Eat First

Cafe at 407: Thoughtful food and food for thought in Liverpool

I've been to Cafe at 407 in Liverpool four times since December, so I guess you could say that I like it.

Actually, I love it. 

Make that LOVE LOVE LOVE it.

A December salad contained strawberry slices and diced avocado.

There is so much to love, from the black bean soup to the paninis made to order to the fresh, creative salads to the teeny-tiny biscottis that are sometimes served with your order.

The cafe uses meats from Mazzye's on Route 57 and breads from DiLauro's Bakery in Syracuse. The photos here don't do the place or the food justice. You'll just have to go check it out for yourself.

Besides the food, the beauty of the place is its mission. Cafe at 407 is a place that cooks for a cause. Proceeds and tips benefit Ophelia's Place, a non-profit organization that provides outreach, advocacy and educational services and hope to those affected by eating disorders, disordered eating and body dissatisfaction. There's a resource area for those seeking to learn more and a community room for groups or businesses to reserve for use during the day. The table where I enjoyed lunch last Saturday held a book labeled "Beauty is...'' for visitors to share their thoughts in. One visitor wrote: "Beauty is from within yourself. When you allow your heart to be open and when you touch others with your kindness.''  

Apple Walnut Salad with chicken.

I should have written: "Beauty is the Apple Walnut Salad with chicken ($7.95) that Mary Ellen made for me.'' Mary Ellen is Ophelia's Place founder and director Mary Ellen Clausen. She opened Ophelia's Place in 2003, and frequently can be found in the cafe kitchen.

I'm still thinking about that salad a week later. It's a mix of spring greens, chopped apples, diced beets, walnuts, dried cranberries and bleu cheese, tossed with a fruity balsamic vinaigrette and served with two small wedges of toasted focaccia bread.

No time for lunch? Go for breakfast! The Apple Pie Oatmeal on the menu sounds marvelous.

Or take a book or laptop break and enjoy a cup of coffee or a cappuccino. There are comfy couches and chairs here and there, and even a fireplace.

Cafe at 407 is at 407 Tulip St., in the village of Liverpool. Call 451-5544. Hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The cafe is closed Sunday and Monday.  

Coffee, soup and ice cream for the soul

I've driven by Cafe Kubal, at 3501 James St., in Syracuse's Eastwood neighborhood, literally hundreds of times.

It won't be long before I go back.

Maybe you've seen the sign above on the awning of the tiny storefront in the Eastwood Plaza, next to the Sacred Melody Parable Christian Store.

Inside you'll find a tiny but efficient space with five seats, a refrigerator case holding yogurt parfaits and containers of delicious Wake Robin Farm yogurts (made at a family farm in Jordan) for sale, a choice of two soups and a hummous-and-pita plate for lunch,  milkshakes, cookies and other baked goods and a long list of hot and cold coffee and tea drinks. There's also a small patio, with tables, umbrellas and seating for about 10 more people.

I planned just to treat myself to a scoop of Purity ice cream, a tasty mainstay of Ithaca's food culture that's now served at several spots in the Salt City, but ended up treating myself to a complete lunch: homemade chipotle chicken chowder served in a big cappuccino mug, plus ice cream and coffee for dessert. And not just any old coffee: Coffee roasted on-site, in a vintage roaster.

The soup was rich, thick and slightly smoky in flavor, thanks to the chipotle peppers, and loaded with chunks of chicken and potatoes. A trio of wheat pita triangles was served on the side.

A more reasonable person would have been content with the soup, which was really quite filling. But no, I had to have a scoop of Purity's Boomberry, or black raspberry ice cream studded with cherries, blueberries and strawberries. 

That's a really generous single scoop, don't you think?

 The next time I'm tempted, I'm going to do my waistline a favor and ask for the  "junior" cup.

 I don't think my soul will mind.

During ice cream season, Cafe Kubal (278-2812) is open 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays. The cafe is closed on Sundays.

If you're a fan of Purity ice cream but can't get to Ithaca any time soon, it's also being served at Funk 'n' Waffles, near Syracuse University, and at KSB Desserts, at the Regional Market Commons, on Park Street.