Another reason to love the Audubon neighborhood

My next home will be in the Audubon neighborhood. No, we’re not actively looking. But I actively covet the old-growth trees, the cozy bungalows, the sidewalks, the proximity to downtown and the quaint little shops nestled along the neighborhood’s thoroughfare.

Speaking of which … I stopped into the Little Garden Café on Friday for the first time. I’ve whizzed past this place at least a zillion times (about as many times I’ve stopped in at The Flying Goat) and for the life of me I don’t know why I never ducked into its friendly door before. This place is adorable! It’s a whole lot larger on the inside than you’d think, yet it manages to maintain a cozy hominess. The staff was friendly and familiar, and it smelled pretty much like home-baked heaven.

Huge windows look onto the park and sunshine shamelessly streams across tables. I walked in hoping for a late-morning bagel and walked out with a new pair of earrings, a personal-pan quiche and a renewed desire to change ZIP codes.

Tables line the main room’s window-rich walls and afford a view of the bakery case (temptation case), bustling food-prep counters, espresso area and kitchen. A small section of the main room is unobtrusively devoted to peddling handmade goods – jewelry, cards, beanies, bags and rugs – just enough to distract you while you wait for your order. Toward the back of the shop a separate play area is dedicated to patrons of the toddler set (so parents can have their coffee and drink it, too). Up front is another room, sort of removed from the main area but just as sunny and even more cozy than the airy entrance.

The quiche I ordered – chicken, bacon and cheeeeeese – was enough for two meals (for me, that’s saying something), so I devoured half for breakfast and half for lunch. The eggs were fresh and fluffy. The chicken and bacon were just what I needed and that bubbling layer of cheese on top? Divine. But that crust? O.M.G.

So as I was saying … I’m actively looking for a home in the Audubon neighborhood. Now if I could just convince my other half – perhaps I can tempt him with this little slice of heaven. And a cupcake.

You'll find the Little Garden Cafe at 2901 Northwest Boulevard.