... having 10 minutes to kill before an appointment, and happening upon a welcoming cafe that delivers a better than average menu with a nicer than usual atmosphere. My first visit to teh Sweetest Chef (formerly The Bean Scene) was more of an afterthought than a quest- rather than sit on Waxpool for 30 minutes to drive 4 miles, I decided to wait it out in that new-ish café near the Icehouse.  

A friendly face greeted me from behind the counter and took my order for a hot Chai tea… nothing remarkable yet- just courteous, efficient service. What DID stand out, however, was the stiff, cappuccino-like foam blanketing my steaming mug of Chai- now that was different! The aromatic fragrances of cardamom, cloves and ginger were a warm reminder that winter was around the corner. A small sip introduced a spicy creaminess and authentic flavor that I had only found in Indian restaurants. 

Sinking into a comfy chair in the corner, I watched the steady stream of patrons: construction workers, moms with toddlers, solitary business people using the free WiFi, and still others networking and negotiating deals. As I savored that perfectly decadent tea, it occurred to me- I’m really relaxed. As folks strolled in and out, you could see the tension leaving their shoulders, and sense the relief that only comes with the comfort of finding a temporary escape from the rush rush rush of NoVa living. 

Instead of a herd of hurried, harried java junkies frantically ordering fancy coffee creations, the vibe at The Sweetest Chef can best be described as a steady cycle of satisfaction. No one tapped impatiently waiting for their order. Instead, patrons browsed the tidy array of local business cards- adding their own at times- and rifled through the collection of paperback books and recent magazines that added to The Sweetest Chef's “stay as long as you’d like” ambiance.

Patrons nodded or greeted one another in passing, reminding me of my Midwestern hometown where eye contact and pleasantries are the expectation, not the exception. Such a soothing, nostalgic experience- I was reluctant to drain the remnants of my tea and trudge back to reality.

You won’t find an endless menu of trendy “pseudo names” and sugary drinks with traces of coffee flavor, no gimmicks or fancy merchandise at The Sweetest Chef. The original drink menu boasts interesting choices like Vietnamese bubble tea, fruity smoothies, shakes, and freezes, and a variety of hot coffees and teas- as simple as Espresso, or as complex as Café Borgia.

A simple yet innovative menu offers breakfast, crepes (which are feather-light and flavorful, as my next visit revealed!), quiches and pastries as well as hearty sandwiches, soups and salads.

Overall- The Sweetest Chef feels- Inviting. No rush, no pretension- just a friendly neighborhood café where you can enjoy the atmosphere as the much as the meal. 

The Sweetest Chef passes with Flying Colors!

“A crust eaten in peace is better than a banquet partaken in anxiety.” ~Aesop