L’Enfant Cafe is probably best known for its epic weekend party bunches, La Boum, and wild late night Boum Boum Room affairs. Gotta love the names, right? However, they’re both expanding and seeking to improve on what they already offer elsewhere.
Step one was bringing in chef Travis Hearne who has revamped the food lineup at L’Enfant while developing a menu for a planned second restaurant down the street, set for an early fall opening. There, the focus will be primarily on delivery and pickup with made to order pastas.
At L’Enfant Cafe, even when keeping items the restaurant already served, Hearne rebuilt the dish to his own standards. For instance, in the case of the mini banh mi bites, which are bright and well balanced, his rendition sells about four times more than the previous version, so much so that they often sell out entirely. It’s a good, if frustrating, problem to have as he tries to maintain his menu.
In other words, they’re taking their food seriously and Hearne is delivering. On your next visit, also be sure to check out the seared, juicy bone-in lamb lollipops, or a beautiful charcuterie board.
To drink, beyond beer and wine, check out one of their specialty cocktails such as the Manhattan East, made with Makers Mark and Domaine de Canton Ginger Cognac, a French ginger liqueur, or the Cantonic, made with Bombay Sapphire and also featuring the Domaine de Canton Ginger Cognac. The liqueur makes a third appearance in the Canton Royal, along with Champagne and lemon juice.
Step two is that for the first time, L’Enfant Cafe is actually offering a happy hour. Yes, somehow over a 12 year history they’ve never had one before. Now you can stop by between 5:30 and 7:30 pm on weeknights and enjoy $5 Belgian draft beers, and select wines and cocktails, along with food specials at the bar.
Check out Lenfantcafe.com for more information.
