A well-kept secret: Early brunch at Le Diplomate

Brunch in Washington, DC, typically starts at 11:00 am. By that time, I've usually been up hours and likely eaten three meals. Also by that time, all the hungover hipsters have had time to wake up, brush something if we are lucky, and crowd up most of the decent brunch spots.

Unbeknownst to many, around 9:15 am, a line forms outside Logan Circle's Le Diplomate. You can spot the strollers and Ergos blocks away. That's because their brunch starts at 9:30 am.

Le Diplomate, on the corner of 14th and Q Street, NW, was actually the inspiration for this blog, and I've updated this post several times as we uncover new reasons why we love it. The experience is so consistently enjoyable not only do I want all babies and their parents to know about it, I also want more restaurants to know about it too.

Le Diplomate's service is well-choreographed and always reliable. And for a fleeting moment, parents might actually feel like they are leisurely dining in a Parisian cafe.

At the nexus of Le Diplomate's many baby-friendly elements is its bread.

By far the freshest and crunchiest, the bread is baked in-house, free and always swiftly brought to the table. As an infant, I occupied myself gnawing on crusts, plus the basket is fun and safe to play with too. As a toddler, I'm happy to eat it and keep (mostly) quiet while waiting for my meal.

The place is equipped with more than enough high chairs (ask for the sturdy American ones - not the tippy French ones if you are a wigggler and/or weigh more than a stuffed animal). And friendly staff do not shudder at the sight of a slobbery baby, a disheveled mom or even a boobie.

While Le Diplomate lacks a kids' menu, it makes up for it in outdoor seating, changing tables and some baby-friendly entrees.  The Grueyere and Fine Herbes omlette can be sliced into fingers for easy, independent maneuvering. The poached eggs Basque has a simple polenta you could scoop on a plate for me. And you can never go wrong with the oatmeal.

My brunch and dinner companions have indulged in the espresso bar, pastry basket, salmon tartine, Belgium brews, sea scallops, trout and open faced sandwiches.

The bread is so good (and time-consuming to eat), my parents can often end the meal with a coffee or dessert. A real luxury when dining with baby.

4.5 stars (on its way to 5 as soon as Le Diplomate adds in a kids' menu)

Learn ABOUT ME and check out some of my DOS AND DONTS for eating out.

Blind Dog Cafe Buttery goodness for your maternity leave

A fabulous excuse to get out of the house, Blind Dog's (at 944 Florida Avenue, NW) multiple steps aren't that stroller-friendly. I recommend ordering inside and then camping out in the front or back patio instead of venturing through the coffee shop. 

I spent many a fall day nursing outside under my nursing shawl while Mama devoured the beet, walnut and goat cheese salad or any of the frittatas. A maternity-leave-must-do, the quite corner location offered a place to put me to sleep in my stroller and soak up some sunshine while Mom read, caught up on emails or just stared into space testing if her short-term memory was still in tact.

Now that I'm older, Mom and Dad go for breakfast cappuccinos, scones and croissants. There is also the breakfast bargain which includes a breakfast sandwich and coffee for $6.50!

To keep me busy and entertained when I was starting solids, they would ask the barista to slice me off a piece of crusty bread ("traditional French baguette") to gnaw on. The bread is just the right size for my baby grip and teething gums, offering parents about 20 minutes to sip their espressos.

The couches and coffee table to the right of the cash register are a more ideal/child-proofed location (more so than the outdoor patios) now that I'm cruising and climbing - as I can't wander too far but I CAN bang on the glass windows behind the bench (another guaranteed 10 minutes of entertainment). By that point, Mom and Dad have had a chance to savor their coffee and talk about something other than me.

Just a friendly heads up - at Blind Dog Cafe, even though they ask you for a tip when you pay, they will never, and I mean never, bring your food to you - even when you are four weeks old, balancing in your mom's arms, and she's driving the stroller with her feet. Just trying to manage expectations.

Take one bite of their chocolate chip cookie, and you'll see why no one should complain too much about this place. Plus the people who work there are friendly, enough.

Key takeaway - as with every outing, strategize to minimize schlepping. Don't bring baby and all of his/her stuff in and out to save your seat, just wait for your food at the counter, gather your utensils, and then voyage to a table of choice. Venturing in and out over all the steps with stroller and baby is a challenge. When possible, we try to make as few trips down and up as possible. Unless of course it is to finish your meal with a chocolate chip cookie. Get up again for that.

Poop? No problem with Busboys and Poets changing tables.

There is a certain level of comfort knowing you can go out and should you need to poop, the dining experience is still in tact.

If you don't believe me, try otherwise.

Needless, I like 14th Street's Busboys and Poets for many reasons. Most mention-able, the changing tables. I can also throw back three of their scrambled eggs and toast on a Sunday morning. Or for $3 extra dollars my parents can order a side sweet potato pancake. Meal enough for a two year old! Their high chairs are sturdy, and the loud background noise muffles pretty much any noise I make, so parents can worry less about disturbing others. Strollers can be rolled or folded up next to the tables. Plus I've been nursed more times than I can count to nobody's chagrin.

My parents really enjoy their basic American fare. Favorites include their Reuben sandwich, vegan tuna, french toast and Oaxaca omelettes - not to mention full espresso bar. The price points are affordable. And fellow patrons are mostly hipsters with suspenders and skinny jeans who remind parents of what life used to be, and most (with the exception of a one or two) waitstaff are still smiling even after they look down at what I leave below my high chair.

Easy to manage with baby, toddler or both and consistently good food make it a logical go-to for family-friendly dining.

Learn ABOUT ME and check out some of my BEST PRACTICES for eating out.