Open City

Review! Woodley Park, Washington D.C. // American Restaurant + Coffeehouse // neighborhood gem

the ELEVATOR PITCH

Is it just me, or does the interior of Open City give the impression that it used to be the hub of the First Continental Congress back in the Founding Fathers’ days in the 1770’s? Golden tin ceilings, worn stone floors, clerestory windows (pronounced: CLEAR-story) on top of (almost) floor-to-ceiling windows, a velvet green curtain by the entryway that makes me feel like I’m dining fancy (or that I’m in a voting booth?), etc. etc. you get the point.

What’s for sure is—their signage outside (spelling out “Open City” in almost Calibri font) and general exterior composition (that exudes we’re-a-standard-restaurant-you-won’t-be-writing-home-about) wouldn’t at all prepare you for the level of ornateness you’ll be met with when you enter the premises.

so thank me later for righting your expectations 😘

the amount of natural lighting is so inspiring to spend time in

Then there’s the menu, which carries an extensive list of American fare featuring all corners of the United States: from rich & filling southern food to healthy & refreshing west coast smoothie bowls! The menu items themselves (when you only read it on paper) feel like the stuff of American breakfast chains like IHOP, but when they’re paired with the colonial era ambiance and Open City’s masterful execution of the dishes, the IHOP vibes are washed away completely. Not even halfway through the meal, I found myself needing to reconcile my shock that this was, indeed, a unique-to-the-capital establishment that is a smidge more upscale and a heaping lot more intentional and artisan than your typical diner, which is what I had went in expecting!

so, how was the food?

honest reviews incoming 👇

Sweet Potato Cinnamon Roll: fluffy and pillowy, and almost had a croissant-like texture. But I would’ve loved more filling! This cinnamon roll suffered from the typical heartbreak of being too bready and sweet without a lot of the cinnamon coming through. (rating: 6.5/10)

Breakfast Burrito: I was super excited to try out their breakfast burrito (because I usually LOVE these), but Open City’s take on it just wasn’t my thing… I prefer to hold my breakfast burritos, so the ranchero sauce drenching the whole thing was not great. I also enjoy the burrito fillings to be more segregated versus homogenously mushed together like a meatloaf. Not Open City’s fault though, I should’ve read the ranchero sauce and cilantro crema details on the menu and be tipped off to it being potentially a Mexican-soupy-saucy-fork-and-knife situation 🙃 (rating: 2/10)

Fried Chicken Sandwich: the sandwich’s flavor profile was surprisingly refreshing and new; not like any other fried chicken sandwich I’ve had. I LOVED IT and would totally have this again! Pro tip—you can sub the French fries it comes with with a hashbrown square which is so much more unique to Open City! (rating: 9.5/10)

👉 Hashbrown square: worth the hype; the crispy exterior is akin to eating the rice crispies on the bottom of a rice cooker, or on the edge of dolsot bibimbap heated stone bowls, or the slight crunch you experience when biting into one of those fried rice buns that come on sushi sandwiches... it was like a latke and an arancini had a baby; idk, just get it! (rating: 11/10)

Calvert Club: my brother-in-law’s order, and while I didn’t get a chance to try it out, this is one of his favorite things to get! My first thought when this was served up was… DANG do they give you a lot of food! (rating: not applicable)

👉 French Fries: tasted sort of standard all around, in flavor, texture, etc. Nothing to write home about! I’d recommend their hashbrown square if you’re looking for a potato side :) (rating: 6/10)

French Toast (side): also didn’t get to try this one, but my sister-in-law loved it! (rating: not applicable)

lunch menu!

honest reviews incoming 👇

Chai’der: the apple cider flavor was stronger than the chai, so would've preferred the chai to come through a little more. (rating: 7/10)

Peppermint Hot Chocolate: they give you a lot for the serving, and they use melted chocolate, which is super nice! However, I could've had more peppermint flavor (rating: 7/10)

Avocado Toast: the menu said it would be served on sourdough, but it felt like normal sandwich bread to me, which was very disappointing. Also didn't enjoy that the avocado didn’t come smashed (I like it all homogenous), and while I knew the egg would be hardboiled, this experience has proven to me a fried egg is better. The red onion brought good pizzazz though! (rating: 4.5/10)

Open City Burger: ultra generic, felt like this could've been served at any American restaurant in the country… Fries were your typical chunky with a crunch but sort of heavy and oily (rating: 5/10)

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the RÉSUMÉ

address // 2331 Calvert St NW, Washington, DC 20008

⭐ part of The Tryst Trading Company restaurant group

operations // every day, 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM

⭐ happy hour Monday - Friday, 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM

⭐ trivia night on Tuesdays, 7:00 PM

logistics // only walk-ins accepted, no resi option

• take the metro to Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan

• only street parking is available (not free)

• bus stops are prevalent

amenities //

• 2 public restrooms with 2 stalls each

• free public WiFi available; minimal outlets

• accessible (i.e., tables are accommodating to wheelchairs, restrooms are down the stairs but there’s a wheelchair lift)

• family-friendly (high chairs available, changing table in women’s restroom)

• indoor and outdoor (covered) seating available

vibes // airy, high-ceilinged diner with a worn-in, cozy feel of being in the neighborhood for years

menu //

• beverages ($3.00 - $9.00): coffee (drip, cold brew); espresso (lattes, americano, macchiato, cappuccino, Cuban coffee, etc.); masala chai, matcha, loose leaf teas, London Fog, golden milk, frappes & smoothies, juice, lemonade, mocktails

  ⭐ dairy-free milk options available (almond, oat)

  ⭐ house made syrups available (vanilla, chocolate, caramel, hazelnut)

  • libations/bar ($9.00 - $46.00): cocktails, beers (by the glass, pitcher, bottle, cans), wines (by glass & bottle)

• baked goods ($3.00 - $5.50): croissants, muffins, cookies, cheesecake bars, brownies, banana bread, sweet potato cinnamon roll

  ⭐ fresh daily, from-scratch, in Tryst Trading Co. Commissary Kitchen

• breakfast food food ($7.00 - $20.00): smoothie bowls; bagel sandwiches, burritos, oatmeal, avocado toast, yogurt parfaits, fried chicken & waffle; sweet waffles, French toast, pancakes, biscuits & gravy; omelets, scrambles

  ⭐ available all-day

  • sides: hashbrown square, grits, egg, bacon, ham, sausage, fresh fruit

• lunch & dinner food food ($9.00 - $25.00): fried green tomatoes, wings, chicken tenders, dips + pita; soup & salad, burgers, sandwiches, pasta, steak frites, mac n’ cheese; personal (8”) & regular (12”) pizzas

  ⭐ after 10:00 AM

  • sides: French fries, mac n’ cheese, grilled veggies

• desserts ($5.00 - $8.00): double chocolate cake, fruit pies, affogato, brownie fudge sundae

recs // the hashbrown square is definitely an experience you can’t get anywhere else 🤤

site // Open City

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Other Locations (that I’ve gotten a chance to visit!)

📍 National Cathedral (Wisconsin Ave. NW)

❤️ open every day, 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM

❤️ free public WiFi, great for working—spotted so many students!

❤️ accessible

❤️ pet-friendly & family-friendly

❤️ free parking available on the street