Cafe La Ruche (Georgetown) [CLOSED]

Visited under the advice of a friend.  Pretty much the online reviews are on target.  A little expensive for what it is and definitely for poor service.  The greatest sin though was the thrown-together nature of the food. It's a casual cafe/bistro, so we understand that the presentation may be more...leisurely.  However, there is a line. Putting a Caesar salad on the same gravy-covered plate as the main dish is one way to cross that line.  It brazenly expresses laziness on the part of the preparer. It screams, "We don't think you care about your food. You'll eat anything on your plate, you stupid American. Now, give me your money." Or, "We've only got one waitress, and we're not buying or washing anymore plates than we have to. You'll take it and you'll like it." It's a shame, too, because supposedly the desserts are excellent (we didn't try any), and the food overall was okay (though not a value). The cordon bleu was tasty. The Caesar dressing was tasty (the pieces sans GRAVY, that is). However, the filet mignon seemed more like hanger steak...and likely was. And M would not prefer any respectable place ask how we want the filet mignon. The potatoes were fantastic, though.

Cost 

$$-$$$ (borderline, so read this be at least $45-50 w/tip for two)

Cleanliness
Clean

Service
Not good. Good luck getting refills on something as simple as water. Also, we had to wait to be seated when the place was at most half full outside and almost empty inside. The place was not that busy, but we were definitely not the only ones who had to wait. It's not that the waitress was horrible (she was pleasant enough), but there was only one of her.

Pluses 

Another patron noted the place is almost never packed, so seating is rarely a problem -- though expect a wait nonetheless.

Minuses 

Lack of contentiousness.

Poor service, despite staff.

Overall value

Poor. The theme here is "laziness". The food wasn't bad but seemingly slapped together. We could spend 25-50% less somewhere else and eaten food just as good. Or spent just as much elsewhere and received much better service and a slightly better meal.