the goat cheese and mushroom omelette and it was probably one of the best omelettes I've had in my life! The bread (served with butter and an array of pots of jam on the table) was also great. Jams almost made me moan! Atmosphere was nice... Lovely weather and we sat at one of the outdoor tables under an umbrella (next to the Hyatt House). Big Negative: Disorganized (yet friendly) service! And crowded at noon. But the service was really almost abysmal. We were there about 25 minutes before getting water. The server took ONE of our orders, then ran off to help someone. My omelette (so good!) arrived without any silverware or water... I had to wait to eat until maybe 5-8 minutes after my food arrived, when they brought my fork and knife and napkin. My friend ordered a non-alcoholic drink, which they didn't have. But then they brought her a cheaper one, but charged her for the first one (she noticed and they kindly took it off the bill altogether). Very busy! Overall: Food: 5+ (yum!). Service: 2-3 (friendly, but SO chaotic). Atmosphere: 3-4 (friendly but crowded). I'd recommend going here but NOT at peak times or with elderly people and definitely not if you're in a rush! But it was a nice experience overall on a lovely day!
(4)Layla L.
So I've been to Le pain multiple times- to both this location and the Georgetown one and there are a few consistencies. For starters, the service has always been terrible- very slow with a couldn't care less attitude. Second, the food- it's sooo mediocre and sooo overpriced (not only for not being good but also for the tiny portion size). I'm not saying I need large portions but if you're going to make them small don't charge so much. +1 star for the ambiance/ decor
(2)Lydia R.
I actually really love this place. It's a great place to work from because it doesn't get ridiculously crowded, the people who work here are super nice and always check up on me and treat me like I'm a princess (hello, unlimited green tea refills in my personalized green tea vat since I'm an addict), and the whole space is really large and open so you actually have enough room to work and eat. On to the food! You may be familiar with this place mainly for its gorgeous bakery and patisserie display, but the lunch and dinner here are equally delicious. Being a bakery, the bread is fresh and goes well with selected meals. In my case, the kale Caesar salad was filling and really delivered. It arrived with smoked salmon on top, which I actually appreciated more than a baked or grilled salmon as I was expecting. The prices are a bit steep (besides buying the bread loaves to go, which are a pretty awesome deal IMO), so this place is more of a treat for me.
(4)Simay O.
4.5 stars- I love this location at Mosaic district, it's clean, usually quiet and has a friendly staff. The menu accommodates to a variety of tastes but most of all to those of us who love a healthy but uber tasty meal. For someone like me who goes once every other month or sometimes once every few months, the menu feels like it always upgrades or keeps evolving (but maybe it feels that way to me because I don't go all the time). I just tried the crispy quinoa cake and I was blown away by how tasty it was. No it's not a cake made of quinoa - although that would be the healthiest cake of all and would take all the fun out of eating cake- it's a fried patty that's actually quinoa fried in olive oil and basted in tomato sauce. It's incredible! The patty is on a plate bedded with hummus and surrounded with arugula, avocado, tomato sauce .. It's even more delicious than it sounds. I will be recommending this to many friends and family and will go back for it! I know that they also have a selection of alcoholic beverages but have not yet tried yet, if anyone has any suggestions please comment!
(4)Sin Y. K.
Came in here mid-morning of 7/8. The waiter was super friendly and the service was extremely prompt and fast. I read some of the other reviews and maybe it was just not the best day for them. Their ingredients are ultra fresh and I love the way all their coffee/espressos are served-- like a mug/bowl type. It tasted phenomenal as well! All I had was an americano and this cold soup (first time!). It was all delicious. My friends had their salmon and some eggs as well. I tasted theirs and it was GREAT! I highly recommend at least for their food-- tasted oober fresh.
(4)Bruce K.
I like LPQ for breakfast/brunch, I've not been to one at lunch time so today was a first. I opted for the mac & cheese from the specials list. Interestingly with pieces of parma ham and chopped cornichons, it was a different taste. Not bad, just different. I cleaned the plate. It came with a pile of salad greens that had a very light dressing - I could only graze through about half of that. Service was okay. Not terrific, but I wasn't ignored. Catching her eye to get the check took a bit. I'd recommend LPQ if you're looking for a quality fast casual meal and you have some time for the service to catch up.
(4)Tsuru J.
We came in a bit later on a Saturday night expecting to grab a quick bite and be on our way. The staff was very flat and seemed quite disinterested in taking out orders and the cashier was like "yes, we serve tartines here and they are on the menu" when I inquired about sandwiches. Well if the menu is not posted, nor readily available (and not mentioned on the French script blackboard signs) then maybe it is your job to point that out? She also was a bit curt when I asked what was in the drinks we ordered. ANYWAY, we waited for a few minutes and it dawned on me that they were closing at 9 and not 10 like I had assumed, it being in the new & hip Mosaic District. The tartines came out (in to go boxes) as they were about to put the chairs we were sitting in up on the table with or without us in them. She did not say "we are about to close" but made every effort to make us feel unwelcome all the same. The food was good if a bit overpriced. The curry chicken salad and avocado turkey were great. They are about $12 and come with nothing else so it was good that we were not that hungry. Also, no one asked what kinds of bread we wanted or if we wanted the bread toasted. It was also good that we liked eating in the dark outside and carrying our trash quite a distance. I prefer the Eastern Market location with friendlier staff and less Panera feel.
(3)Saud A.
Le pain is one of my favorite restaurants to serve breakfast. They have a great selection of omelette styles, and my favorite; smoked salmon. They serve the best tasting waffle I ever had, it is both crunchy and lean at the same time. I feel like they're a little bit overpriced but I guess it needs to be because of such deliciousness.
(4)Wendy W.
This is a cute french style cafe with a comfortable home kitchen feel. We really enjoy sitting at the booths on a Sunday afternoon enjoying a cup of coffee and pastry. At each table there are jars of spreads and jams that await to be smeared on fresh bread. Unfortunately Le Pain Quotidien is not flawless. Service is friendly and polite...when they notice you. We generally don't mind being left alone after our food arrives but when we do need something, a refill of water, butter, more cream for our coffee, it takes a lot of effort to get any of the waitstaff to look up. This seems to be an ongoing occurance. The food at Le Pain Quotidien tastes "healthy." However the price point is on the higher side. The french toast I ordered had fresh strawberries (in December) which was wonderful but was served to me a bit burnt on the edges, which made it unpleasant. Overall, we still enjoy the ambiance but we hope the food and service tightens up.
(3)Jennifer M.
Reminds me of Le Madeline: kind of posh / healthy food / living; a very Parisian-feel to it. Good place to come to for "European-style" eating - healthy, controlled portions, good fresh ingredients, and chic / cute / rustic decor. If you want something sweet but light, I suggest the Belgian Waffle, which is infused with sugar crystals and has fresh fruit / berries on top, dusted with powdered sugar. A bit overpriced, but that's what you get with the European dining experience. Nothing too spectacular.
(2)Katie S.
I can't believe I had never been to this chain before. It is probably the closest thing I have had to petit déjeuner/déjeuner, like I remember from growing up in Belgium, that I have experienced here in the States. The Liège style waffles being delivered all around us were my first indication that everything was going to be awesome. Then the Belgian hot chocolate I ordered really solidified it for me. Sipping hot chocolate from a small bowl, just like I used to, and I was instantly 8 years old again. All that was missing was my Pain au chocolat to go with (I noticed -after the fact- that they do sell them here though... so it's my fault for not ordering one). Oh man, I really love this place and all the wonderful memories it evoked! I also love that everything is organic and will gladly pay a little more for higher quality foods. Plus, since the menu has a little bit of everything on it, it's a great brunch spot! Everything I sampled was delicious. My husband's tuna tartine and my bff's turkey avocado tartine were fantastic, and her fiancé's and my salads were also good. The only downfall was the soft boiled egg we ordered that was overcooked and the service was slightly lacking. We had to flag our server down a few times for various things, I'm actually not so sure she was not coming back to check on us on her own. But other than that, I am definitely a fan and will be back soon!
(4)Katie L.
I love this place. Tony and the staff are pretty amazing - great customer service. I've always been a fan of Le Pain Quotidien. When they opened in Clarendon, I started wishing they would open closer to me, and I'm grateful they did. They are a gem in the Mosaic District, perfect match with all the other cool eats in the area. I love eating seasonally and LPQ has nailed that. They also have a glorious boulangerie with great pastries and bread. I particularly love their croissants and chia seed pudding. I love everything in their menu, really. I am a fan for sure. Oh, PS, I buy my sal de mer and pepper here, too!
(5)Cathy T.
Best Belgium waffles (perfect amount of sweet - no syrup needed). Crispy quinoa cake is heaven in your mouth. Great feel at home ambiance. Beautiful presentation too, everything here is def snapchat worthy!
(5)Eddie H.
Just ate here today, it was really good! I got the crispy quinoa cake. I usually cannot live with some kinda meat (sorry PITA), so I added smoked salmon to the order. My wife got the chia seeds putting and cheese danish. I gotta say they were all quite tasty. Our server was exceptional, unfortunately I don't remember her name. She was wearing glasses. My only complaint is the price, it wasn't cheap.
(4)Angela G.
Why did it take a long time for me to find this place?! I love everything about this cafe/dine in. The staff are very friendly and they'll recommend what's best on their menu. Of course, I had to try their French toast with berries on the side.. Oh my, it was very delicious! Highly recommend the French toast if you have a sweet tooth. My friend let me try her smoked salmon breakfast.. I'm getting that next time, it's too good for words. If you want to try their soup, try the organic chicken soup. Simply amazing. As for drinks, mint lemonade and organic blackberry lemonade are perfect for the hot weather. My new favorite place :)
(5)Lydia C.
Service is horrible. It takes a really long time for the people that work at this place to notice you, and takes even longer for them to bring the orders out. Then after you're done, no one will clean the empty dishes away. And if you're just by yourself or just a group of 2 and decide to sit at a table for 4, the servers will get pissed and will ask you to move because "they will get too busy". LOL Forget about refilling anything because the servers will not do so on their own. Napkins, utensils, or anything, you have to ask multiples times. I don't know if this place is trying to be like a Starbucks where you just self-serve? Because we were going to grab the things on our own. I went there twice on a weekday with a friend, it was not busy at all. Horrible experiences. Never going back.
(1)Brenda K.
If my mom cooked like this....I would have eaten vegetables. The seasonal spring pea and cheddar is so good. I came here in the winter and loved the coffee in a handle less cup Great for a treat as prices aren't cheap but quality is top knotch. ..and quiet enough to sit a do work. Friendly staff. Amazing desserts.
(4)Megan P.
I've been a fan of LPQ for awhile, but this last trip was especially delightful. I found myself with a weekday afternoon to myself, so I grabbed a book and headed over to enjoy lunch on my own -- a little out of character for me because I love being around people. I picked a sunny spot and ordered a pot of earl grey tea, their seasonal frittata with a side salad and a cranberry/almond scone complete with clotted cream and jam. I mean what's better than a fresh scone with cream and jam with your tea!? Your answer should be: NOTHING! My server was attentive and sweet. The frittata was warm and delightful with a perfect, buttery crust to compliment the cheese, egg and spinach filling. You'd think I wouldn't have much to say about a side salad but it was really pretty and unique with delicately shaved fennel, carrots and radishes. The scone was equally sweet and tart which worked well with the apricot jam and light cream. A lovely afternoon and meal -- I left feeling sunny and satisfied. I just wish I had more afternoons to spend like this!
(4)Jackie N.
I love Le Pain Quotidien for its simple, clean-eating dishes. I like to go here when I study by myself, because the staff is so friendly and accommodating even though there is only little old me there. They have a long communal table, along with booths and smaller tables for parties of 2 or 4. For a light lunch, I get the toasted avocado tartine (thin whole wheat toast topped with a mixture of avocado and lemon juice, topped with chia seeds and sea salt), yogurt with berries, and an iced latte. The tartine is filling and delicious - the chia seeds and sea salt add a nice bite to the avocado. The yogurt is smooth and delicious and comes in a huge bowl topped with berries. For sweetener, I use the agave nectar. Le Pain has a ton of great light sandwiches and egg dishes served all day long so you can fulfill your healthy eating needs. It is a little pricey - I spent about $30 on myself - but when I just need a good meal to help my brain get moving, it's worth it.
(4)Ari M.
TERRIBLE experience. I had to cancel my order and leave the restaurant. First, it's self-seat. Fine, that's cool. Cute little place, though I questioned how anyone would know when customers arrive if that's the case. That's not an issue - what's more important is the fact that I called ahead for a reservation and no one decided to tell me this. Okay, no big deal, dismissed it. But then, the waitress came. She showed up quickly, but didn't even bother introducing herself. She said very little and acted as if she didn't even want to be there serving us. It was like she was disgusted with it. The hell? Okay, figured I'd wait for the food. Maybe that could make up for it? We decided on the seasonal scone with jam and cream. Hard. As. Rock. I swear, it must have been at least a year old. The jam was practically plastic and there was a DEAD FLYING INSECT nested comfortably within one of its little rock-hard doughy craters. So we went inside, this having been noticed unfortunately after we ordered, to expedite getting a hold of our waitress. She met us halfway. We told her the issue. "You're sitting outside," she says condescendingly. No, woman. It came out that way. We asked that she cancel our orders, but instead of dealing with the issue, she passes us over to the manager who is, *conveniently*, right behind her. He grudgingly comes out to see the issue, and starts picking at it. I'm fed up, tell him to cancel our order. Finally, he says he'll take care of it and we walk away. Never. Again. If you're looking for a great brunch place, head to Ted's Bulletin or True Food. Don't even bother here.
(1)Tom H.
Very solid, high quality food supported by attentive service. Some great vegetarian options if this is what you are seeking. I had the crispy quinoa cake. Served over hummus and complimented by avocado and a thick tomato sauce (will post pic). Just wished they had more options on the wine list.
(4)Jawaher A.
I went there with my mom on mother's day. I wish we didn't because the service was simply horrible. First I asked the waiter if they had chai latte because every time I go to that branch they don't have, he said "Yes". I was planning to get chai from Dolcezza if he told me not, while they prepared the food. It appeared that they don't chai latte, and they never have. Anyway, we wait for 30 minutes without having anything, not even the drinks we ordered. And a waitress comes up to me and ask me about our order. I told her what we ordered and when I asked why she replied "we lost your order" I was patient enough and I waited for extra more minutes, and when the waiter brought our beverages I told him that the bill should be at least half the price, he said yes sure. We asked for syrup twice, napkins, twice and other things, more than once. I was hoping that the manager would tell us that our brunch was free since their service was terrible, but no, it was half the price. I don't like this branch at ALL. And many other LPQ branches. If you want great service go to the one in King st, Old Town Alexandria.
(1)S B.
Not sure really how great the food is as I've had to walk out twice because I waited 20 minutes. THERE WAS NOBODY ELSE IN THE RESTAURANT. I was dumb enough to go back the second time because I like to give everyone a second chance.
(1)Hannah H.
There are several Le Pain Quotidien locations throughout the DC metro area. They offer baked, beverages, and entrees that are all organic (even their jams, butter, and spread are organic). My husband and I came here after grabbing some lunch, and I was saddened that they didn't have the spiced apple cider that I really enjoy (I think they only have during the cold wintry season). Instead, I opted for the Spiced Hot Chocolate instead - this was a Belgian hot chocolate infused with 'exotic spices,' which were cardamon, cinnamon, orange zest, and cayenne pepper. You can either get a medium - or a large-size, and I opted for the first one. The chocolate itself was very thin and watered down, so I wasn't really much of a fan of it. Also, it seemed as if it was dark chocolate, rather than milk chocolate, so it was very bitter. I think the cayenne pepper was a bit overwhelming because it was indeed, very spicy. The barista was very nice, and there seemed to be a lot of people dining in for dessert, a hot beverage, and/or entrees for a late lunch. +nice barista :D
(3)Koko Y.
Came here for brunch on a Saturday and the place was packed! Had to wait about 15 minutes for a table to clear (there were 7 of us). I had their french toast along with a cappuccino and very much enjoyed both :) I'd like to go back and try some of the other items on the menu!
(4)Emily C.
I had the ham and cheese croissant for brunch and it was DELICIOUS! The coffee was good, and on a chilly and windy day, the hand warming bowls instead of mugs were pretty cool. My husband had the salmon salad, which was tasty, but had a very tiny amount of salmon on this very large salad. The bread and spreads were tasty, but not nearly as good as the croissant. I'd go back if I were in the area, but I wouldn't travel from the District just for this place. It's cute and has a nice atmosphere.
(3)Sarah M.
Service was terrible. The bread basket, which I once loved, no longer comes with the chocolate spreads that made it an expensive indulgence. Despite asking for them, twice, before ordering, our waiter did not mention it was no longer offered. Instead, he *ran away* after delivering the basket. He told us later he knew, so basically, he just decieved us. Now, for $12 you receive a basket of 3 stale slices of toast, a small but tasty croissant, and 2 of the smallest glasses of juice you've ever seen, with jam. Just one of the one free spreads was $10 extra. On top of that, our waiter never returned except to drop the check, and we had to hunt him down to pay it. The other staff, who brought our so-so omlette, placed their hands on our cutlery while setting it down -thus contaminating it. They didn't even apologize. I'll never be back.
(1)Hannah C.
I thought this was more of a walk-in place, but it was a sit down place! I ordered their cappuccino, and it was good! They give you the drink in a Brazilian-made bowl, and its huge! I definitely got more than what I had paid for!
(5)Mikhail K.
So this weekend I was making strong choices in Chicago, drinking delicious drinks and eating fried rice by the pound. Le Pain Quotidien is my detox place, where I hide away from processed, greasy, crappy food and come to enjoy the fresh and the flavorful. I love this place. There seriously is nothing here that I didn't like. The best part is that the taste of the food is consistent from restaurant to restaurant. My favorite prosciutto and mozzarella salad is the same in NYC, DC or Merrifield, VA. Speaking of prosciutto and mozzarella salad - I suggest you try it. You will see Jesus. I promise. 5 stars for the food, but the service can sometimes be a little less than awesome depending on the time of the day. Like no matter how many times I say I don't want the bread - ill get the bread. Why must they tempt me with their delicious bread when I'm trying to not have a jiggle around my mid-section. Geez. But seriously though, it's a great place. Even though I still don't know how to say the name the right way. But I assure you. It's a good kind if pain.
(4)Chris K.
Healthy if slightly bland fare. But hey, it's French. Service was a little on the slow side, but very accommodating. But again, French. Very authentic! I'm a big proponent of the steel cut oatmeal with frothed whole milk. That'll set you for the next six hours!
(3)Saliq K.
Great place to have lunch. I had a chicken pot pie and it was delicious. I liked how it was light and flaky not too heavy as American pot pie would be. Also, had a latte which wasn't too bad.
(5)Ann W.
This is my new discover! Love the seasonal cheese cake, it's not too sweet, and not too creamy, just the way I like it! Also love the food and brownie, my kids love to eat at here as well.
(4)Mark A.
I have visited this location a couple of times now. It is a great area to be in and once it fills out a bit more I'm sure it will be easier. In the meantime, you should enjoy the newness and if you like Le Pain already, you will enjoy this spot. I have had the Quiche Lorraine and Apple/almond tart. Both were very good and if in the area I would hit this spot along with the other shops in the area. Can't miss here.
(4)Erin O.
My husband and I love this place for breakfast/lunch that's fairly quick, easy, light, and healthy. The meals are smaller and the flavors are usually subtle but well done. It's tries to have the qualities of a European bistro with we enjoy. The ham and cheese croissant or sandwich and goat cheese omelet have stronger flavors which I enjoyed. This is one of our regular spots which I would have given 5 stars to but the service was just ok the last time we went and the restaurant was dead.
(4)Poppy B.
I like LPQ and will happily go to this chain. I have been to a number of locations and this one is the worst. The service is good- friendly, polite, efficient, but the food is just sloppy. I have been to this location 3-4 times and I think that's enough. I'd rather travel a bit further and get a better meal and experience. When you know how a dish is meant to be put together and it's just not it's really frustrating- and that what happens here every time. What a shame!!
(2)Lynette S.
The service is inconsistent but the ambience is undoubtedly nice for sunny afternoons. Very relaxing place with OK menu items.
(4)Julie T.
Nice atmosphere and food, although a bit on the pricier side for a panera/le madeline style type place. You sit down and they take your order. I like the open faced tartine sandwiches - I got this great seasonal chorizo one. The spiced apple cider was delicious as well but def pricey for what it is. Its not a bad place to grab a quick lunch. They also have tasty pastries.
(3)Gigi U.
French breakfast. Interior is beautiful. I felt like I was in someone's kitchen. The service is slow but I think it's like that in France. This is not fast food. I had the avocado and tomato omelet. It was good but nothing special. I like the bread and complimentary jams and spreads. It's a bit pricey but it all tasted fresh.
(3)Stephanie C.
Turkey and avocado tartine. Eat it. Fall in love. Repeat. Servers can be lacking on occasion but there a few really great ones. Donelle (I think that was his name) was particularly fabulous. One son always gets a side of avocado (10 mo old) and the other, a child's turkey/cheddar tartine. It comes with veggie sticks, dip, and a cookie-- good food and lots of it for the little ones. We have gone 7-8 times since discovering it 1.5 mo ago. I am hooked and will definitely be back (maybe this weekend.
(5)Mike N.
BEWARE OF THIS PLACE IF IT'S BUSY I came here to have sunday brunch with four other people. I arrived a bit late and had to wait around for 10 minutes before I was able to flag down our waitress to have her take my order. The food took FOREVER to arrive, but it was delicious when it did. I asked our server for some silverware and a napkin and she disappeared and never brought them. After waiting 5 minutes I gave up and used my girlfriend's knife and fork. Drinks were also not refilled in anywhere CLOSE to a timely manner. We noticed that our waitress was more concerned with clearing tables then she was at serving the tables that she had. Two people at a table next to hours sat down and waited for 15 minutes without ANYONE coming by to even ask what they wanted to drink. They ended up walking out. Not the way you want to run a business in such a nice, new, upscale area. The only time she actually moved quickly was when it came time to pay. Unfortunately, that small amount of hustle didn't lead to a better tip. Food gets four stars....service gets a big fat zero....averaging out to my two star rating.
(2)Amy A.
I love this place. Definitely try one of their tartines. Also, had a chicken chorizo cheddar omelet. I love how everything comes with side salad. Everything is very fresh and light. If you want oversized sandwiches stuffed with meat and over dressed salads this is not for you.
(4)Margarita S.
A perfect spot for Sunday breakfast. We loved everything starting from the decor to the food. If you want to try something different from IHOP type places, that's a must-go! I had a smoked salmon breakfast, which was absolutely delicious. I rarely find such a well-prepared salmon here. My bf had Belgium waffles, which was tasty but kinda small. I would strongly advise to make the waffles' portions bigger. They have a nice variety of jams on the table. Also we had a strawberry shortcake, which was small and nothing special, I wouldn't recommend to take it since they have many more other interesting things to try. The coffee was delicious! Overall, that's a lit bit pricy experience but we will def be back :)
(4)Yan W.
Okay, but pricey. The mint tea was spectacular and the salmon sandwich was pretty good. However, for the price, it wasn't anything to write home to momma about. In fact, having tried many different types of bread in Paris, I didn't particularly enjoy their bread - it was too "bricky." I would go again if someone asked, but probably not of my own initiative.
(3)Christiane V.
another new restaurant in mosaic. win. i had lunch at "LPQ", as my friends like to call it, for the first time on tuesday. the restaurant is very nice. i would compare it to a mix between va piano and vintage la madeline. earthy, big windows, and french country. seating is communal. there is a good food selection and the food is visually appealing (yes, i was eyeing other people's food too). there are quiches, open faced sandwiches aka tartines, soups, salads, and lots of desserts. i like how there are many healthy and gluten free options. the best part is they have complimentary little racks of jams and spreads to go with your bread. try the praline spread, it is like crack. three stars because it is a little bit pricey for what it is and the service is not so great.
(3)Holly S.
I'm surprised by the negative reviews on here! I've had two very positive experiences at this location since it opened. The first, I was solo on a busy Sunday morning. I asked to not sit at the big group table, and they sat me at a small two-person table. I had a delicious quiche w/ side salad, along with a some bread (have to try the spreads!). I had coffee and hot water with lemon and lingered for a while, reading my Kindle. They didn't seem to mind at all! The second I was with others and we stopped by for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up of coffee + bread basket. The server was attentive despite us not ordering a full meal. He was also very indulgent of one of my dining companions wanting to try _all_ of the spreads (it was her first time at an LPQ). He kept bringing us different ones and switching them out. Definitely appreciated that! It is definitely a little pricey for what it is/the portions, but it is a nice, healthy-ish (if you don't do the bread basket...) treat every once in a while! I'll go back.
(4)Paolo G.
One star only for being Le Pain Quotidien. Otherwise, this was a really lousy experience. It had been a while since I visited LPQ, so I didn't recall that you are supposed to just sit down if you are not ordering takeout. Instead, I walked in, ordered my coffee, and said it was "for there" when asked. Apparently this is an on-going issue between the register and the waitstaff (perhaps because of the starbucks-like layout at this location, where you are immediately met with the register when you walk in and the dining area is off to the side). They should have a prominent sign letting guests know the rules. In any event, the guy at the register had already rung us up and so he told a waiter that we would be sitting down and let him know that the oversight was theirs for not asking us before taking our order. After sitting down, a waitress came to the table and was very rude when I tried to explain the mistake and told her that I would leave a good tip in spite of having already ordered. She refused to bring our coffee, silverware, and napkins. When I asked her for a spoon, she actually went and told the guy at the register to bring it to us. I was so irritated that I actually asked to speak with the manger, which I had never previously done. I am usually a big fan of Le Pain Quotidien, but this experience has made me doubt whether I will ever go back again. Thankfully, theres's a Paul closer to my house anyway. It is a shame though because I actually like their coffee better.
(1)Michelle M.
I love this place. The ambiance is awesome and eclectic and the food is organic and healthy, not to mention tasty. I recommend this place for sure.
(5)Linh O.
I've been here twice now and service isn't consistent. Actually, theres always a poor service issue. Recently, a group (6 at the time of ordering) of friends met up here and one person ended up waiting almost an hour for her food while everyone else was served. Repeat that again with the checks at the end of the meal (good thing we asked for it well in advance)..and it was not a busy night. Food is ok but feels overpriced for what you get and even more so when you consider the service.
(2)Zack M.
Poor service, poor management & poor food (other than bread which was very good). Minestrone soup was requested super-hot, arrived cold, twice, otherwise was quite tasty. Avocado, which was present in 2 dishes we ordered, was unripe and rubbery. Turkey breast on my tartine (open sandwich) was like a cheap cold cut. Smoked Salmon, on top of another tartine we ordered was fishy. Prices way too high for a less than average lunch. worst of all, nonchalant attitude by server and manager, who seemed not to care whatsoever. Never going back.
(1)Sean G.
I ordered eggs and cheese on a croissant. And I was very clear about what I wanted. The lady who took my order obviously didn't understand me so what I got was cheese on a croissant for 10 bucks. Nice one! This place is so expensive yet the staff are obviously getting low wages because there inexperienced. Such a shame. I hate this joint. Looks nice but sucks. The place around the corner (pastry expo) is way better and coffee there is better to.
(1)The S.
UPDATE: better! Customer service sent me some gift cards after my last experience. That was nice. Food was better this time. And they actually had croissants. Croque Monsieur wasn't that great but it was decent. Wait service still not great.
(3)P. S.
Pricey, but worth it. I've been here 3 times and found the food is fresh and delicious, but the service is slow. On a recent Sunday morning, it took over 30 minutes for our food to arrive. We loved the quiche lorraine and curry chicken tartine. Excellent coffee, very nice ambience with large bright windows, and the servers are friendly.
(4)Mohammed K.
Hey everyone, Le Pain Quotidien in Mosaic is like any PQ around town with the menu and food. We went there for brunch on Sunday, sat outside as it was a beautiful sunny day. Unfortunately it took them quiet sometime to get us the menus and the usual glasses of water and drink orders. We havent had our first coffee of the day at that point so that definitely didn't help the situation, had to get up a couple of time to get their attention for the drink s and food. Food finally arrived and as I said at the top its the usual PQ fresh food. we all had omelets. mine was the goat cheese with mushrooms omelet which was fine and tasty.
(3)Gwen B.
Happened upon Le Pain on a Memorial Day weekend visit to the DC area. Great coffee and wonderful ham and cheese quiche. Our server Hana T was friendly and efficient. Antonio the manager was attentive. Wish there was a location in the Dallas area.
(4)Paula B.
Le Pain Quotidien - its French for Grinch Holiday fail - arrived at the appointed hour to collect our pre-paid Christmas desserts to be informed that they had none left - I must have missed the lesson where the definition of pre-paid was discussed. The sales staff were apologetic but the manager did not even bother to come out an explain the mistake in person. Since there are plenty of other good, well managed, cafe options in the area I will pass on visiting this one in 2015.
(1)Kathy N.
I actually came here twice within a week, since this was closer than their new Tyson's location, which we already loved. Our first trip was not a great experience, so we came back later on a weekday to see it on a different day. The first time was a Saturday, so it was largely over-crowded and we were running late to another obligation. Our server was very attentive and apologized often for the delay in our food, which took 35-40 minutes to get. She offered us a free pot of coffee, which would have been nice if we were able to stay to enjoy it, but the gesture was very much appreciated. The delay was understandable as it was extremely crowded and we had a bit of a complicated order. We passed by a couple days later, and saw that it was not crowded at all (like 2 parties inside) and wanted to stop in to try it again. What a mistake. It took a few minutes and several glares towards the kitchen to even have a server come over. When our drinks came by, the waitress had sloshed it around on her tray so much that I had lost my half drink (no acknowledgment). When we were done with our food, we sat around and waited...and waited...and waited.. pretty much had not seen our server since we got our food. We saw her again when she was helping another party come in next to us. I had quite the close encounter with her when she reached across me (her sleeve rubbed against my face) to grab our jam rack to give it to the new party (couldn't take it from the empty tables around us?) and cleared the table in front of us. I don't have a lot of experience in the food service industry, but I know you don't clear the table in front of the guest without asking if they are finished, or without speaking to your guests at all. She must have done a pretty good job clearing the table, since the manager came by to ask if we had been helped yet. No...just waiting to ask our server for our check. Meanwhile, the table next to us ordered and got their food while we were still waiting to ask for the check. The food is good, don't get me wrong. The crowd who comes in is who comes in, and this is not at the fault of other patrons, but I would prefer to go to a different location that teaches their staff proper manners and treat all their guests equally. I will not be coming to this location again.
(2)Trey B.
I've been coming here a lot the past few weeks for Saturday breakfasts. The ham and gruyere omelete is very good, and the breads and coffee are outstanding. Service, however, could be better, and it's a bit pricey for what you get.
(3)Reony T.
Food was good, decor is really nice and cozy. My experience was ruined when our food took almost an hour to come out. No joke. And we had an event to go to... Fail
(3)Dave H.
Stopped in today around 1400 for a snack and a drink. Food and drink were fine though coffee cups without handles just seems annoying. My ice tea went empty for a good long while as the waitress and the manager both walked by without noticing. I finally asked the waitress for a refill. Ordered a glass of water and had to go interrupt the same waitress from wrapping utensils in napkins for the water. Prices are way too high - $3.40 for a glass of ice tea? $6.65 for a small raspberry tart? Wow. I've had much better service at another location so won't be returning to this one anytime soon and for the prices I'll consider other options first. Tried to go to the url on the receipt to fill out a survey - URL does not exist.
(1)Olivia A.
I came in for take-out and I must say, I certainly was satisfied. I got the Curried Chicken Tartine and the Tuna Tartine. Both very yummy, though I really did not enjoy the bread it came on. :/ I was also expecting something else entirely, like the toppings were baked into it or something as opposed to being thrown on it. Don't get me wrong, the toppings were delicious by themselves (which is how I eventually ate it). I just wish I could have switched out the bread (is that an option?). I also got three desserts, the raspberry and mixed berry tart, along with the chia seed pudding. The tarts were good, but they weren't really anything to go crazy over. I've had better and I've also had worse. The chia seed pudding on the other hand: wooooooow! It might be because it's something I haven't had in a while or it was really THAT good. Either way, the raspberry on top gave it a very nice kick to the seed part. I kind wished they did half and half instead, as opposed to 90/10. Maybe they'll let me add a bit more of the raspberry next time? :D The décor is very quaint. I've never been to a real French café before (hint hint, someone buy me a ticket s'il vous plait), but I imagine it to be a little something like that. :D I didn't really get a close look, but by their bakery area, there is a huge wall of jams, honey, jams, spreads, and jams. Did I mention they had a lot of jam? I definitely want to give them all a try next time I stop by. :D Conclusion: give it a try? Absolutely! A must have place to be? Eh. Also, I spend $40 on my entire meal. It's organic and pricey, so keep that in mind if those things are important to you. Me? Not so much. I just wanted to give it a try. Will I be back? Every now and then.
(3)Dan O.
I have been looking for new ideas for healthy recipes and this place had so many options. I wish I had one closer to where I live.
(5)Murphy M.
Holy mf-ing wow, I should've gone to McDonalds. I assure you there would've been a more capable staff there. Probably one of the most obviously poorly managed experiences I've ever had at a restaurant. First off, they were out of croissants. A French restaurant, at 10:50 AM, was out of croissants. Good work, guys. Then, my takeout, which only has three ingredients(salmon, avocado and bread) was missing 1/3 (the avocado). I was willing to forgive the fact they were out of croissants and I had to have their shitty egg beater omelette(and it was REALLY bad), but they also f-ed my takeout? I called to talk to the manager and was put on hold...for five minutes. Hung up, called back. Put on hold again. Eventually the initial moron that answered picked back up and pretended to be the manager, which caused me to hang up with a "f-it" to close the line of communication. Avoid this place, as it's sadly the worst goddamn place at Mosaic.
(1)Trang H.
I love the ambiance of this restaurant. Great environment for brunch. However, I thought the food was just ok. I got the chicken pesto open-faced sandwich. I thought it was a bit dry and lacked flavor. Perhaps I need to order another dish next time.
(3)Mark O.
A large group of us stopped by for dinner after seeing a movie on a Saturday night and we had great service. Maybe management is reading the negative reviews and doing something about it. Our server definitely wasn't the most knowledgeable or a really a good fit for the progressive, organic, veg-friendly vibe they're trying to get across but he was competent and friendly. As far as the food goes I'd say stick with the vegetarian options as those in our group who went that route were the happiest with their meals. I had the tartine with black bean hummus, spicy tahini with fresh sliced avocados, little bits of red pepper and tomatoes - absolutely wonderful! I'd love to see more enlightened and affordable restaurants pop up in the area so from that standpoint they'll really have to screw up to make me not return. I think a big part of the problem for them again is finding the right staff simply because NoVA overwhelmingly isn't hip, happening or progressive. But thanks to Le Pain Quotidien and the whole Mosaic district concept hopefully that is starting start to change.
(5)JoAnna L.
I got a ham and cheese sandwich to go and was a little disappointed. It was a little too foofoo for me. It was okay but more like something you have at tea time not for lunch. The pastries are very good. This is a real bakery. I love the madelines, yum! The mini tarts, bownies, ect...seriouslly I can go on and on. It also has very great atmosphere! Its a great place to take a friend and just hang out and talk in.
(4)Kristin A.
All I did was walk in, I haven't had an actual chance to try anything out. However, as soon as I walked in I knew that I have to come back and try it soon. The décor is beautiful!!! I was looking for French macarons but they didn't have any available. I hope its on the menu for my next visit!!!
(5)Deb K.
If I could give it two and half stars, that's where I'd be with this place. I want to like it. I love the rustic country french atmosphere! The wooden tables are out of a beautiful dream. But there are issues. First, I feel like I've paid too much money for too little food. I get that it's largely organic and healthy and that part is great. I'll forgive the price/portions for an occasional visit, but I can't go there often as a result. The food has been tasty, but on the two visits I've been there something has been missing from an order -- like a turkey tartine with no turkey. So you need to pay attention to what you order and what you get. Pastry seating is an issue!!! I had no idea how it worked to order pastries and eat them at a table. The pastry counter has a register, and there's a large self-seating area nearby. It looks similar to ordering at Panera, La Madeleine or even Starbucks. So I started our order at the register, then asked how seating worked before I finished. I'm glad I asked! Because the guys behind the counter reacted with, "OH NO, this is takeout. If you want to eat at a table you need to order from the table otherwise the servers think they're being cheated." The cashier scrambled to tell the wait staff. It was like they had to have a team meeting to talk about the mistake. You could tell we weren't the first customers to do this. And I felt somewhat self conscious by their reaction -- exactly what I don't want to feel while enjoying their dreamy rustic tables. The establishment needs to FIX IT -- to do something to make it clear to patrons that if they wish to eat pastry at a table, they should order at a table. Or have an unstaffed section for patrons to enjoy pastries on site. The familiar setup easily leads us astray. I'm sure I speak for other customers when I say we're NOT trying to cheat anybody! After it was cleared up, we sat at a table and started our order with one of the pastries we'd ogled and ordered other food too. My soup was tasty and hot. The bread was delish. The tartines were attractive and nicely seasoned. Service was basically fine. But this isn't one of those places where you feel like the staff is hustling for you. The menu itself doesn't offer a very complete listing of pastries. "What was the one with the raspberries on top? That other one with a drizzle?" Can't remember. Menu doesn't help. I'm not supposed to order from the counter. So I decided not to order any more. Too bad because I was definitely not full from the food and had plenty of room for dessert. Food is attractive, tasty & healthy, but portions are quite small. Service is ... basically OK. Baked goods are yummy. But eating pastries at a table can be disjointed. Kind of put a hole in the lovely atmosphere.
(2)Anna Laura B.
The highs: this place is in a cute shopping center with a ton of stores to check out nearby. It's new, clean, and appealing. I really appreciated the amount of breakfast items available and their case of pastries looked delicious. My meal came with bread and a few jams to try with it. The lows: there was a hair on one of the pieces of bread and a hair on the inside of my friends tea pot. Personally that's one of the worst things I can find at a restaurant. I'm conflicted. I'll probably be back because overall I enjoyed it.
(3)Cneber N.
Great concept but poorly executed. The service is the biggest down side. The wait staff fumbles over each other. It took 20 mins for the cold cereal to get to the table. If you serve yourself this place would be great.
(2)Neha A.
Been to this one since it opened and food is always good. The service was great when it first opened however, yesterday was my third instance of poor service and as a result will not be returning to this location. We went about a month ago and sat outside. The server (new guy hadn't seen him b4)got the fact that we wanted water without ice wrong (after being told twice) we sucked it up though. He brought a pot of tea with one cup and I asked for another one. 10 mins later no cup asked again..nada! Walked inside to get it myself giving him the benefit that it may be really busy and there he was standing by the kitchen chatting away with another server. Took him long enough to get our food out and process the check..needless to say we didn't tip more than 10% even though I would have preferred zero. Went again yesterday (we like being treated bad I guess)..things started out fine..had a lady server who took our order in a timely fashion and then disappeared..Asked her for water 10 mins later..again with ice after being told that we wanted without..also reminded her about our coffee and croissant...both arrived another 10 mins later and cold. sucked it up and had the food arrive..brought by a manager...asked him for a side of harissa with my eggs...he walks back to the kitchen counter and just stands there no effort to retieve said harissa...asked our server a few mins later who also didn't bother to get it..I did say something to the server when she came to get our plates and she did take off the croissant off the check...probably cause I looked PISSED. Paid our check and dear husband insisted on a tip they didn't deserve one for sure. The level of service just sucks! Will not be returning even though we used to go atleast once a week and always took guests there.
(2)Virginia B.
I had an opportunity to try out the bakery today. I did take out. I had the pistachio tart and an espresso mini tart. No complaints and I can't wait to go back and try more items and maybe have lunch. So far, so good.
(5)Mercedes E.
Love the food at LPQ. However, at the Mosaic district location, we have had terrible experiences with service. On a regular basis, the waiters take a long time to get us menus, then another long wait to take our order, and, as expected, another long time for our food to get to our table. This morning, our order was simple - bread and coffee, no cooked food. It took nearly two hours from the time we sat down to the time we left. The waiter brought the wrong items, my coffee was cold, and it was a frustrating experience. I hope that the manager at LPQ hires extra staff for busy weekends, and then spend some time training them so they can provide good customer service. Even if the food is good, we will not come back and waste a beautiful spring day waiting to be served coffee and bread.
(2)Rachel C.
The food was delicious! I had the curried chicken open faced sandwich and my colleague had the smoked salmon open faced sandwich. Wow! The fresh herbs, perfectly ripened fruit, and home baked bread rocked. The tomato based gazpacho with pesto was divine!
(5)Matt D.
Picked up a a fresh baguette and some desserts from LPQ to accompany our home-cooked dinner the other night. The baguette was warm when it was handed to me. I had a hard time walking home without eating a bunch of it. Desserts were also very nice. Can't wait to come back for a full breakfast.
(5)Joyze C.
I love going to Le Pain for the atmosphere and 'health'... But kinda hate that I love it. Pretentious-looking everything aside, the prices are just a little too much and the service could def be better. I think the layout of the place makes it hard for servers. Seasonal (at time of posting) egg frittata: If the plate were a pie chart, the actual frittata would take up 1/6th of it. A pity because it was actually delicious with big chunks of butternut squash. The greens and artfully-placed bread slices were just sad fillers. Said bread is also awful and I always leave checking to see how many of my teeth chipped. You're better off scooping some of their yummy spreads directly into your mouth (but actually don't). Smoked salmon tartine is by far my favorite still!
(3)Maggie M.
The food here looks divine. This review is only for the coffee. I didn't get a chance to sample the food or dine in. Ordered a mocha to go at the counter. The store is lovely with lots of pastries, chocolates, spreads, etc., around the cashwrap. The staff was helpful and friendly. My drink however was disappointing. A 16-ounce mocha is $5. That is fine if it is outstanding. This mocha was not and I think it is just the recipe they use because mine was made fresh so it wasn't like some places where you get presteamed milk or a barrista that leaves a component out. The espresso was tasty enough and the cocoa powder was quality. But the mocha had no sweetness to it. I don't like a sickly sweet mocha so I stopped ordering them at Starbucks YEARS ago, but this had NO hint of sweetness. For $5, that made me a little sad. I will probably back to sample the fare but I doubt I'll order a mocha again. :(
(3)N S.
I love this location. Very clean and open space with friendly staff. Terrific for a quaint after dinner cappuccino and pastry.
(5)Andrea B.
I will start by saying that the spreads they have for their breads are amazing. Unfortunately, I went there yesterday and experienced very slow service (which I have experienced before) and I was not asked what size I wanted for the cup of fruit I ordered. I was very surprised then when on the bill it said my cup of fruit was $7.40! It was a small bowl of probably around five strawberries, four blackberries, and maybe six blueberries. Needless to say, I was a bit furious and I will not be returning even though their spreads are so wonderful.
(2)Mils S.
Ambiance is very nice, if they had 2 1/2 stars I would give it to them. Problem is service is extremely slow. Food is just a tad bit overpriced. I would suggest just going for coffee and pastries. Coffee and latte's are excellent.
(2)Em D.
I am a big fan of the Mosaic District. I am making a point of trying every single eatery, every single bakery, every single restaurant there and this place in particular is so cute and charming! Very refreshing environment and decor. I had high hopes for this little cafe tucked down a small street by Mom's Organic. My sister and I, both big foodies, decided to sit outside for lunch that day. There were a few tables lined up along the windows and we picked a table by a huge umbrella. This umbrella was huge, but the shade it provided barely, almost reached us. A waitress came and asked us if we were using the umbrella. We said yes and asked if she wouldn't mind moving it a little closer. She said okay and then took the umbrella and moved it over to another table that was already under a little cover and had half their table in shade so they really didn't need the umbrella. We asked the waitress why she had moved it and she replied that the shade wasn't even reaching us so we didn't need the umbrella. We then asked her if there was another umbrella she could bring out and she said no. Then she just shrugged and left. Um what?!?!?!?! Terrible service. Horrible service. I would have gotten up and left had I not been dying to try this place's watermelon mint cooler. After this little incident, my sister and I decided to sit inside. I unwillingly followed her. I wanted to enjoy the beautiful day outside. However, we moved inside and picked an empty table. Nobody came to greet us for a good 10-15 minutes. Not cool. The food on the menu itself was nothing special. A lot of it was over priced. I ordered a Smoked Salmon Omlette and a mint lemonade. My sister ordered something that I can't remember the name of (nor will I really need to because Im not coming back or recommending this place to anyone) and a mint watermelon cooler. The drinks were good. The entrees were not. My omlette was good. The bread that came with it wasn't warm. It was tough and it didn't taste good. The little salad that they had on the place had some interesting dressing or vinaigrette that made it incredibly salty and sour and it was weird tasting. Not good. I only finished the smoked salmon omlette. Whatever my sister got wasn't good either. It tasted overwhelmingly heavy with cheese and the bread that came along with her dish wasn't good or warm either. We also were not checked in on at all. Waiters and waitresses kept passing us, but nobody asked if we were finished or if everything was okay. Nothing. Cute place. I had high hopes, but I will not be returning. I will not be recommending this place to friends. When it comes to any type of restaurant, there needs to be a balance of service and food. If the service is bad, you better make sure the food is out-of-this-world good. If the food is not so good, if the service is impeccable, it'll still be somewhat okay. At this place the service was terrible and for what we were paying, the food was not up to par. This place is not worth it and like I stated earlier, I wont be coming back.
(1)K. S.
The food is fresh, the menu options are varied and delicious. I would eat here everyday if it wasn't so darn expensive. My three year old son and I went about a year ago and for the two of us it was over $40!
(4)Petra E.
Let me preface by saying I am from Europe and Americans are spoiled where it comes to service in restaurants. That said, for American standards the service at this particular Pain Quotidien is indeed hit or miss. Their food, however, is always delicious. Yes, it's a little more expensive than Panera for example, but it is all organic and natural and that comes with a price. Their portions, especially the salads, are, in disagreement with an earlier short review, quite generous. The lentil salad was so big I couldn't finish it. Favorite dishes for me are the smoked salmon tartine, the chicken pot au feu and the salads. Our vegan daughter loves the many vegan choices on the menu
(4)Akua O.
Still five stars! Went again around 11am hour on a Friday and seating was easier to find (although it was still full) than at 11am on a Saturday. Had the Chicken Chorizo and Cheddar omelet again (comes with a small salad and two hefty pieces of bread) and it was excelente, AGAIN! Brought a guest today, who loves breakfast and considers themselves a breakfast connoisseur, and I had been raving to them that this place is my new favorite breakfast spot, and they were overwhelmingly in agreeance! Definitely their favorite casual breakfast spot now too! We also ordered the belgian waffle with jam and cream and it was THE best waffle we've had around! Its not the four-section waffle you are used to from most american diners, but rather takes on the true shape of a belgian waffle (smaller, denser and a rectangular shape). Two mocha coffees later,...we were happy fat cats! Service was attentive and good today as well. I really need them to post a Groupon or something so I can stock up! love LPQ!
(5)Jini K.
I've been to LPQ a few times now, for breakfast, brunch, dinner, and for just coffee/desserts. I must admit, the food is always delicious and the service is decent, though not overwhelmingly great. Depending on when I've gone, particularly on weekdays, the place can be fairly deserted and lacks the sophisticated vibe I would expect from a french-inspired cafe. The prices can be a bit steep and the portions are generally a tad small, but I suppose I can deal with those factors, considering the food is usually a hit.
(3)Heather G.
Walking into this location, I was hit with the most unpleasant smell ever. The first thing I said saw "Ewww! What's that smell?" The other patrons didn't seem to mind the smell, so I just covered my nose and sat in silence while I tried to decide if I could eat amidst the stench. Please believe, If I wasn't with a friend, I seriously would have walked out. But she wanted to eat here, so we did. Good thing, I weathered through the stink storm. Everything else was so pleasant. The waitress filled our wine glasses to the rim. Score. I ordered the cheese almond danish. They didn't have it. I am a little perturbed that they didn't have it on the menu but I didn't make a big deal of it. Instead, the waitress recommended the apple-pear turnover with some (complimentary) mini tarts. Score. The apple-pear turnover was not anything spectacular but the mini tarts were all very good; Raspberry, Pistachio, and the Mini Mousse. Great! The hot chocolate was decent. I appreciate how they separate the hot chocolate from the milk which allows me to pour how much or little of cocoa I wanted in my cup. Easily 3.5 stars. Four stars if they can control the stench.
(4)Qui H.
I went here around 3 in the afternoon to catch up with a friend. I love that there is a free parking garage right in front of the bakery. When the weather becomes nice you can sit outside or inside. As you enter the bakery you can seat yourself. This place has a wooden feel to it. I believe this place uses a lot of organic food/produce. I ordered a cold ice latte which was decent. I probably should have ordered hot latte instead for a rainy day. Also I had the chocolate mouse cake that was light, fluffy and good in portions. Service was okay. The waitress would come by here and there. There are still other items on the menu that I would like to try. So I will definitely come back.
(4)Sally T.
YUM YUM YUM! I love the food here! It has always been good. The service is questionable but the food speaks for its self.
(4)Katie B.
Absolutely loved this place's atmosphere - very rustic and cozy. My cappuccino was amazing and a lot more hearty than the coffee kiosk place by the theater a block over. The service was ok. This place I think would benefit more if having a server was optional. Sometimes I'd rather pick up my food at a counter than feel obligated to tip someone 20% for just bringing me a coffee. Also having a server pressures you into feeling obligated to get more than just one thing or it might be impolite. Regardless this place stands out because of its great mission in supporting organic food and that is really important.
(4)Sherrie H.
Wow. Their food here's always fresh and their vegetables look much better than 95% of all restaurants I've ever eaten in.
(5)Jess M.
Nice set up, however the service was slow and poorly paced. We ordered the bread basket to start before our entrees, and about 15 minutes went by before it appeared on our table. And then 3 minutes later, BOOM there's my entree sitting in front of me after only getting about three bites of bread in. The basket is ENORMOUS, definitely enough for four people. I was kind of disappointed that there wasn't as much diversity in the basket, there were 4 enormous slices, literally the size of a plate, of wheat something, then 1 medium sized slice of hazelnut bread, part of a baguette, and some smaller multigrain oat bread. The spreads were pretty good, we had an assortment of apricot, berry, and hazelnut. My steel cut oatmeal with bananas was kind of bland so I asked for some additional maple syrup on the side which helped a lot. Aside from that, I would opt for a table away from the front doors next time, because it was cold and we kept getting a blast of air every time people went in and out. The child who kept throwing their plastic truck on the ground every 5 seconds was disruptive since we were less than three feet away trying to have a conversation. But that's not the fault of the business, it's the annoying parents who kept picking up the toy and giving it to their kid. Opt for a stuffed animal next time? I also noticed that there is only one bathroom each for men and women, so you might end up waiting around if it's busy. Parking is right across the street, but the first level is for MOM's shoppers only. I'm not sure if they tow at certain times of the day, but I'm not the type to risk walking out to my car and realizing it's not there.
(3)Xinyi T.
After going here many times i feel like i should do an update on this place. The hot chocolate is my favorite! I come here for the hot chocolate almost every week. I cant stand how bad the service is here. You have to wait a long time for service. If you are going to eat something there, they do not like it when u order something at the counter and sit down even though that will save u a lot time. I really wish they can improve their service here especially for how much they charge you at this place. My fiancé and I came here at the end of our date night for desert. The environment was really cute. I loved their table settings. And they had outdoor seating. We got a table outside. I love their hot chocolate. They use Belgian dark chocolate and you pour it into a thing of steam milk. I don't like things too sweet, so this was the perfect hot chocolate for me. I liked their apricot tart and raspberry a lot. The fruits taste very fresh. They are not too sweet if you like that. The place is on the pricey side for deserts. It took us awhile to get waited maybe because we were sitting outside... But I forgot my dirty galgene bottle there, the owner didn't only kept it for me and he cleaned it for me. I was pretty surprised. Overall I like the place. I will definitely be going back soon.
(2)Lisa N.
Newly located next to Target and Mom's market, Le Pain offers a great selection of organic French cuisine in the Merrifield area. Both times that I have been, I enjoyed the tartines (open-faced sandwiches). I've had the Grilled Chicken and Mozzarella, Turkey and Avocado, and Toasted Chicken Mushroom and Gruyere. All tartines are served on whole wheat bread with a side of cantaloupe. My favorite was the Grilled Chicken and Mozzarella tartine because it had a delicious pesto sauce on top. The drinks are not bad, but I probably would not order them again. The hot chocolate was not chocolate-y enough for me and the spiced apple cider's star anise flavor was too strong. The cafe au lait was on the bitter side because they don't offer any type of syrup. The breads and jam are delicious. They bake their bread fresh, so I'd suggest getting the sampler or 5 grain with raisins. With the bread, you get a jam sampler (apricot, berry, and chocolate). Berry is strong, but it's my favorite. The chocolate ones remind me of nutella. They also sell their jams and desserts in the front! Service is quick and friendly as well. Our server, Brianna, was very attentive and informative about the options on the menu. Le Pain is a great option for those looking for healthier restaurants. The prices are higher than average (about $10-15/entree), but that's understandable since everything is fresh and organic! I'll be coming back and bringing my friends!
(5)E G.
Hilariously overpriced, slow unfriendly service and tiny portions. NO reason to go here. oh, and last time I went the overhead A/C vents were dripping on almost all the tables. We had to move 3 times to find a table where we werent getting rained on.
(1)Scott C.
The main thing to remember here for most Americans is that this is not a Starbucks. They don't have flavored coffee and you don't order at the front and then sit down. You order from the table like in a restaurant, unless you are taking something to go. That said, the food and coffee are both fantastic. It really has the atmosphere and taste of a European cafe in Belgium, France, Germany or Switzerland. The organic breads were amazing and their spreads, similar to Nutella and Biscoff, were phenomenal. My favorite so far are the Tartines, but I can't wait to work my way through the whole menu.
(5)Laura K.
This is my favorite place in the area that serves organic high quality breakfast and food. It is little more expensive then IHOP OR SILVER DINER but it is worth it. I know IDE rather pay more for something I like then pay for a bad experience...and the managers are very friendly.
(5)Lindsay M.
I was having lunch and my friend found hair in her food, then the table next to us had the same issue. Not clean!
(1)Kristell F.
Overall the food is very delicious but don't except much in terms of the service. If you are into healthy food this is the place for you. The food is all organic so it doesn't leave you feeling full and gross like other places do. The portions are normal portions, so if you are into family style this is not the place for you. The majority of their food nutrition facts are also available on myfitness pal so woo hoo to all my other healthy people. The food is a little pricey but you are paying for good ingredients. They have a great breakfast, lunch and dinner selection and typically rotate special items for each season. I wish all items were available at all hours since they are all delicious. Depending on what you want they only serve them at specific times. Make sure to try their spreads because they are amazing. As far as service it is a hit or miss. I feel that for the price you are paying you should be given excellent service at all times. There are a few outstanding staff members that are helpful and fast at taking your order or giving you for refills; however, the majority of the staff is slow. I would not recommend coming during the lunch hour if you have to get back to work. It takes a long time for people to give you a menu, take your order, place the order, deliver your food, or get refills. It always amazes me how fast they are when giving you the check and looking for a tip though. The decor is beautiful. It's a nice rustic french feel with a lot of natural light coming through the entire restaurant. The tables are a little small so I would recommend that you take a seat at the big communal table for extra elbow room. The one down side to communal table might be if you dont want to sit next to random strangers. Overall this place is beautiful, food is great but service is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get.
(4)Tony M.
My wife and I love this place! it's a nice breakfast restaurant. Their breakfast menu contains lots of fresh and organic ingredients. We usually have their Smoked Salmon & Scallion Omelette - It's delicious! Their hazelnut butter spread on the table is also very tasty. I Didn't like their hot herbal hot tea - it's a bit pricey! This is a clean staurant with a nice ambiance! We'll continue going there!
(4)Kathleen K.
Wow - that was an evening wasted! Short story, don't go! We ended up at this restuarant from some good pastries I had a few months ago, soon after it opened. I should have known better because it was the only restaurant in the Mosaic without a long wait to eat. Long story, they were out of certain food, didn't put all the food on the plates we did order (the 5 cheese platter should have, wait for it, five cheeses), did not bring bread to go with the cheeses, served unpeeled and dirty looking carrots (see picture), did not refill drinks. This is the first restaurant I reached into my wallet to throw some money on the table and leave. I wish we had - but the server showed up miraculously with the kids' food. (They served the kids their grilled cheeses last!). We did speak with the manager and he comped the aforementioned cheese platter, but honestly, I just wanted to get out and find another place to eat. It seemed like they were having serious server and kitchen problems.
(1)Sisi B.
I've always loved Le Pain for their healthy and delicious menu items, cool decor, and laid back feel. My favorites are the chicken pot au feu, any omelet, and of course the rotating spread of jams. Mmmmmmm, Nutella with real ingredients! And the coffee is so good. I love how it comes in a bowl; makes me feel very European.
(4)Colin C.
Newly opened with nice atmosphere and patio. Coffee drinks are too pricey, even more than Starbucks and other bistros. Service is good and the food is consistently decent. Nothing spectacular and not too many fancy drinks so I'm knocking it down a star.
(3)Chieu L.
I immediately fell in love with this place. The atmosphere was great. I was introduced to this place by some friends for an after lunch dessert/coffee place. The desserts are delicious as well. I was just kind of disappointed that there wasn't more of a selection. The Belgian Hot Chocolate was perfect and the presentation was perfect! UPDATE: 2014 The ONLY reason I go here is for the desserts and hot chocolate...everything else stinks.... service is bleh. food is bleh price is bleh coffee is bleh parking is decent. family friendly...pretty decent. atmosphere pretty good.
(3)Lyn L.
During an early morning walk with our dogs, at the up and coming Mosaic District, we craved a lite bite to eat. We stumbled upon Le Pain Quotidien. Seems they are connected but not really affiliated to the Hyatt House. They have a good selection of organic coffees, teas and other beverages. They also have a very small outdoor area, so we sat with our pups and enjoyed our coffees and hot chocolate. We also had a couple of croissants, which were very fresh and tasty.
(4)Zack M.
Poor service, poor management & poor food (other than bread which was very good). Minestrone soup was requested super-hot, arrived cold, twice, otherwise was quite tasty. Avocado, which was present in 2 dishes we ordered, was unripe and rubbery. Turkey breast on my tartine (open sandwich) was like a cheap cold cut. Smoked Salmon, on top of another tartine we ordered was fishy. Prices way too high for a less than average lunch. worst of all, nonchalant attitude by server and manager, who seemed not to care whatsoever. Never going back.
(1)Sean G.
I ordered eggs and cheese on a croissant. And I was very clear about what I wanted. The lady who took my order obviously didn't understand me so what I got was cheese on a croissant for 10 bucks. Nice one! This place is so expensive yet the staff are obviously getting low wages because there inexperienced. Such a shame. I hate this joint. Looks nice but sucks. The place around the corner (pastry expo) is way better and coffee there is better to.
(1)Paolo G.
One star only for being Le Pain Quotidien. Otherwise, this was a really lousy experience. It had been a while since I visited LPQ, so I didn't recall that you are supposed to just sit down if you are not ordering takeout. Instead, I walked in, ordered my coffee, and said it was "for there" when asked. Apparently this is an on-going issue between the register and the waitstaff (perhaps because of the starbucks-like layout at this location, where you are immediately met with the register when you walk in and the dining area is off to the side). They should have a prominent sign letting guests know the rules. In any event, the guy at the register had already rung us up and so he told a waiter that we would be sitting down and let him know that the oversight was theirs for not asking us before taking our order. After sitting down, a waitress came to the table and was very rude when I tried to explain the mistake and told her that I would leave a good tip in spite of having already ordered. She refused to bring our coffee, silverware, and napkins. When I asked her for a spoon, she actually went and told the guy at the register to bring it to us. I was so irritated that I actually asked to speak with the manger, which I had never previously done. I am usually a big fan of Le Pain Quotidien, but this experience has made me doubt whether I will ever go back again. Thankfully, theres's a Paul closer to my house anyway. It is a shame though because I actually like their coffee better.
(1)Michelle M.
I love this place. The ambiance is awesome and eclectic and the food is organic and healthy, not to mention tasty. I recommend this place for sure.
(5)Linh O.
I've been here twice now and service isn't consistent. Actually, theres always a poor service issue. Recently, a group (6 at the time of ordering) of friends met up here and one person ended up waiting almost an hour for her food while everyone else was served. Repeat that again with the checks at the end of the meal (good thing we asked for it well in advance)..and it was not a busy night. Food is ok but feels overpriced for what you get and even more so when you consider the service.
(2)Poppy B.
I like LPQ and will happily go to this chain. I have been to a number of locations and this one is the worst. The service is good- friendly, polite, efficient, but the food is just sloppy. I have been to this location 3-4 times and I think that's enough. I'd rather travel a bit further and get a better meal and experience. When you know how a dish is meant to be put together and it's just not it's really frustrating- and that what happens here every time. What a shame!!
(2)Lynette S.
The service is inconsistent but the ambience is undoubtedly nice for sunny afternoons. Very relaxing place with OK menu items.
(4)The S.
UPDATE: better! Customer service sent me some gift cards after my last experience. That was nice. Food was better this time. And they actually had croissants. Croque Monsieur wasn't that great but it was decent. Wait service still not great.
(3)P. S.
Pricey, but worth it. I've been here 3 times and found the food is fresh and delicious, but the service is slow. On a recent Sunday morning, it took over 30 minutes for our food to arrive. We loved the quiche lorraine and curry chicken tartine. Excellent coffee, very nice ambience with large bright windows, and the servers are friendly.
(4)Kathy N.
I actually came here twice within a week, since this was closer than their new Tyson's location, which we already loved. Our first trip was not a great experience, so we came back later on a weekday to see it on a different day. The first time was a Saturday, so it was largely over-crowded and we were running late to another obligation. Our server was very attentive and apologized often for the delay in our food, which took 35-40 minutes to get. She offered us a free pot of coffee, which would have been nice if we were able to stay to enjoy it, but the gesture was very much appreciated. The delay was understandable as it was extremely crowded and we had a bit of a complicated order. We passed by a couple days later, and saw that it was not crowded at all (like 2 parties inside) and wanted to stop in to try it again. What a mistake. It took a few minutes and several glares towards the kitchen to even have a server come over. When our drinks came by, the waitress had sloshed it around on her tray so much that I had lost my half drink (no acknowledgment). When we were done with our food, we sat around and waited...and waited...and waited.. pretty much had not seen our server since we got our food. We saw her again when she was helping another party come in next to us. I had quite the close encounter with her when she reached across me (her sleeve rubbed against my face) to grab our jam rack to give it to the new party (couldn't take it from the empty tables around us?) and cleared the table in front of us. I don't have a lot of experience in the food service industry, but I know you don't clear the table in front of the guest without asking if they are finished, or without speaking to your guests at all. She must have done a pretty good job clearing the table, since the manager came by to ask if we had been helped yet. No...just waiting to ask our server for our check. Meanwhile, the table next to us ordered and got their food while we were still waiting to ask for the check. The food is good, don't get me wrong. The crowd who comes in is who comes in, and this is not at the fault of other patrons, but I would prefer to go to a different location that teaches their staff proper manners and treat all their guests equally. I will not be coming to this location again.
(2)Trey B.
I've been coming here a lot the past few weeks for Saturday breakfasts. The ham and gruyere omelete is very good, and the breads and coffee are outstanding. Service, however, could be better, and it's a bit pricey for what you get.
(3)Olivia A.
I came in for take-out and I must say, I certainly was satisfied. I got the Curried Chicken Tartine and the Tuna Tartine. Both very yummy, though I really did not enjoy the bread it came on. :/ I was also expecting something else entirely, like the toppings were baked into it or something as opposed to being thrown on it. Don't get me wrong, the toppings were delicious by themselves (which is how I eventually ate it). I just wish I could have switched out the bread (is that an option?). I also got three desserts, the raspberry and mixed berry tart, along with the chia seed pudding. The tarts were good, but they weren't really anything to go crazy over. I've had better and I've also had worse. The chia seed pudding on the other hand: wooooooow! It might be because it's something I haven't had in a while or it was really THAT good. Either way, the raspberry on top gave it a very nice kick to the seed part. I kind wished they did half and half instead, as opposed to 90/10. Maybe they'll let me add a bit more of the raspberry next time? :D The décor is very quaint. I've never been to a real French café before (hint hint, someone buy me a ticket s'il vous plait), but I imagine it to be a little something like that. :D I didn't really get a close look, but by their bakery area, there is a huge wall of jams, honey, jams, spreads, and jams. Did I mention they had a lot of jam? I definitely want to give them all a try next time I stop by. :D Conclusion: give it a try? Absolutely! A must have place to be? Eh. Also, I spend $40 on my entire meal. It's organic and pricey, so keep that in mind if those things are important to you. Me? Not so much. I just wanted to give it a try. Will I be back? Every now and then.
(3)Dan O.
I have been looking for new ideas for healthy recipes and this place had so many options. I wish I had one closer to where I live.
(5)Murphy M.
Holy mf-ing wow, I should've gone to McDonalds. I assure you there would've been a more capable staff there. Probably one of the most obviously poorly managed experiences I've ever had at a restaurant. First off, they were out of croissants. A French restaurant, at 10:50 AM, was out of croissants. Good work, guys. Then, my takeout, which only has three ingredients(salmon, avocado and bread) was missing 1/3 (the avocado). I was willing to forgive the fact they were out of croissants and I had to have their shitty egg beater omelette(and it was REALLY bad), but they also f-ed my takeout? I called to talk to the manager and was put on hold...for five minutes. Hung up, called back. Put on hold again. Eventually the initial moron that answered picked back up and pretended to be the manager, which caused me to hang up with a "f-it" to close the line of communication. Avoid this place, as it's sadly the worst goddamn place at Mosaic.
(1)Mark O.
A large group of us stopped by for dinner after seeing a movie on a Saturday night and we had great service. Maybe management is reading the negative reviews and doing something about it. Our server definitely wasn't the most knowledgeable or a really a good fit for the progressive, organic, veg-friendly vibe they're trying to get across but he was competent and friendly. As far as the food goes I'd say stick with the vegetarian options as those in our group who went that route were the happiest with their meals. I had the tartine with black bean hummus, spicy tahini with fresh sliced avocados, little bits of red pepper and tomatoes - absolutely wonderful! I'd love to see more enlightened and affordable restaurants pop up in the area so from that standpoint they'll really have to screw up to make me not return. I think a big part of the problem for them again is finding the right staff simply because NoVA overwhelmingly isn't hip, happening or progressive. But thanks to Le Pain Quotidien and the whole Mosaic district concept hopefully that is starting start to change.
(5)JoAnna L.
I got a ham and cheese sandwich to go and was a little disappointed. It was a little too foofoo for me. It was okay but more like something you have at tea time not for lunch. The pastries are very good. This is a real bakery. I love the madelines, yum! The mini tarts, bownies, ect...seriouslly I can go on and on. It also has very great atmosphere! Its a great place to take a friend and just hang out and talk in.
(4)Rusty R.
Cool looking place, but I stopped in after lunch for a pastry and just about had a heart attack when the cashier handed me my change... A simple chocolate chip cookie was $3.75 plus tax!!! The cookie was dried out and horrible. Can't imagine what a cupcake, muffin, cheese cake, or tart would have been... Even Subway has better cookies. Panera is only a half block away and I will go there next time.
(1)S P.
Poor & inattentive service. Food lacked flavor. Bit pricey.
(1)Karen H.
We should have listened to the prior Yelp reviews. We arrived at 6:15 and did not get our food until 7:15 - it wasn't a hard order - one open faced sandwich, a basket of bread, and goat cheese toast. I have no idea why it took so long since the restaurant was not busy. The management refused to allow us to order a sandwich on a baguette - and the wheat bread they insisted on using was soggy. Seriously the sandwich was barely edible and very pricey. We took a look at the pastries on our way out the door. Save yourself alot of time and money and go to Panera Bread nearby. We will never go back to this place although we live close by.
(1)Todd Y.
Great healthy food with superb coffee. Minus 1 star for not refilling coffee. Located adjacent to the Hyatt House. Otherwise great customer service. Park in the Mom's Organic store parking garage.
(5)Mark A.
I have visited this location a couple of times now. It is a great area to be in and once it fills out a bit more I'm sure it will be easier. In the meantime, you should enjoy the newness and if you like Le Pain already, you will enjoy this spot. I have had the Quiche Lorraine and Apple/almond tart. Both were very good and if in the area I would hit this spot along with the other shops in the area. Can't miss here.
(4)Ann W.
This is my new discover! Love the seasonal cheese cake, it's not too sweet, and not too creamy, just the way I like it! Also love the food and brownie, my kids love to eat at here as well.
(4)Neha A.
Been to this one since it opened and food is always good. The service was great when it first opened however, yesterday was my third instance of poor service and as a result will not be returning to this location. We went about a month ago and sat outside. The server (new guy hadn't seen him b4)got the fact that we wanted water without ice wrong (after being told twice) we sucked it up though. He brought a pot of tea with one cup and I asked for another one. 10 mins later no cup asked again..nada! Walked inside to get it myself giving him the benefit that it may be really busy and there he was standing by the kitchen chatting away with another server. Took him long enough to get our food out and process the check..needless to say we didn't tip more than 10% even though I would have preferred zero. Went again yesterday (we like being treated bad I guess)..things started out fine..had a lady server who took our order in a timely fashion and then disappeared..Asked her for water 10 mins later..again with ice after being told that we wanted without..also reminded her about our coffee and croissant...both arrived another 10 mins later and cold. sucked it up and had the food arrive..brought by a manager...asked him for a side of harissa with my eggs...he walks back to the kitchen counter and just stands there no effort to retieve said harissa...asked our server a few mins later who also didn't bother to get it..I did say something to the server when she came to get our plates and she did take off the croissant off the check...probably cause I looked PISSED. Paid our check and dear husband insisted on a tip they didn't deserve one for sure. The level of service just sucks! Will not be returning even though we used to go atleast once a week and always took guests there.
(2)Virginia B.
I had an opportunity to try out the bakery today. I did take out. I had the pistachio tart and an espresso mini tart. No complaints and I can't wait to go back and try more items and maybe have lunch. So far, so good.
(5)Deb K.
If I could give it two and half stars, that's where I'd be with this place. I want to like it. I love the rustic country french atmosphere! The wooden tables are out of a beautiful dream. But there are issues. First, I feel like I've paid too much money for too little food. I get that it's largely organic and healthy and that part is great. I'll forgive the price/portions for an occasional visit, but I can't go there often as a result. The food has been tasty, but on the two visits I've been there something has been missing from an order -- like a turkey tartine with no turkey. So you need to pay attention to what you order and what you get. Pastry seating is an issue!!! I had no idea how it worked to order pastries and eat them at a table. The pastry counter has a register, and there's a large self-seating area nearby. It looks similar to ordering at Panera, La Madeleine or even Starbucks. So I started our order at the register, then asked how seating worked before I finished. I'm glad I asked! Because the guys behind the counter reacted with, "OH NO, this is takeout. If you want to eat at a table you need to order from the table otherwise the servers think they're being cheated." The cashier scrambled to tell the wait staff. It was like they had to have a team meeting to talk about the mistake. You could tell we weren't the first customers to do this. And I felt somewhat self conscious by their reaction -- exactly what I don't want to feel while enjoying their dreamy rustic tables. The establishment needs to FIX IT -- to do something to make it clear to patrons that if they wish to eat pastry at a table, they should order at a table. Or have an unstaffed section for patrons to enjoy pastries on site. The familiar setup easily leads us astray. I'm sure I speak for other customers when I say we're NOT trying to cheat anybody! After it was cleared up, we sat at a table and started our order with one of the pastries we'd ogled and ordered other food too. My soup was tasty and hot. The bread was delish. The tartines were attractive and nicely seasoned. Service was basically fine. But this isn't one of those places where you feel like the staff is hustling for you. The menu itself doesn't offer a very complete listing of pastries. "What was the one with the raspberries on top? That other one with a drizzle?" Can't remember. Menu doesn't help. I'm not supposed to order from the counter. So I decided not to order any more. Too bad because I was definitely not full from the food and had plenty of room for dessert. Food is attractive, tasty & healthy, but portions are quite small. Service is ... basically OK. Baked goods are yummy. But eating pastries at a table can be disjointed. Kind of put a hole in the lovely atmosphere.
(2)Mils S.
Ambiance is very nice, if they had 2 1/2 stars I would give it to them. Problem is service is extremely slow. Food is just a tad bit overpriced. I would suggest just going for coffee and pastries. Coffee and latte's are excellent.
(2)Mercedes E.
Love the food at LPQ. However, at the Mosaic district location, we have had terrible experiences with service. On a regular basis, the waiters take a long time to get us menus, then another long wait to take our order, and, as expected, another long time for our food to get to our table. This morning, our order was simple - bread and coffee, no cooked food. It took nearly two hours from the time we sat down to the time we left. The waiter brought the wrong items, my coffee was cold, and it was a frustrating experience. I hope that the manager at LPQ hires extra staff for busy weekends, and then spend some time training them so they can provide good customer service. Even if the food is good, we will not come back and waste a beautiful spring day waiting to be served coffee and bread.
(2)Joyze C.
I love going to Le Pain for the atmosphere and 'health'... But kinda hate that I love it. Pretentious-looking everything aside, the prices are just a little too much and the service could def be better. I think the layout of the place makes it hard for servers. Seasonal (at time of posting) egg frittata: If the plate were a pie chart, the actual frittata would take up 1/6th of it. A pity because it was actually delicious with big chunks of butternut squash. The greens and artfully-placed bread slices were just sad fillers. Said bread is also awful and I always leave checking to see how many of my teeth chipped. You're better off scooping some of their yummy spreads directly into your mouth (but actually don't). Smoked salmon tartine is by far my favorite still!
(3)Amy N.
Because you just can't make eggs the same way at home.... I love coming here for a long brunch to just read and relax! This is the closest you'll get to a more European breakfast or brunch. The summer items especially trend a little Mediterranean. I have complained pretty vocally on Yelp about the (extremely) slow service and room temperature coffee at other LPQ locations (ahem, Clarendon), but this location seems to run a bit tighter. Lately every time I'm here, I get the two soft boiled eggs and a large fruit cup. The fresh breads and egg dishes are really hard to beat. Other favorite is the Tuscan white bean salad, but I can't pass up breakfast foods usually. House-made drinks are also good.
(4)Huamei Y.
I'm not a big fan of this chain's food per se, I don't find it particularly innovative in terms of taste but this location gets 4 stars for friendly efforts from the man who greeted us, I think he's the manager. They lose a star because it was difficult to get the servers attention for more water and to get change. After waving my arm for a while I gave up and went up to someone, anyone lol. Now..onto the food: The coffee was okay but not hot enough. It was lukewarm at best. The quality is supposed to be good but I somehow ended up having an upset stomach reaction afterwards. Perhaps the coffee was too acidic or the cheese too strong...it's a mystery to me. I also tried their waffle which was very buttery and crispy and it had chunks of sugar hidden within it - not sure if it's supposed to be like that ? It's kind of pricey for an average breakfast in my opinion so I don't plan to frequent this place too often. If anything I just loved the interior of this place lol!
(3)Karen E.
Tried Le Pain Quotidien for the first time on Sunday (8/23). First off, the food was AMAZING. I had the goat cheese and mushroom omelette and it was probably one of the best omelettes I've had in my life! The bread (served with butter and an array of pots of jam on the table) was also great. Jams almost made me moan! Atmosphere was nice... Lovely weather and we sat at one of the outdoor tables under an umbrella (next to the Hyatt House). Big Negative: Disorganized (yet friendly) service! And crowded at noon. But the service was really almost abysmal. We were there about 25 minutes before getting water. The server took ONE of our orders, then ran off to help someone. My omelette (so good!) arrived without any silverware or water... I had to wait to eat until maybe 5-8 minutes after my food arrived, when they brought my fork and knife and napkin. My friend ordered a non-alcoholic drink, which they didn't have. But then they brought her a cheaper one, but charged her for the first one (she noticed and they kindly took it off the bill altogether). Very busy! Overall: Food: 5+ (yum!). Service: 2-3 (friendly, but SO chaotic). Atmosphere: 3-4 (friendly but crowded). I'd recommend going here but NOT at peak times or with elderly people and definitely not if you're in a rush! But it was a nice experience overall on a lovely day!
(4)Layla L.
So I've been to Le pain multiple times- to both this location and the Georgetown one and there are a few consistencies. For starters, the service has always been terrible- very slow with a couldn't care less attitude. Second, the food- it's sooo mediocre and sooo overpriced (not only for not being good but also for the tiny portion size). I'm not saying I need large portions but if you're going to make them small don't charge so much. +1 star for the ambiance/ decor
(2)Lydia R.
I actually really love this place. It's a great place to work from because it doesn't get ridiculously crowded, the people who work here are super nice and always check up on me and treat me like I'm a princess (hello, unlimited green tea refills in my personalized green tea vat since I'm an addict), and the whole space is really large and open so you actually have enough room to work and eat. On to the food! You may be familiar with this place mainly for its gorgeous bakery and patisserie display, but the lunch and dinner here are equally delicious. Being a bakery, the bread is fresh and goes well with selected meals. In my case, the kale Caesar salad was filling and really delivered. It arrived with smoked salmon on top, which I actually appreciated more than a baked or grilled salmon as I was expecting. The prices are a bit steep (besides buying the bread loaves to go, which are a pretty awesome deal IMO), so this place is more of a treat for me.
(4)Simay O.
4.5 stars- I love this location at Mosaic district, it's clean, usually quiet and has a friendly staff. The menu accommodates to a variety of tastes but most of all to those of us who love a healthy but uber tasty meal. For someone like me who goes once every other month or sometimes once every few months, the menu feels like it always upgrades or keeps evolving (but maybe it feels that way to me because I don't go all the time). I just tried the crispy quinoa cake and I was blown away by how tasty it was. No it's not a cake made of quinoa - although that would be the healthiest cake of all and would take all the fun out of eating cake- it's a fried patty that's actually quinoa fried in olive oil and basted in tomato sauce. It's incredible! The patty is on a plate bedded with hummus and surrounded with arugula, avocado, tomato sauce .. It's even more delicious than it sounds. I will be recommending this to many friends and family and will go back for it! I know that they also have a selection of alcoholic beverages but have not yet tried yet, if anyone has any suggestions please comment!
(4)Sin Y. K.
Came in here mid-morning of 7/8. The waiter was super friendly and the service was extremely prompt and fast. I read some of the other reviews and maybe it was just not the best day for them. Their ingredients are ultra fresh and I love the way all their coffee/espressos are served-- like a mug/bowl type. It tasted phenomenal as well! All I had was an americano and this cold soup (first time!). It was all delicious. My friends had their salmon and some eggs as well. I tasted theirs and it was GREAT! I highly recommend at least for their food-- tasted oober fresh.
(4)Bruce K.
I like LPQ for breakfast/brunch, I've not been to one at lunch time so today was a first. I opted for the mac & cheese from the specials list. Interestingly with pieces of parma ham and chopped cornichons, it was a different taste. Not bad, just different. I cleaned the plate. It came with a pile of salad greens that had a very light dressing - I could only graze through about half of that. Service was okay. Not terrific, but I wasn't ignored. Catching her eye to get the check took a bit. I'd recommend LPQ if you're looking for a quality fast casual meal and you have some time for the service to catch up.
(4)Tsuru J.
We came in a bit later on a Saturday night expecting to grab a quick bite and be on our way. The staff was very flat and seemed quite disinterested in taking out orders and the cashier was like "yes, we serve tartines here and they are on the menu" when I inquired about sandwiches. Well if the menu is not posted, nor readily available (and not mentioned on the French script blackboard signs) then maybe it is your job to point that out? She also was a bit curt when I asked what was in the drinks we ordered. ANYWAY, we waited for a few minutes and it dawned on me that they were closing at 9 and not 10 like I had assumed, it being in the new & hip Mosaic District. The tartines came out (in to go boxes) as they were about to put the chairs we were sitting in up on the table with or without us in them. She did not say "we are about to close" but made every effort to make us feel unwelcome all the same. The food was good if a bit overpriced. The curry chicken salad and avocado turkey were great. They are about $12 and come with nothing else so it was good that we were not that hungry. Also, no one asked what kinds of bread we wanted or if we wanted the bread toasted. It was also good that we liked eating in the dark outside and carrying our trash quite a distance. I prefer the Eastern Market location with friendlier staff and less Panera feel.
(3)Trang H.
I love the ambiance of this restaurant. Great environment for brunch. However, I thought the food was just ok. I got the chicken pesto open-faced sandwich. I thought it was a bit dry and lacked flavor. Perhaps I need to order another dish next time.
(3)Wendy W.
This is a cute french style cafe with a comfortable home kitchen feel. We really enjoy sitting at the booths on a Sunday afternoon enjoying a cup of coffee and pastry. At each table there are jars of spreads and jams that await to be smeared on fresh bread. Unfortunately Le Pain Quotidien is not flawless. Service is friendly and polite...when they notice you. We generally don't mind being left alone after our food arrives but when we do need something, a refill of water, butter, more cream for our coffee, it takes a lot of effort to get any of the waitstaff to look up. This seems to be an ongoing occurance. The food at Le Pain Quotidien tastes "healthy." However the price point is on the higher side. The french toast I ordered had fresh strawberries (in December) which was wonderful but was served to me a bit burnt on the edges, which made it unpleasant. Overall, we still enjoy the ambiance but we hope the food and service tightens up.
(3)Saud A.
Le pain is one of my favorite restaurants to serve breakfast. They have a great selection of omelette styles, and my favorite; smoked salmon. They serve the best tasting waffle I ever had, it is both crunchy and lean at the same time. I feel like they're a little bit overpriced but I guess it needs to be because of such deliciousness.
(4)Young Y.
Food great. Hit or miss at other locations but was great here. (Oatmeal and salmon omelette). Our server Dhuni and manager Antonio were great. Also met old friend here which was a pleasant surprise. Will be back to see if we can find more old friends ;).
(5)Katie S.
I can't believe I had never been to this chain before. It is probably the closest thing I have had to petit déjeuner/déjeuner, like I remember from growing up in Belgium, that I have experienced here in the States. The Liège style waffles being delivered all around us were my first indication that everything was going to be awesome. Then the Belgian hot chocolate I ordered really solidified it for me. Sipping hot chocolate from a small bowl, just like I used to, and I was instantly 8 years old again. All that was missing was my Pain au chocolat to go with (I noticed -after the fact- that they do sell them here though... so it's my fault for not ordering one). Oh man, I really love this place and all the wonderful memories it evoked! I also love that everything is organic and will gladly pay a little more for higher quality foods. Plus, since the menu has a little bit of everything on it, it's a great brunch spot! Everything I sampled was delicious. My husband's tuna tartine and my bff's turkey avocado tartine were fantastic, and her fiancé's and my salads were also good. The only downfall was the soft boiled egg we ordered that was overcooked and the service was slightly lacking. We had to flag our server down a few times for various things, I'm actually not so sure she was not coming back to check on us on her own. But other than that, I am definitely a fan and will be back soon!
(4)Katie L.
I love this place. Tony and the staff are pretty amazing - great customer service. I've always been a fan of Le Pain Quotidien. When they opened in Clarendon, I started wishing they would open closer to me, and I'm grateful they did. They are a gem in the Mosaic District, perfect match with all the other cool eats in the area. I love eating seasonally and LPQ has nailed that. They also have a glorious boulangerie with great pastries and bread. I particularly love their croissants and chia seed pudding. I love everything in their menu, really. I am a fan for sure. Oh, PS, I buy my sal de mer and pepper here, too!
(5)Cathy T.
Best Belgium waffles (perfect amount of sweet - no syrup needed). Crispy quinoa cake is heaven in your mouth. Great feel at home ambiance. Beautiful presentation too, everything here is def snapchat worthy!
(5)Angela G.
Why did it take a long time for me to find this place?! I love everything about this cafe/dine in. The staff are very friendly and they'll recommend what's best on their menu. Of course, I had to try their French toast with berries on the side.. Oh my, it was very delicious! Highly recommend the French toast if you have a sweet tooth. My friend let me try her smoked salmon breakfast.. I'm getting that next time, it's too good for words. If you want to try their soup, try the organic chicken soup. Simply amazing. As for drinks, mint lemonade and organic blackberry lemonade are perfect for the hot weather. My new favorite place :)
(5)Eddie H.
Just ate here today, it was really good! I got the crispy quinoa cake. I usually cannot live with some kinda meat (sorry PITA), so I added smoked salmon to the order. My wife got the chia seeds putting and cheese danish. I gotta say they were all quite tasty. Our server was exceptional, unfortunately I don't remember her name. She was wearing glasses. My only complaint is the price, it wasn't cheap.
(4)Lydia C.
Service is horrible. It takes a really long time for the people that work at this place to notice you, and takes even longer for them to bring the orders out. Then after you're done, no one will clean the empty dishes away. And if you're just by yourself or just a group of 2 and decide to sit at a table for 4, the servers will get pissed and will ask you to move because "they will get too busy". LOL Forget about refilling anything because the servers will not do so on their own. Napkins, utensils, or anything, you have to ask multiples times. I don't know if this place is trying to be like a Starbucks where you just self-serve? Because we were going to grab the things on our own. I went there twice on a weekday with a friend, it was not busy at all. Horrible experiences. Never going back.
(1)Brenda K.
If my mom cooked like this....I would have eaten vegetables. The seasonal spring pea and cheddar is so good. I came here in the winter and loved the coffee in a handle less cup Great for a treat as prices aren't cheap but quality is top knotch. ..and quiet enough to sit a do work. Friendly staff. Amazing desserts.
(4)Megan P.
I've been a fan of LPQ for awhile, but this last trip was especially delightful. I found myself with a weekday afternoon to myself, so I grabbed a book and headed over to enjoy lunch on my own -- a little out of character for me because I love being around people. I picked a sunny spot and ordered a pot of earl grey tea, their seasonal frittata with a side salad and a cranberry/almond scone complete with clotted cream and jam. I mean what's better than a fresh scone with cream and jam with your tea!? Your answer should be: NOTHING! My server was attentive and sweet. The frittata was warm and delightful with a perfect, buttery crust to compliment the cheese, egg and spinach filling. You'd think I wouldn't have much to say about a side salad but it was really pretty and unique with delicately shaved fennel, carrots and radishes. The scone was equally sweet and tart which worked well with the apricot jam and light cream. A lovely afternoon and meal -- I left feeling sunny and satisfied. I just wish I had more afternoons to spend like this!
(4)Jackie N.
I love Le Pain Quotidien for its simple, clean-eating dishes. I like to go here when I study by myself, because the staff is so friendly and accommodating even though there is only little old me there. They have a long communal table, along with booths and smaller tables for parties of 2 or 4. For a light lunch, I get the toasted avocado tartine (thin whole wheat toast topped with a mixture of avocado and lemon juice, topped with chia seeds and sea salt), yogurt with berries, and an iced latte. The tartine is filling and delicious - the chia seeds and sea salt add a nice bite to the avocado. The yogurt is smooth and delicious and comes in a huge bowl topped with berries. For sweetener, I use the agave nectar. Le Pain has a ton of great light sandwiches and egg dishes served all day long so you can fulfill your healthy eating needs. It is a little pricey - I spent about $30 on myself - but when I just need a good meal to help my brain get moving, it's worth it.
(4)Jennifer M.
Reminds me of Le Madeline: kind of posh / healthy food / living; a very Parisian-feel to it. Good place to come to for "European-style" eating - healthy, controlled portions, good fresh ingredients, and chic / cute / rustic decor. If you want something sweet but light, I suggest the Belgian Waffle, which is infused with sugar crystals and has fresh fruit / berries on top, dusted with powdered sugar. A bit overpriced, but that's what you get with the European dining experience. Nothing too spectacular.
(2)Ari M.
TERRIBLE experience. I had to cancel my order and leave the restaurant. First, it's self-seat. Fine, that's cool. Cute little place, though I questioned how anyone would know when customers arrive if that's the case. That's not an issue - what's more important is the fact that I called ahead for a reservation and no one decided to tell me this. Okay, no big deal, dismissed it. But then, the waitress came. She showed up quickly, but didn't even bother introducing herself. She said very little and acted as if she didn't even want to be there serving us. It was like she was disgusted with it. The hell? Okay, figured I'd wait for the food. Maybe that could make up for it? We decided on the seasonal scone with jam and cream. Hard. As. Rock. I swear, it must have been at least a year old. The jam was practically plastic and there was a DEAD FLYING INSECT nested comfortably within one of its little rock-hard doughy craters. So we went inside, this having been noticed unfortunately after we ordered, to expedite getting a hold of our waitress. She met us halfway. We told her the issue. "You're sitting outside," she says condescendingly. No, woman. It came out that way. We asked that she cancel our orders, but instead of dealing with the issue, she passes us over to the manager who is, *conveniently*, right behind her. He grudgingly comes out to see the issue, and starts picking at it. I'm fed up, tell him to cancel our order. Finally, he says he'll take care of it and we walk away. Never. Again. If you're looking for a great brunch place, head to Ted's Bulletin or True Food. Don't even bother here.
(1)Tom H.
Very solid, high quality food supported by attentive service. Some great vegetarian options if this is what you are seeking. I had the crispy quinoa cake. Served over hummus and complimented by avocado and a thick tomato sauce (will post pic). Just wished they had more options on the wine list.
(4)Jawaher A.
I went there with my mom on mother's day. I wish we didn't because the service was simply horrible. First I asked the waiter if they had chai latte because every time I go to that branch they don't have, he said "Yes". I was planning to get chai from Dolcezza if he told me not, while they prepared the food. It appeared that they don't chai latte, and they never have. Anyway, we wait for 30 minutes without having anything, not even the drinks we ordered. And a waitress comes up to me and ask me about our order. I told her what we ordered and when I asked why she replied "we lost your order" I was patient enough and I waited for extra more minutes, and when the waiter brought our beverages I told him that the bill should be at least half the price, he said yes sure. We asked for syrup twice, napkins, twice and other things, more than once. I was hoping that the manager would tell us that our brunch was free since their service was terrible, but no, it was half the price. I don't like this branch at ALL. And many other LPQ branches. If you want great service go to the one in King st, Old Town Alexandria.
(1)S B.
Not sure really how great the food is as I've had to walk out twice because I waited 20 minutes. THERE WAS NOBODY ELSE IN THE RESTAURANT. I was dumb enough to go back the second time because I like to give everyone a second chance.
(1)Reony T.
Food was good, decor is really nice and cozy. My experience was ruined when our food took almost an hour to come out. No joke. And we had an event to go to... Fail
(3)Dave H.
Stopped in today around 1400 for a snack and a drink. Food and drink were fine though coffee cups without handles just seems annoying. My ice tea went empty for a good long while as the waitress and the manager both walked by without noticing. I finally asked the waitress for a refill. Ordered a glass of water and had to go interrupt the same waitress from wrapping utensils in napkins for the water. Prices are way too high - $3.40 for a glass of ice tea? $6.65 for a small raspberry tart? Wow. I've had much better service at another location so won't be returning to this one anytime soon and for the prices I'll consider other options first. Tried to go to the url on the receipt to fill out a survey - URL does not exist.
(1)Hannah H.
There are several Le Pain Quotidien locations throughout the DC metro area. They offer baked, beverages, and entrees that are all organic (even their jams, butter, and spread are organic). My husband and I came here after grabbing some lunch, and I was saddened that they didn't have the spiced apple cider that I really enjoy (I think they only have during the cold wintry season). Instead, I opted for the Spiced Hot Chocolate instead - this was a Belgian hot chocolate infused with 'exotic spices,' which were cardamon, cinnamon, orange zest, and cayenne pepper. You can either get a medium - or a large-size, and I opted for the first one. The chocolate itself was very thin and watered down, so I wasn't really much of a fan of it. Also, it seemed as if it was dark chocolate, rather than milk chocolate, so it was very bitter. I think the cayenne pepper was a bit overwhelming because it was indeed, very spicy. The barista was very nice, and there seemed to be a lot of people dining in for dessert, a hot beverage, and/or entrees for a late lunch. +nice barista :D
(3)Koko Y.
Came here for brunch on a Saturday and the place was packed! Had to wait about 15 minutes for a table to clear (there were 7 of us). I had their french toast along with a cappuccino and very much enjoyed both :) I'd like to go back and try some of the other items on the menu!
(4)Emily C.
I had the ham and cheese croissant for brunch and it was DELICIOUS! The coffee was good, and on a chilly and windy day, the hand warming bowls instead of mugs were pretty cool. My husband had the salmon salad, which was tasty, but had a very tiny amount of salmon on this very large salad. The bread and spreads were tasty, but not nearly as good as the croissant. I'd go back if I were in the area, but I wouldn't travel from the District just for this place. It's cute and has a nice atmosphere.
(3)Maggie M.
The food here looks divine. This review is only for the coffee. I didn't get a chance to sample the food or dine in. Ordered a mocha to go at the counter. The store is lovely with lots of pastries, chocolates, spreads, etc., around the cashwrap. The staff was helpful and friendly. My drink however was disappointing. A 16-ounce mocha is $5. That is fine if it is outstanding. This mocha was not and I think it is just the recipe they use because mine was made fresh so it wasn't like some places where you get presteamed milk or a barrista that leaves a component out. The espresso was tasty enough and the cocoa powder was quality. But the mocha had no sweetness to it. I don't like a sickly sweet mocha so I stopped ordering them at Starbucks YEARS ago, but this had NO hint of sweetness. For $5, that made me a little sad. I will probably back to sample the fare but I doubt I'll order a mocha again. :(
(3)Andrea B.
I will start by saying that the spreads they have for their breads are amazing. Unfortunately, I went there yesterday and experienced very slow service (which I have experienced before) and I was not asked what size I wanted for the cup of fruit I ordered. I was very surprised then when on the bill it said my cup of fruit was $7.40! It was a small bowl of probably around five strawberries, four blackberries, and maybe six blueberries. Needless to say, I was a bit furious and I will not be returning even though their spreads are so wonderful.
(2)N S.
I love this location. Very clean and open space with friendly staff. Terrific for a quaint after dinner cappuccino and pastry.
(5)Em D.
I am a big fan of the Mosaic District. I am making a point of trying every single eatery, every single bakery, every single restaurant there and this place in particular is so cute and charming! Very refreshing environment and decor. I had high hopes for this little cafe tucked down a small street by Mom's Organic. My sister and I, both big foodies, decided to sit outside for lunch that day. There were a few tables lined up along the windows and we picked a table by a huge umbrella. This umbrella was huge, but the shade it provided barely, almost reached us. A waitress came and asked us if we were using the umbrella. We said yes and asked if she wouldn't mind moving it a little closer. She said okay and then took the umbrella and moved it over to another table that was already under a little cover and had half their table in shade so they really didn't need the umbrella. We asked the waitress why she had moved it and she replied that the shade wasn't even reaching us so we didn't need the umbrella. We then asked her if there was another umbrella she could bring out and she said no. Then she just shrugged and left. Um what?!?!?!?! Terrible service. Horrible service. I would have gotten up and left had I not been dying to try this place's watermelon mint cooler. After this little incident, my sister and I decided to sit inside. I unwillingly followed her. I wanted to enjoy the beautiful day outside. However, we moved inside and picked an empty table. Nobody came to greet us for a good 10-15 minutes. Not cool. The food on the menu itself was nothing special. A lot of it was over priced. I ordered a Smoked Salmon Omlette and a mint lemonade. My sister ordered something that I can't remember the name of (nor will I really need to because Im not coming back or recommending this place to anyone) and a mint watermelon cooler. The drinks were good. The entrees were not. My omlette was good. The bread that came with it wasn't warm. It was tough and it didn't taste good. The little salad that they had on the place had some interesting dressing or vinaigrette that made it incredibly salty and sour and it was weird tasting. Not good. I only finished the smoked salmon omlette. Whatever my sister got wasn't good either. It tasted overwhelmingly heavy with cheese and the bread that came along with her dish wasn't good or warm either. We also were not checked in on at all. Waiters and waitresses kept passing us, but nobody asked if we were finished or if everything was okay. Nothing. Cute place. I had high hopes, but I will not be returning. I will not be recommending this place to friends. When it comes to any type of restaurant, there needs to be a balance of service and food. If the service is bad, you better make sure the food is out-of-this-world good. If the food is not so good, if the service is impeccable, it'll still be somewhat okay. At this place the service was terrible and for what we were paying, the food was not up to par. This place is not worth it and like I stated earlier, I wont be coming back.
(1)K. S.
The food is fresh, the menu options are varied and delicious. I would eat here everyday if it wasn't so darn expensive. My three year old son and I went about a year ago and for the two of us it was over $40!
(4)Anna Laura B.
The highs: this place is in a cute shopping center with a ton of stores to check out nearby. It's new, clean, and appealing. I really appreciated the amount of breakfast items available and their case of pastries looked delicious. My meal came with bread and a few jams to try with it. The lows: there was a hair on one of the pieces of bread and a hair on the inside of my friends tea pot. Personally that's one of the worst things I can find at a restaurant. I'm conflicted. I'll probably be back because overall I enjoyed it.
(3)Cneber N.
Great concept but poorly executed. The service is the biggest down side. The wait staff fumbles over each other. It took 20 mins for the cold cereal to get to the table. If you serve yourself this place would be great.
(2)Petra E.
Let me preface by saying I am from Europe and Americans are spoiled where it comes to service in restaurants. That said, for American standards the service at this particular Pain Quotidien is indeed hit or miss. Their food, however, is always delicious. Yes, it's a little more expensive than Panera for example, but it is all organic and natural and that comes with a price. Their portions, especially the salads, are, in disagreement with an earlier short review, quite generous. The lentil salad was so big I couldn't finish it. Favorite dishes for me are the smoked salmon tartine, the chicken pot au feu and the salads. Our vegan daughter loves the many vegan choices on the menu
(4)Akua O.
Still five stars! Went again around 11am hour on a Friday and seating was easier to find (although it was still full) than at 11am on a Saturday. Had the Chicken Chorizo and Cheddar omelet again (comes with a small salad and two hefty pieces of bread) and it was excelente, AGAIN! Brought a guest today, who loves breakfast and considers themselves a breakfast connoisseur, and I had been raving to them that this place is my new favorite breakfast spot, and they were overwhelmingly in agreeance! Definitely their favorite casual breakfast spot now too! We also ordered the belgian waffle with jam and cream and it was THE best waffle we've had around! Its not the four-section waffle you are used to from most american diners, but rather takes on the true shape of a belgian waffle (smaller, denser and a rectangular shape). Two mocha coffees later,...we were happy fat cats! Service was attentive and good today as well. I really need them to post a Groupon or something so I can stock up! love LPQ!
(5)Jini K.
I've been to LPQ a few times now, for breakfast, brunch, dinner, and for just coffee/desserts. I must admit, the food is always delicious and the service is decent, though not overwhelmingly great. Depending on when I've gone, particularly on weekdays, the place can be fairly deserted and lacks the sophisticated vibe I would expect from a french-inspired cafe. The prices can be a bit steep and the portions are generally a tad small, but I suppose I can deal with those factors, considering the food is usually a hit.
(3)Heather G.
Walking into this location, I was hit with the most unpleasant smell ever. The first thing I said saw "Ewww! What's that smell?" The other patrons didn't seem to mind the smell, so I just covered my nose and sat in silence while I tried to decide if I could eat amidst the stench. Please believe, If I wasn't with a friend, I seriously would have walked out. But she wanted to eat here, so we did. Good thing, I weathered through the stink storm. Everything else was so pleasant. The waitress filled our wine glasses to the rim. Score. I ordered the cheese almond danish. They didn't have it. I am a little perturbed that they didn't have it on the menu but I didn't make a big deal of it. Instead, the waitress recommended the apple-pear turnover with some (complimentary) mini tarts. Score. The apple-pear turnover was not anything spectacular but the mini tarts were all very good; Raspberry, Pistachio, and the Mini Mousse. Great! The hot chocolate was decent. I appreciate how they separate the hot chocolate from the milk which allows me to pour how much or little of cocoa I wanted in my cup. Easily 3.5 stars. Four stars if they can control the stench.
(4)Erin O.
My husband and I love this place for breakfast/lunch that's fairly quick, easy, light, and healthy. The meals are smaller and the flavors are usually subtle but well done. It's tries to have the qualities of a European bistro with we enjoy. The ham and cheese croissant or sandwich and goat cheese omelet have stronger flavors which I enjoyed. This is one of our regular spots which I would have given 5 stars to but the service was just ok the last time we went and the restaurant was dead.
(4)Kristin A.
All I did was walk in, I haven't had an actual chance to try anything out. However, as soon as I walked in I knew that I have to come back and try it soon. The décor is beautiful!!! I was looking for French macarons but they didn't have any available. I hope its on the menu for my next visit!!!
(5)Qui H.
I went here around 3 in the afternoon to catch up with a friend. I love that there is a free parking garage right in front of the bakery. When the weather becomes nice you can sit outside or inside. As you enter the bakery you can seat yourself. This place has a wooden feel to it. I believe this place uses a lot of organic food/produce. I ordered a cold ice latte which was decent. I probably should have ordered hot latte instead for a rainy day. Also I had the chocolate mouse cake that was light, fluffy and good in portions. Service was okay. The waitress would come by here and there. There are still other items on the menu that I would like to try. So I will definitely come back.
(4)Sally T.
YUM YUM YUM! I love the food here! It has always been good. The service is questionable but the food speaks for its self.
(4)Katie B.
Absolutely loved this place's atmosphere - very rustic and cozy. My cappuccino was amazing and a lot more hearty than the coffee kiosk place by the theater a block over. The service was ok. This place I think would benefit more if having a server was optional. Sometimes I'd rather pick up my food at a counter than feel obligated to tip someone 20% for just bringing me a coffee. Also having a server pressures you into feeling obligated to get more than just one thing or it might be impolite. Regardless this place stands out because of its great mission in supporting organic food and that is really important.
(4)Sherrie H.
Wow. Their food here's always fresh and their vegetables look much better than 95% of all restaurants I've ever eaten in.
(5)Jess M.
Nice set up, however the service was slow and poorly paced. We ordered the bread basket to start before our entrees, and about 15 minutes went by before it appeared on our table. And then 3 minutes later, BOOM there's my entree sitting in front of me after only getting about three bites of bread in. The basket is ENORMOUS, definitely enough for four people. I was kind of disappointed that there wasn't as much diversity in the basket, there were 4 enormous slices, literally the size of a plate, of wheat something, then 1 medium sized slice of hazelnut bread, part of a baguette, and some smaller multigrain oat bread. The spreads were pretty good, we had an assortment of apricot, berry, and hazelnut. My steel cut oatmeal with bananas was kind of bland so I asked for some additional maple syrup on the side which helped a lot. Aside from that, I would opt for a table away from the front doors next time, because it was cold and we kept getting a blast of air every time people went in and out. The child who kept throwing their plastic truck on the ground every 5 seconds was disruptive since we were less than three feet away trying to have a conversation. But that's not the fault of the business, it's the annoying parents who kept picking up the toy and giving it to their kid. Opt for a stuffed animal next time? I also noticed that there is only one bathroom each for men and women, so you might end up waiting around if it's busy. Parking is right across the street, but the first level is for MOM's shoppers only. I'm not sure if they tow at certain times of the day, but I'm not the type to risk walking out to my car and realizing it's not there.
(3)Rachel C.
The food was delicious! I had the curried chicken open faced sandwich and my colleague had the smoked salmon open faced sandwich. Wow! The fresh herbs, perfectly ripened fruit, and home baked bread rocked. The tomato based gazpacho with pesto was divine!
(5)Matt D.
Picked up a a fresh baguette and some desserts from LPQ to accompany our home-cooked dinner the other night. The baguette was warm when it was handed to me. I had a hard time walking home without eating a bunch of it. Desserts were also very nice. Can't wait to come back for a full breakfast.
(5)Xinyi T.
After going here many times i feel like i should do an update on this place. The hot chocolate is my favorite! I come here for the hot chocolate almost every week. I cant stand how bad the service is here. You have to wait a long time for service. If you are going to eat something there, they do not like it when u order something at the counter and sit down even though that will save u a lot time. I really wish they can improve their service here especially for how much they charge you at this place. My fiancé and I came here at the end of our date night for desert. The environment was really cute. I loved their table settings. And they had outdoor seating. We got a table outside. I love their hot chocolate. They use Belgian dark chocolate and you pour it into a thing of steam milk. I don't like things too sweet, so this was the perfect hot chocolate for me. I liked their apricot tart and raspberry a lot. The fruits taste very fresh. They are not too sweet if you like that. The place is on the pricey side for deserts. It took us awhile to get waited maybe because we were sitting outside... But I forgot my dirty galgene bottle there, the owner didn't only kept it for me and he cleaned it for me. I was pretty surprised. Overall I like the place. I will definitely be going back soon.
(2)Lisa N.
Newly located next to Target and Mom's market, Le Pain offers a great selection of organic French cuisine in the Merrifield area. Both times that I have been, I enjoyed the tartines (open-faced sandwiches). I've had the Grilled Chicken and Mozzarella, Turkey and Avocado, and Toasted Chicken Mushroom and Gruyere. All tartines are served on whole wheat bread with a side of cantaloupe. My favorite was the Grilled Chicken and Mozzarella tartine because it had a delicious pesto sauce on top. The drinks are not bad, but I probably would not order them again. The hot chocolate was not chocolate-y enough for me and the spiced apple cider's star anise flavor was too strong. The cafe au lait was on the bitter side because they don't offer any type of syrup. The breads and jam are delicious. They bake their bread fresh, so I'd suggest getting the sampler or 5 grain with raisins. With the bread, you get a jam sampler (apricot, berry, and chocolate). Berry is strong, but it's my favorite. The chocolate ones remind me of nutella. They also sell their jams and desserts in the front! Service is quick and friendly as well. Our server, Brianna, was very attentive and informative about the options on the menu. Le Pain is a great option for those looking for healthier restaurants. The prices are higher than average (about $10-15/entree), but that's understandable since everything is fresh and organic! I'll be coming back and bringing my friends!
(5)E G.
Hilariously overpriced, slow unfriendly service and tiny portions. NO reason to go here. oh, and last time I went the overhead A/C vents were dripping on almost all the tables. We had to move 3 times to find a table where we werent getting rained on.
(1)Scott C.
The main thing to remember here for most Americans is that this is not a Starbucks. They don't have flavored coffee and you don't order at the front and then sit down. You order from the table like in a restaurant, unless you are taking something to go. That said, the food and coffee are both fantastic. It really has the atmosphere and taste of a European cafe in Belgium, France, Germany or Switzerland. The organic breads were amazing and their spreads, similar to Nutella and Biscoff, were phenomenal. My favorite so far are the Tartines, but I can't wait to work my way through the whole menu.
(5)Laura K.
This is my favorite place in the area that serves organic high quality breakfast and food. It is little more expensive then IHOP OR SILVER DINER but it is worth it. I know IDE rather pay more for something I like then pay for a bad experience...and the managers are very friendly.
(5)Lindsay M.
I was having lunch and my friend found hair in her food, then the table next to us had the same issue. Not clean!
(1)Kristell F.
Overall the food is very delicious but don't except much in terms of the service. If you are into healthy food this is the place for you. The food is all organic so it doesn't leave you feeling full and gross like other places do. The portions are normal portions, so if you are into family style this is not the place for you. The majority of their food nutrition facts are also available on myfitness pal so woo hoo to all my other healthy people. The food is a little pricey but you are paying for good ingredients. They have a great breakfast, lunch and dinner selection and typically rotate special items for each season. I wish all items were available at all hours since they are all delicious. Depending on what you want they only serve them at specific times. Make sure to try their spreads because they are amazing. As far as service it is a hit or miss. I feel that for the price you are paying you should be given excellent service at all times. There are a few outstanding staff members that are helpful and fast at taking your order or giving you for refills; however, the majority of the staff is slow. I would not recommend coming during the lunch hour if you have to get back to work. It takes a long time for people to give you a menu, take your order, place the order, deliver your food, or get refills. It always amazes me how fast they are when giving you the check and looking for a tip though. The decor is beautiful. It's a nice rustic french feel with a lot of natural light coming through the entire restaurant. The tables are a little small so I would recommend that you take a seat at the big communal table for extra elbow room. The one down side to communal table might be if you dont want to sit next to random strangers. Overall this place is beautiful, food is great but service is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get.
(4)Tony M.
My wife and I love this place! it's a nice breakfast restaurant. Their breakfast menu contains lots of fresh and organic ingredients. We usually have their Smoked Salmon & Scallion Omelette - It's delicious! Their hazelnut butter spread on the table is also very tasty. I Didn't like their hot herbal hot tea - it's a bit pricey! This is a clean staurant with a nice ambiance! We'll continue going there!
(4)Kathleen K.
Wow - that was an evening wasted! Short story, don't go! We ended up at this restuarant from some good pastries I had a few months ago, soon after it opened. I should have known better because it was the only restaurant in the Mosaic without a long wait to eat. Long story, they were out of certain food, didn't put all the food on the plates we did order (the 5 cheese platter should have, wait for it, five cheeses), did not bring bread to go with the cheeses, served unpeeled and dirty looking carrots (see picture), did not refill drinks. This is the first restaurant I reached into my wallet to throw some money on the table and leave. I wish we had - but the server showed up miraculously with the kids' food. (They served the kids their grilled cheeses last!). We did speak with the manager and he comped the aforementioned cheese platter, but honestly, I just wanted to get out and find another place to eat. It seemed like they were having serious server and kitchen problems.
(1)Sisi B.
I've always loved Le Pain for their healthy and delicious menu items, cool decor, and laid back feel. My favorites are the chicken pot au feu, any omelet, and of course the rotating spread of jams. Mmmmmmm, Nutella with real ingredients! And the coffee is so good. I love how it comes in a bowl; makes me feel very European.
(4)Chieu L.
I immediately fell in love with this place. The atmosphere was great. I was introduced to this place by some friends for an after lunch dessert/coffee place. The desserts are delicious as well. I was just kind of disappointed that there wasn't more of a selection. The Belgian Hot Chocolate was perfect and the presentation was perfect! UPDATE: 2014 The ONLY reason I go here is for the desserts and hot chocolate...everything else stinks.... service is bleh. food is bleh price is bleh coffee is bleh parking is decent. family friendly...pretty decent. atmosphere pretty good.
(3)Colin C.
Newly opened with nice atmosphere and patio. Coffee drinks are too pricey, even more than Starbucks and other bistros. Service is good and the food is consistently decent. Nothing spectacular and not too many fancy drinks so I'm knocking it down a star.
(3)Lyn L.
During an early morning walk with our dogs, at the up and coming Mosaic District, we craved a lite bite to eat. We stumbled upon Le Pain Quotidien. Seems they are connected but not really affiliated to the Hyatt House. They have a good selection of organic coffees, teas and other beverages. They also have a very small outdoor area, so we sat with our pups and enjoyed our coffees and hot chocolate. We also had a couple of croissants, which were very fresh and tasty.
(4)Gigi U.
French breakfast. Interior is beautiful. I felt like I was in someone's kitchen. The service is slow but I think it's like that in France. This is not fast food. I had the avocado and tomato omelet. It was good but nothing special. I like the bread and complimentary jams and spreads. It's a bit pricey but it all tasted fresh.
(3)Stephanie C.
Turkey and avocado tartine. Eat it. Fall in love. Repeat. Servers can be lacking on occasion but there a few really great ones. Donelle (I think that was his name) was particularly fabulous. One son always gets a side of avocado (10 mo old) and the other, a child's turkey/cheddar tartine. It comes with veggie sticks, dip, and a cookie-- good food and lots of it for the little ones. We have gone 7-8 times since discovering it 1.5 mo ago. I am hooked and will definitely be back (maybe this weekend.
(5)Mike N.
BEWARE OF THIS PLACE IF IT'S BUSY I came here to have sunday brunch with four other people. I arrived a bit late and had to wait around for 10 minutes before I was able to flag down our waitress to have her take my order. The food took FOREVER to arrive, but it was delicious when it did. I asked our server for some silverware and a napkin and she disappeared and never brought them. After waiting 5 minutes I gave up and used my girlfriend's knife and fork. Drinks were also not refilled in anywhere CLOSE to a timely manner. We noticed that our waitress was more concerned with clearing tables then she was at serving the tables that she had. Two people at a table next to hours sat down and waited for 15 minutes without ANYONE coming by to even ask what they wanted to drink. They ended up walking out. Not the way you want to run a business in such a nice, new, upscale area. The only time she actually moved quickly was when it came time to pay. Unfortunately, that small amount of hustle didn't lead to a better tip. Food gets four stars....service gets a big fat zero....averaging out to my two star rating.
(2)Amy A.
I love this place. Definitely try one of their tartines. Also, had a chicken chorizo cheddar omelet. I love how everything comes with side salad. Everything is very fresh and light. If you want oversized sandwiches stuffed with meat and over dressed salads this is not for you.
(4)Margarita S.
A perfect spot for Sunday breakfast. We loved everything starting from the decor to the food. If you want to try something different from IHOP type places, that's a must-go! I had a smoked salmon breakfast, which was absolutely delicious. I rarely find such a well-prepared salmon here. My bf had Belgium waffles, which was tasty but kinda small. I would strongly advise to make the waffles' portions bigger. They have a nice variety of jams on the table. Also we had a strawberry shortcake, which was small and nothing special, I wouldn't recommend to take it since they have many more other interesting things to try. The coffee was delicious! Overall, that's a lit bit pricy experience but we will def be back :)
(4)Yan W.
Okay, but pricey. The mint tea was spectacular and the salmon sandwich was pretty good. However, for the price, it wasn't anything to write home to momma about. In fact, having tried many different types of bread in Paris, I didn't particularly enjoy their bread - it was too "bricky." I would go again if someone asked, but probably not of my own initiative.
(3)Christiane V.
another new restaurant in mosaic. win. i had lunch at "LPQ", as my friends like to call it, for the first time on tuesday. the restaurant is very nice. i would compare it to a mix between va piano and vintage la madeline. earthy, big windows, and french country. seating is communal. there is a good food selection and the food is visually appealing (yes, i was eyeing other people's food too). there are quiches, open faced sandwiches aka tartines, soups, salads, and lots of desserts. i like how there are many healthy and gluten free options. the best part is they have complimentary little racks of jams and spreads to go with your bread. try the praline spread, it is like crack. three stars because it is a little bit pricey for what it is and the service is not so great.
(3)Julie T.
Nice atmosphere and food, although a bit on the pricier side for a panera/le madeline style type place. You sit down and they take your order. I like the open faced tartine sandwiches - I got this great seasonal chorizo one. The spiced apple cider was delicious as well but def pricey for what it is. Its not a bad place to grab a quick lunch. They also have tasty pastries.
(3)Holly S.
I'm surprised by the negative reviews on here! I've had two very positive experiences at this location since it opened. The first, I was solo on a busy Sunday morning. I asked to not sit at the big group table, and they sat me at a small two-person table. I had a delicious quiche w/ side salad, along with a some bread (have to try the spreads!). I had coffee and hot water with lemon and lingered for a while, reading my Kindle. They didn't seem to mind at all! The second I was with others and we stopped by for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up of coffee + bread basket. The server was attentive despite us not ordering a full meal. He was also very indulgent of one of my dining companions wanting to try _all_ of the spreads (it was her first time at an LPQ). He kept bringing us different ones and switching them out. Definitely appreciated that! It is definitely a little pricey for what it is/the portions, but it is a nice, healthy-ish (if you don't do the bread basket...) treat every once in a while! I'll go back.
(4)Sarah M.
Service was terrible. The bread basket, which I once loved, no longer comes with the chocolate spreads that made it an expensive indulgence. Despite asking for them, twice, before ordering, our waiter did not mention it was no longer offered. Instead, he *ran away* after delivering the basket. He told us later he knew, so basically, he just decieved us. Now, for $12 you receive a basket of 3 stale slices of toast, a small but tasty croissant, and 2 of the smallest glasses of juice you've ever seen, with jam. Just one of the one free spreads was $10 extra. On top of that, our waiter never returned except to drop the check, and we had to hunt him down to pay it. The other staff, who brought our so-so omlette, placed their hands on our cutlery while setting it down -thus contaminating it. They didn't even apologize. I'll never be back.
(1)Hannah C.
I thought this was more of a walk-in place, but it was a sit down place! I ordered their cappuccino, and it was good! They give you the drink in a Brazilian-made bowl, and its huge! I definitely got more than what I had paid for!
(5)Mohammed K.
Hey everyone, Le Pain Quotidien in Mosaic is like any PQ around town with the menu and food. We went there for brunch on Sunday, sat outside as it was a beautiful sunny day. Unfortunately it took them quiet sometime to get us the menus and the usual glasses of water and drink orders. We havent had our first coffee of the day at that point so that definitely didn't help the situation, had to get up a couple of time to get their attention for the drink s and food. Food finally arrived and as I said at the top its the usual PQ fresh food. we all had omelets. mine was the goat cheese with mushrooms omelet which was fine and tasty.
(3)Gwen B.
Happened upon Le Pain on a Memorial Day weekend visit to the DC area. Great coffee and wonderful ham and cheese quiche. Our server Hana T was friendly and efficient. Antonio the manager was attentive. Wish there was a location in the Dallas area.
(4)Paula B.
Le Pain Quotidien - its French for Grinch Holiday fail - arrived at the appointed hour to collect our pre-paid Christmas desserts to be informed that they had none left - I must have missed the lesson where the definition of pre-paid was discussed. The sales staff were apologetic but the manager did not even bother to come out an explain the mistake in person. Since there are plenty of other good, well managed, cafe options in the area I will pass on visiting this one in 2015.
(1)Mikhail K.
So this weekend I was making strong choices in Chicago, drinking delicious drinks and eating fried rice by the pound. Le Pain Quotidien is my detox place, where I hide away from processed, greasy, crappy food and come to enjoy the fresh and the flavorful. I love this place. There seriously is nothing here that I didn't like. The best part is that the taste of the food is consistent from restaurant to restaurant. My favorite prosciutto and mozzarella salad is the same in NYC, DC or Merrifield, VA. Speaking of prosciutto and mozzarella salad - I suggest you try it. You will see Jesus. I promise. 5 stars for the food, but the service can sometimes be a little less than awesome depending on the time of the day. Like no matter how many times I say I don't want the bread - ill get the bread. Why must they tempt me with their delicious bread when I'm trying to not have a jiggle around my mid-section. Geez. But seriously though, it's a great place. Even though I still don't know how to say the name the right way. But I assure you. It's a good kind if pain.
(4)Chris K.
Healthy if slightly bland fare. But hey, it's French. Service was a little on the slow side, but very accommodating. But again, French. Very authentic! I'm a big proponent of the steel cut oatmeal with frothed whole milk. That'll set you for the next six hours!
(3)Saliq K.
Great place to have lunch. I had a chicken pot pie and it was delicious. I liked how it was light and flaky not too heavy as American pot pie would be. Also, had a latte which wasn't too bad.
(5)