Le Pain Quotidien - Old Georgetown

This place is delicious for a chain of casual sit-down cafe eateries. Many of them have a couple vegan options, but Le Pain Quotidien has numerous choices. They rotate regularly, so check with each location at any given time of the day to see what they have - from breakfast to breads to desserts to sandwiches to entrees, this place has at least a few vegan options for all!

The service from the staff was great - very friendly and helpful. The decor is very casual, and you seat yourself. However, the prices, as in all LPQ's are a little bit steep.

With that said, if you want fresh, organic, clearly vegan food variety from a cafe, this place can't be beat. I love that there's oatmeal, raw granola, fresh fruit, steel cut oatmeal, tofu scramble, breads (almost all of them!), muffins and pastries for breakfast. For lunch or dinner, there are many salad choices and sides, and the soup is always vegan! They are seasonal and tasty - like the butternut squash of today. However, if you are starving, the portions, not so good - the flavors and freshness are great, but not as filling as one might hope.

The menu boasts calorie counts and more importantly, the carrot to denote what is vegan. You won't be disappointed in the choices! Baba ghanous, taboule, hummus, mediterranean platter, black bean hummus or avocado tartine (open-faced sandwich), tofu and cabbage salad, avocado and lentil salad, 6-vegetable quiche (delicious, love it!), and quinoa cake are standard options. There are also seasonal items too - vegan items, yes!

I love this food, and their beverages are also tasty. Almond milk and soy milk for lattes, plenty of teas and juices, as well as cold beverages with or without alcohol.

If this place were easier on the wallet in relation to portion size, I'd be here more often. Parking is easy for those who drive into Bethesda, and it's easy to find right on Old Georgetown Road.