On a recent Saturday morning, my family and I went to brunch at Yorktown’s Persnickety Crane Cafe.
I discovered this little gem the first year I moved to the area while I was looking for kid-friendly places. And kid-friendly it is, with a dedicated play area featuring dolls, toy cars, a pretend kitchen and a ton of books. It kept our kids — and everyone else’s — busy till the food arrived.
I ordered the veggie breakfast bowl, which included an egg frittata, sauteed breakfast potatoes, avocado slices, grape tomatoes and green peppers, drizzled with a delicious garlic sauce. It was perfectly seasoned and filling. I got mine without meat, but there is an option to add bacon, sausage or turkey kielbasa.
My husband indulged his sweet tooth and ordered the French toast. The fluffy order was topped with a hazelnut chocolate spread and tempered with banana slices. The syrup was served on the side.
At its heart, Persnickety Crane is a coffee shop. Though my husband and I rounded out our meals with a regular medium roast, the cafe serves a variety of coffee creations. I’ve previously enjoyed its cappuccino and a Persnickety Mocha. They also serve tea, including a London Fog, which is a classic Earl Grey black tea with lavender or vanilla syrup and steamed milk.
My children ordered kids’ hot chocolates, which came out first in smaller versions of the grown-up mugs. The drinks were the perfect temperature — there were no tears because of burned tongues. The whipped cream on top was a hit, as always.
My 8-year-old enjoyed her Custom Grazer off the kids’ menu. The order lets you choose two items and she picked French toast dippers and fruit. She finished her plate. I chose a mini charcuterie board for my picky 4-year-old. Fruit, crackers and cheese slices came out on a cute round board. The cafe has several other items, including bagels and breakfast burritos. It also serves salads and sandwiches for lunch. Fresh pastries are always available. Service is fast and friendly.
The atmosphere at Persnickety Crane is laid back. No one will look twice if your toddler has a small tantrum, but at the same time, you’ll be able to have a conversation with adults without having to raise your voice.
It’s also a great place for parents who need to get some work done — the play area can keep a child busy for 20 minutes of uninterrupted focus time. I saw a couple of moms with laptops that Saturday morning, who were working while easily keeping an eye on their kids, thanks to the seating arrangement.
Plenty of non-parents also enjoy the cafe. A young couple at a nearby table played chess while waiting on their food, checking the set out from the cafe’s large stock of board games.
The store, in a small strip mall, also hosts numerous events. “Sip and Plant” and “Birdhouse Building” workshops were advertised for early August.
Nour Habib, nour.habib@virginiamedia.com
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If you go
Where: 209 Village Ave C, Yorktown
Hours: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day
Prices: Coffee/tea $3 to $7. Food $5 to $15.
Details: 757-975-7001; persnicketycranecafe.com
