Find an old-world vibe (and a delectable dessert) at Café Intermezzo
By Gray Chapman
Based on the cafés of 19th century Vienna, Café Intermezzo’s dimly lit décor, European vibe and intimate ambiance drew me in right away. So-called “European cafés” are a dime-a-dozen in any large city, but Intermezzo doesn’t simply pin its authenticity on trading the word “large” for “venti.” Unlike most of the coffeehouses one might find in Midtown or Buckhead, Intermezzo has an old-world charm that seems to take you back in time as soon as you walk through the door.
Consider the drink menu, which could easily be confused for a mixology textbook.
Topping out at nearly 50 pages, it presents a comprehensive list of any coffee, tea or alcoholic beverage you could possibly think of (and some you couldn’t). The coffee section alone spans several pages, featuring works of beverage art like the Cioccoloccino, a mug of Dutch chocolate, steamed cream and
espresso, garnished with cocoa powder. The Cioccoloccino is one of the most sinfully delicious hot drinks I’ve ever had the luxury of tasting — and, according to one of the managers at Intermezzo, it’s one of the most frequently ordered drinks on the entire menu.
Another expertly crafted drink that gets a lot of attention is the café’s namesake concoction, the Café Intermezzo-espresso: steamed cream and essence of almond with a garnish of cocoa powder and almond slices. The menu is full of these liquid delicacies and the hardest part is choosing one out of the myriad of options.
If you’re really in the mood for some indulgence, take a stroll by the dessert counter in the middle of the restaurant. The stunning array of sweets, artfully arranged beneath the glass, will probably be overwhelming at first. Luckily for you, a dessert expert awaits to answer your questions about any of the pies, cheesecakes, tortes, cakes and tarts that might strike your fancy. The options change each day, but some things remain consistent — like the incredible taste, quality and richness of each individual dessert. The café also has a full food menu, but the tantalizing desserts and drinks tend to steal the show.
Café Intermezzo has long been heralded by Atlanta publications like Creative Loafing as the quintessential date spot, and rightly so. Not only does the dark, quiet restaurant have an intimate feel; it seems to have an otherworldly quality, as though you’ve gone back two centuries. However, the café is not, like many dessert places, oversaturated with a cheesy romanticism, nor is it a couples-only atmosphere. One can feel just as comfortable visiting the café alone, armed only with a mug of cappuccino and a newspaper (or, since the café now boasts wireless Internet, a laptop). The variety of clientele opens the atmosphere to just about anyone. Whether you feel like going to Intermezzo to woo your date with a slice of chocolate heaven, or more like sitting in a dark corner brooding while sipping espresso and reading Kafka, you’ll feel right at home.
For more information, visit the Web site www.cafeintermezzo.com.
