The Early Word on Blue Bottle Coffee

Blue Bottle Coffee, the specialty roaster with nearly three dozen outposts spread across California, New York, and Japan, planted its first roots in D.C. last month with the opening of a cafe in Georgetown.

The Oakland, Calif.-based chain is in full expansion mode, adding a half dozen spots in New York as well as plotting moves into Miami and Boston. A planned outpost in Union Market shop should be ready later this year; another is headed to the mammoth Wharf complex on the southwest waterfront.

Read on to hear what customers are saying, one month into business:

The Stellar Service News: Yelper Crystal Z. says, “Service has been amazing for all my visits ... I love that it has a lot of seating and I can settle down comfortably to read a book. While I was there last week, one of the staff also came by with some pastries to sample.” [Yelp]

The Overall DL News: Yelper Jada C. says, “Overall, I loved the New Orleans iced coffee and the atmosphere of the coffee shop. It's very open, lots of natural light, and a good place to do work (not sure about wifi).” [Yelp]

The Hip Decor News: Yelper Julianna S. reports that the “decor is exactly what you'd hope for from a hipster coffee shop — minimal, clean, and airy.” Yelper Seth M. says the “cafe layout is nice and open. White and light wood tones are Blue Bottle's aesthetic. The location is a few blocks from M Street, granting a reprieve from the hustle and bustle.” Yelper Dana L. notes the “big, open airy interior with giant windows opening up to the outdoors.” [Yelp]

The Import News: Facebooker Karl Satterwhite says, “Bringing the best of the Bay Area coffee to D.C.!” Facebooker Charles James says, “Blue Bottle is without a doubt worth the trip but for a company to earn a local reputation as stellar as its cousins on the west coast, than the service must get better than the indifference that is so plentiful now must change. Blue Bottle could be an exceptional coffee shop if it savored service as much as it does coffee.” [Facebook]

The Food News: Yelper Lia M. notes the “limited menu, but options are good. Only a few pastries, but my strawberry rose buckle (muffin) was good. Iced mocha latte was balanced and I'll be getting it again.” Yelper Michael O. says, “The avocado toast was okay but the Liege waffle was top notch.” [Yelp]

The Coffee Qualms News: Yelper Brian E.’s says the iced coffee “is about two ounces of coffee and the rest is ice in a small cup. $4.50. By the time I got to the corner I was done with it. I understand that some coffee costs more than others, but it's ridiculous when it's just a cup of ice with literally 6 sips of coffee.” [Yelp]