BeanBath Café

By Cathy Kiley

I recently discovered a great cafe located in The Southmoore Plaza on Route 512 in Bath. Just passed Southmoore Golf Club, this upscale coffee shop offers fantastic views from its corner location in the plaza and even more fantastic aromas as you walk through its doors.This family-owned and operated cafe has been serving up delicious food and freshly-brewed coffee since February 2011 in an inviting, cozy atmosphere.

I went to BeanBath Cafe the first time with girlfriends who were leaving on an extended trip. For our bon voyage luncheon Bea ordered Classic Eggs Benedict – two poached eggs and Canadian Bacon atop English Muffins with Hollandaise sauce and home fries. This Benedict was delightful. The muffins were lightly toasted and the consistency of the Hollandaise was light and its subtle lemony flavor did not overpower the perfectly poached eggs. Beth chose a Pico Rivera Quesadilla. This fresh butter-cooked tortilla was stuffed with black beans, peppers, onions, avocado, tomato, green chili sauce and cayenne seasoning all smothered in pepper jack cheese and served with sour cream and salsa. I also chose a quesadilla – a Meatlovers Breakfast Quesadilla. This large flour tortilla was stuffed with scrambled eggs, bacon, ham, chorizo, jalapenos (whew! Alot of jalapenos), pepper jack cheese and cayenne sauce with salsa and sour cream on the side. Both of the above quesadillas were huge and very spicy but they were so good. (Have the jalapenos served on the side if you want to control the heat.) The ingredients were all very fresh and tastes lingered long after we gave up and could not eat another bite. We enjoyed the fresh cut home fries that accompanied each dish and were hard-pressed to decide which was best. So, we gave all three choices, as well as Cezanne’s fine friendly service, a big thumbs up! We sipped freshly brewed Spice Island coffee and creamy hot chocolate with lunch which were both piping hot and wonderful.

My husband Tom and I visited for Sunday breakfast a few weeks later and we had to wait for a table. We didn’t mind, however, because we were happy to see the place doing so well. They had a couple of interesting breakfast specials that day. First was a potato skin scramble – loaded potato skins with scrambled eggs and the one I opted for: a Jersey Shore Benedict. This version of Eggs Benedict was made with crabmeat and pork roll (instead of Canadian Bacon) with the same excellent Hollandaise. Now, being a native “Jersey Girl,” I loved this version of the classic dish. New Jerseyans love their pork roll – just the way Pennsylvanians love their scrapple! Tom built his own delicious breakfast of two fresh eggs over easy, sausage and toast. Both dishes were served with chunky crisp potatoes flavored with coarsely ground sea salt.

Quite simply, another great BeanBath meal along with wonderful coffee, all served up by friendly Andrea. Owner Christopher Colvin (a California native) has created a warm ambience with a funky-chic touch at BeanBath. There are polished bamboo floors and imported bamboo and granite counters and self-serve coffee bar where an excellent brew is always fresh and ready. There is seating for about 40 people at multi-sized tables that include a very cool surfboard high-top as well as deep cozy chairs along the window, perfect for admiring the view or enjoying a coffee while catching up on email with BeanBath’s free WiFi. There are also couches behind the dining area where a group of friends or family may gather and seating is increased during warmer weather with al fresco tables overlooking the valley that I understand are perfect for
bird-watching.

Artwork is an eclectic mix of ocean prints on the walls opposite the windows and interesting prints scattered throughout the cafe. Adorable salt and pepper shakers imported from Italy sit on every table.

The bustling kitchen is located behind the counter where Lyn Colvin prepares those interesting breakfast sandwiches, french toast selections, omelets, benedicts, scrambles, frittatas, burritos and quesadillas that are served all day long. For lunch there are wraps, burgers, soups and salads as well as panini and ciabatta sandwiches simply too numerous to describe. I spied Lyn preparing homemade corn chowder and she allowed me a taste. A favorite of mine, this chowder was very hot, savory and had a wonderful consistency – not excessively thickened as is so often the case. There are always fresh, made-from-scratch soups on the menu here.

On weekends, the Colvins transform their unique space into an intimate dining cafe, complete with white linens and background jazz. The ala carte menu changes every week, allowing them to select the freshest ingredients available at the market that week. In addition, BeanBath recently offered a special occasion three course prix fixe meal that included first course choices of: seared scallops with caramelized apples; Spinach, strawberry and avocado salad with strawberry vinaigrette or tomato soup. The main course offered choices of: chicken wrapped in prosciutto and stuffed with dried cherries; salmon glazed with spicy strawberry sauce; filet mignon in chestnut sauce as well as South Indian stuffed bell peppers. All of these entrees were served with potatoes and a fresh vegetable medley. For dessert there were poached pears with raspberry sauce or chocolate lava cake with vanilla sauce. Dinner menus are posted to BeanBath Cafe’s website along with all of their other selections. The Colvins ask that you please make your reservations early for the BeanBath Cafe’s weekend dinners so they may assure every effort is taken to provide a fine dining experience for you and your guests. Alcoholic beverages are not available so feel free to BYOB.

I sat with the owners and asked “why a coffee shop, here, in the middle of nowhere?” Christopher met Lyn (already a blossoming cook) in the Philippines while working in the field of international business. They relocated to the Lehigh Valley where Lyn graduated from the culinary program at Northampton Community College. After finding this interesting location, they decided to combine their love of coffee and food and open the cafe. They and their family are obviously doing something right because on both occasions I visited, BeanBath Cafe was busy.

BeanBath Cafe has much to offer. Please give it a try. Along with finely prepared fresh menu selections and delicious Metropolis Coffee (out of Chicago), there is a very pleasant, bustling atmosphere and plenty of onsite parking. The menu is available for take-out and call ahead orders (as well as coffee) can be picked up at their convenient drive-thru window. Also, BeanBath Cafe offers an “Early Bird Special” until about 9:00 AM which is particularly convenient for golfers at nearby Southmoore Golf Club.

The BeanBath Cafe at 2425 Plaza Court is open daily serving breakfast all day and lunch after 11:00 a.m. Dinner is served every Friday and Saturday (again, reservations requested). Call 484.287.BEAN or log onto: beanbathcafe.com for menu and additional information.