Athom: Where Dignity Matters
Athom opened in the Bushwick / Bed-Stuy neighborhood about three years ago. It was the first spot in that neighborhood to have things like paninis, fresh baked croissants, good espresso and ingredients like roasted red peppers, caramelized onions, brie, etc. I must tell you, as a resident of that neighborhood I was shocked when it first opened. I mean, at the time the fanciest cheese you could get at the grocery store was Boar’s Head pepper jack, so to me a café like Athom was unfathomable.
But that was then, and this is now. A lot has changed in that neighborhood, but Athom has stayed the same. The owner, Jerome, still wakes up before the crack of dawn to bake his breads and start preparing for the day to come. He still puts coffee ice cubes in his iced-coffee, still makes sure every dish looks good, and still has a better kitchen than any other restaurant near his establishment. And he’s still there every day.
As far as prices go, you can definitely get a cheaper, larger sandwich at the bodega. But as far as quality goes, you can’t find anything better. And in reality, if you compared Athom’s prices to those in Williamsburg, this place is a steal. You can have a massive breakfast here (ex: an omelette, potatoes, salad, croissant and coffee) and pay about $10, or you can get one of the paninis and pay $8. But Jerome has something you can’t price, and that’s the pride and dignity he puts in his work.
So next time you’re in the bushwick / Bed-Stuy area and looking for a place to get breakfast, go to Athom. You will not be disappointed.
Athom Cafe
1096 Broadway (Between De Kalb Ave. and Dodworth St.)
[Bed-Stuy]
Image From Yelp.com
