Hoity Toity French Hotel’s Coffee
- Kimber
- Apr 26, 2017
- 2 min read
I had the INCREDIBLE opportunity to stay at this hotel called Sofitel in Lafayette Square. Honest to God, I don’t know how I happen upon these great hotels when I’m booking them. I will say this, my rule of thumb is that if I am going to stay in a hotel more than two nights, I try to make it a 4-star or 5-star. Now, don’t go raising your eyebrows right now and whispering, “la-ti-da.” As far as I’m concerned, this is a part of my travel experience.
I quickly learned while I was there, (sadly because I didn’t research this before) the Sofitel is a French-based hotel chain. There are currently only four locations in the US. (Philadelphia, Redwood California, Los Angeles, Washington DC, & Chicago)
Well, with a French hotel, what do you think they served every morning? FRENCH PRESS COFFEE! I had never experienced this luxurious drink before.
Folks, I have been DEPRIVED!
The first morning at the hotel, I awoke and got dressed for the day. I decided that I was going to eat breakfast in the restaurant located in the hotel. I made my way to the ICI Urban Bistro. This is a beautiful hotel restaurant with its black leather and fabric-red seats, deep red and black printed carpet, beautiful linens and tableware.
My waiter asked if I wanted coffee and of course the answer was yes. He quickly returned with the item posted in the above picture. My very own personal French Press Coffee. The waiter quickly pressed down the plunger. (Yes, I googled what this is called and YES it is called a plunger- I was shocked too.) He then poured me, my first cup. My waiter asked if anyone was going to be joining me and I explained that I was traveling to Washington by myself. I proceeded to order the ICI Breakfast that consisted of Scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, and fruit juice.
This coffee was everything! Deep, rich and flavorful. It was perfectly kept warm in what seemed to be a stainless steel pot. They offered actual cream to supplement the coffee. This was necessary with this type of coffee. In other words, you couldn’t be dropping some Nestle Coffee-mate powder or liquid creamer into this coffee (that was for Chassidy’s sake).
Upon Jeffrey’s return, (my new waiter friend), he brought me a chocolate croissant. He told me that anyone traveling alone deserved a chocolate croissant. My breakfast was AMAZING. I completed the full French Press. And needless to say, I ate breakfast at the ICI Urban Bistro every morning while in D.C.
Note: On day two the hostess sat me in a different area. Jeffrey stopped by to ask why I didn’t sit in his section. I explained I was following rules and I was sorry. The Hostess, Jeffrey and my new waiter Ivan laughed. Jeffrey explained to Ivan that I deserved a chocolate croissant.
Lesson: It pays to be friendly and talk to people- you might get a chocolate croissant!
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