Kramerbooks & Afterwords Café

OK I promise I won't lie again. Jerry does not work here. Let me make it up to you. Kramer's is a bit of a landmark located in the heart of Dupont Circle. Aside from it's quirky book niche the place offers quite a bit off the menu. With two separate sections, a bar and also a section for tables to enjoy drinks and food, the place far exceeds any "Starbucks Inside a Barnes and Noble." This place is inviting and offers a decent selection off the breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and cocktail menus. They've covered their bases fairly well and their dishes are prepared characteristically to the store. I often find Kramers to be most desirable during the late evenings because their drink cocktails are the perfect nightcaps (e.g., Hot Toddy). However, if you're a brunch lad or gal try this place out. It won't break the bank account and it will satiate the appetite. The seating arrangement is quite small so make sure you make a reservation. Bottom line, you would find this type of place in a number of locations in NYC, if you catch my drift.

My Take: When it comes to bookstores in the D.C. area, Kramerbooks & Afterwords Café is a spot that cannot be missed. Whether you’re in the mood for a book on why Americans love France but hate the French or are looking for some of the best carrot cake of your life, this multi-functional venue in DuPont Circle is the place to go. From a street glance, it looks like a basic book store but once entering, one learns it’s so much more: Kramerbooks features some a myriad of local writers, a small yet delicious restaurant in the back of the bookstore, and a cozy bar adjacent to Afterwords Café. The café featured a wide variety of delicious foods; personal dinner favorites include the butternut squash ravioli and the fettuccine New Orleans. The Scene: Kramerbooks & Afterwords Café’s crowd is quite diverse. Being that the venue is right off of the lively DuPont Circle, many visitors of the city like to explore the store. It’s also a hotspot for regulars who are looking to support local authors and musicians. Cocktails & Cuisine: Afterwords has a wide variety of foods; even the pickiest of eaters would be pleased with the menu choices. They serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, and brunch on the weekends as well as a wide collection of wine, beer, and specialty drinks. The café’s specialties are often crab based such as the crab cake sandwich, crab quesadilla, and crab cake pasta but Afterwords offers many other options as well including a wide variety of pastas, salads, and even some Asian cuisine. Prices: Afterwords is moderately priced; it’s not the best option for a college student looking to save money but it’s not too expensive overall. Most entrees range from $15-20 and if you’re looking to drink with your meal, your check is going to be quite hefty. The best time to go price wise is for weekend brunch where Afterwords has mimosa specials and complimentary sides with your meal. What to Wear: Kramerbooks & Afterwords have a wide variety of customers, so the clothing choices vary. The most popular look is jeans and a nice top for the restaurant but all in all, anything goes. There is no dress code, but to blend in seamlessly with the regulars of the bookstore and café, I’d recommend trendy yet casual attire. Insider Info/When to go: If you were looking to eat at the café, I’d recommend making a reservation beforehand since the café has limited seating. However, one perk of waiting for a table is getting the opportunity to explore Kramerbooks. The bookstore haves live music in the evenings from Wednesday to Saturday, so if you’re looking for some local talent, you should definitely head to the DuPont hotspot for the evening!

It’s easy to lose track of time in Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe. Any one of the store’s bookish customers could arrive at 7:30 on Friday morning, grab a coffee in the cafe and stay lost in the stacks for the entire weekend, since this literary hot-spot stays open 24 hours on Friday and Saturday. Popping into Kramerbooks is something like popping into the library of an ancient castle run by literate bohemians bent on establishing a community feeling within their domain. Since opening in 1976, the bookstore and cafe, located just off Dupont Circle, has become an institution, “serving latte to the literati.” The independent bookseller’s selection runs the gamut from politics, to science, to philosophy, to literature to art. As the “first bookstore/cafe in the country to feature cappuccino, espresso, a full bar and food” the adjoining Afterwords Cafe and its outdoor patio also makes it easy to linger. The food, desserts and drinks are delicious and on Wednesday through Saturday evenings, live music trickles down from upstairs.

I love this bookstore. It is perfect. An independent bookstore with a hilarious collection of politically correct, incorrect, and satirical stories about the city it lives in. In addition, they pretty much always have what you are looking for. The layout is pretty cool and unique, while simultaneously easy to navigate. On top of the book collection is the cafe! One option is going in the afternoon and buying a bunch of books, and then sitting in the cafe reading over a latte while listening to some live music. Another option is brunch (my favorite), because their crab eggs benedict is unbeatable. Try it, you won't regret it.

Browse some deliciously non-mainstream books, follow it up with an equally delicious burger and a cocktail, take your new book and read it in the circle by the fountain - DC's recipe for a perfect summer day!

As soon as I go on an anti-corporate-booksellers kick, Kramerbooks is the first place I stop by in DC. There’s something satisfying about purchasing from an independent bookstore, and I have in fact spent almost an entire day between the bookstore and the Afterwords café. The food at Afterwords is good—surprisingly so—and if you manage to catch live music, it’s a rare treat. The selection of books is impressive, and taking one from the shelves to the café is a favorite pastime of mine. I come here anytime I’m in DC and I never regret it. You won't either.

A DC landmark right off Dupont Circle. If you are looking to chill, read a paper or book, and enjoy a good dessert and/or coffee. Kramerbooks is a must stop on your list. Its set in a bookstore in DC so you can imagine the scene is not a terribly exciting one. However, its the right fit for certain moods. Very convenient to the metro. just a block from the Dupont station.

Kramerbooks is a DC landmark. You should go at least once to experience it. First time I went was for a work-related networking lunch. So, you'll see the whole spectrum there - from professional lunches to casual first dates, drinks with friends, etc.