Tucked away on a quiet corner of the western edge of Center City, Jezabel’s Café (formerly known as Gavin’s Café) looks more like a quaint New Hope coffee shop than a city dweller — but it definitely has the chops to compete in our fair city.
Run by chef and owner Jezabel Careaga, the café offers much more than coffee and pastries, including Argentine specialties. Its most popular items are the empanadas ($2.78 each, $15.50 for a half-dozen and $29 for a dozen), which are baked to perfection with a nice firm crust outside and adventurous fillings inside. The Napolitana empanada is probably closest to mainstream American tastes and is quite good, with smoked ham, mozzarella and tomato. The beef empanada is the most exotic, offering onions, raisins and spices that give it alternating savory and sweet notes. The spinach empanada will definitely appeal to vegetarians with seasoned root vegetables, onions and mozzarella. Jezabel’s also makes tartas (quiches), the most popular being the corn and scallion selection ($5.75/slice, $32 whole).
Leave room for dessert. Jezabel’s has a tempting assortment of scones and muffins but, for a true Argentine treat, try the Alfores de Maicena, a shortbread cookie filled with dulce de leche and coated with coconut shavings. The cookie itself is light and airy to contrast the cool, thick richness of the filling. The shaved coconut adds a nice texture and tempers the overall sweetness of the experience.
Jezabel’s also does catering, so whether you need to breeze through for a quick meal or want to pick up a nice spread of off-the-beaten-path finger foods for your next springtime soiree, Jezabel’s has a lot on the menu to impress and excite.