Delicate Hot Chocolate…read more I have long been an admirer of fine hot chocolate. Traditionally, I would visit Starbucks or a contemporary coffeehouse, only to receive what often felt like mocha syrup blended with steamed milk--pleasant, perhaps, but rarely memorable. This morning marked my first visit to Tatte Bakery & Café in Old Town Alexandria where the hot chocolate proved to be an unexpected delight. The associate explained that it was prepared with semisweet chocolate and warm milk. Intrigued, I ordered a small and chose to enjoy it outdoors. The price was refreshingly reasonable, while the bakery's bright interior and refined ambiance created an inviting first impression. My drink arrived within approximately five minutes, presented elegantly in a cup and saucer. The temperature was perfectly warm--comforting without being excessively hot--and the overall presentation was quietly sophisticated but has room for improvement. Then came the taste.... The texture was exceptionally silky and smooth, with no grainy residue, excessive sweetness, or bitter aftertaste. It was rich without being heavy and indulgent without becoming overwhelming. Even better, it left behind no awkward crown of foam. I have enjoyed hot chocolate in Sicily, where the experience was quite literally a cup of melted chocolate--decadent, dense, and almost dessert-like. Tatte's interpretation was more delicate and restrained, yet equally satisfying in its own way. Tatte has now earned first place in my personal ranking. There is, however, still an opportunity to elevate the service experience. A cloth napkin and small spoon presented alongside the drink would add a more polished touch, while a subtle soupçon of finely shaved chocolate would enhance both the visual presentation and the final sip. Overall, I award Tatte's hot chocolate an A-. I look forward to seeing whether it can achieve an even higher distinction upon my next visit.

Let's face it. I like Tatte a latte!…read more Beautiful pastry case, inviting treats, Parisian-style cafe. It's a bit inconvenient that you pay at the counter but pick up hot drinks at the bar. When it's crowded you can barely hear your name. We stopped in the late afternoon and it was cool and empty. I had a delicious matcha latte and some lovely baked treat. Thanks a latte, Tatte!

Our office blessed us all with lunch from this wonderful restaurant. Since we all exceed our…read moremonthly sales goal for last month, we were able to order whatever we wanted from their menu. This was all a surprise which was announced after a company wide meeting. There were many items in the menu that I wasn't sure about, so I decided on a chicken pesto sandwich called La Poulet. The sandwich also came with mozzarella cheese, crisp lettuce, and two tomatoes. The portion was perfect and I didn't feel weighted down after the meal. That means fewer calories than some other generic sub sandwich. Wednesday's lunch was quite a treat for us all.

Love the family friendly/pet friendly vibe of this place! While the bakery itself isn't anything…read moreout of the ordinary, it's the open space right next to the building what is amazing! The huge sandbox is what keeps us coming! Kids can play here for hours on end, my kids actually think we are at the beach when we come here lol! Parents can sit back and relax while sipping on some beers and drinks. Food menu isn't as extensive, but it's straight forward and enough to serve its purpose. They recently added some TVs so now I can drag my husband easier, since he won't miss any of his sport games. The only downside is that there is only one bathroom available. Considering how busy this place gets, you can end up waiting a while in line. And when your little one needs to go potty right.now. that can be an issue! Overall great spot to spend a chill afternoon! P.S. don't forget to pack the sunscreen! Only a couple of tables get shade.

- creamy light and a good price for gelato! - they pack it…read moreup - cute seating area inside and outside!

Stopped into Dolci Gelati in Old Town Alexandria and immediately ran into the classic problem:…read more"I'll just try a little something." Famous last words. Went with the Biscoff and pistachio gelato. Both were excellent, but the Biscoff is clearly the crowd favorite--I even asked the staff what people usually order, and they didn't hesitate. So of course I did the responsible thing and ordered it... and then almost didn't share it. Normally I'd pace myself. Not here. Also tried an Americano, which was surprisingly solid. Not an afterthought coffee situation at all--actually good enough that I'd come back just for that alone. What really stood out though was the staff. Super friendly, all smiles, really personable. I think the guy who helped me was named Avery--shoutout to him for making the whole thing feel like a neighborhood spot instead of "just grab dessert and leave." Bottom line: this is one of those places you end up going back to "just to try one more flavor," and suddenly it's a habit. I'll definitely be back next time I'm in Old Town... which, realistically, will be sooner than I'm admitting.

Love, love, LOVE this place!…read more We ordered a dozen Ben yay's and all the sauces: vanilla cream, chocolate, raspberry, and strawberry. My daughter bought them one time and brought them home - and they are not the same as eating them freshly made at the cafe! You have to eat them fresh!!! They're delicious even without any of the sauces. Can't wait to go back when I visit my daughter! 10 out of 10 for me! ENJOY!

I went to Ben'YaYs on a Wednesday afternoon to do a little work. The front where you place your…read moreorder is a small room with a few bar height chairs at a bar at the window. But there is a much larger room in the back with a variety of tables, chairs and the restroom. I sat on a long cushioned bench with a couple of different tables by the big window. I wanted to sit at a small table in the back but the speaker was right above the table and was playing music a little too loudly. I also wanted to be near an outlet and didn't see one by the tables on the wall closer to the restroom. It wasn't super busy, but a few folks came and went while I was there for a couple of hours. But I was comfortable and able to work well. I ordered an Americano to support the business. Parking is street and mostly paid, unless you walk a couple of blocks south to free 2 hour parking. I would return here, both to work and to try their beignets. It was tough to stick to my diet while everyone around me was enjoying some!

Studying or need to get work done AND neurodivergent? This is the place!…read more There are a few St Elmo's in Alexandria/Arlington, but this location is by far my favorite. The service is always top notch, the food and drinks are consistently great, and the environment is so conducive to just about anything. I've met up with friends for coffee here, come just for a peaceful moment for myself, and it is my go-to for studying and working on the doctoral manuscript. There are outlets thoughtfully placed literally everywhere for charging computers, tablets, phones, etc. My favorite thing about St Elmo's is probably the amount and variety of seating they offer- they have bar seating with comfortable backed barstools, another long high top table (great for small group meetings or projects), traditional tables and chairs scattered throughout, booths, etc. The playlists they use are great, but music is also not too loud (can use my own headphones without having to blast the volume). There are fairy lights strung and the lighting is great. At the front, they have big windows that completely open to allow fresh air in on days the weather is nice. Parking isn't an issue- if you can't find anything on the street, there is a free garage with EV charging. I live less than a mile from the Del Ray St Elmo's (which is also great!), but the layout of this location and how it is set up for those looking to be productive outside of their home is fantastic.

I was so happy to see this expansion of my favorite Del Ray coffee shops! This spot is slightly…read moremore industrial feeling but the warmth comes from the friendly service, great coffee, and delicious pastries. I love their breakfast sandwiches and if they have their banana bread in stock...you truly are in luck! Support this locally-owned shop. You won't regret it.

Walking into Turkish Coffee Lady feels like stepping into another world entirely. Gizem White…read morepoured her love into every single detail of the Golden Horn High Tea -- gold-plated cups, homemade pistachio baklava, rose Turkish delight, and a hand-painted copper kettle that anchors the whole experience. This isn't just high tea. It's a cultural journey that unfolds in courses -- tea first, then Turkish delights, then sandwiches, and finally Turkish coffee to close it all out. The sweets are made with intention, the presentation is stunning, and the warmth Gizem brings to everything she does makes you feel like you're sitting at a friend's table rather than a coffee shop. Old Town Alexandria is lucky to have her. If you haven't been to Turkish Coffee Lady yet, that needs to change -- and the Golden Horn High Tea is exactly where you start.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ 10/10

I stopped in seeking refreshments. The people working there talked about making it a welcoming,…read moresocial space, but at least for me it wasn't. It was quite cramped and chaotic, and I got stuff to go because I couldn't even figure out if there was anywhere to sit. Their vanilla chai was aptly named as the vanilla flavor dominated. A milky chocolate pistachio baklava was indulgent and tasty. The price for these items was a bit much for what I got. The spread had some interesting options and I could imagine coming back on a less busy day and having a better experience.

A beautiful cafe with a drink menu containing familiar and diverse items, a small and…read morestraightforward sandwich menu, and several tasty-looking desserts. The bathroom is clean and passcode-protected. The aesthetic is pretty and elegant. The man behind the counter was polite and patient, answering a couple of silly questions for me with a smile. They were out of most of their sandwiches when I happened to pop in, but despite settling for my 3rd choice on the menu, it was still a tasty, satisfying lunch. I am not close enough to visit frequently, but I would certainly come back here with friends.

I've been falling in love with the Alexandria, VA area, recently. Either I have been sleeping or…read moreits coming around. Either way I just found Lily's Chocolate & Coffee while venturing up and down King Street, and well with the help of Yelp because this was a plan to visit later in October. But, I decided my kiddos needed a treat. Located on a corner you walk into hues of pink, florals and the smell of chocolate and coffee. I became immediately distracted by the toppings and melted chocolate. But, when I snapped out of it, I was able to place my order. I opted for the Dubai chocolate inspiration over strawberries. If I remember correctly it was around $20 five or take. The cafe is so cute. It is small and if crowded be prepared to navigate that. There is bathrooms inside but, I do not know if it is for customers or not, as they were locked when we were there. The staff were just starting for the day. But they were helpful, kind and ready to roll. Once we received our order we sat down and dug right in. The strawberries were fresh, large and draped over in chocolate, pistachio cream and katifia. This is not my first time having Dubai chocolate or Dubai inspired chocolate. I thoroughly enjoy it over strawberries. There is just something about chocolate ad strawberries. Overall a wonderful place. I highly recommend visiting

Great Food, Vine & Customer Service!…read more I stopped in here for a quick bite with a friend before heading to an eye doctor appointment next door. I must say I really like the vibe of this place. Beeline Diner is one of diners that are retro-cool and has a neighborhood feel to it. It's very popular with the locals and folks that live around the area. I couldn't help but noticed how friendly the staff was and seemed to know their regular patrons. That's a great plus, in my book. The menu is loaded with lots of great options and your comfort food classics...including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. On this day, we tried the chicken & waffles and steak omelette. Both more delicious and was served fairly quick! The portions were great too definitely enough food to share. The check was tender, juicy and most of all.....seasoned!! lol The waffles were pretty standard on taste but I would say they fluffy and light. The steak omelette did not disappoint either. It was loaded with sirloin steak, cheese and onions! Every lift of my fork left me with bits of steak bites! My kind of meal for sure!!! The only negative about this dish is that the steak is not made to order or cooked to your preference (I.e. medium, medium rare, well done, etc.). Instead the steak it's already pre-cooked and I was told by the server that it is roughly around, medium-well. That might be okay for some, but I prefer my steak month medium side. Medium-well makes this dish and steak overcooked by the time it's delivered to you. This was the case for me. The sirloin steak was a bit on the tough side...as know as chewy. lol Other than this, I have nothing but great things to say about my first visit to this establishment. The customer service was on point and everyone was so friendly. This!...& the Chicken n' Waffles dish won me over. We left pretty full and satisfied....which was a little disappointing because the desserts in the display cases looked amazing and I really wanted to dive-in on one of them! In all, you can't go wrong with Beeline Diner. The food hits the spot and the price point is great too. I recommend and looking forward to coming back to try some of the other plethora of dishes they serve! :-)

We visited on a Sunday morning. We were immediately greeted and seated upon entering. The staff was…read morevery attentive and courteous. The food came promptly after a very short wait. I had the salmon dish was generally good - the Cajun roasted salmon was well seasoned but the sides on the plate were not. The restaurant is very clean and bright (much bigger than I thought it would be from the outside). $$ There is a free parking lot.