It’s Saturday afternoon, just a touch after 2 p.m. Anticipation has excited the senses; reservations for this event had been made over a month prior. Opening the door to this small, unassuming café reveals that the DJ is already at work. Music flows through the air of this small French place. It’s Lady Gaga’s newest and not something one would expect to be played here.
“Hello,” says the waiter with a smile. “Welcome to La Boum.” He places a small glass down on the table; it’s filled with rose colored bubbly. Champagne is a perfect welcome on this sunny, cool day, and it’s only a small mark of what the next four hours will hold. There are groups all around the room, small and large. From tables of four to twelve, each is filled with laughing guests. Some are already dancing in their seats; they seem ready to party. Have they been here before?
La Boum is a Saturday brunch in D.C. But here at L’Enfant Café, at the intersection of 18th and U Streets, it’s much more than just a weekend meal. La Boum is an experience; it’s a party, and one that will make guests forget about anything that is happening beyond the borders of the little side street café.
Chris is your host, and he’s there to ensure that each visitor is letting loose and having fun. He’s the man holding the mic, there to guide the room and ensure that all the blinds are closed as tightly as possible. When you think they’re tight, try again. We’re in here, and what is outside stays outside, including sunlight.
A waiter makes his way past our table. He’s holding an unopened bottle of champagne. A sparkler is attached to the neck. It’s the first bottle to be brought out, and will certainly not be the last. Eyes are following the sparkler across the room. It’s placed in the middle of one of the tables, animating guests. When the sparkler fades, the cork pops. Rinse and repeat. Champagne is the drink of choice at La Boum. Where there are sparklers, there are bottles. Where there are bottles, there are happy guests.
Though the event counts as a brunch, food seems like something of a side note to everything else going on. A look at the menu reveals crêpes of all kinds. Savory versions, which are served with side salads, range from ham to salmon to spinach. Sweet versions, which act more as desserts than meals, range from simple butter and sugar to combinations served with liqueurs for a special kick. Though the Grand Marnier and Caramel crêpe has touches of orange peel to add a little texture and depth, it’s the Frangelico and Nutella crêpe that is really something fabulous for any fan of the chocolate hazelnut combination. A look at the oversized container of Nutella on a high counter might be a testament to how much of it is used in the establishment. Get yours served with raspberry coulee, strawberries, banana, or chocolate.
Benedicts, a brunch standard, are all served on croissant halves instead of English muffins here. Though ham is available, salmon or lobster are options for those who are looking for something different. And as if the almost endless flutes of champagne aren’t enough, there’s champagne in the hollandaise sauce, too.
Those in want of more hearty meals can order up a burger, steak frites, classic French mussels or even ravioli. The most important of all things at La Boum, though, is that one must not let the food hinder other activities.
“I’m not used to dancing while I eat!” said one guest, looking up at the others around him. “That usually happens afterwards.”
At this party, anything goes. Dance. Eat. Dance. Eat. Looking around, it seems to be the standard, and what’s the harm of fitting in? After all, the only light in this room is emanating from the rotating disco ball that is calling for some attention.
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