Judging by some of these comments, you are inconveniencing them just by being there and taking up breathing space for more than the time it takes to complete a transaction.

There are places where the wi-fi password is printed on the receipt and internet access is timed.

That way, workers don’t have to confront people who “camp out”, and the person is inconvenienced (unless they have their hot spot with unlimited resources).

I’m so glad you agree with me that people “camping out” is an entirely different issue and expectation than what OP has, which makes the initial comment in this thread unnecessarily harsh and mostly irrelevant to the discussion that OP started. 🙂

What would you call a long time? I do tons of computer work (writing, editing, social media, etc.) and a lot of my regular “work” is just wandering around and knowing where to go so that I can make recommendations to people. From what I’ve observed, no… People camping out at coffee shops isn’t the big issue that this comment section is making it.

Most people have things to do and, in this city especially, there are many conversations that can’t be had in public. Plus, many places aren’t really super comfortable to post up in.

There’s a small minority of people who do hog up space and sure they are very noticeable when that happens. But it is overly dramatic to pretend as though the few people who do camp out at coffee shops are impactful enough to warrant a place literally restructuring their business model - which is based on volume and add-on items, anyway. Not dine in.

Some of the comments here could’ve been written by Ayn Rand.

I can’t believe we’ve reached a point in society where asking to have a damn seat after you bought a coffee for $10+ (not including the tip you were probably asked to add at checkout) is considered wholly unreasonable.

Some coffee shops I’ve enjoyed: Any Tatte

Baker’s Daughter

Le Pain Quotidien or Peregrine Espresso in Eastern Market - right around the corner from East City Bookshop, one of my fave bookstores :-)

Penn Social - now converted into a coffee shop during the day

Call Your Mother West End - attached to a hotel with ample lobby seating

Dolcezza in the Hirshorn - outdoor terrace is super nice to sit at, weather permitting

Albi/Yellow (Navy Yard), although I think they are is relocating so I’m not quite certain

This isn’t Europe, it’s America. Two different cultures re: coffee drinking and cafes.

It’s not some monumental ask for one to be able to sit and enjoy a latte or some other filter coffee drink (as opposed to an espresso) while reading a book or chatting with friends. Or, perhaps, just finishing the drink you just bought - which was probably $8-14 in this city.

I understand what you’re saying, but “camping out” is on the extreme end of things.

Personally I’m less inclined to get coffee anywhere that doesn’t allow me to take a seat and actually enjoy it.

I like that it's exactly the middle in terms of urban and suburban lifestyle. As a southern person who lived in suburban or rural areas most of my life, I find NYC to be a bit too chaotic and impersonal to be appealing. I always wanted to live in a big, but not too big city, and D.C. is the happy middle ground.

There are four seasons but none are too extreme. It's super walkable with robust public transportation networks. You don't need a car, but a car can be helpful. Plus we have three airports and Amtrak to connect you to other cities on the East coast, which makes it a great launchpad for getting elsewhere in the country or around the world.

Much of the shopping, food, culture, sports, arts, activity, and nightlife that can be found in large cities can be found here to some extent. D.C. is expensive but, due to it's regional nature, there is more "value" to be found here in terms of trade offs that must be made for the sake of lifestyle vs cost of living.

Personality wise, D.C. is slightly less superficial than places like NYC, LA, and Miami. While people here are still status driven, and elitism and wealth culture still remains very much a part of D.C. social life, people do seem to genuinely value and appreciate intellect and career accomplishment a bit more than beauty and materialism. As a result, I find people here to be more interesting.

Yea I tried to do the Inn at Little Washington, Field and Main, and Three Blacksmiths during a weekend retreat to Charlottesville but Three Blacksmiths was booked solid so it was the one place we didn’t get to go. I looked today and they are booked solid until August 😑

Seems like I’m going to have to try to make a reservation at Sumac when it reopens in the Spring, and waitlist for Three Blacksmiths for the same weekend! Wish me luck lol

Well, that’s food for you! Super personal lol

I think Hill Country is absolutely awful barbecue - I was actually angry to have spent money there and gotten such terrible food. What I got from Federalist Pig was either tough (brisket) or lacking in flavor (pulled pork, Mac and cheese). DCity is the place I go if I can’t get to Texas Jacks.

I will try 2Fifty probably this weekend, actually, but I’m not really hopeful… especially since I seem to have wildly divergent bbq tastes from the people who have commented here about liking it. Hope it surprises me!

Yea! Pre-pandemic though! The better place for sushi in that area is Kusshi … imo! It’s right by iPic!

It made the Top 100 Best Restaurants list. They only ranked the Top 25.

I'm actually all for this idea! I wonder if they do go out/up that way, already? Given that Inferno Pizza made their list, it's possible they include Southern Maryland and they just have not found anything in/near Baltimore that they felt was worthy of being included by whatever standard (???) they evaluate restaurants.

What are some places in Baltimore that you like? I would love some suggestions to explore on my own time. Most of my work has me eating out in D.C. and in VA... I am sad to say I have not spent much time in Baltimore!

Thank you for apologizing!

They are very nice staff! This summer will be their time to shine! Now it’s going to be super hard to hit the rooftop on a Friday night for drinks with friends hahaha but they deserve the praise!

The few of us who love it seem to really love it, but most people I meet say this! Uh oh

Nice! What did you love? Have you been to Three Blacksmiths, by chance? It seems like a weekend trip to VA could include a stop at both!

The website doesn’t have a ton of information right now bedside they are on break, but their Instagram had some amazing dishes featured!

Texas Jacks is really good barbecue and for some reason rarely ever gets any recognition anywhere- but it is hands down the best in the area imo. Their brisket is so phenomenal.

I have not tried this 2Fifty place…I’m a little apprehensive. Most places that get lauded for barbecue here are not at all good when I go.

Albi and Yellow are so amazing.

Yup. My feelings exactly.

I think that’s totally valid. If a place doesn’t “wow” when you visit, it’s hard to understand the acclaim!

Personally I beg to differ. If I want really good nigiri I personally have not found a 1:1 substitute that matches the quality.

There is plenty of good sushi at a cheaper price point, but I have yet to find a sushi restaurant with meat that is as consistently fresh and high quality-tasting as Nakazawa and rice that is as well prepared.

But in general, for sure there are plenty of other options that are good enough to satisfy the sushi craving.

One of the best and affordable tasting menus I’ve encountered. I love the pineapple rolls! And the theme is so fun!

Yes, I’ve actually been to the restaurant. I sincerely apologize but I honestly never noticed that it was “womxn” and not “woman” so my spelling it that way was a mistake - I was spelling it as I would’ve verbalized in a conversation.

At this very moment I have no idea what “womxn” means as opposed to “woman”, so I will have to do some reading on that to fully understand the significance. I appreciate you pointing it out but also, your comment kind of reads as snarky and a bit mean-spirited. Please allow me some grace. Questioning if I’ve ever been to the restaurant because I used the wrong verbiage is unnecessarily harsh.