605 Centre St, Jamaica Plain; (617) 522-2223
A few doors away, Coffee Cantata offers far more than coffee and pastries surprising for a place this small. Wrap-around windows give the place an airy feel, though, making this a great place to sit at a marble-top table with a cuppa java and watch the world go by.
On a summer stop-in, Mine sipped an iced mocha, its cool whipped cream spruced with chunky chocolate shavings, for $2.50; he accompanied this with a sandwich of smoked ham on focaccia bread with cheese, roasted red pepper, romaine, tomato, and a side of chips, all for $3.45. There are vegetarian versions, too. Several small pizzas, also on focaccia, feature toppings like tomato, artichoke hearts, red pepper, mozzarella, and herbs for $5.25.
Dinner is served after 6:30 P.M. Thursdays through Saturdays only, but this leans toward the pricey side. Under glass at the counter are the Cantata’s own desserts, most in the $2.50 range, including a yummy apple crisp torte. Muffins and slices of cranberry banana bread are a buck each. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 7 P.M. Mondays through Wednesdays, til 9 P.M. Thursdays and Fridays; 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.M. Saturdays, and 9-3 on Sundays.
