Le Pain Quotidien – Mosaic District

Pros:
Clean.
Plenty of covered parking.
Polite staff.
Nice selection of pastries.
Kids’ menu.
Cons:
Out of skim/​low-​fat milk? Send someone to the store (MOMs is next door) to buy some. Duh!
Kinda expensive. $ 9.50 for the brioche french toast. Ouch.

Was very impressed with this place! Had a nice, homey vibe… Big central table, booths with overhangs that give privacy and make you feel like you’re outside.
The food was a tiny bit overpriced, but well worth it. Had the chili, avocado toast (W/​chia seeds!) and kale salad. Would recommend all 3. So healthy and yummy!
The lemon ginger tea, however, is a bit too lemony.

Went this past weekend after being recommended by a friend. Live right around the corner. Price was around 25 dollars for a super small slice of quiche, drink, and two tarts to go for idea of price. The quiche was great but way to small. Chocolate pecan tart was tasty and I’d order again. Pistachio tart was really dry and would not order again at all. Didn’t really seem worth it to me. May check out once more if at mosaic for a tart but not for a meal.

I stumbled upon this place for breakfast because I couldn’t find the Panera around the corner! I really liked the vibe of this place — it was a good mix of modern-​rustic and they had a lot of nice looking baked goods and breads on display as soon as you walked in.
The service there isn’t the best — I couldn’t tell if I had to be seated to order a pastry or if I could just order it in the front. I was standing in the front for a while with several of the workers giving me weird looks but not really helping me at all. It was only until someone else came in did they ask that patron if they wanted to order something.
I got an almond and cheese Danish and picked out a seat to eat at and look at some work. I was then given silverware and asked what I would like to order minutes after finishing my pastry, so I had to inform the server I had already eaten and she looked annoyed. Not sure what the procedure for dining in vs. take out is to this day. Other than the service mishaps, the food was great and the location is awesome — near lots of fun unique shops in a posh shopping center. Check it out!

The food at this location is no different any other Le Pain Quotidien. I really enjoy it. This location is also clean and convenient.
What sets this location apart from other LPQ locations is the people. Pretty much all LPQ locations have attentive and friendly staff but the folks at this location just seem to really enjoy their work and their positive attitude is infectious. They go above and beyond.
I’m actually kind of amazed that this happens every time I go there; I’m struck by the efficiency and friendliness of everyone there.

I love this spot.
Management and staff very friendly. Gluten free friendly.
Homemade Apple Cider that doesn’t taste like syrup. On point.
Macaroons on point!

Very nice atmosphere and the food was pretty good. I ordered the Paris Ham and Aged Gruyère with the mustard trio. I enjoyed what I ate, but it seemed that it took a really long time to just put a slice of cheese and a slice of meat on bread. The mustard trio was sensational, but there wasn’t enough of it. I ended up running out and just dipping the rest of my food in olive oil because the server was extremely inattentive. He was very nice and outgoing when he was around, but getting his attention was a huge hassle.
The cold brew iced coffee was phenomenal. Absolutely excellent. I will be back, but the experience could have been better.

Because you just can’t make eggs the same way at home… I love coming here for a long brunch to just read and relax! This is the closest you’ll get to a more European breakfast or brunch. The summer items especially trend a little Mediterranean. I have complained pretty vocally on Unilocal about the (extremely) slow service and room temperature coffee at other LPQ locations (ahem, Clarendon), but this location seems to run a bit tighter.
Lately every time I’m here, I get the two soft boiled eggs and a large fruit cup. The fresh breads and egg dishes are really hard to beat. Other favorite is the Tuscan white bean salad, but I can’t pass up breakfast foods usually. House-​made drinks are also good.

I’m not a big fan of this chain’s food per se, I don’t find it particularly innovative in terms of taste but this location gets 4 stars for friendly efforts from the man who greeted us, I think he’s the manager. They lose a star because it was difficult to get the servers attention for more water and to get change. After waving my arm for a while I gave up and went up to someone, anyone lol.
Now.onto the food:
The coffee was okay but not hot enough. It was lukewarm at best. The quality is supposed to be good but I somehow ended up having an upset stomach reaction afterwards. Perhaps the coffee was too acidic or the cheese too strong… it’s a mystery to me. I also tried their waffle which was very buttery and crispy and it had chunks of sugar hidden within it — not sure if it’s supposed to be like that ?
It’s kind of pricey for an average breakfast in my opinion so I don’t plan to frequent this place too often. If anything I just loved the interior of this place lol!

So I’ve been to Le pain multiple times– to both this location and the Georgetown one and there are a few consistencies. For starters, the service has always been terrible– very slow with a couldn’t care less attitude. Second, the food– it’s sooo mediocre and sooo overpriced (not only for not being good but also for the tiny portion size). I’m not saying I need large portions but if you’re going to make them small don’t charge so much.
+1 star for the ambiance/​décor

Tried Le Pain Quotidien for the first time on Sunday (⁸⁄₂₃). First off, the food was AMAZING. I had the goat cheese and mushroom omelette and it was probably one of the best omelettes I’ve had in my life! The bread (served with butter and an array of pots of jam on the table) was also great. Jams almost made me moan!
Atmosphere was nice… Lovely weather and we sat at one of the outdoor tables under an umbrella (next to the Hyatt House).
Big Negative: Disorganized (yet friendly) service! And crowded at noon. But the service was really almost abysmal. We were there about 25 minutes before getting water. The server took ONE of our orders, then ran off to help someone. My omelette (so good!) arrived without any silverware or water…
I had to wait to eat until maybe 5 – 8 minutes after my food arrived, when they brought my fork and knife and napkin. My friend ordered a non-​alcoholic drink, which they didn’t have. But then they brought her a cheaper one, but charged her for the first one (she noticed and they kindly took it off the bill altogether). Very busy!
Overall: Food: 5+ (yum!). Service: 2 – 3 (friendly, but SO chaotic). Atmosphere: 3 – 4 (friendly but crowded).
I’d recommend going here but NOT at peak times or with elderly people and definitely not if you’re in a rush! But it was a nice experience overall on a lovely day!

4.5 stars– I love this location at Mosaic district, it’s clean, usually quiet and has a friendly staff. The menu accommodates to a variety of tastes but most of all to those of us who love a healthy but über tasty meal. For someone like me who goes once every other month or sometimes once every few months, the menu feels like it always upgrades or keeps evolving (but maybe it feels that way to me because I don’t go all the time).
I just tried the crispy quinoa cake and I was blown away by how tasty it was. No it’s not a cake made of quinoa — although that would be the healthiest cake of all and would take all the fun out of eating cake– it’s a fried patty that’s actually quinoa fried in olive oil and basted in tomato sauce. It’s incredible! The patty is on a plate bedded with hummus and surrounded with arugula, avocado, tomato sauce. It’s even more delicious than it sounds. I will be recommending this to many friends and family and will go back for it!
I know that they also have a selection of alcoholic beverages but have not yet tried yet, if anyone has any suggestions please comment!

We came in a bit later on a Saturday night expecting to grab a quick bite and be on our way. The staff was very flat and seemed quite disinterested in taking out orders and the cashier was like «yes, we serve tartines here and they are on the menu» when I inquired about sandwiches. Well if the menu is not posted, nor readily available (and not mentioned on the French script blackboard signs) then maybe it is your job to point that out? She also was a bit curt when I asked what was in the drinks we ordered.
ANYWAY, we waited for a few minutes and it dawned on me that they were closing at 9 and not 10 like I had assumed, it being in the new & hip Mosaic District. The tartines came out (in to go boxes) as they were about to put the chairs we were sitting in up on the table with or without us in them. She did not say «we are about to close» but made every effort to make us feel unwelcome all the same.
The food was good if a bit overpriced. The curry chicken salad and avocado turkey were great. They are about $ 12 and come with nothing else so it was good that we were not that hungry. Also, no one asked what kinds of bread we wanted or if we wanted the bread toasted. It was also good that we liked eating in the dark outside and carrying our trash quite a distance. I prefer the Eastern Market location with friendlier staff and less Panera feel.

Came in here mid-​morning of ⁷⁄₈. The waiter was super friendly and the service was extremely prompt and fast. I read some of the other reviews and maybe it was just not the best day for them. Their ingredients are ultra fresh and I love the way all their coffee/​espressos are served– like a mug/​bowl type. It tasted phenomenal as well! All I had was an americano and this cold soup (first time!). It was all delicious. My friends had their salmon and some eggs as well. I tasted theirs and it was GREAT! I highly recommend at least for their food– tasted oober fresh.

I actually really love this place. It’s a great place to work from because it doesn’t get ridiculously crowded, the people who work here are super nice and always check up on me and treat me like I’m a princess (hello, unlimited green tea refills in my personalized green tea vat since I’m an addict), and the whole space is really large and open so you actually have enough room to work and eat.
On to the food! You may be familiar with this place mainly for its gorgeous bakery and patisserie display, but the lunch and dinner here are equally delicious. Being a bakery, the bread is fresh and goes well with selected meals. In my case, the kale Caesar salad was filling and really delivered. It arrived with smoked salmon on top, which I actually appreciated more than a baked or grilled salmon as I was expecting.
The prices are a bit steep (besides buying the bread loaves to go, which are a pretty awesome deal IMO), so this place is more of a treat for me.

Best Belgium waffles (perfect amount of sweet — no syrup needed).
Crispy quinoa cake is heaven in your mouth.
Great feel at home ambiance. Beautiful presentation too, everything here is def snapchat worthy!

Why did it take a long time for me to find this place?! I love everything about this café/​dine in. The staff are very friendly and they’ll recommend what’s best on their menu. Of course, I had to try their French toast with berries on the side. Oh my, it was very delicious! Highly recommend the French toast if you have a sweet tooth. My friend let me try her smoked salmon breakfast. I’m getting that next time, it’s too good for words.
If you want to try their soup, try the organic chicken soup. Simply amazing.
As for drinks, mint lemonade and organic blackberry lemonade are perfect for the hot weather.
My new favorite place :)

I can’t believe I had never been to this chain before. It is probably the closest thing I have had to petit déjeuner/​déjeuner, like I remember from growing up in Belgium, that I have experienced here in the States.
The Liège style waffles being delivered all around us were my first indication that everything was going to be awesome. Then the Belgian hot chocolate I ordered really solidified it for me. Sipping hot chocolate from a small bowl, just like I used to, and I was instantly 8 years old again. All that was missing was my Pain au chocolat to go with (I noticed –after the fact– that they do sell them here though… so it’s my fault for not ordering one).
Oh man, I really love this place and all the wonderful memories it evoked!
I also love that everything is organic and will gladly pay a little more for higher quality foods. Plus, since the menu has a little bit of everything on it, it’s a great brunch spot! Everything I sampled was delicious. My husband’s tuna tartine and my bff’s turkey avocado tartine were fantastic, and her fiancé’s and my salads were also good. The only downfall was the soft boiled egg we ordered that was overcooked and the service was slightly lacking. We had to flag our server down a few times for various things, I’m actually not so sure she was not coming back to check on us on her own.
But other than that, I am definitely a fan and will be back soon!

I like LPQ for breakfast/​brunch, I’ve not been to one at lunch time so today was a first.
I opted for the mac & cheese from the specials list. Interestingly with pieces of parma ham and chopped cornichons, it was a different taste. Not bad, just different. I cleaned the plate. It came with a pile of salad greens that had a very light dressing — I could only graze through about half of that.
Service was okay. Not terrific, but I wasn’t ignored. Catching her eye to get the check took a bit. I’d recommend LPQ if you’re looking for a quality fast casual meal and you have some time for the service to catch up.

This is a cute french style café with a comfortable home kitchen feel. We really enjoy sitting at the booths on a Sunday afternoon enjoying a cup of coffee and pastry. At each table there are jars of spreads and jams that await to be smeared on fresh bread.
Unfortunately Le Pain Quotidien is not flawless. Service is friendly and polite… when they notice you. We generally don’t mind being left alone after our food arrives but when we do need something, a refill of water, butter, more cream for our coffee, it takes a lot of effort to get any of the waitstaff to look up. This seems to be an ongoing occurance.
The food at Le Pain Quotidien tastes «healthy.» However the price point is on the higher side. The french toast I ordered had fresh strawberries (in December) which was wonderful but was served to me a bit burnt on the edges, which made it unpleasant.
Overall, we still enjoy the ambiance but we hope the food and service tightens up.