The Rack on Springfield Avenue
If you haven’t had a chance to check out Springfield Avenue’s newest cafe, The Rack, this weekend might just be the time.
The bakery and internet cafe is kicking off a Sunday brunch menu July 20, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with live music by E.R.I.C. (“Extra Rich in Class”). The menu items will then be incorporated into the cafe’s regular breakfast offerings.
Sisters Omosede (“Mo”) and Osemerr (“Oca”) Ayinde will offer such scrumptious items as grits with bacon or sausage, fresh baked biscuits and “Top Racks”: Belgian-style waffles topped with sweet or savory ingredients.
Check The Rack’s website for the full menu and more information.
The sisters opened the cafe in April, after falling in love with the space — formerly Churrasco — and with South Orange/Maplewood in general. Mo, who was in marketing, decided she was ready for a change. Oca had always loved to bake. It seemed like a perfect opportunity.
On the everyday menu are soups (Grandma’s Jamaican Chicken Soup, for one), sandwiches, wings, salads, protein shakes and coffee drinks, along with fresh baked goods such as Carrot Cake, Peach Cobbler, Red Velvet Cake and more. Plus, there’s free WiFi and loads of comfortable seating.
Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 9 p.m on Saturday.
“Anyone coming here loves the food,” said Mo. “Plus the comfortable seats” and relaxing atmosphere.
The sisters are in the process of cleaning and replanting the expansive back patio, and they plan to put tables and chairs there soon for al fresco dining. They’re also considering launching an open mic night on Fridays, to help draw more customers to Springfield Avenue as a hangout spot.
Wondering about the name? It’s a reference to an oven rack, a nod to all the delicious baking going on at The Rack.
The Rack, 1844 Springfield Avenue, Maplewood. (973) 327-2353. Facebook.com/TheRackCafe.
