Partners Pia Newton and David Swaim opened a café/community hangout on the edge of downtown Fairfax in October. Along the back wall, a bar where guests can sip kombucha, house made green juice drink, a mushroom cacao latte, house made Radler beer or a glass of cider or wine. Once kitted, move to a comfy couch or a table to continue your IRL conversation with family or friends and consider the food on offer.
Newton’s focus on high-quality ingredients shines on the afternoon-to-evening menu. A savory or sweet gluten-free pizza – like Pepperoni with Mushrooms or Dubai Chocolate Deluxe – is a good way to start before considering a power shake, grilled open faced toasts (including The Italian and a PB&J), boards of cured meats and cheeses, and salads like Mediterranean Chickpea or Almond Parmesan Crunch.
There’s daily specials, too. Autumn Glow Pizza with goat cheese and hot honey may give way to a Caprese sandwich with basil pesto and balsamic glaze. Winter’s Black Butte Porter from Deschutes Brewery may transition to an Urquell Pilsner. A favorite when we visited? Two Bavarian Landjäger sausages and a Pretzel Roll layered with cream cheese, chives and fennel, favorites of Newton’s childhood in southern Germany.
Plans are in the works to transition the outdoor space on the plaza with views over San Anselmo Creek into a covered patio.
