I have been to Busboys and Poets for just about every meal and I love, love, love it.  Can't get enough.   DC Brunch Club was overdue for a visit to the original location at 14th and V.   Of course, the restaurant, bookstore, coffee shop, bar, lounge did not fail to provide the brunch club with good food, good drinks and good times.  

Environment: Where to begin?  Busboys and Poets is a HUGE open space with a random mix of seating from couches to lounge chairs to a bar  to long tables with assorted peeps you may or may not know seated alongside of you.  They don't take reservations, but no worries if you have to wait - you can grab a drink from the packed bar and stroll around their bookstore which is operated by Teaching for Change.   

One of the few cons is the waiting area is narrow and the bookstore gets crowded with other people waiting for their table, so if you are claustrophobic don't go when it's crowded and cold out. 

Also, when it's a full house it can be pretty loud and somewhat hard to hear.  The worst for this would be when you are seated in the comfy chairs, which put you and the person seated across from you at the maximum distance apart unless you sit on the uncomfortable edge of the chair.  Don't let them seat you in those darn chairs if you are hoping to have a deep convo!

Service:  I have always thought the host/hostesses are a little brusque, but the waiters/waitresses are great.  Our waitress was helpful with suggestions and around when we needed her, but wasn't  too chatty.  She was also fine with substitutions, which we appreciated.  I mean who doesn't want their Brie Panini on the yummy Walnut Raisin versus the regular bread?

Drinks: What's up $5 mimosas and bloody marys?  Ok, perhaps this is not a "drink special," but it's been so long since we have been somewhere that had drinks on special and reasonably priced bevos, that I decided to give these the special label.  Relative to other brunches, this one was tame in the drinking department, but the bloodies had a kick and the mimosas weren't disappointing. 

Food:   I love that they haven't gotten rid of the bread basket, especially when the bread is dense and grainy and worth the calories.

The egg wrap was good, but I felt like it was missing something...spice?  Tomatoes?

The brie panini, which Sarah had put on the raisin walnut bread, got the award for taste matching appearance. I was drooling over it just editing the picture.   She also asked for a fruit salad as her side and check it out - fresh raspberries, blueberries and strawberries.  Don't see that often!

The tempeh sandwich was suggested by the waitress and received a "very good," from whoever ordered it - I can't remember.  It was either Susie or Mattie and neither give out compliments easily. 

I can't remember who got a side of the vegan bacon, but it was interesting.  Can't really think of another way to describe it.

Western Omelet was cooked to fluffy perfection with just the right amount of cheese and filling. 

The breakfast potatoes weren't breaking any records for tastiest, but I thought they had just enough spice and satisfied. 

Overall/Repeat?: If my opening paragraph didn't tip you off, I would definitely rate Busboys and Poets near the top of our brunch spots.  I also think it's a great place to take visiting friends and family to give them a taste of DC food and culture.  Make sure to check their website for upcoming events and goings on to either catch something new or avoid an unwanted distraction.   The place is always packed - so don't go starving!