Kristen H.
Yelp
Baker's Daughter is a charming local café chain with multiple locations in DC, and this particular spot is their third, tucked away near Georgetown's scenic waterfront. Just steps away from popular Georgetown staples like Dog Tag Bakery and sweetgreen, the café blends in with its minimalist exterior, while inside, it's bright, airy, and inviting. I visited on a Sunday evening at 7:15pm, just before closing, so it was understandably quiet, though I'm sure it gets busy during typical brunch hours.
The menu here is impressively broad for such a small café, offering an array of sandwiches, colorful salads, all-day breakfast items, and freshly baked pastries. You can order at the counter for dine-in or to-go, or pick up something quick from their grab-and-go section. Despite the café's Georgetown location, prices are surprisingly reasonable, with most items in the $10-15 range, which is competitive for fast-casual spots in the area. Plus, knowing that the café sources fresh produce from the Chesapeake region adds to the appeal of supporting a local business.
I decided to go for the Braised Short Rib Grilled Cheese ($14), and I wasn't disappointed. The sandwich came with smoky, tender braised short rib paired with sharp white cheddar and a tangy red onion marmalade, all sandwiched between two perfectly griddled, crispy sourdough slices. Watching the chef prepare the sandwich fresh right in front of me was a nice touch--no reheated, pre-packaged fare here. The flavors worked well together, and the portion of short rib was generous. The only thing I'd change? A bit more cheese! I love the sharp, creamy bite of white cheddar, but it didn't quite come through enough for me. I also didn't get much of the onion marmalade's flavor, but overall, the sandwich was still rich and satisfying.
While the sandwich isn't enormous, it's quite filling, especially with a side included. You can choose from a Kale Pasta Salad, Chickpea & Tomato Salad, or a bag of Zapp's chips. I went with the Kale Pasta Salad, which came in a small 4oz container. The salad wasn't anything groundbreaking--the pasta was a bit overcooked--but the kale added a nice crunch, and it wasn't overly drenched in mayonnaise, which I appreciated. It did lean a bit sweet for my taste, but adding some dijon mustard gave it a nice acidic balance.
All in all, Baker's Daughter is a great Georgetown find, offering fast, friendly service and quality food at reasonable prices. I'll definitely be back to try their famous "Chef's Breakfast Sandwich," which is loaded with gruyere, applewood bacon, Virginia ham, arugula, aioli, and a fried egg on sourdough. If you're in the area and looking for a quick bite with fresh ingredients and local flair, this café is a solid choice.