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Cafe La Ruche Reviews List
Cafe La Ruche
La Ruche is French for Beehive. And Café La Ruche is aptly named. You'll often find my bistro abuzz with laughter, convivial conversation, and good cheer. Of course, I make sure that's all punctuated with wonderful food, the best espresso and cappuccino in town, and our signature pastries. A bit of Paris on the Potomac. If you've not dropped by in a while, I invite you back. We'll work hard to make you a regular.
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52 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.6
/
5
Rating Breakdown 52 reviews
5 stars
(8)
4 stars
(26)
3 stars
(10)
2 stars
(7)
1 star
(1)
Food
(Very Good)
3.6
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.6
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(26)
- great for outdoor dining(14)
- great for brunch(8)
- great for lunch(8)
- romantic(7)
- kid-friendly(4)
Cafe La Ruche Reviews List
Review 1 for Cafe La Ruche
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Geogetown and Cafe La Ruche were both wonderful 15 years ago.
Geogetown is now pompous.
Cafe La Ruche is now precooked.
I will not go back."
Geogetown is now pompous.
Cafe La Ruche is now precooked.
I will not go back."
Dined on 5/12/2013
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Review 2 for Cafe La Ruche
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great Outdoor Dining
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"A very nice venue is offered for dining outdoors. Very good food with very good service, and the best French onion soup in the city!"
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 3 for Cafe La Ruche
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great Georgetown Discovery
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Was looking for a quick bite to eat at the end of a long day of touring DC. Found the restaurant using opentable and had a wonderful experience. We asked for a bottle of wine and instead of giving us something off the list the manager brought us something special he suggested. Enjoyed incredible french onion soup as an appetizer. Both of us had the crabcakes for dinner. A solid 4/5 crabcake, though not out of this world incredible. The desserts were great. Banana dessert was awesome!"
Dined on 5/05/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 4 for Cafe La Ruche
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We've been th Cafe La Ruche many a time, but this time was our first disappointment. We were constantly having to ask someone to find our waitress and the restaurant was not busy at all. The food was okay w/ my wife's cordon bleu overcooked and dry. Don't know if there's been a management / kitchen change, but the waitstaff has definitely changed and not for the better."
Dined on 5/02/2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining
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Review 5 for Cafe La Ruche
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Less Intentions, More Detail
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I have been to Cafe La Ruche for lunch and found it to be a pleasant experience. I had the Coq au Vin and, as good as the chicken/wine was, it was overpowered by a garlic butter poured onto the pasta. I brought my wife to Food & Friends night to see how it was for dinner. The wait staff and management is constantly asking "is everything OK?" but, little things (e.g., the water glass remained empty, long time to get the bill) were overlooked. When stating(after one of the "is everything ok?" questions)that the Steak au Poivre was not a good cut of meat (gristly), management just smiled and continued on. Even though tempting, the tart desserts were also underwhelming. Therefore, service is attentive, but disingenuous, and food underwhelming."
Dined on 04/25/2013
2008
Special Features: great for lunch
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Review 6 for Cafe La Ruche
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great girls lunch out location;
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Great girls lunch out location; staff was very friendly and everyone enjoyed their selection especially the desserts. Price was very reasonable for Georgetown."
Dined on 04/17/2013
2010
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 7 for Cafe La Ruche
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Cozy French food
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Lovely french bistro in a scenic part of Georgetown, near the Canal. Cozy and warm for lunch. Prices are reasonable."
Dined on 04/16/2013
2010
Special Features: neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 8 for Cafe La Ruche
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
No point to returning
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Service was slow. The food at best was mediocre. We did not bother with desserts. We had ordered a brie and apple dish which never arrived - except on the bill. So we had to bring this to the attention of the manager."
Dined on 04/14/2013
2007
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Review 9 for Cafe La Ruche
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
We went to Cafe La Ruche for
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We went to Cafe La Ruche for Sunday brunch. Pros: the patio was quiet and we got seated right away at the time of our reservation. The food was pretty good and reasonably priced. Cons: although this is a French restaurant, no one is actually French. The service was extremely slow and inattentive. It took almost an hour to get our food. We constantly had trouble getting the waitress's attention for things like drink refills, and when we finally did, she'd run away before we could ask for more than one thing."
Dined on 04/14/2013
2006
Special Features: great for outdoor dining
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Review 10 for Cafe La Ruche
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
We were in Washington DC for
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We were in Washington DC for a special occasion and chose to dine at Cafe La Ruche again after being there one other time. We enjoyed the French cuisine and attentive staff! We were welcomed (I think by the owner) with "Bonjour Madame" and the rest of the evening was equally pleasant! In our party of 6, we ordered 5 different entrees and all were prepared with attention to quality and detail including food allergies. We look forward to returning to Cafe La Ruche!"
Dined on 03/29/2013
2013
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Review 11 for Cafe La Ruche
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Pass on this one
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Food was okay ... but hard rolls were heated over from the night before (and this was Easter breakfast!!!), and the place is a little down at the heels. Tables all scratched up, etc. Service was hurried but food arrived hot. Omlette looks more like Texas toast -- not sure why it has such a crust on it, but they were all the same!"
Dined on 03/31/2013
2011
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Review 12 for Cafe La Ruche
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Good food, pretty good service
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"I would have preferred the server a little more attentive and the host a big less aloof, but the food was good."
Dined on 03/30/2013
2005
Special Features: great for brunch, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, romantic, great for lunch
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Review 13 for Cafe La Ruche
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great neighborhood gem in Georgtown
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Great spot in Georgetown just off the main street. Solid French fare at reasonable prices. Went with my French in-laws and the food passed the test! We also had our three young children with us and the owner and wait staff were very friendly and accommodating."
Dined on 03/29/2013
2010
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Review 14 for Cafe La Ruche
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
A Great Place
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"One of our favorite restaurants. The food and service are great. It has a very nice ambiance and is quiet. Great place to eat year round, the outside patio is wonderful."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2006
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, scenic view, great for lunch
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Review 15 for Cafe La Ruche
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
The $24 steak was of poor
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The $24 steak was of poor quality and not worth the price."
Dined on 01/19/2013
2007
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Cafe La Ruche
Based on the average of (37) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
2 out of 2 recommend this product
Food
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.6
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.6
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate