all photos: Liz Shen
all words: Svetlana
Remember how sad everyone was when Sparky's on 14th street closed?
All the talks about needing a new coffee shop in the neighborhood, a place to just sit and have a cup of something and a delicious piece of pastry?
Well, 14th (and around) street denizens-your time has come.
Tomorrow, Midcity Caffe (located above Miss Pixie's) is opening its doors.
Liz and I got kindly invited by Judith Mandel (Midcity's Manager) and Mike Mier (designer and co-owner) to poke around the old automotive shop's office as they're prepping for the big day tomorrow.
And-there is a lot to look forward to.
Mier also designed 1905, one of our favorite spaces to eat in in DC, so we knew we were in for a treat, and it did not dissapoint.
Brimming with clever details (like the old desk whose drawers serve as places to store cupholders and sugars in, or the hilarious bear statue that is also a tip jar) and a spare but effective color palette, it is a place which feels both new and comfortably lived in at the same time.
A lot of the signage remains the same, the floor is original and the furniture is mid-century modern with a twist, allowing both spaces (one a more formal dining room and the other a bar) to feel whisical and practical simultaneously.
All the coffee served will be from Counter culture, and the menu will be simple and effective, consisting of " breakfast, mid-day and evening pastries will be available, sourcing from a variety of local bakers. Standout items include a decadent sweet potato spice cake with cream cheese frosting, a light, fluffy lime chiffon cake, and a selection of homemade cookies and graham crackers. Breakfast staples such as New York-style bagels, made daily, and yogurt and granola will also be served. In addition to this selection, Mid City Caffé will eventually feature rotating desserts such as homemade pies, crumpets with lemon curd, handmade chocolates and seasonal specialties. , all of which will be produced off site.
We plan on spending a lot of time there and you should probably too.
Mid City Caffé opens tomorrow, August 15th and will be open on Monday-Friday from 6 a.m.- 8 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m.- 7 p.m.
Mid City Caffé is located on the second floor of 1626 14th St., NW;
202-234-1515;
www.midcitycaffe.com.
God loves a cheerful giver.
Ahhh, so excited. What a perfect place to pit-stop before Girls Rock! tomorrow...
Thank GOD this place exists. I've been missing Sparky's terribly; nothing quite matched it except Big Bear, far, far away. 14U was a joke and Mocha Hut has become a rather bland place called "U Street Cafe." Cafe Collage is back, and has a certain charm, but Caribou and Starbucks can SUCK IT.
Definitely not dumpy enough to be the new Sparky's, which was part of its charm.
How much is the coffee? Espresso? Urban professional prices or actual real prices?
this place is definitely a godsend. we just went in for a photo preview, so we didn't get to sample any of the coffee or pastries, and they hadn't quite solidified their menu. 14th and You did a first look review with prices listed, which may help:
http://14thandyou.blogspot.com/2009/08/mid-city-caffe-first-look.html
They're pricey, but it's all really tasty. No Sparky's, but still has a good vibe. There was a nasty customer in there yesterday yelling at the staff about the prices... Don't buy it if you don't want it. All the pastries are local and yumm-o. Definitely check it out, everyone is super friendly.
As long as the coffee's good and the staff is a tad less surly then Sparky's (something I have NOT missed since their demise). Plus they're serving Counter Culture coffee which wins them some SERIOUS quality points.