I don’t know if you knew this, but you’re not supposed to care what I had for lunch. Usually I’d agree with that, but just this once, I think you’ll need to make an exception.

You see, the much anticipated A Bowl of Good cafe opened on Monday just a few blocks from where I work, and I’ve already eaten there twice.

When I met up with a friend at the cafe on Tuesday, we found ourselves at the end of a long line — not because the service was slow, but because so many people were eager to enjoy the cafe. As we waited, I checked out the surroundings. The building is brand new, so the cafe looks very fresh and modern, and the signage is both professional and fun. (It wasn’t until much later that I noticed a picture of a friend of mine hanging on the wall.) I counted seating for at least 32 people inside, including the trendy stools along a counter next to the front window, but there were also a number of tables outside the entrance (all occupied on the beautiful summer day).

I was pleasantly surprised to see a pair of large glass doors on the one wall that had been rolled open to create a wide doorway into Artisans’ Hope, which sells fairly traded handcrafted items from around the world. Artisans’ Hope just moved from their location in the building next door, and their new retail area is much more spacious. The ease of passage between the two businesses (as part of the Common Good Marketplace, as the building is called) should boost sales for both.

The food options fall into three main categories: Breakfast Bowls, Lunch Bowls, and More Goodness (soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps, and specialty drinks). The Bowls all have fun names, and I’m eager to try out breakfast items like Buenos Dias Bowl and Peace, Love & Granola Bowl. The cafe’s slogan is “Globally Inspired, Local Goodness,” and their menu clearly lives up to that. Lunch options like Maharaja Bowl, All Thai’d Up, Bowl de la Milpa, and Tapas Bowl show a distinct international flair (with plenty of local ingredients), while others have found their inspiration closer to home, such as Mac n’ Jack of the Valley, Red, White & Moo Bowl (featuring local beef), and It’s Nacho-Yo Bowl with “Virginia’s finest nachos.”

I finally settled on Tom Kha Gai Bowl, a Thai coconut chicken soup over rice with lime and cilantro. It was just as amazing as it sounds. It’s hard to be subtle when you’re trying to take a picture of your lunch in a crowded restaurant, but I did manage to come away with this one.

See those white strips? I found out tonight that they’re bamboo. Bamboo!

Maybe I don’t get out enough, but I was even impressed by things like the trays (sleek, square, and black) and the plastic cups (clear and smooth, not like the textured ones you’d get at your local pizza joint). And take a look at that table! I’m personally acquainted with the owner, Katrina, and her husband Ernie, and since Ernie and I are friends on Facebook, I happen to know that his father made the tables. The table tops were created by laying down four tiles (there are quite a few different designs) and then pouring a clear resin over it to create a shiny, smooth surface.

When I returned to the office after eating lunch there on Tuesday, I found an email from a colleague wanting to take me out to lunch. Without hesitation, I suggested A Bowl of Good. So on Thursday, I opted for one of the soups of the day, a surprisingly generous bowl of Red, White and Moo soup. The flavor was quite good and the spiciness was just right — plenty of heat, but not too much for my wimpy mouth to handle.

Of the two menu items I’ve tried so far, the Tom Kha Gai Bowl was my favorite, but I’ve decided to order each thing once before choosing something for the second time. I might post some more reviews as I go, but don’t expect them immediately. After all, even though I agree 100%, I’m not THIS customer!