A new spot to score healthful fast food has opened for business downtown. Located in the Washington Square building at 1724 L St. NW near the Farragut North station, the new addition is called LEON.
This is the first U.S. location for the London-based international chain that highlights its local sourcing and commitment to sustainability.
There's a full breakfast menu that includes egg dishes and porridge with fruit. The lunch and dinner options have a strong Mediterranean bent, with wraps like grilled halloumi cheese, and "hot boxes" — a main dish served with kale slaw and brown rice — like lamb kofta, sweet potato and falafel, and pesto chicken meatballs. Other international flavors include a Brazilian black bean box and satay chicken.
Several vegan offerings are also available, including desserts like the vegan chocolate cookie and red velvet cupcake.
The new addition has gotten off to a solid start thus far, with a four-star rating out of eight reviews on Yelp.
Austin G., who was among the first Yelpers to review the new spot on Sept. 6, wrote, "When you walk inside, it feels almost like a Pret A Manger in design. The color scheme includes reds and the lighting is similar. You order in the front and dine in the back on booths and other tables."
Yelper Allison C. added, “It's well-priced, delicious, with great portion sizes, and has a lot of awesome vegetarian/vegan options. Loved the sweet potato falafel salad and hot box.”
Interested? Stop by to welcome the new business to the neighborhood. LEON is open from 6:30 a.m.–9 p.m. on weekdays. (It's closed on weekends.)
