Cafe Navarre
Backstory
Weaver's opened in 1946 and lasted until just before Katrina, whose flooding was particularly deep in this area. In 2007, the current management took over, renovated the cute old place, and reopened with a much more contemporary style. One of the owners has a family connection with the Peppermill, whose breakfast style can be seen here.
Dining Room
The small dining room has an antique feel, and looks more like an ice cream parlor than a restaurant. But most diners prefer the tables on the patio in front of the cafe. Enough of them to make the place look as if a yard sale is going on. No matter where you are, you order at the counter, and sometimes pick up, too.
Why It's Essential
A charming little sandwich cafe near City Park just off Canal Boulevard, Cafe Navarre continues the tradition of quaintness and honest food began a long time ago by Weaver's. A new part of the picture is breakfast, which is especially popular on weekends.
Why It's Good
Although the present owners have modernized the menu quite a bit, most customers still come here for the roast beef poor boys, probably the best in Lakeview. The breakfast is strictly for those who have time to linger over a third cup of coffee and the newspaper, not those in a hurry to get to work.
Most Interesting Dishes
<em><strong>Breakfast</strong></em><br /> Eggs Benedict <br /> Turkey avocado Benedict <br /> Spinach artichoke Benedict <br /> »Turkey, avocado, Swiss cheese, tomato omelette<br /> Spinach, artichoke, feta, mozzarella, onion, tomato omelette<br /> Ham, cheddar, onion, bell pepper, tomato omelette<br /> Bacon, tomato, cheddar omelette<br /> »Ham and cheese omelette<br /> »Standard egg combinations<br /> »Buttermilk pancakes<br /> Fruit cup<br /> A.M. poor boy (scrambled eggs, cheese, and bacon)<br /> <em><strong>Starters</strong></em><br /> <em>Available with chicken add-on</em><br /> »Chicken, bacon, almonds, Asian sesame ginger dressing<br /> Spinach salad<br /> »Cobb salad<br /> »Greek salad<br /> Caesar salad<br /> Italian salad<br /> Soup of the day<br /> <em><strong>Sandwiches</strong></em><br /> Roast turkey on wheatberry bread<br /> Baked ham wheatberry bread<br /> »Chicken salad wheatberry bread<br /> Spinach, artichoke, feta, tomato mozzarella panino<br /> »Dijon pork and Swiss cheese panino<br /> »Turkey, avocado, tomato, Swiss panino<br /> Ham and cheese panino<br /> BLT variations<br /> »Roast beef poor boy<br /> »Cuban (roast pork, ham, swiss, mustard, pickles, on pressed French bread)<br /> »Baked ham poor boy<br /> »Roast turkey poor boy<br /> Dirty bird poor boy (turkey with roast beef gravy)<br /> Muffuletta poor boy<br /> Hot sausage poor boy<br /> Fried shrimp poor boy<br /> »Hamburger (bun or poor boy)<br />
Deficiencies
The entire breakfast act needs to be tightened up.
For Best Results
Breakfast here is good but sketchy in its service. Again, don't come here in a hurry, but enjoy the old-time laid-back feeling.
Bonus Ratings
2
Attitude
1
Hipness
2
Local Color
1
Value