Bites Nearby: The Beck Café

What do you get when you combine the city's best performing arts center, awesome coffee and a fabulous courtyard? Read on, lover of Lakewood.

The Beck Café is located on Detroit Avenue at the across the street from , and . The café is open 7 days a week from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m., Sundays 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. There is metered street parking available on both sides of Detroit Ave, plus the Beck Center's parking lot in the rear.

The friendly barista will help you to any number of espresso variations via a state-of-the-art, fire engine red Astoria espresso machine, as well as chai, teas and cold beverages; scones, muffins, cookies and croissants; wraps, soups and sandwiches - all made at Cravings Café in Rocky River, where they also roast all their coffees.

There are eight bistro tables and two good-for-newspaper-reading leather arm chairs in a window nook;  a waterfall behind the counter, a chess board, original art and koi circling beneath the plexiglas accessibilty ramp set this café apart from the rest. And if that isn't enough, the Beck Café hosts live music on the weekend nights: Jazz on Fridays starting at 7 p.m., Folk on Saturdays (7 p.m.) and Classical on Sundays (2 p.m.) and I hear there are plans to have an open-air music series through the summer in their outdoor courtyard area.

The art featured on the walls inside changes often and is a good reminder of how valuable it is to have an arts center at our fingertips. Children and adults alike are provided with an opportunity to venture into another realm of learning and self-expression. There are dance, music, theater and visual arts classes available to all ages, as well as, creative arts therapies; the Outreach Education program offers a wide variety of arts education activities.

I’m hoping the groundhog was right in February when he predicted this winter will end soon, because this art-appreciating, coffee-drinking sun-worshiper is eager to bask in the greatness of the this cultural hub and indulge in a cappuccino in the courtyard.

Hours: M-S 7AM – 9PM, Sunday 8-8

17823 Detroit Ave.  Lakewood OH 44107

216-712-4746