The Coupe: Open 24 Hours, Making it Possible to Eat There All Day

From Rachel Nania. Check out her blog, Sear, Simmer & Stir. Follow Nania on Twitter @rnania, email her at rachel[AT]borderstan.com. 

This past October, the folks from The Diner, Open City and Tryst launched their latest venture, The Coupe, a 7,000-square-foot restaurant/bar/coffee shop that is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week – and it’s a good thing, because after my first visit, I plan to eat multiple meals a day at the Columbia Heights establishment (in my dreams).

Even though The Coupe opened a little more than a month ago, it is still swamped on weekends, despite the restaurant’s ability to seat the entire Northwest quadrant of the District. So to dodge crowds and a long wait (patience has never been my forte), I decided to pop-in on the earlier side for a Sunday breakfast.

My party was instantly seated at a cozy booth next to a window, and coffee orders were taken promptly. It took a while for the bar to make the coffee, but once my cappuccino arrived, all was forgiven – partly because it was delicious, and partly because it was decorated with animal crackers.

Everyone at my table ordered something different, which meant I got to sample five things on the menu, which, by the way, serves breakfast all day (and night).

Here is what our table tasted: the Farmer’s Market Omelet with hashbrowns, the griddled banana bread, French toast, a stack of pancakes and scrambled eggs with stone-ground grits.

Yes, we went a little heavy on the carbs, but after the meal we were filled with happiness, not guilt.

Of the items I sampled, the French toast – served with an apple and cranberry compote – took the crown for the tastiest breakfast, while the loaded veggie omelet and crispy hashbrowns came in for a close second.

Next time, I will leave the grits (they were a bit soupy for my taste), and try a honey butter-glazed biscuit to satisfy a soul food craving.

The food wasn’t the only thing that won me over – the ambiance was also impressive. Somehow the owners managed to tastefully fill the restaurant with art, chalkboards and couches, making the large space seemingly cozy, instead of vast and expansive.

But perhaps the best part about The Coupe is that it is open for 24 hours a day, making it completely possible to eat more than one meal a day there.

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