"Kramerbooks & Afterwords opened amid the Bicentennial celebrations of 1976 as D.C.’s first bookstore-cum-café. Some 20-odd years later, it also became known as the shop subpoenaed by Kenneth Starr for Monica Lewinsky’s purchase records. Today, it’s simply a great place for brunch, especially if you need a new read. Every weekend morning, you can find a mix of locals, tourists, students from nearby George Washington University, and even political bigwigs waiting for a seat in the glass-walled café or, in nicer weather, out on the sidewalk lining 19th Street NW. Most are there for the crab omelet or the banana johnnycakes, but Afterwords also serves a great malted waffle with fried chicken, plus buttermilk biscuits with jam for starting your meal on a sweet note. When you’re done eating, head to the back of the restaurant and into the bookstore, where you can shop for the latest best sellers and check the schedule of upcoming events." - Natalie Beauregard