At The Elmwood Cafe

I've spent quite a few mornings at my favorite cafe recently... The Elmwood never ceases to impress! The everything here is all made in house, down to the morning pastries, seasonal soups, delicious jams and even fruit and herb syrups the Elmwood uses in their homemade sodas (might I recommend a fizzy Blackberry lemonade)!!!! My new favorite is the house-made almond butter thickly spread on toasted sourdough and slathered in strawberry jam. Its about the best comfort food, elevated just a touch by the fresh ingredients and toasty take! Another favorite is their lychee iced tea, slightly sweet and floral and 100% delicious! If you're in the neighborhood check them out... you'll love their old time feel paired with down-home delicious food!!!

A Night Out

After a long couple of days at work, I treated myself to a night out with a friend. I started with a trip to Freshly Cut, a beautiful floral shop in Berkeley that creates the most unique and gorgeous arrangements. After a cup of tea, some good conversation and a much needed refill of inspiration, we headed to Adesso on Piedmont for drinks and hors d'oeuvres. My mojito was delicious and our appetizer was pretty tasty.

I ended the night at one of my favorite neighborhood cafes, the Elmwood on College. Tonight the Elmwood celebrated its first donation to one of its charity recipients (50% of Elmwood's profits go to a customer selected charity), Bread Works. The atmosphere was friendly as always and the food was delicious! Homemade strawberry sodas passed in fluted glasses on trays and crostini topped with local goat cheese and peach mint chutney circulated on pretty white plates.

I love that the food is sourced from local farms and everything down to the fresh fruit syrups in the sodas are made in house. I'm looking forward to weekend morning where I can enjoy a pot of loose leaf earl grey! (A pot, not a cup, served in a red tea pot! How perfect is that???)

Cafe au Lait at the Elmwood Cafe

Happened into the Elmwood Cafe this evening and had the most wonderful mocha made with the Cafe's own ganache and served in the most charming French Latte Bowl. I was lucky enough to meet the owner, Michael Pearce, who told me a little about how he came to take over the 89 year old Berkeley neighborhood soda shop (once called Ozzie's) and restore it to its original charm...
If you order a hot drink, expect to enjoy each sip from one of these French latte bowls...

Yellow and white striped awnings flank the corner side entrance while French bistro chairs and marble topped tables welcome patrons to stay and enjoy a treat!

A hidden treasure... Between two original 1921 built-in shelves, this peek a boo window offers a glowing scene of book patrons perusing at neighboring bookstore, Mrs Dalloways!

Elmwood Cafe makes all their baked goods on site including their delicious jams!

Perhaps most amazing is the Cafe's pledge to charity. Elmwood Cafe contributes a whopping 50% of their profits to charities locally and globally. Best of all, cafe customers get to vote for their favorite cause!

Owner Michael with assistant Carrie

Michael has succeeded in his vision to return this charming and historic neighborhood cafe to its original splendor by creating a unique space that serves delicious homemade food, fosters community and supports charitable causes with a nod to tradition and vintage detail. A definite feel good cafe!

Galettes at Cibo in Sausalito

Last night I was treated to a baking workshop at Cibo with the girls from Maison Reve!

Cibo is this wonderful bakery/eaterie in Sausalito that uses local organic ingredients and creates delicious seasonal pastries and more. Tara, who owns Cibo with her husband, was delightful! We learned how to make the best pie, tart, cookie and galette dough, then made 3 galettes to take home. I had so much fun!!!

The incredibly talented and wonderful women who make up Maison Reve. Yasmine, the owner, treated us all to this wonderful workshop to celebrate what a success the last year has been for MR and I was so happy to be included! Merci mille fois!!!

I am in love with I Love Macarons! I bought this today at Anthro. The instructions seem straightforward and are accompanied by wonderful images. Best of all its in English! Will post pics as I make the recipes!

The week's end...

this weekend was about learning to knit

taking time to look

listening to thunder

eating comfort food

Dinner at the Fremont Diner in Sonoma

Diner of artisanal grilled cheese and minted ice tea at the Fremont Diner in Sonoma.

The new look of this highway side diner is amazing!!!  Complete with picnic benches in teal blue and drinks served in glass jars, the Fremont Diner feels home spun in the best of ways .  I am wanting to try some of their jams and pickles on the next trip with a homemade biscuit!

More Brownies...

More brownies.. this time for the girls at work!

Out of the Oven, and Off to Bed

Made a batch of brownies, adding some orange oil and and a tad more sugar to the recipe. Chocolate Orange Brownies...delightful!

A Perfect Saturday

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So a "perfect" day for me would include tea, something delicious to eat and a walk in a pretty setting. If you add a great find of unique store or some treasure, then the day is complete. Based on those guidelines, I guess I had the perfect Saturday...

First, Earl Grey at Cafe Triste in Berkeley...

Second, a trip to the Farmers' Market for French melons, nasturtium salad greens and some other goodies...





Third, a trip to UC Berkeley's Botanical Gardens...

Last, lunch at Sol Food in San Rafael. Delicious plantains, homemade sparkling limeade, black beans and rice and greens tossed in the tartest, spiciest hot sauce I've ever eaten!

Then a peek in Donna Seager Gallery at the book show on now... I love these book pods...