New coffee/crepe place in Teele Square?
Friday night in Teele Square, walked past a sandwich board for a basement place between Tip Top and Amelia's. Menu was primarily crepes and espresso drinks. Was running late, or I would have stopped in to take a peek.
Is this place new, or just new to me? Regardless, has anyone been? The music and slight glow drifting up the staircase gave it a certain bohemian allure...
P.S. I must reiterate my [apparently contrarian] high opinion of Amelia's margherita pizza.
finlero
Oct 21, 2006 01:42PM
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I had the opportunity over the weekend to answer my own question.
The place is called I-cafe, and has only been open for a few weeks. Very cool, Bohemian basement coffee house; dimly lit, exotic North African/Middle Eastern decor, lots of couches, DJ setup in the corner, free wireless Internet.
Menu is a short list of sweet and savory crepes (about 10 choices total), made to order with a remarkably good batter (hints of orange and vanilla).
Savory crepes: we had more success with these. I really enjoyed my chicken, endive, and pesto, with chicken cooked to order. DC's tuna melt was very good too.
Sweet crepes: no Nutella?!!!! We split a chocolate, strawberry, and banana. The fruit was fresh and of fine quality. The chocolate was adequate, but a little too sweet for my taste.
Coffee: the espresso was fine, but nothing to write home about. I plan to try the drip coffee, but I'm not holding out any hope for greatness.
Bottom line: while this place isn't destined to become a Chowhound darling, the overall vibe of the place, coupled with perfectly acceptable consumables, will bring me back, likely with laptop in lap.
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At the very least it's something different (I know there's Paris creperie, but that place doesn't do much for me). Thanks for the heads-up!
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ditto - altho mr. crepe is opening down the street and soleil cafe is across the way (which is never open at normal times, e.g., morning commute) it's still a good addition to the 'hood
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Thanks for the detailed report! We first saw the sign go up in the dentist's office a couple of weeks ago, thought it was a little strange location for a face, and then it kept falling off our radar. I hope to check it out this week!
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Sounds good. Thanks for investigating!
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what hours/days are they open?
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Monday - Saturday, not sure when they open, but I believe they close at 10 each night.
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finally stopped by tonight. had a chicken, tomato, pesto. excellent! not really a meal, but a nice little nosh for the price. and the pesto had quite the kick -- said it was the garlic oil. whatever it was it was great. also had the hot chocolate, which was good, if a bit sweet for my taste.
got to talking to the owner, ali, who, it turns out to be the original owner of soundbites. he sold out to the breakfast nazi 9 or 10 years ago. made me a banana crepe on the house -- nice touch.
i do love the idea of this place. it's in the basement, with a low ceiling (and lights) and lots of comfy couches. do hope that tufts students find this place. reminds me a lot of the original algiers when i spent a good chunk of time during my undergraduate years.
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