Crema Cafe
Category: Coffee & Tea [Edit]
Neighborhood: Harvard Square27 Brattle St
Cambridge, MA 02138 (617) 876-2700
- Nearest Transit:
Harvard (Red)
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Wi-Fi: Free
39 Reviews for Crema Cafe
Ah, my new morning coffee spot! They make a great cup of coffee, even the decaf. I love their fruit and granola muffins. When we came here for Yelp office hours, we sampled some of the other delicious pastries, including the streusel, macaroons, and scones. The comforting brick walls, loads of tables and electrical outlets, beautiful upstairs, and super-nice waitstaff make this one of the best coffeeshops in Harvard Square. It seems to run pretty smoothly in the morning, but then, I'm easy with my coffee and muffin. Plus: liquid sugar. Viva la Crema!
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I really wanted to like this place, but I'm afraid I can't give it more than 3 stars. I like their grilled cheese and ham a lot, and it seems like the rest of their food is decent. I'm not impressed at all with the decor or feel of the place. The cafe is supposedly inspired by European cafes, but it just doesn't hit the mark. It feels very sterile and definitely needs more earthy and artsy touches to the furniture, paintings, etc. It doesn't have a lived in feel at all, perhaps more time will fix that problem.
It's like dating a guy who just got out of a serious relationship. or wearing a brand new pair of heels during a bar crawl, or sleeping in the room you are still painting. you are only asking for trouble.
well, asked and answered. going to the new, independent cafe in the heart of harvard square that is essentially run by 18 year olds on a warm saturday morning a few short weeks after opening is just walking into a clusterfuck of coffee and sandwiches.
we got there around 11 on a saturday morning. my crutch-bound friend got us a sympathy table outside, since we couldn't do stairs that day:) by the time we got to the register and ordered our sandwiches, we were informed that lunch is not til 11:30. It was 11:15. So we ordered coffee and decided to come back in 15 minutes.
Well 15 minutes later, I got my coffee. Sat down, drank it and then got back in line. 15 minutes later i ordered my sandwiches. i learned from my earlier mistakes of waiting around like an idiot and went to wait it out at the table. 20 minutes later i went to get them and still had to wait.
here is what i learned - having seemingly no manager running the show is a recipe for disaster. there was no flow of information from group to group. the coffee people weren't talking to each other, the sandwich people weren't talking to each other and the register people were running around. it was a mess. they need some time to work out some kinks.
that said - the food was great. the coffee was great. the cupcake was great. i am def going to recreate that sweet potato sandwich at home. i loved the interior, the brick walls, the art, the stairs, the styles of tables they had near the front of the store.
when they work out the kinks and it is not 11:30 on a saturday, i will be back. this place has so much potential - i can't wait to see how they do.
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This is a difficult review for me to write, because I wanted to love this place. Especially with hearing all the hype. In truth though, it was a contradiction. The food got me all warm, fuzzy and tingly and the ambiance left me feeling like I got jipped the big O So why the 4 stars?
Their food was amazing!! I had the curry chicken salad. It was tender chicken bits mixed with a curry mayo and fresh black cherries. Served on toasted white bread. Just enough chicken that blended well with the fresh white toasted bread and ripe cherries. Another item I'd like to go back and try is the Sweet Potatoe sandwhich. I really wanted to get this yesterday, but my server would not allow me to order it without goat cheese. I'm not sure why, but yesterday arguing about it was not an option. I can't complain as I was happy with the chicken. I had a sip of Jenny N's smoothie - honey tea. yes! Very good and something I wish I opted for over Orangina.
Why I didn't like it : It's kind of stale and borning inside. I felt it needed alot of ambiance. I also didn't care for the seating arrangements as the upstairs area is over crowded and very small. If you know me well enough, you'll know I'm a people person, but I need some space. If you spit when you talk - it's cool I don't judge. I'm sure I've picked a wedgie in public myself. But when I can feel the spit from a stranger at a table across from me. Yeah not a happy camper it makes. I also didn't like the music. I would have been better with something that had more soul to it rather than oldies 106.
I certainly don't want to sway you from trying this place out. The sandwhiches alone make this a winner. I also believe there is free wi-fi which is a plus. If you are looking for ambiance I'd suggest walking a little further down Brattle to the competition. If you are looking to itch a hunger pain, cop a sandwhich to nosh and some of the outdoor seating so you can at least be entertained by the crazies of Harvard Square.
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I was so excited to try Crema....specifically their sweet potato sandwich.
CONS:
-There is NO rhyme or reason to their line for the register.
-The tables are too close together
-Cashier told me they didn't even serve a sweet potato sandwich
-$10 minimum for cards imposed on SOME not others
-I KNOW they didn't serve the orders...well in order. They need to get their line and order ups in check
-They only had lids at the set up station in the back
-sterile feel. Needs more character than a few flowers on each table
-this in no way is reminiscent of a European Cafe
-Took WAY too long to make a sandwich that required NO cooking what-so-ever
PROS:
-My sandwich was good. It was apple, onion, sweet potato with a goat cheese spread.
-My drink was tasty albeit they used small cups as a "medium"
-Bathrooms were clean though gaining entry was as difficult as unlocking the secret of the DaVinci code.
-While waiting for the bathroom I saw the sandwich makers and some weren't wearing gloves.
-Music is as bland as elevator music
-get some art and life in here, maybe a couch area??
My favorites:
- toasted english muffin with butter, no jam. there's no need for jam. the muffins are so tender and yummy, especially when warm and buttery.
- spinach salad with sliced almonds, mandarin orange, sliced strawberries. goat cheese (with added grilled chicken breast) and homemade (it seems homemade to me) balsamic dressing of some kind. the dressing is AMAZING. sweet, with poppy seeds, tart, rich. it goes perfectly with the goat cheese and oranges and strawberries. and chicken. actually, i must confess that i prefer to sop up the leftover dressing with my toasted, buttered english muffin. way better than any jam. it's like a meal and dessert all in one. SO GOOD!!
- quiche! So good! so far i've had two kinds: 1) mushroom and caramelized onion, 2) sweet potato, corn, and feta. the mushroom might have been my favorite. amazing with fresh herbs (i think thyme? or sage?)
coffee's good.
$ is good.
service is good.
food is great.
fresh, tasty, reasonably-priced
basically, this is my new favorite spot in harvard square.
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Stopped in before a movie at the Brattle. I had the ginger lemonade (which lacked any ginger flavor) and the grilled chicken sandwich. Never seen corn on a sandwich before. It was VERY tasty and filling, but the sandwich guy takes like 10 minutes to put it together (very long in my opinion). My friend had the red drink (can't think of the name) and he said it was like a really good iced tea.
It's pricey but the flavor combos are very unique so I think it's worth the money.
Oh Crema, I hereby declare my loyalty and patronage forevermore!
Quality, check.
Delicious sammys (though a bit wee. Go for the grilled chicken with corn and avocado), moist yummy cupcakes, invigorating ginger lemonade, unique concoctions (try the Red Nectar). They also serve Terroir coffee and MEM Import teas, huzzah!
Light and slightly breezy, check.
The wide windows and skylights bring in just the right amount of outside elements.
Workable, check.
Plugs run the length of the walls except for the left side of the mezzanine.
Spacious, check.
I've found a table in the loft at both lunch time and after work. And they've all had fresh flowers on em, nice touch!
Friendly and obliging, check.
The co-owner (Marley) is just lovely and sweet, and hosted us with grace. The counter gals are patient and explained all kindly.
Reasonable, check.
I got quiche and a beet salad for under $10!
Now for polite recommendations because us yelpers are a helpful bunch:
Coat/purse hooks in the restroom
Local artists on the walls to lessen the sterile feel
In house drinks served in reusable cups, not throw-aways
Later close, 8pm doesn't cut it
Couch area?
Overall, I'm stoked to see a little indie cafe that could!
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Score one for the little guys!!
This place is amazing. I wish more coffeehouses looked like this. Wide, open spaces, and yet, there is still a cozy and homey feel about the place. The mini-skylight and the doors that open up wide give a breath of fresh air to this place.
AND THE FOOD! I had the grilled chicken sandwich. It was SUPERB!! One of the best caf sandwiches I've ever had. The ingredients tasted so amazingly fresh. The price is a little expensive for the size of the sandwich, but honestly, the taste makes it so worth it. I also got to try a bit of the sweet potato sandwich, and that was excellent as well. The pastries are magnificent as well. Ligaya is an amazing person and gave Becki and I our own rainbow cupcakes and everyone sang Happy Birthday for us! Thanks everyone!! You rock! Anyway, the cupcake was SO MOIST, and the frosting was a perfect compliment. It almost tasted like Cool Whip (my favorite), it didn't give me sugar overload or anything. I also had a bite of the chocolate chip cookie, apple scone, and ginger cookie. All, were AMAZING.
AND THE DRINKS!! I had the Felipe's hot chocolate (even though it was warm outside, I wanted to try it THAT BAD) and it was sinfully delicious. This is SO not part of my diet. But I digress. I stole a sip of Joe's lemonade, and it was refreshing.
The staff is amazing as well! We kind of overstayed our welcome (didn't realize the place closes at 8! Hopefully that won't last though...) but the staff was so nice and accommodating towards us!
This place is SUCH a welcome change to Harvard Square. It's nice when an independent takes over the space of a corporate chain. More of these kinds of places NEED to come back to Harvard Square!
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On an unrelated mission to H Square, I decided to have lunch at Crema Cafe after recalling a brief write up of the new establishment in the Metro.
Out with the conglomerates and in with a locally owned business! This mid sized cafe captures attention in prime real estate formerly inhabited by an Au Bon Chain. Crema immediately greets solace seekers with a bevy of baked goods including airy signature cupcakes, buttery cookies, and dense brownie "blocks" that are not for the commitment-shy. The board up high advertises coffee, other beverages, and sandwiches. My lunch was the sweet potato sammy and ginger lemonade. While there was little to no hint of ginger, I'm happy to report that the sandwich of sweet potato, sliced apple and goat cheese layered in toasted bread was a rare combination that made my lunch hour a real treat.
Perhaps, Crema Cafe lacks an adequate amount of seating, especially once school and weather drive a literal crap-ton of students indoors to soak up wifi and caffeinated stimulants. For the summer though, I expect the the charm of Crema to last.
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There's an adorable gent who works here - I'm pretty sure I'm on his bad list. Or maybe he looks at girls he fancies with an eye that says: "get out of my face and DIAF."
Either way the gent can steam a soy latte far better than any barrista I've encountered outside of grand old Canadia. For this alone Crema Cafe would merit five stars. Add in a sweet potato sandwich (we all know it's my kryptonite) and you've got yourself one very happy AxT.
I will say that I can't quite give the place that coveted fifth star just yet. I love the exposed brick and the decorative improvements over ABP are fantastic but I remain confused - what's the aesthetic here? Industrial? Homey? Sterile? Please Crema - get some local art all over these walls and maybe some tapestries to soften the upstairs and then we'll talk again.
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I had an amazing time here during the yelp office hours and have been meaning to try it ever since it opened. Their food and drinks were extremely good especially for a coffee shop and everything is made in house. I especially enjoyed the apple scones (light and fluffy), macaroons, grilled chicken sandwich, and the red nectar drink. The sweet potato sandwich also looked appetizing.
There are plugs everywhere so you'll never have to search for a place to plug in your computer. The tables are a little small to spread out if there are two people but perfect for one. I love the open feel and how the front opens completely. My only complaint is that the sandwiches are a little small for the price you pay, but the flavor combinations are great. Another thing that I don't understand is why Crema closes at 8 pm. I feel like it's a little too early but then again everything in Harvard closes early.
Bathrooms: Two downstairs, unisex, and clean.
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I've stopped in twice so far... The ginger and pear scones are lovely! I bought a mocha one morning without realizing it was unsweetened (or seemed to be). It still tasted good, but I kept inhaling all the cocoa powder that was poured on top of the whipped cream. Not sure if it was just my inability to handle a drink while walking, but it was a little annoying.
It is so good to see a non-chain opening in Harvard Sq these days. The location is perfect for getting a quick sandwich or salad before a movie at the Brattle or a play at the ART. The mellow atmosphere of the upper loft is ideal for curling up with a coffee or tea and a new purchase from a nearby bookstore.
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For years I have been making this yummy concoction at home with a special blend of my favorite rooibos, steamy creamy milk, honey, cinnamon, and a touch of luvvvv...........never thought someone else could make my day with a simple drink. Then came along Cafe Crema .......and they make MY drink. It's soooo good. Like Thanksgiving in a cup. The crema is foamy and rich. The flavors are spiced and blended well. The color is rich and coppery. I'd consider painting my kitchen the color of this drink. I'd feel like I lived in the sultry southwest instead of the cold and clammy northeast.
Cafe Crema is a great new H2 option. Will give Darwins (Great!) and Burdicks (Great but tiny) and High Rise (Great but wayyy too overpriced - I don't go there on principle) a run for their money I bet.
Try the Red Crema!
Oh yeah, and try the oatmeal raisin jumble cookie. Little bit o'heaven.....
:)
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I really like this place, I do. It looks like my ideal cafe to look, bright, but down to earth, very room, but plenty of seating. In the warm weather they open up the entire front so if you are at the front table you are inside, but there is no window so you have all the comforts of being outside as well.
From what I could tell from the reasctions of the few people a head of me, they make good cappucinos and coffee. My chai tea was pretty good. I am so used to places that use mix that my taste buds got confused by getting the real thing.
They have a cool selection of sandwiches ranging from sweet potato to rosemary & goat cheese. There is a lot of sweet/savory combos, which I love. Sandwiches averagee $6 - $7dollars which some might find expensive for a sandwich, but I have bought less product for more money.
The guy who put together my sandwich was a true sandwich artist, not like the people at Subway who are forced to wear a button stating they they are "Sandwich artists". This guy was meticulous. Everything laid just right, intermingling flavors..
Unfortunately, a masterpiece takes time to creat. He took about 10 minutes. And since he was preparing all the food, the idea of it taking a half hour to feed 3 people is a little ridiculous. I was glad I was the only one ordering a sanwich or salad at the time.
But yeah, hire another Michaelangelo de Cuisine, and I will consider giving you guys a full five.
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Another four-and-a-half job. I'm going to hop, this time, off the fence and into the optimists' lawn on the grounds that Crema is my new favorite coffee-type joint in my preferred 'hood, Harvard Square.
While my first foray was an aborted attempt to join a crowd of Yelpers (headed by the living legend, Ligaya), I still got an iced chai (delightful) and self-guided tour out of the deal. The space seemed mighty inviting and the generous helping of AC outlets made me think that the mezzanine will quickly turn into a haven for bloggers / Yelpers / Facebook-stalkers on-the-go. I'll say that the vision-deprived shouldn't roll without their specs, where poor depth perception might lead to knocked-over tip jars and tea menus (they should bolt that shit to the counter, right?).
My second visit was more successful. Despite a packed house and what seemed a considerable line (starting one step after the door), the army of youngsters behind the counter kept things moving at a decent pace. Not that I minded the wait, surrounded by well-dressed (even with the inclement weathers) 6s-8s.
I went for a hot chai this time around (again, delightful) and a couple of Sweet Potato Sandwiches (one for a friend). That thing (also featuring green apple, red onion, walnuts and a goat-cheese spread) is ridiculously good. It's a little small for ~ 7 USD but that's a price I'll willingly pay again and again.
The short-list of detractions:
- The Rune ain't too proud to beg. Please, please, please extend your hours.
- There's something about that menu layout that churns my stomach. Aside from copping out and saying it's 'not intuitive' (yet not counterintuitive), I can't really put my finger on it.
- The walls are a little bare. I'm thinking about bringing a fat-tipped Sharpie and scrawling angst-ridden poetry all over.
- The $10 minimum for accepting credit cards (which seemed selectively-imposed and under trial) is bush-league. Saying that it's designed to expedite the procedure is even worse.
Nitpicks, right? The minor setbacks pale in comparison to the brilliance of a non-chain on prime real estate, right at the Brattle Bend.
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Considering what this place used to look like when it was Au Bon Pain, it has come eons in a very short period of time! I love the new layout and decor -- very nice!
I stopped by this morning for the first time and had a cocoa banana muffin and a cup of coffee. The coffee wasn't bad -- a good DD substitute. The muffin was EXCELLENT though. It was moist and delicious on the inside -- just the right amount of banana vs. chocolate flavoring. I am already salivating for another one.
While there, I took a glance at their menu as well as other baked goods. Muffins are a good size and looked delicious. The croissants were big and NOT burnt (always a pet peeve of mine). The young woman who took my order was very nice and friendly. Considering it wasn't even 9am yet, this really helped start my day off on a good foot.
I plan on going back... either for breakfast or to pick up a sandwich during lunch or something. I'm so glad I finally have another valid lunch option here in Harvard Square! Honestly, who really needs 3 ABPs within 500 yards of each other? Total waste IMO.
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I was going to wait until I tried a few more things at Crema to review it, but considering I had a dream last night about the sandwich I ate there, I figure the review is just bursting to get out of me.
I would like to kiss the ground the person who conceived of that sandwich walks on. I would like to invent some sort of boston sandwich awards just so I can give them a 'best vegetarian' award. Why? Because the Sweet Potato Sandwich was without a doubt the best vegetarian sandwich I have ever eaten. In my life. And I'm 31.
Here's a breakdown: It was on pretty ordinary bread and looked small, so I was worried at first. But inside is where the magic happened. It was a layer of perfectly baked, cooled sweet potato; a layer of thinly sliced apples; a layer of thinly sliced red onions, and a delicious goat cheese spread. While I was eating it, my friend Elana was telling me and Mary and about her new job. What is her new job, you ask? I have no idea, I was paying all my attention to my sandwich! That's how good it was! (Sorry Elana, I really do want to hear about your job someday soon! Congrats! )
So I implore any vegetarian (or non veg like me who just likes variety) to go and try this sandwich. I hope that I have the fortitude to deviate from this next time I go and try something else, but it will be very hard to do.
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Back story: Back in 1996, Starbucks ruined my life. I was a barista at George Howell's Coffee Connection--a job and product I loved--when "*$" (get it?) bought out the entire small chain. They immediately set to ruining it completely and obliterating the brand. I quit the day I had to say "grande," and I haven't set foot in a *$ since. I make it a point to only visit local places everywhere I go.
This new Harvard Square cafe has already lured me through its doors three times. The main hook is that they brew George Howell's coffee, Terroir. Hurrah! (Seriously, if you do coffee at all, you must taste this stuff.)
Crema delivers on several fronts: The coffee is well-prepared and everything you'd expect it to be. It's a pleasing space, slick *and* cozy. The staff is super-friendly. The sandwich menu has some unexpected elements. And, hey, they seem to bake their own goodies and even have fresh-squeezed blood-orange juice!
BUT, you should also note that: Ounce-for-ounce, all the drinks are pricey. The sandwiches are teeny-tiny. The food takes forever to come out. Plus, a personal pet peeve: the staff asks for a name with each order, which means having my unusual name butchered with each visit. (I know I should pick a fake name just for this purpose but am afraid I won't answer to it.)
All in all, Crema is a welcome addition to the neighborhood. I'll definitely go back--probably within the week--but think its drawbacks will probably prevent it from becoming my regular morning stop.
Update: I've upped my review by a star. The waiting time for an order seems a little lengthy still, but their coffee is just that good and their staff is just that nice. Also, they really haven't messed up my name since the first couple of times. I have not revisited the sandwich issue.
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I've tried three freshly-made sandwiches at Crema: the roast beef, the chicken, and the turkey. My favorite was the turkey because I'm a huge pickle fan, and they put a ton of really good ones on the sandwich along with a tasty Jarlsberg spread. They were all very good, though.
I really liked the homemade chips you can get as an add on.
I also really like the chocolate-chip cookie.
As mentioned by others, the atmosphere is really nice. It's so much better than what it used to be and really hit a niche that needed to be filled in H-Square.
When you compare prices, these sandwiches are less expensive than both Darwin's and Hi-Rise.
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I adore this cute little cafe. It's a shame that the seating area is so small, but that's also part of its charm. I had the grilled cheese with carmelized onions and my brother had the goat cheese and walnut sandwich. Both were delicious! I will definitely be back.
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Thumbs up for a a locally owned business - especially in Harvard Square which seems to be slowly overtaken by chains! This is definitely much better than what used to be here and a more than welcome and needed addition to the square.
However, while I would love to love this place, sadly, the owners did not quite succeed in their aim of re-creating a homey European style cafe. The pictures on the walls are your typical generic coffee-shop-pictures, the furniture is pretty uncomfortable and, frankly, looks cheap, and why is it that the cold drinks cannot be served in real glasses instead of plastic cups?
While I like the fact that the front is open and airy, they provide free Wi-Fi and plenty of power-outlets, and the food looks good (although I haven't tried it yet), I just don't find this place particularly inviting or stimulating. A little more creativity and uniqueness and more comfortable furniture would really push this place up; there's definitely potential, but as it is, I feel I can only give it three stars.
On a side-note: As I have just been to NY and was reminded of just how cool this city is, I would recommend that the owners of "Crema" invest $30 for a return trip to the Big Apple and check out "Kitchen Club" for a little inspiration in terms of how to lend personality to a cafe.
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I'm the crema the crop, I rise to the top! You actually can rise to the top at Crema Cafe, you can do this by:
getting caffeniated...woooo....rise to the top
walking up their lovely staircase.....rise to the top
and eating their food......now jump around! jump around!
jump jump jump jump...
This is what Harvard Square was desperately in need for an INDEPENDENT little cafe that serves down home honest food. Like lemon cupcakes with vanilla frosting and sprinkles. So good! Fruit salad that tasted like mangoes, grapes, strawberries, etc. Like each individual fruit should taste not like at another chain coffee place, *cough cough, Au Bon Pain* ABP used to be here and it blew goats. Crema Cafe is sooo much better, it's actually delightful. I feel like I'm in California or even on the Vineyard this place is so lovely. Check check check check it out...
**EDIT: Just came back for the 10th time and they don't take credit cards but you can by a Crema Cafe reloadable card. Their fruit salad was still $3.94 but devoid of mangoes! Why not cut the price off a little? I was so not happy. Don't think there was any mangoes in the entire bowl she scooped the salad from. BUMMED! Minus one star for that and the fact the grapes had SEEDS in them? Who wants to get fruit salad to go and have to spit the seeds out along the way? Not cool, Crema Cafe, not cool. Don't let this happen again! It's too bad because I was raving about you to lots of peeps last week. Now, I'll warn them. I should have said that their birthday cupcake looks good, and it does. But the cake itself was dry dry dry. I had to throw most of it in the trash. The frosting was good though!
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Um...there was an Au Bon Pain here?? It's a rhetorical question because I'd actually been IN that ABP, but the space looks AMAZING now. Light and airy with exposed brick and high ceilings rather than tiny and generic. I felt like I couldn't turn around without bumping into someone at Au Bon Pain, meanwhile Crema is now a sit-down cafe.
I went here today for my morning coffee and ended up with a pear ginger scone as well...absolutely amazing and so far from the dry and mealy Starbucks scones, full of pear chunks and just enough ginger. The coffee's also great; I tried the house blend drip coffee instead of the special (which was brewing at the time), but I'm still impressed.
The staff seems friendly as well. I wasn't carrying more than two dollars in cash (oops), but she let me charge my order despite the usual 10-dollar minimum. Granted I won't take advantage of that again (today's stop was a spontaneous decision), but it was nice that she was understanding about it given that the cafe's been open only a few weeks.
I have a feeling I'm going to be spending a LOT of time here and it makes me miss Caffe Paradiso a little less...
edit: removing one star because getting anything but coffee is mind numbingly slow. I got a bagel with cream cheese and waited at least 7 or 8 minutes and no one was ahead of me. I don't get it. Making me miss a bus in the morning is not good....otherwise, I still love it.
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I read a review of this place in one of the free MBTA newspapers and thought I should give it a try. It's great to see a new non-franchised place in Harvard Square. I get (and appreciate) that the owners are trying to bring back a bit of Europe to Cambridge.
Have they succeed? Only partially. This is definitely a step-up from the standard Peets/Star*ucks Corporate Coffee Mindfuck that we know and hate in this area.
They have been too timid to really make the transition to a real Euro-style cafe. Art is important. One of my favorite cafes in Berlin which has a suitably upmarket feel has a fresco of some monkey fucking a person in one corner of the cafe (or is it the other way around?). This little demented touch is not really for the patrons. Clearly someone sometime thought it would be cool to put a fucking monkey on a wall. Patrons be damned. Now I am not suggesting Harvard Square is ready for zoophilia, but could we go a little beyond the Starbucks coffee safe corporate culture photos on the wall to perhaps make a more personal touch in this place? The upstairs feels much worse, and not comfortable at all.
The furniture has the same feel. Cheap, semi-IKEA. It's not the sort of stuff I would want in my house, so why would I feel at home in the this cafe?
The food looks potentially good (not sure about portion sizes) so that's definitely a plus. And clearly the owners are trying. Hopefully in time they'll chill out enough to imbue a bit of their personality to the place.
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The ABP that used to be here was my usual stop for coffee, so you can imagine that I was anxiously waiting for Crema to open. Now that it IS open, I'm slightly mixed.
First off, it's not a place I'd go for a morning coffee. It's kinda pricey for the small amount of coffee you get, and a small is quite small, especially for a morning coffee. I could pay more for a larger size, but if this was going to be an everyday occurrence, I wouldn't do it. I guess I won't be getting my coffee here then.
However, they do have $3 goodie bags that include about 4 day-old pastries. Not bad, the croissant lasted 'til the next day (so it was about 2 days old) and was still fantastic. The muffins lasted for a few days, as well. (I put a tissue/paper towel in the bag to soak up extra moisture.) Only thing is that I didn't really care for the muffins. The blueberry muffin had a lot of blueberries but I couldn't taste much, and it has corn in it which was tough to chew. Maybe it was the day-old thing, but it was also falling apart and thus wasn't very appealing. There's also a lemon-poppy muffin which was still moist on the 3rd or 4th day and had a good lemony taste. Not my thing though.
So why 4 stars and not 3? It's pricey, but it's perfect for sipping and chatting. My boy and I went to grab a mocha and chai tea at Crema, and, though we spent more than usual for a mocha, it was still cheaper than the Burdick's mocha and not as sweet. We loved it's semi-sweet quality and concluded that they probably use Burdicks chocolate anyway. And like others have said, the decor is gorgeous, warm and inviting. Fresh flowers in rectangular shapes (I love!), brick walls and a lot of seating. Beats Tealuxe in space (by far), Starbucks in warmth, and Burdick's in price.
I'm sure I'll come back for more post-supper conversations.
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Looking around at the exposed brick, attractive lighting and upper level of seating, it's hard to believe there was once an Au Bon Pain in this space. The atmosphere at Crema is inviting and friendly, and yet it feels like an upper class coffee joint all the same. Fresh baked pastries adorn the counter and happy employees stand behind it.
Forget the cookie cutter breakfast sandwiches from Dunkin Donuts. My egg sandwich came on a homemade English muffin and was filled with fresh scrambled eggs and Monterey jack cheese, not some pre-made patty of egg look-alikes from a hidden tray under the counter. It wasn't the greatest breakfast sandwich I'd ever had, but it was definitely fresh and better than most of your options in Harvard Square. The iced latte I ordered was tasty, so I imagine their coffee is as well.
Crema is new and has a ways to go to prove itself, but I'd say they're on the right track. It's nice to have a friendly, non-chain coffee place Harvard Square to relax and enjoy quality food.
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Nice decor was my first thought. It has a narrow interior but a tall ceiling so it feels more spacious and open than I was expecting it to. The sandwiches, coffee options were fairly standard. However, I thought the quality was nice.
The avocado wrap with tabouli was refreshing and light. My friend had the ceche which was fluffy, savory, and tasted fresh. We also had a pot of Black Ginseng tea, which was apparently a substitute for the requested puh-er, was delicious.
Overall, I really enjoyed the experience, a pleasant place to have brunch and a nice cup of tea.
Not too special but a change of pace from walking the streets of Harvard square to this little corner of calm.
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Visually, Crema is a huge improvement from the tiny little Au Bon Pain that was there before. The menu is also very appealing. I really enjoyed my sweet potato sandwich.
Why only two stars? I paid $6.50 for a sandwich that is smaller than the PB&Js I make at home. I wanted to like this place, really, but I can't bring myself to spend so much for so little.
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I really wanted to love Crema. When we were here for office hours last week they were so sweet to us letting us stay past closing. Their staff even seemed like a generally happy bunch.. not the eff you kind that wanted to cut us for taking up several tables in their upstairs. But when I stopped in this week, I decided I was just in serious like.
During Yelp office hours, I had myself a mocha (which was good.. I don't have that many to compare to though), a macaroon (hmmm coconutty and fresh tasting), and a chocolate chip cookie.. ALL TO MASELFFF. Well no.. I shared. But it was delicious. It almost looked like a semi-failed cake masquerading as a cookie (obv. more complicated/puffed than a choc chip cookie). The middle was just the right amount of soft and the outsides were slightly slightly crisp. Perfection.
When I stopped in the other day it was cold and rainy so I decided on a grilled cheese.. tossed in some ham for a little extra moola.. and some tomato bisque for dunking (naturally). The grilled cheese was really good.. but after working at my own cafe I felt the need to throw in spinach and tomato. Regrets.. maybe I can ask next time if they have the supplies. My napkin however was ill-placed under my sammy and the cheese compromised its integrity. No worries.. napkin dispenser to the rescue (which I noticed the upstairs didn't have during office hours. I used the decorative paper from a present to wipe my hands then.. lol). The tomato bisque came with focaccia and it was just okay. I'm not sure if it was because I was sitting under the ceiling fan (high ceilings though) but the soup was just warm not rainy-day-piping-hot-and-comforting. Was there a half sandwhich/cup of soup combo? That would have been divine. I wouldn't have had to hobble out (oooh tummy fullll) and perhaps I wouldn't have spent $10 (well it was $9 and change.. but the rest went into the tip jar of course!). Prices are okay but breakfast looks like a great deal.
The service was great. The cashier was very friendly and kept her eye on the floor, bussing tables when necessary. The dude that made my sandwich and scooped my soup offered me more bread when he realized the focaccia piece looked a little small. Thanks friend, but with the sandwich I was all breaded out.
The atmosphere reminds me of a friend's new apartment. Cute for now, but needs to get broken in a little bit. In the meantime, the fresh flowers at each table are a lovely touch. There are plugs (2 in fact) at all the tables in the upstairs but I don't know what the wireless sitcheeation is. The cafe is rather clean (as observed from one of their counter seats) but I don't know how I feel about the cupcakes and baked goods being exposed and out in the open. I mean Flour and Mariposa do it, but I just feel like cupcakes should be taken care of to maintain their moistness. Perhaps a glass cover to both protect and tempt?
And I know Crema has lovely untainted windows that open during nice weather, but would it hurt to post their hours somewhere? Did I miss that? Oh and don't forget to bring cash, friends. $10 minimum for credit cards. Semi annoying since I hate carrying cash, but I know how it goes and they even post a sign saying that it helps keep prices down.
Hanging out between 3 and 4 stars for now.. I'm going to give them a lil boost since they're already worlds better than ABP.
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This morning I found myself with an unexpected hour and a half to kill in Harvard Square. I thought to myself, "There must be some sort of cool, comfortable coffeshop where I could sit and sip for a while, something less bustle-y and busy than ABP or Peets." Figured I would take a stroll and see if there was something I hadn't noticed before, or had forgotten. Finding Crema Cafe, which I did not know existed until I walked up on it, was a joy.
First off, as someone who is interested in architecture and design, they did a great job on the space - really nice renovation with attention to detail, leaving a lot of the raw structure of the building exposed. And, not only does it look great, but it is well laid out and comfortable.
Secondly, everything I had was both tasty and fairly priced. I can't speak for the sandwiches or more substantial fare (they looked good, but I did not try them) but what I had was very nice. I ordered a cappuccino, which was nothing revelatory but was definitely up to par, and a toasted homemade english muffin with butter and apricot jam, which was delicious and priced at either $1.25 or $1.75 - I can't remember. Also had a regular (drip) coffee for the road when I left. Everything was quite good and none of the prices struck me as high at all, especially for a place in Harvard Square.
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Crema Cafe has a lot of things going for it. It's a sorely needed addition to Harvard Square, the renovations are lovely, and it has some interesting beverages. Oh, and the bathrooms are spacious and clean.
But I popped in this afternoon to try their birthday cake cupcake, and sadly, it was quite the disappointment. Loved the frosting, which has a nice buttery taste and doesn't slap you in the face with a pound of sugar, but the cake part sucks. It was the most uncupcakey cupcake I've ever had. It was crusty on the outside and overly crumbly and dry on the inside. Actually, it kind of reminded me of a muffin.
I want to like this place, and I'm reserving my final judgment until I've tried a few other items on the menu. But right now, I'm afraid it's just going to be one of those overpriced cafes with mediocre food.
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A new place that opened up on 4/29/08 and I've been there three times already. Excellent coffee from George Howell (the owner of Coffee Connection for those who go back that far) and really good fresh made pasties. The sandwiches are tasty but a bit small, however the prices are much better than Darwin's or High-Rise so that makes up for the size (and I don't need to really eat that much anyway). The staff was friendly and accomodating.
If you were ever in the Au Bon Pan that was formerly here (next to the Brattle Square Florist), you'll be amazed at what they've done with the place. They opened up the ceiling to add extra height and a balcony seating area. Very nice and a great addition to the square. Yay for replacing chains with local shops!
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I pass by this place on my way home from work almost everyday, so I thought to myself one day I was gonna check it out, well today was that day. I stopped in around 2pm and the place was packed. I went over to the counter and asked if they took cards (cause I never have cash) and they do, yay, only downside is it's a $10 minimum, but a drink and a sandwich will easily be more than the required amount, so being lunch time I figured I'd try a sandwich. After studying the huge menu I stood in line and ordered my tea and sandwich in a flash. They're speedy at taking orders. I then hung around and waited for my stuff. Apparently you get your drinks and food at different counters, so make sure you listen for your name. After a few minutes I got my drink then a minute later there was my food. It took a little bit longer to get my stuff than I wanted, but it was lunch time. I really dug the decor of the place with the upstairs, bar, and patio seating, but I took my food for take away. The Almond Earl Grey tea was freaking good, I drink my tea with loads of sugar in it, but this didn't need any, I drank the giant cup in about 5 minutes and kinda thought about getting another one, it was that good. I ate my turkey and Jarlsberg sandwich once I got home, and that was also very, very good. This place might just have become my new Harvard Square hangout.
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