Café Blameless is Full of Potential

10/9/26 Cafe Blameless occupies the former nave of a 100-year-old church in the Bryant neighborhood.

 After hearing about a new café that had just opened inside a centenarian Bryant neighborhood church, I had to check it out for myself. Café Blameless is a huge, beautifully restored space with soft lighting and low-volume music – what a treat the latter is! In addition, when I pulled back my chair, I noticed that pads on the feet kept it from making that terrible scrapey sound that I hear in so many cafes (to me, that’s just as bad as nails on a blackboard).

In addition to the café, which is housed in the former nave, the church hosts a variety of non-religious events such as dance lessons and “mystery theater.” When I showed my sketch to Jeff, one of the café’s co-owners, he gave me a tour of the rest of the public spaces, which were equally beautifully appointed and restored.

I have only two complaints about this lovely venue: The warm, dim lighting is a bit too dark for sketching. Next time, I’m bringing my book light. The second is their pastries (but I’m hoping that situation is temporary): I had high hopes because I’d heard they were made by Cloudy Café, where I’ve already enjoyed delicious croissants. At 7:30 a.m. when I arrived, though, they offered only a savory spinach and feta tart, a ham and cheese croissant, and “salt bread.” What? Nothing sweet at all? I was told that they “sold out of sweet ones yesterday,” which means the pastries weren’t fresh. Indeed, my “salt bread” was cold; obviously, it had been in the fridge overnight.

I’m giving Café Blameless the benefit of the doubt that they are not yet up to speed. In fact, their current “soft opening” hours are shorter than in the near future. Fingers crossed that the pastry situation will be fixed by then.

Meanwhile, I’m thinking two things: One is that I may have finally found a café space large enough to accommodate a winter USk outing. I mentioned the possibility to Jeff, and he is very welcoming.

Much more importantly (to me): It’s warm, the volume is low, the seating is comfortable and plentiful, and it’s less than 10 minutes away by car. Could it be that I’ve finally found my long-sought third place?

The former church now hosts multiple activities and events in addition to the cafe.

Soothingly but dimly lighted.

Large tables for groups. On the morning I was there, a running club arrived just as I did, filling at least two of these large, round tables. Perfect for urban sketchers, too!