Junction Bistro, Bar & Bakery

I love the concept of this place. They have something and somewhere for everyone. The food is awesome, the coffee is exactly what you want, and the bar is top notch. They have a gal upfront who seems to handle everything and does it with joy. I believe that her name is Lexi. I have spent a Friday working there and I've never gotten more accomplished. I highly recommend this place!

If you visit Del Rey in Alexandria, Virginia, locals will tell you to visit Junction Bakery. Fresh baked pastries and bread fill the early morning air daily. Neighbors gather around the breakfast, lunch, and dinner table. This same Junction Bakery just opened their first D.C. location on Capitol Hill a few blocks from Union Station. Here's what is to love:

1) Space: It's gorgeous. Despite being in a smaller space because D.C., they make good use of it. When you walk into the bottom floor of an apartment building, you'll see the counter where you can order coffee, pastries, and grab-n-go food. To the left of the counter are two tables hidden in a corner. Moving past the front counter, you enter a narrow room with a long bar and plenty of seating for dining in. There's a mural in the back, an open kitchen, and restrooms (each with a changing table inside) off to the side.

2) Food: I've only been for breakfast, but their menu is diverse and the pastries fresh. The chocolate croissant is large and with a good chocolate to dough ratio. They brew Commonwealth Joe Coffee from Arlington and it's good. My latte was creamy and balanced.

3) Service: They bring the Northern Virginia charm. Each staff member genuinely greeted me and were attentive.

If you need a place to work, go here. They have public wifi and plenty of outlets. The natural light pouring in doesn't hurt either.

Very good food.

Junction Bakery just opened up near Massachusetts Ave and D NE and I'm excited about what it will bring to the neighborhood.

The building has been under renovations for the last 3 years and with the closure of Romeo and Juliet, the area has been dominated by Union Pub, a pretty terrible Mexican restaurant that just closed, and really expensive lunch places.

Junction Bakery hits the mark on 3 things that will probably make them popular:

1. It'll be a great morning place to stop between your walk from Cap Hill to the Hill. Looks like they'll have coffee and grab and go food. It should be a good replacement for Ebenezers and has enough space to work on your laptop.

2. The bar is a good size and could be a great happy hour. Union Pub gets really busy and this place should be a good reprieve. It's also got lighter food options.

3. It looks like a good lunch and brunch place with a diverse menu for vegetarians and those with limited food options.

I went for the brunch and had the huevos rancheros with the Breakfast Greens cocktail (jalapeño, gin and lime). The tostada and avocado were fresh and the egg was cooked right. The Duke's hot sauce brought it all together. It was $30 in total which is on the lower end for brunches around here.

As I try more things on the menu, I'll add more to this review. Seems like they've got a real winner here.

Fantastic! The food, service and atmosphere was so good my family ate here every morning while we visited DC.