Café Bonjour

Neighborhoods have their own vibe and their own culture. Opening any business requires research to ensure the business fits the neighborhood and the neighborhood fits the business. Michelle Zhang, owner of Café Bonjour has done just that.

Café Bonjour opened on Queen Anne in 2008 (now closed).  "After I took over the Queen Anne location, I kept the menu for a little bit, then started changing out what hadn't been working. Since the name was Café Bonjour, I wanted to add something that made sense. To me, that was crepes. After researching, I added them to the menu and it has been very successful. We make them fresh and they're great for breakfast and snacks."

Michelle is not new to the business. "My family owned Chinese restaurants in Seattle from 1998-2004. I worked around chefs who taught me a lot. Some of them were Vietnamese who understood French cooking. I liked to cook at home and practice what they taught me." After her parents sold the restaurants, she went a different direction, working with an electronics import/export firm and traveling frequently. After a few years, she decided she'd like to return to something she has a passion for—restaurants. "I've always wanted to have my own business and I feel that if you do something you enjoy, you'll succeed. It doesn't matter how many hours you work if you love what you're doing."

Michelle opened Cafe Bonjour on Green Lake on December 6, 2010. As she did with her first location, Michelle is starting slowly and will respond to the neighborhood's likes and dislikes. "It won't be a full menu right away. We're starting with the panini, salads, Hungarian goulash and soups that work at Queen Anne and will add crepes later on. One difference at Green Lake is that customers can create their own salads. They choose the type of lettuce, add-ons and meats and the type of dressing so they get just what they want." She also offers fresh French pastries, gluten-free bakery products and Belgian waffles and, a full espresso menu. "We want this to be a place where neighbors can come frequently so no items on the menu will be over $8 and most will be $5.95 or $6.95," explains Michelle. "Eventually, we'll add wine and beer." Menus at both locations are updated seasonally and there are daily specials.

The Green Lake location is large with a kid's play area. With plenty of space, Michelle wanted to create a spot where parents can come to relax while their kids have fun. Comfortable couches near the espresso bar and kitchen for the adults and TV for cartoons, Wii and video games for kids in the back. "Every parent needs a break once in awhile," says Michelle who has a ten-year old son. "There will be monitored play times several hours a day as well as Tuesday story times. We want to be part of the community and do something nice for parents and kids."

Kids play area at Green Lake Cafe Bonjour

Her other project is a line of organic tea, Seattle Best Organic Tea. She imports certified organic, vegan green tea rich in antioxidants from the Yellow Mountain area of China. "The company we work with is quite old and grows tea at a very high altitude, 900 meters above sea level. The altitude gives the tea more pure flavor." To ensure she has a tea that pleases everyone, she works with a company in Chicago blending their fresh fruit and flowers to flavor the green tea. "You can actually eat these teas for dessert—they are chunky and filled with things like cranberries and almonds. The mint tea contains lemongrass and one of my favorites is the Red Rose tea with dried slices of lemon and orange as well as rose petals. The teas are 75-85% tea and 15-25% flavoring." Both Café Bonjour locations offer the tea. It can also be purchased to go in individual packages, 6 and 8 ounce portions or in gift boxes. "People can buy the tea for home use while they're here or they can email us and we'll ship it," she says.

Michelle works hard to ensure that her cafe meets the needs of the neighborhood and that makes it just right.

Café Bonjour—Green Lake 7119 Woodlawn Ave NE Seattle, WA 98115 206-985-6900 Check website for hours; locations differ www.cafebonjourseattle.com                    www.seattlebestorganictea.com

Connie Adams/December 2010