Café International, 241 Front Street, Trenton, (609) 498-0123
(Directions) Open M-F 6 a.m. – 5 p.m, plus intermittent evenings and weekends (call for times)

Café International opened in 2009 at a pleasant location on Front Street.  It’s half a block from City Hall, across the street from NJN, and a block from the Mill Hill Playhouse where Passage Theatre performs.  Replacing the deservedly maligned Cartaret Diner at this location, Café International is serving up wonderfully prepared food at great prices.

If Howard’s Place serves up traditional Soul Food, think of the Café International as Novelle Soul.  The basic dishes are here (meatloaf, ribs, fried chicken, fried fish), but with some unexpected twists.  The International’s head chef, Tony Weathers, learned the use of herbs and spices somewhere in his cooking career, and many of the items on the cafe’s menu come deliciously seasoned.  In addition, he’s not above sneaking in some non traditional ingredients…. I had to taste a crispy white stalk chopped into my “vegetable medley”  a couple of times before I identified it as white asparagus.  White asparagus?  Fresh, no less.  In a soul food restaurant?  It’s this kind of surprise that makes the Café International a memorable experience.

In addition to traditional soul dishes, CI has a nice “low fat” and vegetarian menu.  You can get roasted, herbed chicken or fish, or vegetable medley over rice.

While the Café is basically a breakfast and lunch place, it has been organizing special events in the evenings (e.g. live music on Fridays and “Talent Tuesdays”).  It’s also been staying open late on evenings when Passage Theatre is operating.  Less than 100 yards from the theatre, it’s a great place for a quick and inexpensive meal before a show.  I would suggest calling the Café if you intend to show up after 5 PM to make sure they’re open, and to find out if there’s an event to your liking taking place.

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