Azi's Cafe Opens in Shaw

Ever since we moved to Shaw nearly a year ago, we've been waiting for Azi's Cafe, on the corner of 9th and O St. NW, to open. Though we love our neighborhood, the lack of any sort of restaurants or independent shops has been getting on our nerves; a Giant full of sketchy produce leaves something to be desired. Nearly every day we'd walk past Azi's, but the windows remained covered with paper and no activity seemed to be taking place. A sign promised "coming soon" -- for months upon months. Was Azi's Cafe to be to Shaw as Bodo's Bagel was to the Corner in Charlottesville? We nearly gave up on the dream of having a coffee and sandwich shop less than a block from our house. Caribou Coffee on 14th would have to do.

Then we returned from vacation, and without warning, Azi's Cafe was alive and bustling. The paper was off the windows; the interior was decorated; and people were streaming in and out of the door, taking coffee, sandwiches and pastries with them. Turns out that contractor delays and other issues had postponed the opening much later than planned, but now everything is officially up and running smoothly.

We stopped in Azi's Cafe, owned by Azeb Desta, a former Ritz Carlton food service director, last Monday to check things out and pick up a cappuccino and sandwich. In the middle of the day (we were home from work due to jet lag and, um, laziness), things were hopping. The bright interior was painted a warm orange and the floor was covered with clean black and white tiles. Service was friendly and quick with tables aplenty. Our cappuccino was quite good; however, at over five bucks, we expected a bit more from our routine chicken salad sandwich. (There are also salads, croissants and a slew of other pastries available.) But no matter! No more terrible homemade cappuccinos or $6 cups from the local Starbucks for us; central Shaw has its first coffee shop, and we'll definitely be hanging out there in the future.

Azi's Cafe is located at 1336 9th Street, NW.