Busboys and Poets Finds Warm Reception

It looks as if Busboys and Poets is settling into the U Street neighborhood very comfortably. Both DCist and Tom Sietsema have weighed in on their first impressions of the new lounge/bookstore/coffeeshop/bar.

After blogging about it back in August, I finally got the chance to check it out for lunch yesterday. "Are you in a loungey mood or would you rather sit at a table?" the host asked as I walked through the door. I opted for a table and ordered a tasty prosciutto pizza with arugula and red peppers on a basil pesto base—the crust was nice and crisp and the flavors worked well together. I'll definitely be back to try the fried catfish and peanut butter, banana and honey sandwich praised by DCist.

But beyond the food, the space is incredible. People were browsing for books in one corner, sipping espresso in another and banging away on laptops in yet another. Comfortable groupings of chairs and sofas provide plenty of seating for lounging or eating, and the bar (with a handful of beers on tap) looked inviting for a coffee or a drink. The attractive Langston Room, which hosts open-mic nights, movie screenings and book readings, offers a professional sound system and curved booths for facing the stage. Although it's barely a month old, Busboys and Poets already feels like an established neighborhood hangout.

Meanwhile, next door a sign has gone up outside the former Mango's for Jin. A peek inside revealed a few modish white tables and artful lanterns. A new Asian lounge or restaurant perhaps? Stay tuned.

(Photos by Metrocurean.)