JA Benton
“Every day is a new beginning” is a phrase that carries seasonal weight as we approach the new year.
Yes, we are approaching a period when decisions are being made to shed a different type of seasonal weight. But the reason I mention the above “A New Beginning” quote, which is tacitly hopeful, is that it’s part of the delightful, but intentionally honest, mural adorning the downtown building housing a notable operation: Freedom a la Cart Cafe + Bakery, which he exhibited The first is to make April a bit better troublesome year.
Although the “cafe + bakery” is new, Freedom emerged about a decade ago as a food cart (hence the “cart”) that raised money and hired human trafficking survivors. Freedom Compassion’s mission hasn’t changed, but it has evolved from a cartwheel and limited-fare pop-up restaurant to a lovely café with an impressive selection of creative, delicious and skillfully prepared bakery items, coffee drinks, and brunch dishes.
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Fans of the excellent Emmett’s Café will notice an overlap here for good reason. Both venues developed their menus – which can be described as futuristic but steeped in tradition of pleasing the crowd – with the help of consultant chef Lara Yazvak Bipia. Thus, both venues frequently infiltrate healthy ingredients into innovative dishes and sandwiches that feature the dynamic interplay of many ingredients.
Upon entering the beautiful Freedom space with its relaxed ambiance and muted tones, white brick and paint, abundant live plants, elegant light fixtures and warm, uncommon counter service, you will likely notice customers enjoying an egg and sausage sandwich. You should enjoy one too.
Freedom’s signature rosemary breakfast sandwich ($8.50) may not be huge, but it’s very satisfying. Inside her aptly described “freshly baked croissant” (flaky, wrinkled, slightly sweet, gorgeous) had rich ingredients – omelettes, blistered provolone, aioli, and homemade rosemary-lemon sausage pie – fermented with arugula, herbs, and citrus fruits.
Beautifully toasted sourdough bread plus molten cheese (Swiss, cheddar, and goat) plus apricot habanero jam adds up to the three grilled cheese ($8.50), a sandwich that shy away from most of its milky likes.
This snack-size trout toast ($8) looked like a food magazine cover photo. With crunchy pumpernickel topped with creamy feta cheese plus a little smoked fish made with baby greens, sesame seeds and a perfect hard-boiled egg, it tastes good too.
Would you prefer something more substantial and forgiving? I found Don’t Judge Me ($9)—roast chicken, two aioli, potato chips, arugula, and melted swiss inside a good ciabatta-like culprit—delicious first-rate.
Same for the hearty and healthy breakfast bowl, if misleadingly named ($11). Sure it contained an egg—another poacher—but this huge, impressive assortment of sour chickpeas, zucchini strips, white beans, baby greens, herbs, ‘Faro cheese’ risotto, and the Caesar sauce-like boom screamed ‘lunch’ I. I look forward to tasting it again.
With blueberry chia pudding, apricot jam, tangy Greek yogurt, berries stewed like a pie, and for added contrast, first-class crunchy granola, chia berry bowl ($9) says “a breakfast rich in antioxidants” just like whispering “nut candy, not sweet.” Extremely.” Answer her call.
And believe your eyes as you look at the collection of beautiful things hidden behind the glass. Because from dark chocolate chips with sea salt cookies (cookies cost about $3) to croissants whose elegance might be swayed by a donut-style glaze or chocolate and cayenne, to bacon, scallions and Parmesan buns (pastry and croissants range from $3.75) bucks, $4.50) It tastes as good as it looks.
And with just a few days left until the start of the new year, why not treat yourself to several well-deserved delicacies, baked Freedom? That way, you can end an often stressful year on a sweet note, and still get a fresh start to a seasonal weight loss resolution that comes 2022. Your cookies are crumbling, though, so hopefully you’ll have a year New very happy.
gabenton.dispatch@gmail.com
Freedom a la Cart . Café
where: 123 Al Rabie Street, Downtown
Call: 614-992-3252, www.freedomalacart.org
hours: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday; Saturday from 8 am to 3 pm; Closed on Sundays
price range: From $8 to $12
the atmosphere: Cozy and cheerful coffee shop, lovely little coffee shop in muted colours, white bricks and paint, abundant plants (some in vases by the tables), elegant light fixtures, and warm counter service
Children’s menu: number
Reservations: number
can be reached: Yes
Liquor license: number
Quick click: Crowd-pleasing baked goods, sandwiches, and bowls are often elevated with creative, elegant, and healthy touches at this café with charitable foundations.