This venue has closed temporarily (?) during the Milwaukee Avenue renovations.
PapaNicholas Coffee enthusiasts, who had previously only been able to savor the taste of Papa's blends in their homes, can now catch a Papalatte on the run. The Batavia-based roaster's first retail location, the Original PapaNicholas Cafe, serves up more than just coffee. The menu ranges from scones, cookies and croissants to cold deli sandwiches ($3.95), grilled Paninis ($5-$6) and hot soups. There are also specialty breakfast sandwiches on rosemary ciabatta or English muffins ($2-$3). I recommend the Grilled Chicken and Apple Panini, made with chicken salad (with carrots, celery and apple) and topped with melted cheddar cheese.
Run by a married couple, the Cafe mixes a large dose of Midwestern friendliness into its brews. Expect a lot of enthusiasm and attentiveness when it comes to service, and decor including flat-screen TVs, lots of mahogany and a few photos of the Chicago skyline. The furniture is sturdier than at most cafes and the chairs are quite comfortable. You could even stick around until "American Idol" comes on, as the Cafe stays open relatively late to accomodate all the book-readers and laptop-workers who made the trek.
Centerstage Reviewer: Beatrice Smigasiewicz
