Skip to main content

Good Company

This little cafe packs a punch.  For a small store-front in a less than ideal location the food was great, the menu options expansive and the place absolutely worth multiple, repeated visits.  Today, I selected their Mixed Greens Salad, which was large and rich with a complex mix of ingredients.  There were dark purple greens mixed with butter lettuce, carrot and apple sticks, brussels sprouts shavings, chopped almonds, small chunks of feta and more.  Arriving with ~toasted~ bruschetta (brushed with butter!) the salad was only slightly less than perfect.  The vinaigrette was strong and almost too tart for the acidic greens.  I would have the dish with dressing on the side in the future.  Or I would have one of the many other options on the menu, including three other salads and a number of sandwiches, listed as vegetarian (I'm thinking the soup was vegan and the salads could be made so, although that was not mentioned on the menu).  They open at 7am EVERY day and serve breakfast items throughout the day, ranging from healthy to hearty.  On most nights (not Mondays and Tuesdays) they remain open late enough for dinner and ramp up offerings to include a charcuterie, wine, beer, and various cocktails.  There is coffee and tea, and, of course, doughnuts.  Yes, I had to indulge.  One of the best doughnuts I have had since college.  Light, fluffy, fresh and not the least bit greasy.  My nutella/toffee selection was sweet enough to enjoy but didn't make me feel like I was in a diabetic coma afterward.  The space, while compact, is also very thoughtfully laid out.  Making the most of large windows and a high ceiling there are fun light fixtures, splashes of color, light wood tables and a faux marble counter.  Even the TV showing an obligatory soccer game was behind a column, allowing sports fans some perceived distance from the other diners.  Parking is a challenge.  You can't park on Glebe and the road behind the shop is permit only.  Worth the walk (donut calories add up) I was able to snag a spot on Carlin Springs just past the church and walk the three blocks back up the road.  Bottom line:  A neighborhood delight.  I hope it can survive the megalopolis which is Ballston and gain the repeat customers it deserves.  (They have a loyalty program ... join and get discounts on future meals.)

Counter service cafe, coffee/tea shop, donuts and more
672 N. Glebe Road, Arlington
https://gocodough.com/

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

RASA

The popular grain bowl trend gets a twist with this Indian-inspired takeout bowl place.  Same concept -- a base, greens, toppings, etc., but the options are mostly Indian inspired and the majority of offerings are vegetarian (although not vegan, given the heavy use of Ghee in cooking).  My take is mixed.  Some of the items were outstanding, some less so.  I got the Lemon Tumeric Rice, which was delightful.  Fresh and tangy, with a little bite, it was one of the best rice dishes I've ever tried.  On top of this I got the Tofu/Cauliflower protein.  It was half and half.  The cauliflower was perfectly roasted, the roasted onions delightful, and the nuts were a beautiful added crunch.  The tofu, however, was watery, and the green and red peppers well past prime.  Next, I added sauteed spinach, which was incredibly bland, and the peanut sesame sauce, which was "okay" but forgettable.  I didn't do additional toppings, although there were plenty.  I did get two of the mini s
Post a Comment
Read more

First Watch

Meant to invite some family members here but a friend beat me to the punch.  We compromised and went together.  Unfortunately, this is a place where it looks better than it is.  Across the board.  The funky design scheme makes it an echo chamber and, with the pumping music, very loud.  Conversation was difficult.  The menu is covered in glossy photos and descriptions of the food but ... I started with the Morning Meditation Fresh Juice, a pretty blend of citrus and beet.  Or I tried to.  Took three reminders to the waiter and when it finally arrived, halfway into the meal, it was 90% ice and 10% juice.  My companions opted for coffee.  It was ice cold.  Another long wait (about 20 minutes) to get new coffee -- and included a reminder to staff that they wanted fresh cups as well.  I ordered the Vegetarian Quinoa Bowl, which was described as having up to 12 ingredients.  It had three.  The quinoa, an egg, maybe two teeny slices of tomato past its prime.  It wasn't hot or cold, just r
Post a Comment
Read more

Mezeh

With this new version of a middle-eastern inspired "bowl/pita/wrap" meal the Ballston Mezeh has a lot to praise and a few things it could do better. On the plus side is a ton of options.  For a base they move beyond the simple rice or greens selections to specific greens options/mixes and then they have three kinds of rice (including Riced Cauliflower with Bulgar Wheat for the Keto crowd).  After that there are two different protein options for veggies -- Falafel and Veggie Kofta.  I selected the Kofta just so that I could have something new ... and loved it.  But you aren't done there.  You can choose up to 12 toppings (TWELVE) out of 27.  Then there are the dressings.  Again, the choices are overwhelming with eight -- each sounds amazing.  I went with the Spicy Mango and was not disappointed.  I ordered a bowl and still got a nice big slice of warm pita which was just yummy. The challenge however, is that the bowl I ordered online wasn't really full.  There were lot
Post a Comment
Read more