Belga Café

Frommer's Review

Belga Café is located on a street called "Barracks Row," named for the Marine Corps barracks bordering the street to the east. This is one of those D.C. neighborhoods that's been here forever -- the Marine Barracks and the Navy Yard, just blocks away, sprouted 200 years ago -- but now is being revitalized by merchants and the city. New bars, restaurants, and shops are opening all the time along 8th Street, and this trend will continue as construction of the somewhat-nearby Washington Nationals baseball stadium approaches completion.

But back to the Belga: When it opened in late 2004, the cafe was almost too popular for its own good. Things have quieted down somewhat, service has improved, and you can probably now snag a table without a wait. Enjoy sitting at the outdoor cafe on a fine spring day or inside the bustling, noisy, European-ish dining room. Everything's a waffle at brunch and lunch, meaning many of the sandwiches -- croque-monsieur to hamburger -- are served on wafel (waffled) bread. The menu might look gimmicky, since every item gets its Flemish name first, followed by the translation: dagsoep (soup of the day), waterzooi (free-range chicken with vegetables). I recommend the Belgian fries; the Belgian beers (7 on tap, another 30 or so in bottles); the mussels, accompanied by one of five sauces; and the eendenborst, which is duck breast à l'orange with duck confit, salsify, and orange cacao sauce. Order the Belgian waffles, not the French toast, at brunch.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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