Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Photograph by George Sakkestad

Ben Laughter and Tiffany Reiblein enjoy a conversation at Cafe Rouge in Los Gatos.

Cafe Rouge patrons gladly travel off the beaten path

By Suzanne Cristallo

Coffee fans seeking an alternative to mainstream coffeehouses have found sanctuary in Cafe Rouge. The Los Gatos establishment is affectionately viewed as a culture corner by regulars. Los Gatans Belgis and Farhad Proushani purchased the shop in 1995. Nearly out of sight from the usual crowds trafficking N. Santa Cruz Avenue, the cafe's entrance is off Elm Street, the short driveway of sorts between N. Santa Cruz and University avenues.

"Ninety percent of our customers choose to go out of their way to come here," says Belgis, whose French accent comes from having learned that language before English. "Even if it's to take coffee to go, they get a feeling to go with it."

The feeling comes from the atmosphere created by chairs with high, carved backs and red velvet upholstery and low, comfortable captains' chairs positioned intimately around small mahogany tables. Bookshelves line the walls, filled with more than 250 books brought in by customers for others to read while sipping espresso with their pastries, panini or bagel sandwiches.

Art abounds and changes every month or so. Presently, reproductions of the Old Masters framed in ornate gilt stare out from the walls--the work of Bill Woods, a frequent customer. The cafe's wall menu is original artwork in a classical motif by San Jose State University art student Maya.

On the first Wednesday of each month, poetry readings with featured readers attract up to 30 people, some of whom read their own works or those of others. Occasionally, the old upright piano in the corner entices a pianist away from his or her table to play. It's also used when live entertainment is scheduled.

"We are a coffee shop more quality than quantity," muses Belgis. "Every person who comes for the first time cannot go without saying how different and beautiful it is. It gives us confidence."

The Proushanis have used that confidence to team up with Saratogans Ann and Don Peterson to open another coffeehouse in San Jose's Oakridge Mall, scheduled for July 1.

The recent spate of hot weather is assuring the popularity of the house specialty drink, cafe glacé. Found nowhere else locally, Belgis notes, it is iced coffee with a scoop of vanilla ice cream floating in it and topped with whipped cream.

The fruit frappés are also a big draw: mango, kiwi, banana, raspberry and peach are some of the syrup flavors blended with crushed ice and whipped cream. Up to 25 syrup flavors also go into espresso or refreshing sodas--either Italian or the French cream varieties.

Breakfast and lunch choices include bagels, plain or as sandwiches, French pastries, scones and muffins. Panini comes with fresh mozzarella, pesto sauce, sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil or with smoked turkey. The cafe also offers several fresh salads, including green with mozzarella, avocado and tomato or turkey and veggie.

"This is a romantic place to be on warm summer nights," Belgis says. "People sit outside, the shops are closed and they can hear the music and poetry. They leave their stressful lives for a while."

Cafe Rouge, 42 Elm St., Los Gatos. Open Sun.-Thu., 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Fri.-Sat., 8 a.m.-midnight. 395-1599.

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