Café Tours — matcha-angelatte

The reason why I didn’t put this post under Food & Drink is because discovering and frequenting cafés (and restaurants and libraries and gardens and museums!) is something I love to do, and have found a lot of joy and comfort in. Is that not essential for my health and wellness, thereby belonging on my “Health & Wellness” section? LOL. Back in college, “café culture” was going to a Starbucks with your laptop and books to study and chat with friends. The past decade has brought forth a café boom in New York City (but really any metropolitan city), and I was lucky enough to have spent my college years riding the wave of this cultural trend. (I also spent a year studying abroad in Prague and Shanghai, where I frequented different European and Asian-style cafés too!) I’ve learned that there is really no shortage of options: chain, boutique, themed, no-frills, Parisian, Italian, Australian, Korean (which for some reason usually means French), artisanal, café-bakery, work/study café, bookstore, sidewalk, grab-and-go, etc. - and they are all unique in their own ways. One of my favorite things to do now is to just enjoy a cup of coffee and conversation (or a really good book!) Sadly, between the time I drafted this post and today, the world has been ravaged by COVID-19, and we haven’t been able to go out and about for over two (almost three) months. Looking back at my post from the beginning of quarantine, there was just under 4,000 cases in the U.S. As of today, there are 1,790,191 confirmed cases and 104,383 deaths in the country (Johns Hopkins University, as of 6/01/20, 6:30 a.m. EST).

As a finance person, I also find myself drawn to the commercial and entrepreneurial aspects of small businesses. One distant dream of mine is to open up a café. In college, I used to joke that I would open up a café-slash-bubble tea place-slash-wine and karaoke bar at night. Clearly, I have no idea the amount of effort and money it takes to start my own small business, but I’ve fallen in love with the idea of having something that could have such a beautiful personality of its own. Together with my love of baked goods and decorating spaces and all things aesthetically-pleasing, it would be my ultimate passion project. I would love to design the interior, curate the menus, experiment with different recipes, manage and delegate employees, and watch a small idea grow into a reality. Maybe one day. ~

Pierre & Michel, a French-style bakery café in Ridgewood, NJ.

Grace Street, a Korean dessert café in New York, NY.

Tim & I spend quite a lot of time exploring the restaurants and small businesses in Bergen County. I’ve found that: (a) Bergen County is filled with great eateries; and (b) although it seems like cafés are a dime a dozen nowadays, a good business (and a good cup of coffee!) is actually very hard to create and sustain. It takes a carefully balanced combination of business acumen, favorable economic conditions, risk tolerance, hard work, perseverance, and sheer luck. Sadly we haven’t been able to visit these recently, but here are some of the cafés we’ve been to before March:

White Maple Café in Ridgewood, NJ. I wish I had better things to say but this one actually isn’t my favorite. We’ve been here several times for brunch. Instead of bread and butter, they give you cinnamon-sugar popcorn, which is surprisingly good and addicting. I’ve found their brunch to be underwhelming while their coffee is bitter and served lukewarm. Ugh, I wish I had more positive feedback because we had a really great experience our first time here, but the last few times we visited here were just disappointing. However, it is located in a convenient and lively part of downtown.
Sook Pastry in Ridgewood, NJ. This one is a little dessert café that specializes in pâtisserie, crêpes, and other French desserts. This is also located in downtown Ridgewood. (I love the charming town of Ridgewood!) It’s a small space as most of the customers order to-go, but there is room for seating. If anything, I love just browsing their case of little sweets and pastries. Their chocolate desserts are rich and decadent, but you will need a beverage to help offset the sweetness. We got their hot chocolate last time along with two chocolate desserts. Don’t be like us. Learn from our mistakes!
Kook Hwa Bakery Café in Paramus, NJ. Honestly, their coffee is pretty terrible as the roast is bitter and acidic. Maybe stay clear of their drinks in general, as their bubble tea is also too sweet and artificial-tasting. However, I really like their curry bun and blueberry pastry. The space is large enough (and they have WiFi) to have work or study sessions with friends, but rather dim and outdated. It’s one of the only places I know of north of Fort Lee that has Asian-style baked goods, but I think it’s in need of a modern refresh.
Something Sweet Café in Middletown, NY. I know it isn’t in Bergen County, but I really wanted to do a special mention for this place since it’s a frequented spot for me and totally worth the trek up north! I’m so glad I discovered his hidden gem a few years ago. I often come here for a latté and lemon bar (the best combination, trust me!), but they do have really good lunch/dinner menus as well. In addition to their indoor seating, they have a greenhouse room kind of brings you “outdoor.” (The evenings are especially pretty, see photo below!) They are a small local business, but really loved in the community. The staff is friendly and their food is always pretty good!
Café Trois in Fort Lee, NJ. This space is lovely, bright, and modern - they have high ceilings and spacious seating. Definitely unexpected for a place hidden in a strip mall. They have a good selection of pastries and other small eats. Their beverages are alright, but I think people definitely come here more for the aesthetic. I believe the kitchen closes at 3pm, so just be aware. I’ve only tried their lattes (regular and matcha), but I hope to try other beverages on their menu!
Kuppi Coffee Company in Edgewater, NJ. I love this place! They are right on the water, and on warmer days, you can sit on the patio outside. Vaulted ceilings, spacious seating, and a view on the water make for a popular destination for those coming to hang out with friends, enjoy coffee and a book, or to surf the internet. Their coffee is consistently good, but they don’t have many pastry/food options. The space is quite large, and in close proximity to Trader Joe’s, Mitsuwa Marketplace, and SoJo Spa Club.
D’Avant Bakery in Palisades Park, NJ. The vibe is dark and sophisticated and sleek. They have a good selection of baked goods, cakes, and desserts. I think they even make their own breads! They even have a savory menu for lunch and dinner. Like most places in Palisades Park, there isn’t too much space for parking. Most people use street parking, but D’Avant actually has a small lot (fits maybe about 3 cars) behind it.
Pierre & Michel in Ridgewood, NJ. We actually stumbled upon this place while trying to find parking for another café in Ridgewood. Their pâtisserie are beautiful and delicate, and their breads are baked fresh. It smells wonderful in here, although seating is sparse and the lighting is a bit dim. This unassuming storefront is a precious hole-in-the-wall!
La Vie En Rose Bakery Café in Waldwick, NJ. This was the last café we went to have brunch before quarantine! The space is small, and holds probably around 10 tables. The brunch menu is great, and they also sell baked cookies and cakes for takeout at the counter. The waitstaff is friendly, and the service is pretty fast. I also took home a baked dog treat for my dog. She was pretty happy about it. :)

XO.