Brilliant! This was my exclamation as I walked into an oasis of quaintness in the quiet Brookland neighborhood in N.E, Washington – Bcafe Restaurant and Bar (www.bcafedc.com)! Bcafe has been in business for over two years without my knowing….hmmm? Thanks to Toni, my good friend and co-worker, I know now! Hi Toni!
If you are familiar with my Examiner.com contributions, I am quite persnickety in regards to the places I suggest. Bcafe earns 4 stars and carries a special place on my preference list because the delicious food is inexpensive and the menu includes extensive VEGAN items – a popular diet option!
Bcafe’s appetizer choices include awesome plantains that melt in your mouth, popcorn shrimp, vegan shrimp, chips w/mango salsa, “designer” seasoned fries (regular and sweet potato), chili cheese fries, spinach dip and more – from $3.00 - $8.00.
Bcafe also offers soup, salads, and sandwiches/wraps with options including chicken, tuna fish, salmon, crab cake and even veggie wraps. In the midst of the super tasty options, the restaurant presents the best in healthy-hearty comfort food including turkey/beef burgers, fried and grilled fish/shrimp, crab cakes (no fillers), Mac & Cheese, Potato salad, rice & peas, spinach, Curry Chicken and Caribbean wings. My heart melts when I think about the thoughtfulness behind ingredients used; for example, this restaurant uses only natural oils (soya & olive oil) and the Caribbean wings are baked. There are 23 separate lunch specials ranging in price from $7.00-$13.00 which include a free soft drink. This place shows off like a restaurant three times its influence!
I must share that the dessert menu is “to die for” – have you ever had sweet potato cake, red velvet cake, and specialty rum cakes that forced you to look around as you devour it? Well, look no darn more. I purchased the sweet potato cake and brought a piece home to my sister but she doesn’t know that it was my initial greed that prompted the purchase of two slices just for me! Sorry Evie! Greed ain’t good!
Looking for a comfortable Happy Hour? Bcafe has a bar so stay tuned as the restaurant prepares for introducing a creative selection of cocktails, beer, and wine.
Saving my best for last, I must emphasize the super healthy VEGAN menu. As a studying Nutritionist, I am very conscious of how food calories are sourced. I am not a vegan or vegetarian but I advise consuming 70-80% of the diet in vegetables, fruit, and grains. I'd imagine you can have fun with the other 20%-30%; within in reason, of course! To suit my fancy in this regard, Bcafe has a fabulous vegan menu consisting of numerous delicious selections. They offer vegan mock fish, veggie burgers, vegan croquettes, mock deli turkey, mock shrimp, and even mock chicken curry! The vegan patty is made from carrots, beets, and potatoes. The mock shrimp and turkey are made from soy. I am in awe of the number of vegan items this place offers! Let me say this - the mock shrimp will fool you. The texture is slightly different from the actual shellfish but the taste is delightful. The mock shrimp is my favorite item on the menu!
Overall, I am pleasantly surprised with the huge selection of vegan items and the focus on healthy and tasty food; especially when many local establishments do not offer similar options. This place is so cool that I only have one critical point - plastic products are used to serve food in this top-rated restaurant. After speaking with management, I was advised that the restaurant will be converting to silverware and other appealing dishware soon!
Hey, give Bcafe a try. Tell them that Pammy, the Healthy DC Food Critic suggested it!
As always, thanks for giving me your time and attention!
Pamela
Healthy DC Food Critic
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