"We came here because it was the only sit down full breakfast restaurant open around 9am. We were hungry. The other guests we met who sat down next to our table were also from out of town and they were very friendly! This is what made our experience a nice one here. As one reviewer stated, this is like a French Panera Bread, which is a perfect description. It's not fancy, but the atmosphere is cute, quaint and cozy. The staff was overwhelmed, but did their best. The phones were ringing, and the cashier who took our order gave us paper cups for our coffees, even though we ate inside the restaurant. I saw other folks getting ceramic coffee cups. I also saw the manager and chef working hard and they seemed overwhelmed too. We ordered Croque Madame and two coffees. My husband who said these were NOT the typical Croque Madame at all, but we ate them. It was very rich and filling and I could only finish half. The salad that comes with it was nice. Next time I would order something much lighter. Coffee is self serve at the drink counter. Easy! There was one homeless ? woman who came in pestering folks getting coffee and yelling at them with her empty cup. She never poured herself a coffee, and as we left the restaurant, she was sitting in a chair near the entrance, talking to herself. The bathrooms were clean! The loudspeaker inside the bathroom gave French lessons given by a woman with a Vietnamese accent! Haha! If I am back in Old Town Alexandria, I might stop in again. I am grateful it was open early for us to have breakfast. Most restaurants along King Street were not open until lunch time."
