La Bera Cafe plans to officially open its doors on Monday, but you can stop by until 5 p.m. today for a sneak peek if you haven’t already done so since it quietly opened earlier this week.
And what Maple Leaf resident wouldn’t be at least a little intrigued by the cafe’s Maple Leaf Club, a “waffle-wich” that has smoked turkey breast, pepper bacon, cheddar cheese, lettuce and tomato with spicy maple dressing served open face on a freshly made waffle? The item is part of the cafe’s lunch menu, which will be served from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Breakfast will be served from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
While still in the planning stage earlier this month, Lita Berpan, whose father, Chetta Berpan, owns the family-run business, told Maple Leaf Life that they were hoping to turn La Bera into a sit-down Italian restaurant for dinner. But Lita now says that plan is on hold and the cafe will instead stick with counter service all day every day, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Although the cafe is officially opening Monday (and it’ll be closed tomorrow, by the way), the grand opening isn’t until Aug. 13-15, when Lita says the restaurant will have live music and prizes, including gift certificates.
The cafe, located at 1000 N.E. Northgate Way, takes over the space left vacant after the Seattle Crab Co. abruptly closed in June. Lita says she’s still working on the website, but in the meantime you can follow La Bera Cafe on both Facebook and Twitter.
And for those of you who were wondering what kind of coffee La Bera would end up choosing, it’s local favorite Zoka, “ground to order.”
UPDATE: A couple of comments here concerning Pinehurst’s BARK! espresso, 11335 Roosevelt Way N.E., have just been deleted while we look into details, but we will post more on the matter when we have the facts.
UPDATE Aug. 4: Contrary to the removed comments, the health department reports it has heard no complaints at all about Bark.
I’ve had nothing but great coffee, great food, great prices and great service at La Bera so far! I’ve taken my 13-month old daughter in several times we’ve both gobbled up everything we’ve tried. Plus everyone there is really friendly and accommodating and I love that there’s a play area for my daughter to hang out in.
Seems ridiculous that there are any comments at all about another coffee shop in the reviews for this one. It’s a big world people. There is room for more than one.
I belive the comments about Bark! Espresso were fabulous and reminding those that didn’t know any better, that the coffee shop and the Great Dog doggie-daycare that is next to Bark! are two separate entities and only share a wall, not what was previously stated by other individuals. I have to say that Bark! Espresso is amazing and has great coffee and I have had the “opportunity” to try items at La Bera and have not been please. I would say nice, try, but I doubt there was any try in what La Bera was serving.
I live across the street behind Walgreens. Haven’t tried yet but it HAS to be better than Crab Co was!
Looking forward to trying La Bera.
Not sure what this Bark place is but I don’t drink coffee so don’t care.
Had a reuben sandwich and caesar salad there today and it was yummy! Their breakfast menu looks awesome too. Can’t wait to try that as well. Still smells a bit like a fish restaurant but that won’t deter me from returning!
Bark! Espresso is fabulous. I hope people were posting great comments and noting negative. They are such a wonderful addition to the neighborhood and all the folks at Great Dog are hardworking and generous neighbors. I can’t say enough good about them.