Spring Break
Wafflerie dishes out best treats this side of the Atlantic
Jessica Leung
Issue date: 10/24/08 Section: Arts & Entertainment
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Located in three convenient Center City hotspots (130 S. 17th St., 922 Walnut St. and 1315 Walnut St.), this underground European-style café offers a variety of choices.
Bonté Wafflerie & Café serves their notorious Belgian waffles along with an assortment of sandwiches and paninis starting at $6.99, salads at $7.29 and a range of iced and hot beverages beginning at just $1.99.
The original Bonté waffle is just $2.75, though they also offer a selection of mix-ins which include strawberries, blueberries, bananas, white or dark chocolate, walnuts and pecans for an extra 50 cents. And if you're feeling even more adventurous or hungry, I recommend going for the waffle and ice cream combo, two large scoops of ice cream topped over a piping hot waffle, then drizzled with caramel and chocolate sauce all for only $5.50.
Not only are the prices affordable, but this café offers wonderful customer service. The staff will gladly talk to you, and when a waffle is delivered to a table, an employee will come over and personally offer to drizzle chocolate sauce over the waffle, making the experience even more memorable.
But don't think of this place as your normal breakfast café. These waffles are more of a treat than your typical morning meal item. Different than the classic batter found at the supermarket or a local breakfast joint, Bonte's secret recipe consists of a batter that resembles firm dough like consistency, as opposed to a liquid batter. This dough is then pressed into a waffle iron after being coated with a unique Belgian sugar that resembles sesame seeds. The sugar gives the waffle a crunchy texture on the outside, while adding a sweet flavor to be infused into the waffle.
Bonté's specialty is very dense compared to the standard Belgian waffle found in the United States. Not as light and airy as our Americanized version, these Belgian treats offer a crispy outer layer and a soft chewy inside. Sweeter than the average waffle found here, the taste is quite similar to eating a funnel cake or fried dough. These sugary pleasures are pressed into a five-inch by five inch square that is perfect for a quick snack or after-dinner filler. Unlike other rich desserts such as ice-cream or cheesecake that leave you wanting more, one waffle is sure to satisfy that insatiable taste bud.
Open seven days a week, Bonté Wafflerie & Café gives its customers plenty of time to drop in. After a long day of shopping or looking to put the perfect end to a great date, stop by and enjoy dessert at a table for two or take a seat at the counter. Relax, listen to the techno music playing softly in the background and have a taste of Belgium.
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