Just What I Was Looking For, The Style Cafe

Style Cafe

www.stylecafeonline.com

197 8th Street

Charlestown, Ma 02129

Menu: Basic Lunch and Breakfast items with a Brazilian influence, coffee and smoothies available.

Atmosphere: Casual, some outdoor seating under an overhang, near the water

Prices: Most expensive thing on the menu is the panini's at $6.50, pretty good for the city.

Sometimes the decision of where I want to eat is a lot like a kid looking into the full refrigerator and still declaring, "There is nothing to eat!" The real issue is I just can't decide. If I am hungry, I have an even more difficult time picking a place.

With a 180 mile bike ride looming ahead of us in a week, Lou and I have been biking and running a lot to get into shape. On Memorial Day after a 5 mile run, we decided we would try to find a new place to grab lunch. Not only was I hungry, but I was tired and hungry! A perfect storm, making it almost impossible for me to make a decision. All I knew was I wanted a new place. I wanted to be by the water, and I wanted the ability to eat outside.

I had heard of the Tavern on the Water in Charlestown, so we headed over that way. I had no idea there was a whole community back by the Charlestown Navy yard which was a nice surprise. (Sprawling parks, a pool,if you can sneak in, cafe's, and lots of places to stroll)

When I saw Tavern on the Water, it wasn't really what I was looking for. I know, don't judge a book by it's cover, but from afar it looked like if I was going to have a liquid lunch this place would be perfect. It just wasn't what I was looking for that day.

Then I saw it! Under the awning of the building before Tavern on the Water was The Style Cafe. This is the place I had in my mind! Tables out side, a new place, and a solid lunch menu. We went in to check it out.

Inside, it was really cute. Not enormous, but a few tables, also some outside, and a long counter along the window looking out to the harbor where you can sit and enjoy a quick bite. The atmosphere was immediately pleasant, and it was very clean.

The Style Cafe only has breakfast and lunch items on it's menu, but it is open until 7 pm most days and until 6 pm on Sunday. Judging from the amount of items on their breakfast menu, I am guessing they do a pretty good business.

For lunch that day we decided to try their panini's. Lou got the Navy Yard- Smoked Turkey Cheddar, Green Apple and Red Onions.
I got the Style- Smoked Turkey, Fresh Mozzarella, Tomatoes, Basil and SpinachBoth Panini's were grilled perfectly, and what I liked most is they didn't have a bunch of butter or oil on the bread. I am not sure if they had put anything on the bread before grilling them. All the ingredients were really fresh and flavorful, and they were toasted perfectly.

The lunch menu at The Style Cafe is basic. Simple Sandwiches and Panini's, some salads. They do have Burritos which adds a twist, but ingredients are basic as well. I am not saying basic is bad, in fact this place does basic extremely well.

The Breakfast menu has more of a Brazilian influence with ingredients like smoke Brazilian Sausage, and Brazilian cheese in some of the dishes. Their catering menus also offer some Brazilian flair with Brazilian Croquetes. The owners are obviously Brazilian, and have matched American cuisine with Brazilian influences to create a nice balance and delicious food.

After lunch we each decided to try some iced lattes. The espresso machine is the real deal, and not the automated machines you see in a lot of places these days. The coffee was flavorful, and the entire staff during our visit was very friendly.

I only wish this place was closer to our house so we didn't have to drive to it.