Cafe Lift Elevates Narberth, Pennsylvania’s Food Scene

Café Lift make its Narberth debut in former Royal Bank building.

“So what’s the deal with brunch? I mean that if it’s a combination of breakfast and lunch, how comes there’s no lupper, or no linner?” – Janeane Garofalo

Story, photos by Sharon Kozden

I don’t often “do brunch.” As a runner, I can’t really wait until that mid- or late morning time frame (typically comprising brunch hours) in order to refuel. That said, I haven’t been running as much of late because I’m organizing a 5K; it’s my inaugural experience as a race director. Not logging extended miles means I can wait longer before breaking the fast; ergo, I can (and recently did do) brunch at Café Lift in Narberth, which held its grand opening in the former Royal Bank Building.

Arriving at Café Lift on August 8th, (their soft opening began days before the official one), I was met by staff and PR folks, there to welcome press and share information about the restaurant. For a soft opening, the place was already packed. What would happen when doors officially opened? Word of mouth is everything.

And speaking of mouths, mine wanted its fill of what Café Lift was offering. I craved either the sweet-stuffed crepe or the cannoli French toast … so plentiful it nearly needs a plate the size of, oh say, a bistro table. My belly was up for it; however, my body knew that indulging meant I’d be forced to later nap away the day. Check its contents and see why: “Challah bread dredged in a cinnamon vanilla custard, then finished with bananas, chipped chocolate, pistachios and ricotta cannoli filling.” Since I’m detailing the sweet stuff, I might as well add the crepe’s descriptor. Known as the “Nutty Monkey Crespelle,” it contains “bananas and chocolate hazelnut spread folded in an Italian-style crepe, topped with whipped cream.” Mind you, these are merely two examples of the menu items. Plenty don’t contain a granule of sugar and are meat- and egg-based and such.

Because it was closer to lunchtime, I opted for a healthful salad with chicken breast. Sounds potentially boring; however, the dishes that passed before me as they left the kitchen area stationed for patrons’ tables, assured me nothing at Café Lift would be remotely less than visually arresting and gastro-tantalizing. The Lift Salad would keep my protein levels in check for the day’s balance. It contained “mixed greens, walnuts, tart local apples, dried cranberries, grilled chicken breast and green-goddess dressing.” The chicken was just a wee bit on the dry side for my preference (but that’s just me … I prefer my pizza dough underdone!); however, the salad in its entirely was a perfect blend of ingredients. The green goddess dressing, a combination of garlic- and ranch, had me at “goddess.” Delicious! I’m smitten with it! Additionally, Café Lift switches things up with seasonal fare. Coming in October, the French toast’s cannoli turns pumpkin. Kudos to my server Gianni, who was attentive, warm and pleasant as were the other folks with whom I shared my table. Being that the location had once housed a bank, office-building décor remained. It’s found in the walls’ industrial-but-pleasing-hued paint color, the restroom signage and more.

Owner Michael Pasquarullo, who also owns and operates Philadelphia’s 13th Street Lift Café location (and has for 16 years) has another winner here in Narberth. There’s seating for 35 on the out front patio (dogs are welcome). Indoor patron capacity is 75 and is super-kinder friendly, as it should be in family-friendly Narberth. Café Lift is open seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Check out my snaps below to see the coffee bar offerings; you won’t want to miss this equally important and crowd-drawing part of the business. Lest I forget to mention, the Narberth café serves alcohol in the form of brunch cocktails, brewskis from local breweries, wine and even Kombucha from Baba’s Brew in my adored home borough of Phoenixville-the ‘Ville as we locals refer to it. Had to plug this special place, home to BlobFest!

And speaking of blobs, my protein-dense salad opting … along with the absence of booze … left me the furthest thing from a amorphous, carb-laden oozing sloth. It did, however, take willpower to ignore those treats, so I took home the French toast … just to taste, naturally.

Ample-sized patio situated in front of establishment is perfectly suited for people-watching on busy Montgomery Avenue.

The marquee-like pronouncement proves brunch at Café Lift doesn’t fit the typical or expected time frame.

Get your go-to or your bold on with a mix of pastries ranging from standard to not-so-average.

Impressive design and color deserves a front and center placement for this unit.

This employee was happy to demonstrate her latte-making skill.

The finished product tempts!

Well-organized set-up in coffee and pastry area allows for smooth operations, lack of log-jam.

Divine pastry inspiration. Meet and eat the Cherry Almond Muffin.

This morning bun is the baker’s favorite. Don’t let its standard bun look fool you; it’s anything but that. Easily a must-try, a don’t-miss.

Café Lift’s friendly and smiling baker poses with her personal favorite.

Simple modernity in a glass mug puts the focus on the coffee. Check the background. Next up: this delicacy fills the photo frame.

What to make of this decadent-looking masterpiece? I ordered it and ate the whole thing, which wasn’t the smartest move on my part, and that’s no reflection on the menu item itself.