Opening Alert: Bayou Bakery #2 Will Open Tomorrow with Free Coffee

Capitol Hill, prepare for bourbon-spiked coffee and beignets. Bayou Bakery's second location will soft-open tomorrow morning at 7 a.m. in a historic building They'll operate with limited hours at first and gradually extend service throughout the week.

Bayou Bakery [Photo: Official]

The restaurant plans to use donated coffee cups for its drip coffee. So the first 50 customers to bring in a old coffee mug for donation will receive a free cup of fair trade coffee tomorrow.

"It's still a very casual, funky atmosphere," chef David Guas says of the cafe. The main difference that fans of the original Bayou Bakery will notice is a more involve kitchen, including a fully-ventilated hood system, Guas said. That will give the kitchen the ability to do some fried items eventually, like oysters and shrimp, as well as allow for more flexibility with specials. The restaurant will still have counter service, though runners will bring out the food to diners since the kitchen is on the second floor.

Foyer of Bayou Bakery [Photo: Official]

Guas has had his eyes on the Capitol Hill neighborhood for some time, as it reminds him of his home in New Orleans. "It's a really special place and a really special building," he said. Status: Soft-opening tomorrow. 901 Pennsylvania Ave. SE; website.