Find an intimate atmosphere, comfy couch and great dessert at Après Diem
By Gray Chapman
Situation: you have a date with that edgy, cool printmaking major. She’s left the “where to” up to you, and now the pressure is on. You’re looking for somewhere that’s urbane enough to impress her, but not so pretentious that she can’t take you seriously. Somewhere artsy and unique, perhaps with a chic atmosphere and enough coffee to satisfy any art school date. Café Intermezzo? A bit overplayed, with an overwhelming drink menu that just might break the bank. Somewhere in reliable old Little Five Points? Maybe, but you might not want your sophisticated Klee versus Kandinsky discussion interrupted by a throng of loud teenagers. Perhaps Octane? A great choice, but chances are you’ll see half of your Life Drawing class lounging on the sofas next to you. So what’s a romantic, cultured art student to do?
Enter Après Diem. Located at 931 Monroe Drive, the café/bistro offers a well-rounded menu of aperitifs, beverages and desserts. The secluded spot is also known for its rather intimate ambience, where traditional tables and chairs are replaced with lounge pillows and coffee tables. Après Diem maintains an artsy feel without getting too pompous — the bistro is known to host regular small-scale exhibitions in its gallery-meets-dessert bar atmosphere. And best of all, the spot is remarkably private, hidden behind a shopping center by the Midtown Arts Cinema. That way you can enjoy your espresso without fear of feeling like you’re still in the Hub with the rest of the school.
You can set the scene by starting off with the brie and baguette appetizer — shared, of course. While luxuriously sampling the French cheese will feel très chic, the fact that you’re sitting on pillows or easy chairs keeps things from feeling too forced or uptight.
When picking entreés, the budget-conscious can find a worthy selection among the sandwiches. Rather than spending $15-20 on a plate, one can order the gourmet-quality smoked trout baguette or chicken focaccia for a little less than $8. The pasta assortment is another option — the salmon farfelle offers quality taste for less than $9.
Of course, you’ll need to save room for dessert. If you’re dining on a dime but still want to impress your companion, skip to the end and try a pastry with coffee. Après Diem offers a varying selection of desserts. The options are presented in a pastry case and change from day to day. And the best part? Prices range from $4.50-5.50.
With ambient music and a relatively quiet crowd, you’ll be eating and conversing over a background soundtrack of muted conversation and cool down-tempo beats. Check it out on a Wednesday night, when the bar offers free live jazz for its clientele. Après Diem stays open until 2 a.m. on the weekends, so you’ll be free to sip your Mochaccino Blanc late into the evening. And while you’re in the area, check out the café’s next-door neighbor, the Midtown Arts Cinema. You can top off your date night with the latest independent film and (more) espresso at the theater’s coffee bar.
For more information, including menu, directions and hours, check out Après Diem’s Web site at www.apresdiem.com
