Big Bear Cafe
1700 First Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
202-470-5543
Neighborhood: U Street/Shaw
Cuisines: Breakfast, Deli/Quick Bites, American
Opening Hours:
Open Monday through Friday 7 AM to 6 PM, Saturday 7:30 AM to 6 PM, and Sunday 8 AM to 6 PM.
Nearby Metro Stops: Shaw-Howard University
Price Range: Inexpensive
Dress: Informal
Noise Level: N/A
Reservations: Not Needed
Website: http://www.bigbearcafe-dc.com
Best Dishes:
Chicken/mozzarella/pesto sandwich; fromage blanc/fig sandwich; turkey/apple/brie sandwich; Jessie's salad; coffee.
Grilled sandwiches arrive with a salad of lightly dressed mixed greens and, perhaps, a marigold from the garden. The chicken-mozzarella-and-pesto sandwich ($7.50) gives off a lovely aroma of fresh basil, while a less substantial but tasty sandwich of spicy fig marmalade, fromage blanc, and arugula ($6.50) is a reminder of the cafe’s close ties with the neighborhood farmers market.
A turkey-apple-and-Brie sandwich ($5) and Jessie’s Salad ($7.50)—topped with grilled chicken, feta, and cucumbers—also make nice meals. Coffee is taken seriously, and your latte’s foamed milk will sport a palm-frond design.
Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; closes at 6 on weekends.
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