Connecticut's Cafes
Whether as places to eat on the way to a destination or as epicurean destinations in themselves, Connecticut’s cafés offer homemade dishes and delicacies of all varieties, enough to please any palate....
Meraki
Walking through the door to a hearty welcome and playful banter from long-time staff member Heather Hayward isn’t an anomaly. Rather, it’s an extension of the warmth that radiates throughout Meraki in Litchfield, a café where a second-time visitor might be surprised to be greeted by name. But the neighborly vibe that hums throughout the café is no accident. For the husband-and-wife team of Martin and Patty Laure, a mutual love of food came first when the two young chefs met in the early 1990s at the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco. Now, married and with four children, their affection for food and hospitality permeates everything at Meraki.
From the servers’ hospitality to Patty and Martin’s playful dialogue with each other, everyone here embodies the spirit of meraki, a Greek word that is a not easily translated, but the essence of which means to put soul, creativity, and passion into your work. It is, in a sense, allowing your work to become an extension of yourself, and by the time customers leave Meraki, there’s no doubt that the name is appropriate.
“We always loved cooking,” Patty says of herself and Martin. “We looked for a place for over five years in which we felt the community needed something we could offer, and this location has been perfect.” Part of their commitment to their community is demonstrated through their dedication to locally produced ingredients. Patty and Martin work with many local purveyors, such as Shepaug Valley Farm, from whom they source their pork. A list of local suppliers hangs on the wall to let diners know where some of the day’s goods are sourced. While Patty wishes she could source locally throughout the year, she has to acquiesce to the region’s limitations on seasonal vegetables. “It is New England, after all,” she says with a laugh.
Meraki’s offerings range from creative entrées to decadent deserts. It’s a place to meet your friends for coffee and pastries, for a healthy meal enjoyed with kombucha, and seemingly everything in between. Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and vegan diets are all welcome; Meraki meets dietary restrictions with creative and delicious options. “We do it all the time,” Patty says. “Dietary particularities have taken precedent since we opened. It doesn’t have to be difficult, and we don’t make a big deal out of it. We just want to feed people and have them leave feeling better.”
Daily specials and seasonal offerings mean dining at Meraki is always a new experience, but certain favorites stay on the menu year-round, such as the Meraki Porchetta: a fried egg and slices of tomato on a brioche bun, layered with Sriracha aioli and Martin’s own spicy house kimchi. A Filipino-American, many unique menu items call upon Martin’s diverse culinary education drawn from American, European, and Asian influences.
During the summer, avoid the lines that often grow during the lunch hour and call ahead. Meraki prepares to-go orders, whether for lunch or dinner, as well as providing catering services. But the fullest experience has to include soaking up the genial ambiance at Meraki, and for that, you’ll need a seat at one of their tables. “We live heart forward,” Patty says, “and we want to share it with our customers.”
Meraki is open Tuesday–Friday, 7am–6pm, and Saturday 7am-4pm.
Meraki: 239 West St., Litchfield; 860-361-9777
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