what: yet another cafe
where: Telegraph, between Haste and Dwight
The East Bay really likes its superlatives. Everything has to be the best – I’ve seen a dozen variations on “Voted Best Pizza,” a sign proclaiming “World’s Greatest Burger,” even “Best Hotdog in the Known Universe.” Seriously. In the known universe? Have you guys actually verified that the hot dogs on Alpha Centauri aren’t up to par? All this competitive self-promotion has left me a little skeptical when restaurants around here make outlandish claims. For example, Caffe Mediterraneum (yes, that is how it’s really spelled) claims to be the home of the latte. Reeeally? Ok, so they’re not claiming that they came up with the drink itself, but that they came up with the name, way back in 1957. There’s a plaque on their wall with the “origin story” and everything, so it must be official! Right.
I’m going to totally ignore that for now, because for some reason I didn’t even order a latte when I went there. I had every intention of doing so – I wanted to verify their claims to greatness, after all – but by the time I got there I was starving (it was Cal game day and so traffic was atrocious) and completely forgot. Instead a friend advised me to order the pancakes. Pancakes? For a late lunch? Yes. Pancakes. Two huge, dinnerplate sized, light and fluffy pancakes. For two dollars. That’s one dollar per pancake. One dollar for a HUUUUUUGE pancake. I also got a nice teapot service with looseleaf Earl Grey. The tea was nice and inexpensive and they do the hot water refill thing, which is of course always appreciated. I did see someone else get a latte – it was served in a wide-mouthed mug and had those cool designs drizzled on the top. So I’ll bet their lattes are good too, and I’ll go back when I’m not in a dazed, starvation-induced delirium and actually order one. Other things drawing me back: very large with plenty of table seating including an upstairs (great for long study sessions), free wifi, pleasant service.
HUUUUUUGE TRACTS OF PANCAKES.
