Fresh-baked cafe
By Bobbi Mlynar
Originally published 01:20 p.m., October 30, 2007
Updated 01:20 p.m., October 30, 2007
Someone needs to bottle the aroma that greets customers walking into Amanda’s Bakery and Cafe.
Owner Amanda Johnston gets up at 3:30 every morning to make all the breads, cinnamon rolls and cookies from scratch, and get pots of soup simmering on the stove.
Johnston opened the new downtown shop in the Kress Building, 702 Commercial St., on Oct. 22, after deciding that operating a restaurant would be a good fit for her.
“I’ve just always enjoyed it,” said Johnston, who watches Food Network shows for entertainment. “I used to watch my grandma cook in the kitchen and I always liked to help her out a lot.”
On Monday of this week, she had made seven loaves of wheat bread, four of sunflower, two giant “crunch” loaves and four baguettes, and pots of soup that emptied out quickly. That’s the way it has been since Amanda’s opened.
“It was so funny, though, because I thought we’ll have a nice quiet opening and get the hang of things, and that didn’t happen at all,” Johnston said. “That first week was really hard. It’s starting to get better; it’s feeling smoother.”
The restaurant offers cinnamon rolls, fresh homemade granola and fresh fruit for a light breakfast.
“We try to keep it pretty simple,” she said. “Our main focus is lunch. I don’t want to exhaust myself.”
Lunch brings eight types of sandwiches made on homemade bread, along with soups, pasta salads, chips, fresh fruit and potato salads.
“I do that kind of for myself,” Johnston said, laughing. “Got to eat something healthy — otherwise, I’d probably just make cookies.”
In addition to the standard sandwiches, Johnston plans to feature a monthly panini. This month’s was a Tuscan panini and next month’s feature likely will be a portabella sandwich.
“Usually we have tomato basil (soup) every day, because that’s really popular,” she said.
“I try to make cheesy potato and broccoli once a week” and chili and other soups will work their way in and out of the menu.
Johnston gained some experience in the soup-and-sandwich trade by working at Three Fools restaurant and, briefly, at Phoebe’s Cafe and Cakes. She realized that the town wanted that type of lunch fare after Three Fools’ owner closed the business.
“All I heard from people was ‘We miss your bread, we miss your bread,’” she said. “It’s always been in the back of my mind that I might kinda like to have a bakery. ...Apparently there’s a need for this.”
Once the project began, Johnston said it felt it took forever to complete.
The wooden floor that wasn’t practical for a restaurant was removed, and replaced with a ceramic tile floor. The high-ceilinged room was repainted and extensive plumbing and electrical work was done to make the cooking and cleaning possible. The walls are decorated with photographs by Dave Leiker, which will be offered for sale soon.
The store previously was occupied by The Embroidery Machine, which has moved across the foyer.
Johnston’s father, John Mallon, was in charge of the remodeling project, and her mother, Sophie Mallon, has been helping with the dishes and busing tables.
Alex Johnston comes in on his lunch break and runs the cash register.
“I’m so lucky to have a husband who’s willing to do that,” Johnston said.
Three two-person tables have been set up in the foyer for overflow customers, and the restaurant itself seats 34, including tables with chairs, plus a long counter with bar stools that spans the south window.
In addition to breakfasts and lunches, Johnston also makes baguettes of bread to sell in long, slender paper sacks.
“I used to try to make them freeform and they looked like snakes,” she said. “I’ve got a pan so they don’t go all crazy on me.”
Johnston doesn’t expect the menu will deviate appreciably from the foods she’s serving now. Healthy eating, with a few sweet treats, is the plan.
“I don’t have a fryer,” she said. “I don’t plan on frying anything. I don’t want to clog people’s arteries.”
scrutinizer (anonymous) says...
Yum! I did not know this place existed but I will definitely be checking it out. And what a great location.
Good luck in your venture. And keep it healthy.
October 30, 2007 at 3:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Flips (anonymous) says...
Another really great "positive" for Emporia!!!!!!
And I love they have food for vegetarians!!!!
We have not been able to eat there yet-but have only heard very positive things from those who have eaten there!!!!!
Can't wait to try them!
October 30, 2007 at 3:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kansasphog (anonymous) says...
Great food & great people. The ONLY downside I have seen is the wait in line can be a little long. Trust me though, the food is worth the wait! Her bread is top notch! I got a full sandwich with no sides and I was full by the end of the meal.
Best wishes to you & your business Amanda! Thanks for opening up shop.
I will be in often!
October 30, 2007 at 3:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hottopics (anonymous) says...
Just what the town needs. Goodbye fast food crud. Im on my way to the Kress Center.
October 30, 2007 at 4:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
landinkansas (anonymous) says...
Sounds great. We'll be home for a week at Thanksgiving. I can't wait to try it.
October 30, 2007 at 6:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hjcary (anonymous) says...
Your cafe sounds wonderful! Thank you for taking on such a big job. Downtown needs more places to eat. I no longer live in Emporia but I will encourage my parents to eat lunch there. They own a business downtown so you would be close to them.
October 30, 2007 at 8:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
NicoleN (anonymous) says...
Amanda is very good at what she does! She is very passionate about providing great food and options, and it really shows. Great job on the new opening and achieving a dream!
October 30, 2007 at 11:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sciguy (anonymous) says...
Definitely going to try it out. The closing of Phoebe's was really unfortunate, and I hope that this new place fills that niche.
It is also very nice to see that the Kress building will be getting new use. It is such a beautiful and classic building, I think this restaurant is the right match.
October 31, 2007 at 12:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Absolute (anonymous) says...
I went this morning for breakfast and it was great. Wonderful atmosphere. I had the granola and it was good.
October 31, 2007 at 12:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tosie (anonymous) says...
Congrats on this Amanda!!! I think it was a wonderful idea and will definitely be in to try it out!
October 31, 2007 at 2:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AmandasBakery (anonymous) says...
Amanda and I (Alex) would like to say a BIG thank you to all of you who have come out to see us not only today but in the past week. We greatly appreciate all the wonderful compliments and comments we have been receiving from everyone. Thank you all so much for your patience and understanding, good things take time, and freshness sometimes means that we run out of things before the day is over. We apologize to any of you who were not able to get exactly what you wanted, Amanda will be doing her best to increase her daily baking to meet the growing demand over the next few weeks. Please be advised that if you would like to purchase a loaf of bread, Amanda would appreciate it if you would let her know which kind you would like, one day in advance, she will have it freshly baked and ready for you the next day. Thank you all again so very much we are grateful for such a wonderful community.
October 31, 2007 at 6:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
traceygraham (Tracey Graham) says...
Truly a great positive for downtown! Thanks Amanda and Alex fro bringing such delicious and wholesome food to us! I've really missed Three Fools since it closed and am delighted to be able to get excellent sandwiches downtown again. The breads are wonderful (I've tried the sunflower wheat and the Tuscan), the sandwiches are VERY hearty, and I look forward to trying the soups! Deeeeeelish!
November 1, 2007 at 12:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Bigearl2 (anonymous) says...
I will be by next week for lunch ! I have an idea for you ! Create a meal that taste good and that is good for you and your business will doule because a lot of people like myself should not eat some of the fast food due to it is not good for us. If you advertise that you would fix a meal for lunch and dinner and deliver it , you would make a killing. Good healthy meals , that would cut down our fat and calorie intake. I will be in next week to see you !
November 1, 2007 at 4:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
I stopped by yesterday. The soup was gone, but I did have a sandwich and salad. It was quite good. I'll be going back for the soup, especially since I found out they make spicy black bean and tomato basil.
I think once they get the logistics of the operation squared away it's going to be very good.
My wife and I used to frequent the Three Fools Cafe when it was in business. This place is somewhat like that, just a bit more upscale. I'd prefer something grittier, but Amanda's still a vast improvement over the fast food and junk burgers.
November 1, 2007 at 4:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
momus (anonymous) says...
I just wanted to add to the kudos! Great job Amanda (and friends). I went to your cafe with my mother and two VERY picky nieces on a school in-service day and everyone loved your food, atmosphere, everything. I also heard you may be getting Wi Fi? That would be awesome. I'd love to handle business bouncing between your place and Java Cat, and with food that good I better look at a gym membership!
November 3, 2007 at 8:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Wow, what a neat place! I went today, had a delicious portabello sandwich and some fantastic tomato basil soup. I'm so pleased to find this place in our town. The decor is quite well done too. Lucky me, I was able to buy a baguette. Beside the food, my favorite part is being able to sit in the window and watch Commercial street. Won't that be fun when snow begins to fall for the first time? Pure pleasure!!!
November 3, 2007 at 4:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
traceygraham (Tracey Graham) says...
Turns out the Tomato Basil soup is even better than Three Fools'. Woohoo! I can't wait to eat my way through the rest of the menu!
November 5, 2007 at 7:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )