I’ve found two great places to write and sip in Irvington—the Black Cat Cafe and the Red Barn Bakery.
Both places have a friendly, small town vibe. Everyone greets the barista at Black Cat and the owner of Red Barn by their first names, and these lovely women know their regulars. Commuters come in to get their coffees before heading to the train, and parents line up to get their kids a little breakfast before heading to school. Business people and retired folks have their meetings at these two places, and like me, there are individuals who camp in their favorite seats for writing.
At the Black Cat, I especially like the English Breakfast tea and the croissants. Having these makes me think of my good friend, and fellow Anglophile, Eve. We used to meet once a month at various cafes in DC and Maryland to chat about everything from our love of “Downton Abbey” to the antics of her two adorable and witty daughters. We were each other’s confidants, and I miss my sweet friend. I raise my tea cup in her honor and hope to see her soon.
I also like the comfortable tables and chairs in Black Cat, and the view of Main Street is nice for day dreaming. I need to remember to bring extra cash the next time I’m in there, because I’d like to buy a T-shirt. The front has their logo, the Parisian noir kitty cat, and the back has a perfectly witchy quote: “Black Cat Cafe, Check Your Superstitions at the Door.” Love it.
The Red Barn Bakery has delicious everything! I have tried their cheddar kale scones, poppyseed muffins, and their infamous and really filling breakfast cookies. This place is dangerous to my waist line, but I love it! I think of my Grandpa when I’m in there. He hated big supermarkets, preferring to get his meat from the butcher and his bread from a bakery. When we were in Berlin, with all its little shops and the scent of freshly baked bread on every block, I understood why he felt this way. I understood my half German roots. I raise my coffee to his memory.
The decor and location of Red Barn is welcoming to this lover of all things locomotive. If I can score the four-top next to the exposed brick wall, I not only have a view of the Metro North and Amtrak trains, I have a nice big table to spread out all my papers. Technically, I should offer this coveted spot to pairs or groups who come in, but I do not. I am a table hog, and unless I’m told otherwise, that baby is mine! Lastly, I want to nod to my former profession of serving the public as a coffee goddess. The barista at Red Barn, with the rocking tattoo on her forearm, plays the best soundtrack for writing. Nice!
Here are the sites for both:
www.blackcatchef.com
redbarn-bakery.com
Enjoy!
