Creighton’s Café, Bakery, and Catering

Located next to a Starbucks, this neighborhood family-run/owned café is magnetic. It has its own faithful, loyal customers and fan base, appealing to: families with children, people who enjoy relaxation, students who want to hang out in a homey-kitchen atmosphere, and it is a place to bring a good book, along with a good friend and converse about anything and nothing. Its success and popularity depends on the word-of-mouth advertisement and great connection with and around the community it serves. It separates itself from the pack by focusing on great pastries and dessert!!!!!

I love cafés with unique characteristics to offer, one that does not rely on assembly-line produced products. I’m also drawn to the exclusivity that comes with the bragging rights of knowing about a gem in the middle of a coffee/café establishment explosion/competition. Not to say that I don’t go or like cafés such as Starbucks or Pete’s, because I do, but I’m both awed and a little put off by the amount of franchises that pop-up in a single block in a span of 2-3 months! As well as, the steady increase of gourmet coffee prices, which I know we are all too addicted to give up or stay away from. Especially during those long-drives or 06:00 Monday morning meetings or the quick caffeine fix before heading to the movies.

The prices here are cheap, though customized goods are pricier (birthday cakes), but the taste makes up for it. There is nothing routine about their goodies, you can keep coming back everyday for a week and still, you wouldn’t run out of choices from the many cakes, cookies, petit fours and breads they provide. A few favorites (and there are many) to mention are the Olallieberry cheesecake, Pecan Cheesecake, Pecan rolls, blueberry or cranberry scones (moist, Moist, MOIST . . . no chalkiness here), and the chocolate croissant.

Two things that I would suggest to improve on about this café are the chocolate (or lack thereof) they use for their mocha (actually, they use chocolate milk with 2-3 shots of espresso, depending on your order) and perhaps adding wireless internet in their shop. Although this café is rather small, the latter may not happen.

Coffee and pastry anyone?

Cheers!!!