Flea Street Cafe is owned by Jesse Cool, a local exemplar & chef committed to nutrient dense, locally sourced ingredients. Situated on a slope, Flea Street has three connected rooms each at a slightly higher level, including a bar. It is quiet enough even with all the tables full (as they always are) to converse with the person across from you. Comfortable chairs invite you relax and enjoy your meal. We saw couples, families, friends, & business diners of all ages. The menu changes seasonally (see posted Summer menu). The wait staff was exceptional, knowledgeable and attentive but not hovering. You don't have to wait forever for your fabulous food to come. Jesse was there the night we dined (for my birthday) and sent out a few dishes for us to try that we might not have ordered -- a generous gesture of unexpected delights! The smallish parking lot has enough space to accommodate all patrons.
5/5
We go out to dinner only four times year for our anniversary, birthdays, and Valentine’s Day. We look forward to these rare occasions. Though we check out other local organic restaurants, Flea Street is always at the top of our list.
I had emailed ahead, attaching the 12 Spoons rating form and requesting time with the manager to answer the questions and get sourcing information. The email was returned by Jesse Cool, the owner, saying she would be at the café that night and would help in any way she could. Extraordinary. She was not familiar with WAPF. She asked why I had become so involved in our local chapter. As I was summarizing my commitment she interrupted with, “because we are being poisoned.” She is on board!
When she learned it was also my birthday she sent out three complementary dishes. Again, unexpectedly generous. The Charred peaches with purslane, which had intrigued us on the menu but we might not have ordered, was unequivocally our favorite dish, even though none of us had ever had fried green tomatoes or beets with tahini. The Masumoto peaches were perfection, and the balance of flavors with other ingredients were the highlight of our meal, acing out even our entrees and two desserts.
If I critiqued each of our dishes this review would be too long. Everything was great. We tasted each other’s entrées and desserts and agreed we would have been delighted with any of them. I wanted to try the chicken to see if it was noticeably different. I think it had been lightly brined, as the mild juicy saltiness was more than skin deep. You need to dine there. You can’t go wrong.
The food came quickly but not too quickly. The wait staff was informed, friendly and professional. We could hear each other and have a lively conversation – a rarity in many restaurants. Flea Street Café is on the expensive side, but you get what you pay for. You will experience unique seasonal ingredients and can trust the commitment of the owner and chef to source local and organic.