eatdrinkmore Posted September 16, 2010 Share Posted September 16, 2010 Upper Crust Gourmet is a small cafe/coffee shop in Ballston (Across from IHOP). They have been open for a while and they have changed their name a few times, Upper Crust Gourmet => Cafe Amity => back to Upper Crust Gourmet. (Terrible name in my opinion) They serve illy coffee, which is a big plus for me, and they have a variety of middle eastern options for lunch that are decent. They recently hired a new chef and are adding new specials to the menu. The real star is the croissant. I am a bit of a croissant snob, and I absolutely love their croissants, I have not had a better croissant anywhere in Arlington, or DC for that matter. If you are in the area, I strongly suggest you try one of their croissants fresh out of the oven. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopsing Posted September 30, 2010 Share Posted September 30, 2010 I happened by this place by chance at the end of August. I wanted some breakfast and the Illy sign drew me in. Their egg sandwich on croissant seemed pricey (something like $7), but I was already inside the cafe, so ordered it with some Illy coffee and waited outside in one of their little sidewalk tables. Anyway, the chef brings out this delightful plate of a perfect croissant stuffed with egg and cheese. On the side was a really nice fruit salad with bananas, pineapples, strawberries, etc. No wonder they charged so much. The croissant sandwich was terrific and I hope more people will check them out. My only disappointment was the Illy coffee--it didn't taste as good as the only other time I had Illy coffee, which was brunch at Tallula's a couple of years ago. BTW, are the owners Turkish? I hope so since I just returned from Turkey and am now craving Turkish food. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beachgirl54 Posted October 5, 2010 Share Posted October 5, 2010 Based on these comments, and the need to sit somewhere while my car was being repaired, I stopped here for breakfast this morning - coffee (fine), a croissant and fruit salad. The croissant was the best I've had outside of many trips to France and one to St. Martin, and the fruit salad was huge and fresh. - took half home with me. Spoke with the owners a bit - they make all the pastries there, and have 2 soups available per day (and the prep smells coming from the kitchen were tempting). Couldn't tell if they are Turkish but the menu had a nice international flavor to it.. Very nice owners/chef and good location for walking or driving. Really, the best croissant I've had in the US . . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eatdrinkmore Posted October 5, 2010 Author Share Posted October 5, 2010 I am thrilled that people are checking this place out. You're right about the coffee, it's illy coffee but it is not as tasty as the illy coffee I have had at other coffee shops. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktmoomau Posted October 5, 2010 Share Posted October 5, 2010 Ok, ok really the best croissant? Right down the street from me? And you had to tell me after I am supposed to be cutting gluten out of my diet... This is a big, HUGE, temptation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eatdrinkmore Posted October 5, 2010 Author Share Posted October 5, 2010 Ok, ok really the best croissant? Right down the street from me? And you had to tell me after I am supposed to be cutting gluten out of my diet... This is a big, HUGE, temptation. Don't worry their croissants are gluten and carb free (that is what I tell my diet!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopsing Posted October 5, 2010 Share Posted October 5, 2010 the need to sit somewhere while my car was being repaired That is so funny because I stopped by there after dropping my car off to get inspected and get the oil changed. Were you at the Japanese Auto place on Wilson Blvd? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beachgirl54 Posted October 6, 2010 Share Posted October 6, 2010 Oui, le premier croissant pour moi - c'est manifique. Screw the diet - eat a croissant. Ok, ok really the best croissant? Right down the street from me? And you had to tell me after I am supposed to be cutting gluten out of my diet... This is a big, HUGE, temptation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beachgirl54 Posted October 6, 2010 Share Posted October 6, 2010 Close - next door at Baird Automotive. And I'll be back on Friday too. That is so funny because I stopped by there after dropping my car off to get inspected and get the oil changed. Were you at the Japanese Auto place on Wilson Blvd? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marylynnh Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 Do they sell croissants as take away, or only to eat in the restaurant? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eatdrinkmore Posted October 8, 2010 Author Share Posted October 8, 2010 Do they sell croissants as take away, or only to eat in the restaurant? You can get them carryout. It is a very casual place. Make sure to get them in the AM fresh out of the oven. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kibbee Nayee Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 I'm surprised that Illy coffee hasn't caught on like wildfire. I've had it at the Mandarin Oriental and a few other places, and once you drink it you'll never set foot in another Starbucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eatdrinkmore Posted October 8, 2010 Author Share Posted October 8, 2010 It probably hasn't caught on because it is expensive. Those cans are only half a pound, so a pound of illy is close to $26 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eatdrinkmore Posted April 7, 2011 Author Share Posted April 7, 2011 Upper Crust Gourmet is closed for renovations. The sign says closed March 27th, but the place looks cleared out and there doesn't seem to be any renovation activity yet, looking into the windows. I really hope renovations doesn't mean out of business, because I love their croissants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eatdrinkmore Posted April 8, 2011 Author Share Posted April 8, 2011 Upper Crust Gourmet is closed for renovations. The sign says closed March 27th, but the place looks cleared out and there doesn't seem to be any renovation activity yet, looking into the windows. I really hope renovations doesn't mean out of business, because I love their croissants. Scratch that, the same owners are turning it into a Tapas bar during a 3 week renovation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktmoomau Posted April 8, 2011 Share Posted April 8, 2011 Scratch that, the same owners are turning it into a Tapas bar during a 3 week renovation. Really? I am intrigued. I hope it is good, that would be very convenient. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beachgirl54 Posted April 8, 2011 Share Posted April 8, 2011 But what about the croissants?? I'd miss those . . . Scratch that, the same owners are turning it into a Tapas bar during a 3 week renovation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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