modern times coffeehouse

modern times coffeehouse (in the politics and prose bookstore)
5015 connecticut avenue NW, washington, DC 20008
tel: 202) 362-2408
hours: monday-saturday 8am-10pm, sundau 8am-8pm

what was consumed: coffee! prosciutto, basil & mozzarella panino (prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, basil leaves, and olive oil on mini-ciabatta loaf, served warm); turkey, apple & brie (sliced turkey breast, granny smith apple, brie, and honey mustard on baguette, served warm)

i love bookstores. i could sit in bookstores all day long. reading, browsing, watching, sitting, spending money (and it is for this reason that i try to avoid bookstores if i can). and now that bookstores have coffeeshops attached (or has that always been the case?) all the more reason for me to spend hours and hours there.

in DC, there are a number of 'famous' bookstores for their guest authors, special events, and overall coolness. politics and prose is one of them (they always have lots of events and stuff that, yes, i've been meaning to go out to). what's more, i heard friend anna was working the affiliated coffeeshop. with that, i took the opportunity when meeting with ines to enjoy the bookstore, visit anna, and try out modern times coffeehouse.

located in the basement of 'politics and prose,' modern times offers a lot of the standard coffeeshop favorites - drip coffee, lattes, etc. additionally, they have a nice list of delicious soups, salads, sandwiches, baked goods, and breakfast options for one to choose from to go along with their delicious coffee.

ines and i visited on what had intended on being a sunday of good eats and reading. books in hand, we were ready for all that modern times had to offer. just as we walk in, we are greeted by a hustling and bustling cafe with not an empty table or chair. what to do? luckily, a nice young lady who was just about to leave offered us her table. thanks!
after quick glance at the menu, ines opted for the turkey, apple, & brie sandwich while i asked anna about her favorite (and/or popular) sandwich option and went with the panino. all of this, of course, to accompany my coffee (iced tea for ines).

our sandwiches came out not too much later. they were nice and warm, toasted, and oozing with cheese. so delicious. and a pickle on the side! the sandwiches were neither overly large nor ridiculously small. ines and i went halvsies and enjoyed bites of both sandwich types. delicious.

ines and i had a great time (and i finished the book i was reading at the time - hurrah!). i look forward to my next visit to modern times for some good reads and great eats!

online: http://www.moderntimescoffeehouse.com and http://moderntimescoffeehouse.blogspot.com

busboys and poets

busboys and poets
2021 14th street NW, washington, dc 20009
tel: 202) 387-7638
hours of operation: sun-thur (10am – midnight), fri-sat (10am – 2am) ... more or less ...

what was consumed: the first time i went, i had grilled chicken sandwich and salad ... did i also have nachos here? i don’t remember. i just remember definitely enjoying my meal ...

since my first visit to busboys and poets, i’ve returned a number of different times. but no matter the occasion (i.e., whether you come for a meal with friend, on a date (ooh-la-la!),for drinks, or just to hang out), this is a place that accommodates a number of different tastes that all needs of included parties will be met!

the first time i came to busboys and poets was to meet some of christine’s friends (who have in turn become my friends). i knew nothing of the up and coming “u street corridor” and proceeded to wonder what sort of placed called “busboys and poets” would be like. i walked through the doors only to be greeted by a long line of people waiting for a table in the midst of a business that is part bookstore, part coffee shop, part bar/café, part restaurant with seats that match the respective section of the place. right away, i felt the great vibe and totally dug the ambiance. after waiting for some time (i.e., giving ample time to consume alcoholic beverages at the bar), we were seated in the midst of a bustling dining area. at first glance, one may see the pretty standard american menu (appetizers, salads, pizza, burgers, sandwiches, that sort of thing ...), but upon closer inspection, one will see the almost fancy shmancy-ness of the menu. christine and i had quite a time trying to figure out what on the menu we should order simply because so many things sounded so excellent and delicious! in the end, as is our way, we decided upon sharing a couple of dishes. and i’m glad that i did! sharing dishes allowed for me to consume quite a number of delicious dishes that were definitely more than the standard chicken sandwiches, salads, and nachos. good food, good beer, good ambiance ... excellent! ... and then, we headed off to “halo” ...

anyway, what struck me the most about busboys and poets was how it began. according to both the menu and the website, we are reminded that the name of the place is in honor of the great poet langston hughes. hughes was a DC resident in the 1920s and, some may say, this poet got his “start” while working as a busboy ... get it? i find it rather clever and quite an amazing person to honor through a hip and happenin’ joint! additionally, busboys and poets hosts a number of different cultural events (such as independent movie showings and gatherings for up and coming writers and artists) as well as having venues to host events for a number of different groups, organizations, and causes.

i look forward to future visits to busboys and poets~

online: http://www.busboysandpoets.com