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The emblem on the plate-glass window—two birds perched on crossed axes—chirps homey-meets-edgy. Black painted tables and plain curved-back chairs crowd the small dining room. With the sound of alt-music (or the occasional Mamas and the Papas) humming overhead, you'll notice the term "homemade" repeating on the menu, from the banana bread to the ginger ale. Indeed, plenty of options revolve around bread: focaccia slathered with Nutella, toast with pistachio butter, and whole-grain layered with avocado. The cinnamon toast is especially good, its thick-cut slice dripping with a honeyed cinnamon goo. Of the baked-egg options, the tangy goat cheese and smoked salmon dish packs the most flavor. The one downside? The service can be so slow that you'll wonder if St. Helen is the patron saint of patience. — Jennifer Paull

To get a coffee drink to go, head to the side hallway's order window.

Baked eggs with goat cheese and smoked salmon, $10; cinnamon toast, $2.50; turkey, cheddar, and Granny Smith apple sandwich, $9

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