And this isn't cheating because I have in fact eaten here since I have been back. Twice actually. For whatever reason, I hold a special place in my heart for Capital Hill's B & O Espresso. A friend introduced me to this place the first time I lived here and I have continued to patronize this place ever since. I am not sure what it is that makes it so special: the jovial owner making the rounds and ensuring customers are enjoying his food, the servers remembering what I typically order (even when I would come back to the area on vacation and had gone months between visits, which is cool yet eerie), the extensive and fantastic dessert menu (seriously, I have tried multiple desserts here and have thoroughly enjoyed each one, especially the chocolate pot), the atmosphere of being in an old building with antique decor, or the feeling of friendship and happy memories this place brings.I have always been in love with this place, but not the parking. The parking situation is beyond a bitch. Sorry to swear, but there is really no other way to put it. If you live here and have ever tried to park in the Capital Hill area, then you understand what I mean. Even worse, my old go-to pay lot is now turned into some ridiculous community garden/park in an area that already has a parking shortage. I have had to pretend to be a customer at Half-Price Books at least twice now just to get my B & O Espresso fix. Just thought of the irony that it's my fave place and I heart coffee yet never order espresso drinks when there. Hmmm. . .
Anyway, I am super sad because this place has been on the "tear this down and make another multi-story structure" list for quite some time, and now after 6 years of being rumored to get destroyed so the space can become over-priced condos in a sea of an already excessive amount of over-priced condos, it looks like B & O might truly be at risk for being no longer. I sincerely hope not because I know I am not the only one who considers this place special. There are many other regulars, many others who plug into the wall and spend endless hours on laptops while sipping tea, many others who meet there for brunch with good friends or enjoy adult beverages with dinner while catching up on the latest news. There is an undeniable camaraderie and magic that happens while dining at B & O. Try it while you can and no matter what time of day, do yourself a favor and order dessert.
http://b-oespresso.com/
Update: B&O is staying! For at least another year. I spoke to the owner last month when I was there and he said that the person who owns the building extended his lease till next spring. Hooray for the multistory building project that was supposed to replace the current building not being able to get funded yet! If you haven't gone to this glorious place yet, I implore you to try it immediately. Preferably for brunch so that you can try the crunchy french toast. :)
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