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!