This gourmet bake shop has a simple business model: make ludicrously tasty baked goods and sell them to addicted fans. Most of the pies don't get a chance to cool before they are snatched up; piles of cookies shrink and grow throughout the day as the kitchen struggles to keep up with demand. The bakers may take a short break to pull an espresso for a customer, but then it's back to work crafting their buttery art. Despite all this, the manager still maintains that Petsi Pies is actually known for their scones.
An up-market sandwich shop with the usual brick walls, tile floor and chalk menu, Café Rustica stands out for its bargain prices, patio and street-side outdoor seating and lack of pretense. Look for cold soups during the summer months and daily sandwich specials year-round. The shop's friendly owner will also custom craft something tasty for customers.
Part of the Somerville Plaza, this branch of national chain has everything one would expect from a coffeehouse along with baked goods and free Wi-Fi.
J.P. Licks prides itself on being a homemade ice cream cafe, offering a variety of flavorful ice creams and frozen yogurts in a multitude of flavors. The huge menu is handwritten on the wall behind the counter, adding a personal touch to this quirky local ice cream shop. Located in the center of Davis Square, J.P. Licks is a tiny joint bursting with big flavor. Each ice cream sold here is made with ingredients that can be found at Whole Foods, the ice cream is not processed like many other ice creams. This simple method of creating ice creams provides customers with tasty, fresh treats. The flavors here are constantly changing, because the ice cream is made according to which ingredients are in season. In addition to regular ice cream, J.P. Licks provides lactose free and NutraSweet options. Also featured on the menu are smoothies, frappes, and MooLatas, which are frozen blended coffee drinks. Further, J.P. Licks is proud to serve Fair Trade and Organic certified coffee, which it roasts itself.
Mr. Crepe boasts offering a "fresh twist on tradition" with a huge, unique menu of crepes. The menu offers a selection of sweet crepes, with combinations of fillings such as honey, peanut butter, jam, or marshmallow. There are also savory crepes, with fillings of cheese, vegetables, or meat. Customers can choose one of the crepes off the menu, or create their own.
In addition to crepes, Mr. Crepe serves baked goods, tea, coffee, ice cream, fresh soups and salads. Customers can take advantage of the ample seating inside the sunny, bright establishment. Mr. Crepe also offers WiFi, and outside seating during permitting weather.
In 2004, Rhett Richard and Amy Thibeault opened this cozy neighborhood coffee shop in Ball Square and the tables have been full ever since. Their mix of locally sourced products, a comfy living-room-like seating area, gourmet pastries and sandwiches, WiFi and good, strong coffee has made the shop a regular hangout for locals. And word has spread. In 2006, USA Today dubbed them one of "ten great places to get jazzed about great java."
In addition to espresso drinks and teas, all brewed to order, the cafe also serves plenty of good eats. Breakfast runs from pastries and muffins to cereal and breakfast wraps. The rest of the day, tasty sandwiches, grilled Panini, wraps and salads are offered. Where possible, produce is local and Nashoba Valley Bakery bakes all their bread.
WiFi: Free for first hour, then fee by the hour, daily or monthly after that.
