After the closure of its beloved predecessor, All About Cha, Cafe Wren opened its doors to customers on Feb. 10. Located on South Broadway in Edmond, Oklahoma, Cafe Wren bridges the gap between the dark, moody vibe most people would expect from a traditional cafe with a more modern, airy feel. While I felt frustrated when I discovered that All About Cha was closing, the opening of Cafe Wren was a welcoming change to my routine and has become my favorite cafe in Edmond despite the new management and remodel.
Cafe Wren has a small yet well-organized menu, focusing on classic coffee drinks and teas as well as a fresh selection of breakfast and lunch dishes. The coffee is bold, generally without frilly or elaborate recipes and instead focuses on the quality of the espresso as well as the craftsmanship of the beverages. Its cappuccino was well made, and though I realized I do not have much of a personal taste for them, I could appreciate the flavor of the beverage. The chai is delicious as well, and while it may not be what most people are used to when they think of a sweet, creamy chai latte, it is very authentic with a stronger black tea taste and slight bitterness. Cafe Wren’s matcha latte is also nearly perfect, as it uses high-quality, earthy tea while still including the correct amount of sweetness and milk to balance the flavor.
The cafe lends itself to its seasonal items, which are all not only creative but also tasty. The seasonal drinks are interesting, and the flavors included tend to reflect the season’s atmosphere. For example, its February seasonal beverage was called Cupid’s Cocoa, which was made with dark chocolate, espresso and raspberry syrup in honor of Valentine’s Day. The seasonal items tend to be sweeter and more flavorful than the drinks on the permanent menu, and the only downfall to this is that its best items are only available for a limited amount of time.
Not only is the drink menu delicious, but the food items stand out as well. Most of the options are relatively healthy, with much of the menu being composed of salads or wraps. Either way, it compliments the drink menu well. The ingredients are fresh, and the items are made in-house, and I appreciate its avoidance of prepackaged items, to which many other cafes tend to lend themselves. The bakery includes mainly classic cafe options while still being well-made. While All About Cha had more dessert options, Cafe Wren’s bakery is cheaper and instead focuses on perfecting a few simple options like muffins, cakes and affogato, which is ice cream with a shot of espresso poured over the top.
I appreciate the overall atmosphere of the cafe. It is generally light and airy in terms of the color palette, with dark wood accents sprinkled throughout. The interior is unique, and the furniture is comfortable so that customers can come to sit for a few hours to eat, chat or study. Some of the tables are, however, a bit too small to really work on anything, but this is not a huge issue that impedes upon the general experience.
The only thing that truly takes away from the atmosphere is the music that is played at the restaurant. They usually play pop or older rock music that, while good on its own, is quite loud. The music can make it difficult to focus on studying or reading, which is what I typically do while sitting down in a cafe. Unfortunately, this generally takes away from the experience and makes me less likely to sit and stay for as long as I might somewhere else.
The customer service at Cafe Wren is one of the high points, as each of the employees is kind and personable toward customers. They are all extremely friendly and helpful, always willing to answer any questions about the menu or to make casual conversation. I appreciate Cafe Wren’s personal touch, as it always makes me feel comfortable and welcome, unlike Edmond’s busier chain restaurants like Panera Bread or Starbucks. It is, of course, always a positive experience to support a smaller local business, and this cafe is the perfect place to do so.
While I will miss All About Cha’s nearly endless menu of Korean flavors, Cafe Wren has mastered the few drinks and food options that they offer. Whether stopping in for a quick bite or a drawn-out study session, this cafe is the perfect place to stop by for a positive experience all around.
Contact Emma Lynch at [email protected]
