A small shop tucked on a side street off Wilson Blvd. My friend and I were walking in the area (we…read morehad first stopped at Eclairons down the street and parked there) and made our way over to Simona. The cafe itself is pretty small with only a few indoor tables but more outdoor seating available. My friend said they make their own focaccia bread and we each decided to get a Fancy Grilled Cheese. The bread was indeed amazing and flavorful. What made the grilled cheese unique was that they added a tomato-based jam/salsa of some kind that really added a nice fresh acidity to balance out the cheese. I believe they used two kinds of cheese, including brie which is my fav. The cheese was creamy and melty. The food came out pretty quickly and the staff was friendly. Definitely a nice stop if you're walking around the area although there was no shortage of food options!

Went back and this time in the late morning. So glad I did! Had cookie butter latte from their…read morewinter series and also NOVA from non breakfasts item. Both were soo good. Not overly crowded but good amount of ppl. Service was friendly, ambiance is giving the cool cafe vibes. Plenty outdoor seatings available up front and on the sides by entrance. I know I'll be coming back to enjoy outdoor with pup. Also, dog treats available by the counter.

I came here on a whim and got the best caramel frappe of my life. It wasn't too sweet and had the…read moreperfect balance of coffee (to me). We also got a double shot of espresso and the coffee was fresh and just perfect. Service was perfect and they asked all the necessary questions such as dairy restrictions and if we wanted any add ons. The venue is beautiful they have music lightly playing in the background and a lot of people come here to work from home so perfect place to come to catch up with your friends , relax or work.

Came here for the first time with a friend around 10:30am on a Saturday. I ordered their medium…read morechai latte (hot) with no sweetner, and a ham and cheese croissant sandwich with havarti cheese and avocado. Total came out to approximately $18. What's Hot - Quality. My egg and cheese croissant sandwich, which I ordered with havarti cheese and avocado was delicious. It was served warm. Everything was soft and tender. My sandwich was not overly salty, as well, which I appreciated. I was also surprised that my sandwich was served with fries. The fries were tasty, but too thin for my liking. My chai tea latte was also yummy, not too frothy, and not sweet, as I ordered no sweetener. - Menu. There appears to be something for everyone- coffee, non-caffeinated drinks, sweet baked good, savory baked goods, non-dairy options, and full meals. - Service. The time I waited for my order to be ready was fairly brief. Probably less than 10 minutes. My drink and food were ready separately and did not come together. They call out your name for your order, so make sure you are paying attention. - Price. For spending less than $20 on a meal, I would say it's pretty good value for money. My egg and cheese croissant sandwich was also substantive and not skimpy, which was good. - Layout. The inside has a pretty good space. There are counters with high stool seating, and a fair amount of tables and chair for regular seating, as well. - Location. Convenient, especially to other restaurants and shops. there is also parking in the area. However, be prepared to spend time and money on parking, depending on the day and time you come. What's Not - Service. It appears to be mostly self-service. After you enter their front entrance, there are two kiosks for self-service ordering. On the one hand, it's helpful if you know what you're ordering. On the other hand, if you have questions, their kiosks are not conducive for that. They have baked goods section, which appears to also be self-serve. However, I was uncertain how that actually worked, because I did not see an in-person cashier. - Layout. Depending on the size of your group, and day and time you come, seating can be difficult to come by. Most of their seating appears to be cramped, as well (i.e., many of their sit down tables and chairs are very close together). - Acoustics. They play music inside at a volume that is not very conducive for conversation. - Parking. There is parking in the area, but it can be difficult to find, depending on the day and time you come. On the day my friend and I were here, there was a lot of snow piled up, so finding street parking was very difficult. There are parking lots in the area, most of which are paid parking, so be mindful of the time you spend. There appears to be free parking in the area, but those are not easy to come by depending on the day and time. Final Answer Willing to come back, but probably not a first choice.

Love the little bread mirror they have set up near the front, it's very cute! They have seatings…read morescattered around and the set up is like a typical asian bakery where you can grab your items but I was primarily here to try their tea since I love boba and if they call themselves teamania I hope that means its great. White Magnolia Milk Tea - Floral without being perfumey or too sharp! Pretty good balance of tea to milk ratio and reminds me of molly tea. 4/5 Jasmine Milk Tea - honestly pretty good too. feels like a molly tea knock off with the menu offerings, cup designs and even flavor profile. its slightly too sharp but still good. 3.75/5 Da Hong Pao Milk Tea - the tea flavor is there but it doesn't mix as well as the magnolia or jasmine. I think they are better at more floral teas but this wasnt bad. 2/5 Banana Pudding Matcha - Banana flavor was not strong, it was not sweet when it should have definitely been more sweet and the flavors just didnt mix very well 0.5/5 Portugese Tart - pretty good but nothing too memorable 2.75/5

I went to Teamania for the first time and I am quite disappointed. I've heard good things, yet it…read moredoes not live up to the expectations. When I first walked in, the aesthetic of the place was great. It was quite big with a nice corner to relax in and a display of snacks. The staff was also very friendly and respectful while I was looking at the menu. However, the food and drinks are where this becomes a 2 or 3-star experience. The Items I Ordered: * Brown Sugar Cookie Boba Tea: This was bland and had little to no flavor. The milk was overpowering, and it had almost no brown sugar or cookie taste. * Soufflé Pancakes: I was told these were "authentic Japanese Pancakes," but I am heavily disappointed. The presentation was poor: a paper plate with pancakes surrounded by fruits, a dab of ice cream, and a small plastic bowl of cream. The pancakes themselves were bland and very eggy. Unfortunately, they tasted more like an egg pancake than the traditional Japanese style. They were also very dry. If the cream wasn't included, I wouldn't have even eaten them. Having to rely on the cream just for the pancakes to have flavor or moisture is very disappointing. * Chocolate Lava Buns: I bought one of these, and it was just okay. They were fluffy, but the chocolate inside wasn't melted. It was also very bitter and very heavy on the dark chocolate side so it was not a "savory taste" for what I had thought originally. * Cherry Tart: This was the final item I bought, and again, it was only okay. The bun was a bit hard. While the flavor was better than I expected at first, it fell off quite quickly and became unappetizing. Final Verdict: Would I recommend this place? Not necessarily. Unless you are just looking for a corner to study in and bring your own food, I wouldn't suggest it.

Came here for lunch yesterday and really enjoyed the chicken tacos. Would eat here again. Friendly…read morestaff at the counter. Informal ambiance and a good place to hang out. They sell jarritos and sparkling water to drink.

I stopped by Bamboo Café because it was one of the few places, which wasn't a fast food restaurant,…read morethat was open on a weekday around 6:45 am. While the restaurant has a few tables for dining, this restaurant appears to be a order and go type of place, which is primarily patronized by folks working in construction and landscaping. Although the two workers speak limited English, you might have a better experience if you can communicate in some Spanish. Looking back, I wish that I went with a Latin breakfast (eg, a breakfast pupusa) instead of a "standard" bacon, egg, cheese bagel. There wasn't anything wrong with the sandwich, but I realized that I could get this type of sandwich from any breakfast place in the area. However, I'll blame my choice of ordering my breakfast sandwich over a breakfast pupusa on the fact that I was still in sleep mode. ;) I thought the prices were pretty fair. My bacon, egg, cheese bagel + a side of potatoes + a can of Diet Coke was about 10 bucks. One tip (pun intended), bring cash for a tip. Unfortunately, their electronic payment system isn't set up to add a tip to your payment. Although I would not go out of my way to stop here, it is nice to have another early-morning breakfast option that isn't a fast food spot. One other thing: parking is VERY limited (like most places in this area) because I think the storefront only has 2-3 parking spots. Also, I'm not sure how strict other business are regarding folks parking in their spots.

First coffee was prepared and delivered on time, but second coffee was delayed after multiple…read morefollow ups with the owner. I also saw a cat on the counter where the coffee was being prepared.

If I ever owned a coffee shop, this would honestly be it…read more Bakery Museum & Co somehow gets everything right; the atmosphere, the drinks, the food, and the people working there. The staff is always warm and welcoming, which makes it the kind of place you want to keep coming back to. They also have a rewards program you can sign up for, which is a nice little bonus if you end up becoming a regular (which is very easy to do here). One of my favorite things is that they serve breakfast sandwiches all day, which has officially made this my go-to hangover cure spot. The food is seriously impressive. I've tried their chicken burger (the best chicken burger I've ever had), the lox bagel with the perfect balance of flavors, and the caprese sandwich where every bite is a burst of freshness. The drinks deserve their own moment too. I used to think I didn't like matcha... until I tried it here. Their mango matcha and strawberry matcha are to die for. I recently tried their Lavender Kiss and it's sooo smooth, and the lavender is not overwhelming at all. And if you're in the mood for something that feels a little indulgent but still balanced, the tiramisu and biscoff lattes give you that dessert-like flavor without being overly sweet. Amazing food, creative drinks, great staff, and a cozy vibe that makes you want to stay awhile. Easily one of my favorite coffee spots!

In the neighborhood and decided to try this bakery. We actually did not get any pastries or…read moresweets. We got an iced Tiramisu Latte and a Baconado sandwich. The Latte is not as sweet as my son would like. We got the Baconado with croissant and that is probably not the best choice of bread. It did not hold up well against the egg and bacon. The place is large but almost all seatings were taken so they are extremely busy. As a result, the parking situation is really bad. So pack some patience when trying to find a parking spot.

New bubble tea in Wheaton!!! Service was great! We got…read morecoconut, Thai, matcha, and mango bubble tea. All were good but here are some tips I'd suggest when ordering: ask specifically for the bubbles you want. Don't assume the default is boba. We got popping bubbles which were fine but were a surprise (strawberry bubble and matcha is weird). I got 75% sweet... we love sweet things and this was still really sweet. I'd ask for 50%. The Thai was not a traditional Thai tea flavor. Almost more pumpkin spice. Mango was deemed the best and the coconut was great too. All in all all - we will be back! Nice neighborhood shop attached to the bakery.

A Bubble tea spot in Wheaton -not the best compared to other Local Bubble tea places. More syrupy…read morethan the others.

This cute cafe is located in Halstead Square in Fairfax, near the Mosaic District and Dunn Loring…read moreStation. They have a great selection of lattes and desserts to choose from. I ordered the pistachio latte . it was sweet with a subtle nutty flavor My friend got the Nutella croffle and a date latte, and she enjoyed both. There's street parking and a garage nearby, which makes it easy to visit. Prices are a bit on the higher side for the portion sizes, but the cafe is clean and inviting.

Unfortunately, I had a bad experience. I came in really excited to try the kunafa because it's been…read moreadvertised a lot on Instagram and it looked amazing in the videos and photos. But what I got was a complete disappointment. The kunafa was extremely dry and tasted like it wasn't freshly made, and the cheese didn't taste fresh either, it had that "been sitting" flavor. The texture was off, not warm or soft the way kunafa should be, and it honestly tasted stale. On top of that, the coffee portions are very small for the price. For what you're charging, I expected a bigger cup and better quality overall. The experience didn't match the hype or the pricing, and I left feeling like I wasted my money. I'm not happy with this visit and I won't be coming back.

1.14.26 Adorable,…read moredecorative cookie cream puffs! I tried the panda one with vanilla cream, and it was perfect. The filling was light, airy, not too sweet, and they definitely don't skimp. I loved every bite. I also grabbed a slice of the chocolate cake, which was delicious as well. They offer plenty of other treats, including pre‑packaged goodies (cookies and breads), mini and full‑sized cakes, and a variety of beverages like coffee, tea, and bottled drinks. Support this local business. It's absolutely worth the visit.

So happy there's a new Korean bakery so close to me!! C&C Cafe is such a gem in Germantown. The…read moreowners are incredibly sweet, and you can tell a lot of care goes into every pastry. Everything is super cute and actually tastes amazing. Buy your cakes here!! I love that they offer mini cakes, which I desperately need. For a family of four that doesn't really eat cake, these are the perfect solution: smaller size, beautifully made, not overly sweet, and very reasonably priced. The Earl Grey grapefruit cake was delicious. Light, fluffy, and perfectly balanced in sweetness. The cake had a subtle Earl Grey aroma, and the grapefruit added a fresh, bright citrus note that cut through the cream without being sour or bitter. It tasted super fresh and didn't feel heavy at all. I also tried a few of their other pastries (cream puff and the custard bread so freaking delish) and loved how curated everything felt, not mass-produced like big bakery chains. Plus, they have seating, wifi, and outlets, which makes it a great spot to hang out. Will 100% be back and already planning to order one of their mini cakes for my next celebration:)

I visited on a Saturday in early May for a lunch stop on the way home. My sweet tooth was kicking…read morejn, so I opted for a banana Nutella crepe and a cafe con leche for dine in. The crepe was superb, and the coffee was just fine. There was an outdoor seating section, so I took a small table in there. No problems though I wish it was a little warmer. Heating was available, but it was not intolerably cold so I decided not to bother with turning on the heat. I'd definitely consider returning. Bear in mind the establishment is based on ordering at the counter and picking up your order when you're paged. I don't mind that (saves on paying gratuity), but if you want wait service, this isn't the right place for you.

Representing 2019 in alphabet series, J is for Java Nation. I visited once in October 2019 & sort…read moreof during Covid in June 2020. 2020 was a particularly negative experience during this tough time in life & American history with Covid amongst other things. October 2019 visit: My girlfriend of that time & I visited for coffee & crepes. I remember it was kind of expensive for the crepes, which a fancy pastry. I'm clearly not a big crepe person. Crepes at Java was decent, but expensive for what you get. Coffee was decent but nothing to write home about either. Staff wasn't terribly friendly either. This was a place I wasn't going to rush back to. June 2020, Very bad day: As I stated in the opening paragraph, Covid was a tough time. I was living in a studio apartment in Wheaton, so I was happy when the office had reopened from being closed during the early part of Covid. I believe I was coming from the office in Columbia and had work travel to Herndon, VA. That same girlfriend, who had just become an ex, wanted to meet for lunch. I was cool with going to Chipotle in Kensington as it wasn't too far out of the way from 495. There was no dine-in at Chipotle or anywhere at this time. So, we took the food to go and were parked on the Java Nation side. Java Nation wasn't busy. They had tables set up outside, and we wanted to quickly eat. The Java Nation woman barked at me saying you can't eat that here. Geez...give me a break...Covid was a tough time. That already annoyed me. We were starting to eat in her car like animals. She got VERY upset & angry that I didn't mention a trip I was going on. I said that it was very small gathering of just 5 of us, they wanted to keep limited, and we are broken up as that's why I didn't include you! She spelled her Chipotle on me, which was more than half of the bowl she hadn't eaten. I yelled at her in the parking lot saying you wasted food, how dare you do that. I was shaking with anger and upset that this happened. An observer some guy in the parking lot going to Five Guys or wherever said just let her go. I was already angry and flustered with my ex but also was upset with Java Nation, I poured whatever leftover of hers that didn't get on me on the table since they were jerks and wouldn't let me eat there. The woman at Java Nation was angry and said she was calling cops. I apologized and offered to clean, but it wasn't good enough. I rushed peeled out of the parking lot as I didn't want to deal with cops and rushed to get into Virginia to do my work travel, which had already been delayed because of the ex's craziness. In summary, after this terrible experience, which to be fair was partially my fault as I was flustered by the ex, I don't feel comfortable going to Java Nation in Kensington, but I wouldn't rule going to the North Bethesda one or any other if it ever made sense for me to go, but haven't been back in the 5.5 years since then. I decided to give 2-stars and not 1-star because the 2019 experience was decent enough. Covid was a weird time, and if I went back to Kensington (which I won't), it'd probably be more like 2019 except with higher prices.