| Address | 2331 Calvert St., Washington, DC 20008 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (202) 332-2331 |
Open City doesn't have to do much to win the hearts of Woodley Park dwellers, and that's exactly the problem. With its diner-style menu and late hours, it's a beautiful neighborhood anomaly. So even though the food is just so-so and the service is well, poor, every time I pass the place, it's packed and oftentimes with a line out the door. I wish I could still be so blindly enthused about the place, but the poor service I've received there has taught me that one cannot win the hearts of diners with outdoor seating and all-day pancakes alone.
Twice I have waited 30 minutes for a burger and in one case, a hot apple cider. On one of these occasions I asked our waitress if my food was on its way (assuming she might give me some explanation for the long wait) and her only response was a curt "yeah." Service with a smile; I like that.
A little of everything for everybody, this diner/bar/coffee house brings life to the boring Woodley Park neighborhood. Much more exciting than the old Washington Park Gourmet convenience store that was extensively remade in 2005 for Open City.
The spinach quiche here is astonishingly tasteless but the extensive menu includes a variety of cuisines--some of which I've found to have a slight flavor. Service tends to be slow and the tin ceiling over the dining room adds to the lively atmosphere by creating one heck of an echo, echo, echo.
While your meal might not be the most satisfying, it's still an attractive place to meet friends or just hang out. There are two outdoor seating areas and classic movies or news on the flat screen near the bar.
This was our third or fourth visit to this neighborhood hangout. Our first visit had been a disaster, which we chalked up to opening weekend problems (which the restaurant kindly took care of by making our meal on the house), but things have steadily gotten better. There is a casualness amongst the staff which is homey and comfortable. The food is average and the ambience is fine. But best of all, it is a new place in Woodley Park to go for coffee, drinks, breakfast anytime, or a casual bite to eat. Open City is certainly a welcome addition to my neighborhood.
Although Open City is much better than other Woodley Park lunch alternatives, that's not saying much. The vegetarian options are far more standard and less interesting than those offered at either Tryst or The Diner. If you have the time to cross the bridge to Adams Morgan, it just may be worth your while.
The one thing Open City has over Tryst and The Diner is that you can actually get a table for Sunday Brunch. Perhaps its because the dining experience isn't quite as unique as its AdMo conterparts. The menu isn't nearly as creative or vegetarian friendly. There are veggie choices, but they are the standard "vegetarian options". That being said, the food is still good, just not terribly exciting. For tea and coffee junkies, they have an extensive menu and delicious pastries to nibble on. The design is a bit strange, the dining area is cramped and the bar seems squished in the back of the restaurant like an after thought. Overall, I was happy with my dining experience, but next time, I may just opt to wait in line for more variety on 18th st.
