I have two dreams in life: 1. To open and run a little cafe. 2. To start a farm. Today, let’s explore dream number one, an idea a college friend and I have been scheming for years.
The cafe might be called something like Olalie, open for breakfast and lunch daily from 6am to 3pm. My friend, a lovely girl, would run the front of the house, wooing customers with her big smile and California charm. I would be the devil in the back of the house, running a tight ship, raising hell when my little culinary student interns burn the croissants and overcook the oatmeal. And if all goes as planned, around 10 am everyday, when the grunt work is completed, my friend and I would turn the reins over to our obedient staff while we dipped biscotti in our cappuccinos and read the newspaper on our sunlit patio.
At Olalie, we would serve coffee and tea, homemade muffins and scones, wood-burning-oven-baked breads and pizzas, salads and soups, house-made granola and steel cut oatmeal. Maybe even delicious creations such as the sandwich pictured above. All of our ingredients would, of course, come from local farmers or Fair Trade vendors and would change with the seasons, peaches in the summer, persimmons in the fall. I have yet to create our signature, Olalie coffee cake, but I suppose I still have a time.
I know, I know. Let me dream.
The projected grand opening of Olalie Cafe and Bakery is September 2020. I’ve heard, however, one can never be too prepared. And so, I’ve started to draft our marketing material:
This folder, created in 2003, holds all of the recipes we will use at Olalie’s.
With any luck, our cafe will draw a loyal following, much like San Francisco’s Tartine:
And, after years of honing our skills as restaurateurs, we will turn that folder of recipes into a fantastic cookbook. I am so excited about my latest purchase: The Tartine Cookbook:
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Comments ( 46 )
Patsyk added these pithy words on Oct 24 08 at 9:13 amWhat a fantastic (and well-thought out) dream! If I lived near you, I am sure I’d be one of your “regulars”!
VeggieGirl added these pithy words on Oct 24 08 at 9:38 amGo after those dreams, Alexandra!!! They ARE attainable!!! Hooray!!! :0)
Helene added these pithy words on Oct 24 08 at 9:51 amYou never know this may happened sooner than you think. I love going out for breakfast.
Maria added these pithy words on Oct 24 08 at 10:00 amI have the same dream…looks like you are well on your way. Do it!! I love Tartine! The bakery is fabulous and the cookbook is too! Enjoy!
Cassoulet Cafe added these pithy words on Oct 24 08 at 10:05 amWhat a dream! I love it! And if you make it come true, I’ll come and eat there!
rg added these pithy words on Oct 24 08 at 10:26 amYou are very well prepared! It doesn’t have to just be a dream. I used to own a cafe, 10 years ago. All you need is passion and guts. With your skills as a cook/baker, I would cross country in a heartbeat to visit
The Food Librarian added these pithy words on Oct 24 08 at 10:44 amAll dreams start someplace and you have a great folder! I love Tartine. I made the lemon meringue cake once and it was so good! Have fun and we’ll all be first in line at your shop when it does open!
Mama JJ added these pithy words on Oct 24 08 at 11:11 amI, for one, will certainly NOT sneeze at your ideas. I’m all for ideas and dreams and making scones and eating biscotti…
-JJ
The Blonde Duck added these pithy words on Oct 24 08 at 11:52 amI’ll be there! Better yet, I’ll write press releases and stories for the papers for ya’ll!
I love the egg picture.
Julie added these pithy words on Oct 24 08 at 12:10 pmWow,I have the same dream as well. To be honest your sign makes me want to go, no matter what you serve.
Maris added these pithy words on Oct 24 08 at 12:18 pmUM. I have one dream now. To eat at your cafe!
Lisa added these pithy words on Oct 24 08 at 12:28 pmGood for you! I would love to eat there.
Karen added these pithy words on Oct 24 08 at 12:41 pmDo it!
OMG – that fried egg BLT. Mmmmm!
noble pig added these pithy words on Oct 24 08 at 5:53 pmFollow and chase your dreams, it’s what makes life more palatable.
ttfn300 added these pithy words on Oct 24 08 at 6:25 pmtalk about food porn! I’d make the trip to olalie for sure
Bunny added these pithy words on Oct 24 08 at 6:56 pmYou go girl!! Do It!! It sounds like it’s under way! If you bake …they will come!
Emiline added these pithy words on Oct 24 08 at 7:46 pmMay your dreams come true! I’ll come eat breakfast at your place.
I want that cookbook!
Jacque added these pithy words on Oct 24 08 at 7:51 pmSounds like a wonderful dream
Manggy added these pithy words on Oct 24 08 at 9:02 pmHah! When you dream, you are certainly very thorough! I do not think it’s a pipe dream, though. It can happen! All’s we needs izza buncha investors
I’ll be first in line when it opens (hopefully I’ll be in the area!)
Bellini Valli added these pithy words on Oct 25 08 at 3:45 amDreams do happen!!!!!!!!!!!
katie added these pithy words on Oct 25 08 at 5:42 amYou are so cute! I have that dream too, but then I think about the real life amount of work running a small mom and pop cafe would take and I change my mind. Actually, my current dream is to do the personal chef thing. But that is many many moons out.
giz added these pithy words on Oct 25 08 at 6:18 amThe baby step approach is a sound one. My favourite part is watching the obedients carry out your vision while you dip biscotti in cappucino – I’m there for that part.
RecipeGirl added these pithy words on Oct 25 08 at 6:44 amDo it! Do it! Sounds perfectly dreamy.
I’m up in Washington right now visiting my sis and yesterday we went to a popular cupcake bakery called Hello, Cupcake. Now I want to open a cupcake bakery. It was terribly cute!
mikky added these pithy words on Oct 25 08 at 10:51 amthe marketing material looks great… the sandwich, even better… go for it…
Grace added these pithy words on Oct 25 08 at 12:44 pmit sounds to me like you’re well on your way to making your dream a reality! keep up the progress–it’s inspiring.
biz319 added these pithy words on Oct 25 08 at 3:58 pmI’d be your first customer! Everything looks so good!
Clumbsy Cookie added these pithy words on Oct 25 08 at 4:01 pmYou’re so funny! What a lovely post and lovely dream. I’ll sure be a client if you let me dip some biscotti in cappuccino too!
The Blonde Duck added these pithy words on Oct 25 08 at 4:12 pmThere’s a surprise for you on my blog!
Joe Horn added these pithy words on Oct 25 08 at 6:52 pmKeep working at it and work for as many other restaurant owners as you can. My wife and I own a place much like what you are describing (we never get to sit down and eat anything together though, haha.) It was her dream since she was a child and it took her until she was 34, but we have a successful business of 6 years next month and hopefully another location next year.
You can do it!
Bates added these pithy words on Oct 25 08 at 7:31 pmyay! i love it!
Sharon added these pithy words on Oct 25 08 at 10:28 pmI absolutely love this post. I’ve also always wanted to open up a cafe/bakery, but it’s literally just in my head. Your logo and idea are amazing.
Angsana added these pithy words on Oct 25 08 at 10:48 pmDream, hope and then reality!
I LOVE your blog! and the pictures you take are just out of this world!
I’m bookmarking you!!
Foodycat added these pithy words on Oct 26 08 at 2:38 amAt least with a projected opening date of 2020 it gives me time to save up to be there! And you’d better be serving that sandwich young lady…
Rosa's Yummy Yums added these pithy words on Oct 26 08 at 3:30 amWe share the same dreams! Fabulous!
I hope one of them comes true someday!
Cheers,
Rosa
Kim added these pithy words on Oct 26 08 at 5:56 amI have no doubt your dream will be here much sooner than 2020! Go for it! You give me hope, and I think all of us who dream could learn a lesson or two about planning our dreams from you. Thank you.
HangryPants added these pithy words on Oct 26 08 at 3:53 pmHi, Your blog was recommended to me by Hil of Blueberry Hil and now I know why! I can’t believe you don’t already have a cafe. Everything you’ve made looks wonderful!
Peter M added these pithy words on Oct 26 08 at 5:51 pmIf that’s what you want – go for it. I’m excited just thinking of the possibilities of your project. Tuck some cash away and keep on dreaming, that day will come.
hot garlic added these pithy words on Oct 26 08 at 6:41 pmA girl can dream!! I love your enthusiasm and plans. Your mock-up is great. When it does happen {which it will!} it will certainly be well thought out!
Prudy added these pithy words on Oct 26 08 at 8:16 pmI can imagine the lines going out the door and into the streets. I hope it happens- and sooner than 2020.
Apples and Butter added these pithy words on Oct 27 08 at 8:38 amLooks like you have a good road map going! I hope to live in San Francisco one day and if that’s where you set up shop, I will definitely be by!
farida added these pithy words on Oct 27 08 at 1:49 pmWhat a great dream! Go for it! I am sure if you have the passion and perseverance you can do it!
Jenny added these pithy words on Oct 27 08 at 2:47 pmHow exciting! I love all the plans you’ve come up with. I’d love coming to your cafe!!
The Blonde Duck added these pithy words on Oct 30 08 at 5:13 amI loved your candy corn haiku!
Sarah added these pithy words on Oct 30 08 at 6:32 pmAli, we miss you back here, so much. I know I’m not the only one that tries to ‘keep up’ with you. Thank you for your shout outs, and I applaud your dreams!
Chris added these pithy words on Dec 06 08 at 6:52 pmHi A – really enjoying your blog. I’m in Escondido married to a 1st Med. Battallion officer. Nice to hear all the references to local sources. Thanks for the entertainment and good luck making Olalie happen!!
alexandra's kitchen added these pithy words on Dec 06 08 at 11:49 pmThanks Chris! Nice to meet you, virtually anyway. I wish I knew more about the area — I’ve been here for almost a year now but have yet to do as much exploring as I would like. I’ve been meaning to make a day trip to Escondido.
