Elegance Cafe: Simply Great Fare

When an establishment bills itself as a cafe it can mean many things. Some cafes only serve hot beverages, some only sandwiches and some only snacks. Lucky for the patrons of Wayne, has it all. I got excited when I looked over the menu online as they had all sorts of caffeinated beverages, baked goods, sandwiches, salads and quiche and soup selections that changed daily.

I arrived famished after a particularly grueling workout and ordered way too much. I noticed the clean interior right away and the mix of moms, students, grandparents and people on their lunch break from work. All seemed to be regulars.

When I was in line the people behind me had actual conversations with the staff and with people coming in and out. It is most definitely a neighborhood favorite. I also noticed the shelf of half-priced baked goods. Chef tip: If you're not eating the bread plain and plan on toasting it or using it in bread pudding or stuffing it's always better to use day old bread. 

There are many freshly baked goods on display on shelves and in glass cases and there are many salads (chicken seemed to be the dominant protein) as well. I chose the 3 salad combination ($8.50) and had the waldorf chicken, the curried chicken and avocado, and chicken and tomato salads.

The waldorf chicken salad was perfect. It was well seasoned, the meat tender and there was the right balance of walnuts, grapes, celery and mayonnaise. On a croissant it would make the most marvelous lunch.

The  curried chicken salad was ok. It could have used a touch more salt. The avocado, chicken and tomato salad was not my favorite. I love avocados and tomatoes but I prefer them fresh and I felt that in this salad they lost much of their wonderful flavor.

The quiche selections ($3.99/slice) that day included lorraine, spinach and artichoke flavors. I ordered a slice of the spinach quiche and was overjoyed with how delightfully delicious it was. I had a french friend in grad school who used to host a yearly brunch. She and her mother would spend days prepping and cooking the most wonderful French dishes. Her mother's quiche is outstanding and the quiche at Elegance Cafe came very close to replicating it. It had a flakey crust, tons of cooked spinach and a thick layer of wonderfully gooey cheese on top. The egg mixture was soft and flavorful and each bite was amazing. I can't say enough about how good it was.

The grilled cheese sandwich ($5.99) is perfect for kids and adults, as are the numerous sandwiches which can be made in large and small sizes. Save yourself a buck or two.Be on the lookout for combos and the "hot meal of the day." 

If you arrive earlier in the day there are simple egg breakfast sandwiches ($4.25-$5.75) which I'm sure are stellar.

I washed it all down with coconut water although they also have sodas, iced teas, bottle water, Snapple, Arizona beverages and whatever form of coffee you want. The blended iced mocha sounded amazing and for caffeine junkies they offer a triple shot of espresso. 

The service is professional and friendly and I will definitely be back there. Everyone smiles at you and people just seem happy to work and eat there. It does get a pretty big lunch crowd so my advice would be to sneak in for an early (11 AM) or later (3 PM) lunch.

I once read in a fashion magazine that the shortest distance between elegance and perfection is simplicity and Elegance Cafe does indeed execute simple delicious food perfectly. I'm still dreaming about that quiche.