Posted by Pam on July 10th, 2008 in Life in Boston
Summertime means lots of lazy hours doing things like people-watching while sipping coffee at your local neighborhood cafe. In deference to that great pleasure, we’ve checked out a couple of Euro-style coffehouses that would make Starbucks envious. This week, we’ve sent Kaara, our resident coffehouse expert, to visit:
Athan’s
Run by a family from Kalamata, Greece, the Pan-Mediterranean Athan’s is located on the corner of Beacon and Washington Streets in Brookline’s Washington Square, right across from the C line trolley stop. While Boston lacks many full-service patisseries or bakeries outside the small compass of the North End, Athan’s is a welcome exception. With exposed brick walls, glossy wood floors, evocative paintings of sunlit Mediterranean/Greek scenes, and big windows looking out onto Beacon Street, the café offers excellent espresso drinks, excellent American-style coffee, panini, and a full range of superior loose teas. A good combination of coziness and warm elegance, Athan’s is a neighborhood favorite but also popular with foreign expats and travelers. On any weekend, couples reading newspapers and families occupy the marble tables, along with groups conversing in French and Arabic—Athan’s doors are open until 11pm on Friday and Saturday for post-dinner gatherings. The café is one of the few places in the area where you can find good brioche, along with every variety of baklava, beautifully presented French patisseries, gelato, pignolia cookies, and flaky croissants—far more authentic than the style favored by most Montreal establishments. Patrons come in regularly to purchase handmade gateaux for dinner parties or gifts of Jordan almonds, traditional copper Turkish/Greek coffee pots, and beribboned Belgian chocolates in taffeta bags. On holidays, festive gifts hang from the gigantic chandelier.
http://www.athansbakery.com
1621 Beacon Street
Brookline, MA 02446
(617) 734-7028
Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 8am-10pm; Friday and Saturday, 8am-11pm
407 Washington Street
Brighton, MA 02135
(617) 783-0313
Hours: Everyday, 8am-11pm
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