changes

Here we go.

on the wireless front:
I have covered both outlets along the Coffeehouse's south wall (longest wall). There are more outlets along the east and west walls and one can plug in while sitting at the bar. Please, gravitate toward the communal tables if using your computer.

on the beverage front:
Small batch production of our chai concentrate has returned! The award winning "Cha cha chai" Masala blend from Serendipitea (available loose) along with fresh ingredients and careful preparation makes for a vibrant, aromatic, spicy cup. With the right amount of dairy or substitute (I usually go for the added nuttiness soy milk provides) this makes a wonderful chai latte.

As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions. Thank you much!

(That's Coleus blumei and Rex Begonia in the window box)

featured drinks for fall

here's some of our special cold weather drinks that will warm you up anytime of the day:

hot chocolate - made with our housemade chocolate sauce and steamed milk. the sauce is basically the concentrated base of a drinking chocolate: chopped imported dark bar chocolate that has been slow-cooked with a little cream, sugar, and butter. If it sounds too unhealthy for you, just order a small and think about all the antioxidants you're getting from the chocolate :)

classic cappuccino - the traditional way that a cappuccino is served pretty much everywhere else in the world besides american coffee chains. double shots of espresso combined with a little heavily steamed milk (no extra-hot requests please!), so that about the top third settles at the top of the 6 oz cup.

mocha - espresso, our housemade chocolate sauce, and "microfoamed" milk. very flavorful, and you get your caffeine/chocolate fix all in one.

the london fog - i'm not exactly sure who came up with the name, but it stuck and people like saying it. perfume-y earl grey tea, steeped in steamed soy milk and a drop of honey. fans of sweetened milky tea should try it.

yerba mate latte - another fun name to say. yerba mate, a staple beverage in many south american countries, tastes very grassy and has caffeine. we combine it with steamed soy milk and honey, which brings out the plant flavors.

note: if you don't partake in caffeine or dairy, we offer decaffeinated espresso and soy milk as options.

flower power

we've brought back iced hibiscus/ginger tea infusion for the summer. the hibiscus plant is known throughout tropical climates for its beautiful flowers and vitamin and medicinal properties. we steep the deep, deep red dried flowers with freshly grated ginger (also known for digestive properties) to create a juicy, somewhat tart, cranberry-flavored drink. try it as a healthy and caffeine-free alternative to iced coffee.

NEW yummy salad on the menu

with the change in seasons come a change in the menu. we are now serving a chickpea side salad-- a simple salad dressed with colorful and bright flavors of lemon and cilantro, and ginger, cumin, and red onion for kick. pair it with an iced mint-green tea and a piece of strawberry-rhubarb pie and you can just imagine it's almost summer...

NEW menu item

We took your suggestions to bring a vegetarian lunch sandwich (without cheese or mayo) to the menu. We are now serving a vegetable + white bean hummus sandwich-- err, wrap during lunchtime hours. Wraps seemed to have reached their peak in the late nineties, but are still seen everywhere from national chains to homespun diners. They have been the starch-friendly star of the low-carb lifestyle, with restaurants using "flatbreads" instead of bread; and much like pizza in this country, are used as a carpet on which poor approximations of various cuisines are laid in an attempt to make a clever all-in-one food item out of what millions around the world simply use as an alternative to a utensil or a plate. (Think tortilla, chapati, injera, pita.) Poor Violet Beauregarde in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. In her desperation to be the first to try Wonka's complete meal-in-a-stick-of-gum, she blew up into a giant blue ball when the blueberry pie course went awry. And who remembers the now-defunct WrapWorks in Dupont Circle?

Our version has passed rigorous testing and includes just crunchy raw spinach and shredded carrots with a housemade bean spread. The creamy-yet-light white bean spread is made in the style of a Middle Eastern or European appetizer, with olive oil, spices, herbs, and lemon juice for zest. It's a refreshing addition to the menu and is great for someone who is a vegan or doesn't eat dairy products. Let us know what you think.

shaking it up a bit

We are now brewing Guatemalan Huehuetenango for our medium-roast coffee. Guatemalan coffee tends to be light and brightly acidic, and the Huehuetenango is known for its fruity, spicy undertones. I think of chocolate when I drink our Guatemalan, but then again I think about chocolate about 73% of the time anyway...In any event, try it out, especially with our newest pie selection, the chocolate-oatmeal wonderfulness. The sweetness of the pie is definitely balanced out with a big mug of straight coffee, and the cinnamon-chocolate-red fruit flavors of the coffee just jump right out. Miam!

As for fans of the Ehiopian Yirgacheffe, don't fret! We're still using it for our cold-brewed iced coffee.

sandwiches

SANDWICHES

served with a pickle spear. sorry, no substitutions.

*cold sandwiches available only during lunch from 11:30AM to 3:00PM

Vegetable & White Bean Hummus Wrap* raw spinach, carrots, and housemade white bean salad rolled in a flour tortilla.

Tuna Salad* light tuna blended w/ celery, onion, and mayo on 7-grain bread with spinach leaves and pickle.

Turkey, Swiss & Cranberry* sliced turkey breast and swiss cheese w/ cranberry-beet dressing and greens on 7-grain bread.

Turkey, Apple & Brie sliced turkey breast, Granny Smith apple, brie, and honey mustard on baguette. served warm.

Prosciutto, Basil & Mozzarella Panino prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, basil leaves, and olive oil on mini-ciabatta loaf. served warm.

Kale, Sundried Tomato & Mozzarella Panino garlic sauteed kale, sundried tomato pesto, and fresh mozzarella on mini-ciabatta loaf. served warm.

Classic Grilled Cheese cheddar on thick-sliced white bread.

Grilled Feta, Spinach, & Red Onion feta cheese, spinach, and pickled red onion on 7-grain bread.

Hot Reuben pastrami, swiss cheese, and thousand island dressing on rye bread. served w/ a side of sauerkraut.

Cuban Sandwich thin sliced ham and pork, swiss cheese, pickle, mayo and mustard on pressed ciabatta. served warm.

soup and salads

SALADS

Garden Salad spinach w/ cucumber, red pepper, carrot. balsamic mustard vinaigrette on the side. small or large available.

Tuna Salad garden salad topped w/ tuna salad. balsamic mustard vinaigrette on the side. small or large available.

Quinoa Salad quinoa w/ shaved carrots, sun-dried tomatoes, and roasted cashews, in light balsamic dressing.

Black Bean Salad black beans with corn, red pepper, onion, and cilantro in a lime cumin dressing.

SOUP

seasonal offerings, available by the bowl or in a combo w/ a salad or sandwich. served with bread.

winter soups in rotation: tomato, pumpkin-corn, lentil, tomato-quinoa, carrot ginger, white bean-kale

breakfast and baked goods

we are proud to feature sweet pastries and savory focaccia baked on-site by our experienced baker. the rest of our baked goods come from local businesses including Pollystyle, Sweet Rose Bakery, Heller's Bakery, Georgetown Bagelry, and Lyon Bakery.


BREAKFAST MENU

Bagel w/ butter, jam, cream cheese, peanut butter

Oatmeal plain or w/ raisins

Polly’s Granola w/ milk or yogurt

Toast w/ butter and/or jam

Breakfast Sandwich brioche roll w/ ham and swiss cheese

PASTRIES AND BAKED GOODS (subject to sell-out)

• Donuts
• Muffins
• Baklava
• House-made Plain Croissants, Pain Au Chocolat
• House-made Focaccia
• House-made Danish
• Biscotti (Hazelnut-Chocolate, Almond-Anise, Pistachio-Cranberry)
• Cookies (Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Cranberry, or Peanut Butter)
• Pies (Seasonal fillings)
• Cake (from Pollystyle)
• Rugelach, graham crackers, shortbread, and crispy rice treats (from Pollystyle)

drink menu

our coffees are roasted by Premier Coffee Roasters using Righteous Bean coffees which are organic and fair trade certified.

our looseleaf teas are cupped to order, from SerendipiTea, and are organic and/or fair trade certified.

we offer whole, skim, and soy milk for beverages and carry white sugar, raw sugar, honey, and Splenda as sweeteners on the side. all drinks are served unsweetened except where noted.

COFFEE/ESPRESSO
Drip Coffee (French Roast, Medium Roast/Single Origin), Café Au Lait, Espresso, Americano, Cappuccino, Latte

TEA
Yerba Mate, Chamomile Lavender, Gunpowder Green w/ Mint, Ban Cha (Chinese Green Sencha), Jasmine Green, Rooibos, Mint, Earl Grey, English Breakfast, Spiced Chai

COLD DRINKS

Iced Tea, Lemonade, Orange Juice, Apple Cider

SPECIALITY DRINKS

Vanilla Steamer Steamed milk and vanilla syrup

Hot Chocolate Housemade dark chocolate base (contains dairy) with steamed milk

Macchiato Espresso "marked" with frothed milk, served in a demitasse

Classic Cappuccino Two shots of espresso with 4 oz. of milk

Cafe Mocha Housemade dark chocolate base (contains dairy), espresso, and steamed milk

Chai Latte Housemade spiced chai with fresh ginger, mixed with steamed milk

London Fog Earl Grey tea w/ steamed soy milk and honey.

Yerba Mate Latte Yerba Mate tea w/ steamed soy milk and honey.

Hot Apple Cider No sugar added.

Iced Mint-Green Tea Sweetened with honey.

Arnold Palmer 1/2 unsweetened iced tea + 1/2 lemonade

Cold Brewed Iced Coffee Single Origin Regular or Decaf.

Iced Latte or Iced Mocha Freshly pulled espresso and cold milk poured over ice. With or w/o housemade chocolate.

Iced Chai Latte Housemade spiced chai w/ fresh ginger, mixed with cold milk.

BOTTLED DRINKS

We also serve a variety of bottled drinks including sparkling fruit juices, cane sugar sodas, and water.