New Left Bank Cafe and Lounge opens doors

The Left Bank Apartments are becoming even more posh with the new addition of Intermezzo Cafe and Lounge.

Owner David Stratton opened the restaurant, which is located at 3131 Walnut Street, to the public on June 19. He had originally wanted the cafe to open its doors before students left for the summer.

"Initially I wanted to open on the fifteenth of May to catch the student population leaving," Stratton said. "I didn't expect to open this time of year, but it's been a blessing because everything has gone wrong."

Despite the unforeseen problems, Intermezzo is now ready for business as it beckons passersby with an array of coffee choices and "light" foods as well as Internet access.

"I have dataports everywhere. You can sit outside as well [as inside] and if you have a wireless card, you're on the Internet," Stratton said. "I can have 20 people downloading in here at the same time."

But Stratton does not want to stop there. He also wants the cafe to turn into a bar at night. He hopes to obtain a liquor license by the end of July and anticipates the it to be in place by September 1st.

Although Stratton wants to provide his costumers with "grab and go" food, he also wants the cafe to be a lounge -- as implied by its name.

"I want it to be a hangout place -- the people that come in the door make it happen," Stratton said.

Penn real estate spokesman Tony Sorrentino thinks that the design of the cafe helps set the atmosphere for a hangout place.

"The decor really creates a mood," Sorrentino said.

The decor, as Stratton describes it, is modern and not so dissimilar to the Left Bank's decorative quality.

"The floor is a jigsaw of geometrics. I decided to do a sophisticated warm European style," Stratton said.

He offers heavy foods typically served at European cafes as well as light and balanced choices. And, of course, the Italian Ciao Bella ice cream is a favorite on the menu.

"I want to be somewhat flexible with the food," Stratton said. "It's a time sensitivity issue so people can relax and do what they came to do as well as grab and go."

In addition, Stratton plans on having Kosher menu selections and is also looking into serving sushi.

And so far, the kosher food has received rave reviews.

"The Chocolate Mud cake is out of this world -- not for the faint of heart," Left Bank resident Gale Squire claimed.

Stratton claims that coffee is his specialty. And that is why he chose to brew Peet's Coffee.

"I am a coffee nut," Stratton said. "If I [serve] it, I want to do it well. Coffee is more different than people give it credit for."

Stratton not only wants his coffee to be the best quality, but also wants to give his customers an all around high quality experience. He expects regular costumers from the local schools and the Left Bank to frequent his cafe.

Because of its location, Stratton is confident that Intermezzo will become a popular hangout.

But Squire feels differently.

"I think it might have some difficulty because of its location. There just isn't much in the two block radius," Squire commented.

Left Bank concierge Edward Bowman -- a Philadelphia resident -- believes that all the retail spaces near the Left Bank will help push business westward.

"I think it's certainly going to help University City, Drexel, Penn as well as the Left Bank Community," Bowman said.

Picnic employee Stephen agrees that the cafe will be a helpful addition to the neighborhood.

"I think it complements [our store] really well -- we don't do espresso or capuccinos -- we are more of a market," Stephen said.

As of now, the cafe is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the weekdays and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the weekends. However, Stratton added that the hours will expand when he receives a liquor license.

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