It’s easy to spot the Black Cat Café along Main Street in Irvington. A reproduction of Steinlen’s famous poster of a green-eyed black cat against a red moon (made for the old Chat Noir in Paris) takes over part of the narrow storefront window. A black cat also has a personal connection for the owner, Emily Feliciano. The name immortalizes Sabbath, her late, black 24-year-old cat.
The shop’s window also displays pots of organic herbs, and I wouldn’t be surprised if organic catnip was the key to Sabbath’s longevity.
A conservationist who has an eye to personal nutrition, Ms. Feliciano carefully chooses her ingredients for her coffees, soups, hot and cold sandwiches, salads and baked goods. Her selection is good, good for you and good for the planet. The cafe’s international beans are Fair Trade or Rainforest Alliance Certified; that is, grown to strict environmental and social standards. A list of beverage choices includes cappuccino, mocha, espresso macchiato and frothy dark chocolate, perhaps with mint.
Compact as it is, this storefront that seats about two dozen satisfies a range of appetites. A glass case displays cookies and pastries. Sandwiches come with salad or chips, and on seven-grain, whole wheat, ciabatta, kaiser and club rolls. More than a dozen fillings include grilled cheddar, spicy lime chicken, turkey or all vegetarian. Offerings are seasonal.
The cafe opens early enough for commuters. During the day, the laptop crowd can enjoy a wireless Internet connection, and later, parents can stop by with their children and leave with a suppertime dish for home.
Black Cat Café, 45 Main Street, Irvington; (914) 231-9060 or www.blackcatchef.com. Open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, later on weekends and during the summer.
