Delicious Artisan Cafe
The storefront where Ellie’s restaurant once was on Main Street in Trumansburg has been empty for quite some time. Today, finally, there’s a business that fits the space, and does so beautifully.
My wife and I visited the new Artisan Cafe, between book store and Dragon Village, for an early lunch this morning, and had a very nice time. There’s something about the place that inspires hushed conversations, a very different mood from Gimme Coffee. The Cafe serves Gimme, though, so there’s not so much a competition against the Gimme Coffee shop next to the creek as there is an augmentation.
We both had Gimme’s Deep Disco, which came to us in a large french press, enough for two generous cupfuls. Working up the artisan angle, the coffee also comes with artisan dark chocolate squares. My 10 month-old son didn’t seem too enthusiastic about those, but he was quite content to chew on a sample of the Cafe’s artisan bread, which I found quite satisfying myself, especially when dunked in the very generous bowl of lentil soup. When my wife tried the lentil soup, her eyes got big. The taste was luxurious and warming, especially in the broth.
The design of the Artisan Cafe gives the place a feeling of openness. There are enough tables for perhaps 30 people to sit comfortably, but they aren’t crowded together. The light color on the walls also makes the place feel more expansive than before. The music, with gentle energy, adds to that feeling.
The Artisan Cafe seems designed in order to encourage people to eat, drink and act with reflection. Quotations on the balance between thought and action are spread across the walls, and a bookcase provides people with something meaty to go with their food. There’s a good children’s corner as well, which will be very much appreciated by those of us who have bred. Children’s books and an easel continue the theme of the combination of thinking and creation.
The next time we go, I’d very much like to try the pastries, which looked delicious, and the window seats, which looked very comfortable, and yet a bit too close to the chilly air outside for my taste in February.
I can attest to the wonderfully made apple confection. It was sublime. The apples are “real”, meaning, they are flavorful and hold their shape through baking, the right consistency of texture, and they pack a wallop of slightly tart, full apple flavor. I could smell their fragrance the minute I walked in. The pastry is also substantial, yet light. A real treat – possibly the best apple dessert I have ever had. There are lots more things there I want to to explore – I sampled around some of the offerings and I was very impressed at the quality of everything I had. I also had an exchange with the owner. This is both a family run business and the culmination of hard work fueled by dreams. I plan to support this business. They deserve it, and the offerings are good.
We had dinner at this restaurant on Saturday evening and absolutely loved it. What a great atmosphere. The service was excellent and the food delicious.