Sunday, February 01, 2009

Union NJ


Cafe Mozart, Union NJ
An institution for many years in downtown Union.
There was a time when going out for coffee, dessert, & talk usually meant a choice between a diner, Dunkin' Donuts, & Friendly's. I think Cafe Mozart predated the latter two. Occasionally, for a change of scenery, my girlfriend & I drove a few extra miles to this faux European cafe & treated ourselves to very strong, good coffee & a gourmet pastry. The cakes were exquisite, super rich, the small slice was enough & you nibbled at it. The background music was classical. It was rarely crowded, older clientele (high school kids went to a popular nearby ice cream parlor), all very civilized. I recall a ditsy waitress there who didn't know who Mozart was. It wasn't that expensive. It did lack a bohemian coffeehouse smoky ambience, too bright & airy, but my girlfriend had studied in Europe & said that yes, there were places like this over there with the same kinds of tables. Later, we discovered several similar neighborhood cafes in Montreal catering to local customers. Cafe Mozart did sell Mozart Chocolates, we always bought a few.
[I was introduced to the Cafe as a teenager, by an earlier girlfriend, a ballet student, who liked my taste in rock & roll & Beat poets enough but thought I needed a bit more culture.]

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Comments:
Was this place on Morris Ave., near Union Center?
 
It was very near Morris Ave., on Stuyvestant Ave.
 
I can't believe what I see. In 1959 as a new immigrant from Germany I came to your cafe once a week with my friends on our days off. I just looked at old postcards and found the same card you show on your website. I am glad you are still in business and wish you continued success. I hope the pastries are still as good as I remember.

Sincerely,
Rita Bregler, Roseville, CA
 
Rita, sorry to say Cafe Mozart is gone. But at least it's easier to find good coffee & pastries now.
 
I remember hearing that the grandson of the original owner moved to upstate NY. Does anyone know if this is true and if it is, where it might be? I have the best memories of having cake there with my family!
 
I remember hearing that the grandson of the original owner moved to upstate NY. Does anyone know if this is true and if it is, where it might be? I have the best memories of having cake there with my family!
 
Does anyone have an old menu they can email or send me?
 
Testing
 
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