Edible Rhody, Winter 2007: Rhode Trip; An Edible Itinerary

Excerpt: …[W]itness Pawtucket’s own fledgling cultural renaissance from one of its founding points: the newly rehabbed Grant building. …I come for the coffee. Always fair trade, in summer it’s cold pressed; in winter, when I need my drinks not just hot, but substantial, it’s Turkish coffees with their signature strength and sludge. … Karen’s commitment to sustainable practices appears in all her offerings, from the local Little City Grower greens in her Maltese-influenced tuna salad to the hand-made batches of ice creams she prepares using Rhody Fresh cream, milk and eggs. And do not fret, her ice creams, with their avant-garde pairings such as blue cheese and praline, know no season.

Story and Photos by Jan Faust

 

RI Monthly: Rest Stop

This article appears in the September 2007 issue of Rhode Island Monthly

Pawtucket needs the backing of some creative minds to reach its full economic potential, and applicants can now turn to the Grant Building for a blueprint. A turn-of-the-century structure with sleek hardwoods and cast-iron railings, the Grant is home to a variety of small creative upstarts as well as its cornerstone coffee shop, kafe’ lila (pronounced lay-la). This matte-yellow enclave is the brainchild of Karen Pace (artist-turned-entrepreneur by way of the culinary world) who serves up an array of fair-trade coffee drinks, organic teas, baked goods, specialty sandwiches (embellished with tapenade and homemade pickles) and a laundry list of exotic housemade ice creams like banana hazelnut, and vegan caramelized peach. The chic space is reminiscent of a post-war living room outfitted with kitschy card tables, plenty of potted plants and sofas that your mother would have protected with plastic covers. Shop hours have already been extended into the early evening, and, if business builds, Pawtucket may finally get its own late-night coffee klatch.

By Karen Deutsch

 

The Bucket Blog: Frymaster Speck waxes poetic

Kafe’ Lila is mentioned more than once in this great blog of all things Pawtucket. He should mention us, we are in the same building… but seriously, this entry mentions another great institution in Pawtucket, Machines with Magnets, and recalls the day we were visited by art-rock icons Queens of the Stone Age.

 

Coming Soon!

Kafe’ Lila will be featured in the 2008 Eat Shop Guide due out in the spring of 2008. This handy little book of secrets let’s you in on cool little places with great food or interesting items for sale. We are proud to share the pages with other great eateries that have been RI institutions.

 

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Wireless Internet Works! Yes, wireless is finally working properly, and it is always free. Come in for a snack and some coffee and get some work done in one of our cozy couches. It's just like home, only better.

Thanks to a successful first year! I like to thank eveyone who supported us in our first year. Thanks especially to all those who helped on our birthday event, it was a huge success and tons of fun! Thanks to all of the bands: Black Eyed Anchor, Chris Monti, Jamez Day and the Offstep Crew, What Cheer? Brigade, Endzone and DENIMVENOM, you all rocked and made it quite a party!! Photos will be coming soon.

Edible Rhody: See our write up in the current issue in our review section! Find out where you can pick up your copy of Edible Rhody.

Do you have an event idea? Email us and let us know. We are looking to extend to night time hours with the help of our community. Book clubs, poetry readings, game nights... your ideas are welcome and we will provide the space and goodies!