The Triangle

Issue date: 2/5/10 Section: Arts & Entertainment

Media Credit: Melissa Cell Located at the corner of 16th and Pine Streets, La Citadelle offers a selection of delicious cafe dishes such as paninis, pastries and a selection of coffee drinks.

To get away from the stress of school, I headed south of Walnut St. in hopes of finding a hidden getaway that many had raved about online. I made my way in the blistering cold until I spotted the quaint La Citadelle at the corner of 16th and Pine in the middle of a quiet residential neighborhood. I had high hopes of this place being my one escape this weekend, but I left unsatisfied.

Upon entering the small café with green apple colored window sidings and small tables crammed together, there were four customers in their mid-twenties to early thirties who seemed to be enjoying their time in a relaxed atmosphere. Soon enough, the sound of exotic French music blaring over the speakers and the boss yelling into the telephone took away from the ambiance. But it wasn't just the noise that drew me away from this place, it was the fact that I felt somewhat out of place. The customers who frequented the place seemed to be a little older than I expected.

I stood waiting to order from a small selection of coffee specials, baked goods and sandwiches. Lunch that day consisted of a panini, a cappuccino and an almond cookie. I indulged in the "Classique Panini" which contained slices of smoked turkey breast, plum tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese and pesto all pressed between crunchy French bread. The panini was decent, but nothing spectacular. All the ingredients complimented each other, but I had hoped there would be more of the basil pesto flavor present to give the sandwich something more. In the end, it appeared to be a typical turkey sandwich. Other options include grilled chicken, roasted vegetables and tuna.

Luckily, there was still more to the meal that made a better impression. The almond cookie was delectable and something I would recommend. Similar to shortbread, this crispy cookie was rich in butter with a hint of almond flavoring.

Lastly, the coffee was probably the best part of the meal. At $2.75 for 12oz, the cappuccino I ordered made my experience a little more worthwhile. The combination of espresso and foamed milk produced a creamy yet sweet, roasted flavor. If it makes a difference, La Citadelle uses La Columbe coffee which is a local coffee roasting company who assure patrons they produce quality beans.

The rest of the beverage list consisted of the standard filtered coffee, latte, Americano, espresso and the likes. A regular 12oz coffee starts at just $1.50 and increases a little more with the other drinks that take longer to prepare. Sandwiches range from $6-$7, and baked goods start at $.50. Prices are relatively cheap, but the only thing worth ordering is the coffee. Keep in mind that this place only accepts cash, so it's best to find an ATM beforehand.

La Citadelle is open Monday-Friday 7a.m.-6p.m. and Saturday-Sunday 9a.m.-6p.m.

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