Restaurant Review: Dolcezza

If you are looking for a cute, airy, modern coffee shop that serves fancy drinks, fresh hot food AND gelato — Dolcezza is for you. This D.C.-based chain has locations in CityCenter, Dupont Circle, The Wharf, Logan Circle, and Bethesda. I visited the location at The Wharf. The interior design really makes this restaurant stand out. It is light and airy inside with wood paneling and seating for a homey vibe.

I love gelato (even though I am lactose intolerant) but decided to order a chicken sandwich instead because I was starving. Coming off of the hype and obsession with Popeye’s chicken sandwich and then the far superior Roaming Rooster sandwich, I was eager to try a bougie coffee house chicken sandwich.

Impressed is an understatement. It is important to note that I am usually pretty picky and like my sandwiches and burgers plain. However, this time I let them keep on the zesty coleslaw and the spicy mustard sauce. I am glad I did. Of course, I had to pour some Crystal hot sauce on top to make it perfect but without it, the sandwich was beyond what I expected.

I also tried their coffee. Before I give my review, let’s note that since I graduated college, I have not been drinking coffee at all. I stopped cold turkey because water is cheaper than coffee and I was broke. Also, I did not need energy and never loved the taste so there was no point in drinking it. Maybe it’s my taste buds but that coffee was bitter. That coffee was giving me Starbucks and not Dunkin’ Donuts if you catch my drift. So to my serious coffee drinkers: give it a try. Fake coffee drinkers: try the espresso gelato and call it a day.

The Overall Tea:

This place is cute and the food was surprisingly good. I recommend this for a business meeting because it was quiet and spacious. I had good Wi-Fi connection (even outside). This would also make a nice pit-stop for a daytime D.C. date.