New Syracuse cafe is a no-grainer for bread and coffee lovers
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The Clerk’s House softly opened less than a month ago, but already has regulars raving about it.
It’s been almost a month since the little home behind The Cider Mill restaurant was opened to the Syracuse community as its newest bakery and cafe. It’s as hospitable, cozy and busy as ever, serving homemade sourdough, coffee and other traditional cafe offerings.
The Clerk’s House, located on 4219 Fay Rd., offers a decently sized menu that includes a variety of freshly made artisan breads, craft coffee beverages, bakery items and even a selection of larger bites.
The establishment offers a European feel. The walls are filled with antique mirrors and paintings, and above the wooden beams across the ceiling sits a beautiful stained-glass window.
Early on a Wednesday morning, nearly every table was full of people with coffee in hand and plenty of shareables for the table to enjoy.
One of those patrons was Leah Dashkevich, who made herself cozy in the lounge-style area located in the back corner of the cafe. She’s become a regular and said that on her second visit, the front-of-house staff not only remembered her, but also made her feel right at home.
“He knows my name, I know his name. I’m Leah, he’s Paul,” Dashkevich said. “You know it’s nice every time I come. It’s really sweet.”
It’s not only those thoughtful interactions that keep Dashkevich coming back, but also the warm atmosphere.
“The crowd of people is so nice here too,” Dashkevich said. “Everyone comes and enjoys each other, it’s a great vibe.”
Behind the atmosphere at The Clerk’s House is owner Theresa Seeley and her husband. The pair own both The Cider Mill, and now The Clerk’s House, in back of the parking lot.
Theresa said that opening The Clerk’s House has been a wonderful experience so far.
“We have been very warmly received by the community and just delighted to be open and have such great momentum,” Seeley said.
My Clerk’s House experience
As a coffee lover, I was thrilled to swing by The Clerk’s House and see if it was worth the visit. In a good latte, I am looking for a balanced espresso with a mellow syrup that doesn’t overpower the drink.
Luckily for me, I found exactly what I was looking for. I ordered an iced vanilla latte and my friend Ella ordered an iced chai latte, which she expressed was the perfect balance between the herbal flavors of chai and milk.
My drink had me wishing I ordered a large. The homemade syrups are a huge must as a self-proclaimed coffee connoisseur. The vanilla was subtle yet present and didn’t make my drink too sweet.
The latte paired well with the breakfast wrap I ordered. The homemade wrap was filled with scrambled eggs, maple bacon, whipped ricotta and fig jam. It was a great alternative for my usual breakfast order, a bacon, egg and cheese. The ricotta and fig elevated the wrap, although I was not sure how it was going to taste at first.
Ella purchased a loaf of sourdough and snickerdoodle butter. Both were homemade, and both were delicious.
The cafe is open Wednesday through Monday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Clerk’s House offers such a tasty and cozy experience, and we will be returning with more of our friends.
is Sports Co-Lead Producer of The NewsHouse.