Roggenart European Bakery, Bistro & Cafe - Arlington's Newest Bakery
4401 Wilson Blvd UNIT 103, Arlington, VA 22203
Introduction
In 2017, Roggenart Bistro & Cafe opened its doors in Savage, Maryland, thanks to the vision of Nemana Popov and Brody Tennant. Renowned for its meticulously crafted croissants, artisan sandwiches, rich coffees, and traditional European pastries, Roggenart has built a loyal following. While most of their locations are in Maryland, they recently expanded to the Ballston area in Arlington, Virginia, this past April. As a lover of cozy cafés and a seeker of new study spots, I was eager to visit Roggenart and see if it lived up to its reputation.
First Impressions
I visited Roggenart for the first time last Saturday, and it immediately struck me as a promising new study spot. The café exudes the charm of a welcoming, homey bistro, making it an ideal place to meet up with friends and working space for me. The warm, inviting atmosphere is enhanced by cozy seating arrangements and rustic decor, creating a comfortable and relaxed environment.
The bakery offers an impressive array of pastries. At the counter, I found a large selection of sweet and savory treats, including quiches, chocolate croissants, and crookies. Additionally, their menu features a variety of breakfast and lunch items such as the avocado chicken melt and the sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich. Everything looked delectable, and I couldn't wait to place my order.
The Food Review
I ended up craving something savory, so I opted for the chef-recommended chicken avocado melt sandwich. The chicken avocado melt features marinated, oven-roasted chicken topped with melted mozzarella, ripe avocado slices, and a drizzle of creamy chipotle aioli (ooooh, it seemed very tasty!).
After taking a bite of my sandwich, I can certainly say it’s a must-try dish here. The roasted chicken is well-seasoned on a crunchy piece of toast, and the avocado slices, mozzarella cheese, and aioli sauce complemented one another beautifully. The avocado brought a buttery, creamy, and subtle flavor, enhanced by the slight spiciness of the chipotle aioli. Top that off with some mozzarella that was wonderfully cheesy and delightfully stretchy, adding a perfect gooeyness to each bite.
Recap
Whether you're looking for a place to catch up over coffee, a quiet corner to focus on your tasks, or a welcoming setting to browse the internet, Roggenart provides the perfect backdrop for all your needs especially if you’re working on a project (like Tim Toast Time! 😂)
Score: 7.5/10