I walked into Paul depuis 1889 fully prepared to live my best café-core life. You know, the one where you sip espresso, gaze thoughtfully out a window, and look like you’re contemplating art or revolution when you’re really just deciding if you can justify another pastry.

The space gives “classic European bakery” energy with its polished wood tables, faint hum of conversation, and enough butter in the air to make cardiologists nervous.

The Main Act: Spinach Quiche That Means Business

My plate arrived like a minimalist dream: one perfectly portioned spinach quiche and a crisp green salad.

The quiche itself? A tiny, buttery miracle. The crust was flaky without being a structural disaster, and the egg filling was so silky I momentarily forgot I was in DC and not tucked away in some Montmartre café. The spinach added just enough earthiness to trick me into thinking I’d made a healthy choice…which, let’s be real, is the kind of self-delusion I fully support.

The Supporting Cast: A Salad That Knows Its Place

The side salad was what I’d call the “responsible friend” of the plate. Lightly dressed in vinaigrette, crisp, and refreshingly simple. It wasn’t trying to compete, it was there to keep you grounded. Like a friend who tells you to drink water between glasses of wine.

The Verdict: Butter Is a Love Language

If you’re looking for a light lunch that feels both indulgent and vaguely virtuous, this is your stop. The meal hits that rare balance of elegant and comforting, sort of like a hug from someone wearing really nice perfume.

⭐ Rating: 8.5/10 – Come for the quiche, stay for the fantasy that you’re effortlessly chic.

*This article is from the 2019 draft archives.