At a Glance
Café Fresco, Beung Keng Kong, with a playground for children. At the corner of streets 51 and 306. Opens mid-October.
On the Web:
cafefresco.fcccambodia.com
When the original Café Fresco opened beneath the FCC Phnom Penh in November 2005, it was billed as a significant step for Cambodia's fledgling culinary culture. Mixing an "old school" neighborhood deli with world-class coffee in an ultra-sleek setting aimed at comfort and style, Café Fresco was a big step that patrons proved more than willing to take.
Some two years later, Café Fresco has become a staple with locals and tourists as a meeting place, lunch spot and, most of all, the hands-down best coffee shop in the Kingdom. Now, with a successful brand and a savory reputation behind it, Café Fresco is ready to expand.
In just weeks a new Café Fresco will open its doors at the corner of Streets 51 and 306 in Phnom Penh's increasingly popular Boeung Keng Kong district. The site is presently under renovation and will be operational in mid-October.
"Cafe Fresco originated out of the need for a quality coffee shop in Phnom Penh," said Fresco Director Anthony Alderson at the opening of the original location. "That's the main message: contemporary design and absolutely great coffee. We've brought in Illy - an Italian gourmet coffee - and trainers from Thailand to come teach the art and science involved in making coffee. We've worked hard to make sure we have a world-class product."
Such commitment remains intact, and the newest Fresco will have the same logo, menu and service philosophy as the first. It will provide the same array of coffee, gourmet eats and free delivery to homes and workplaces. Those accustomed to Café Fresco's healthy juices, fresh-baked pastries and build-your-own deli sandwiches won't be disappointed.
There have, however, been some changes -- specifically, the addition of a children's area where kids can play while their parents enjoy breakfast, lunch, or simply some well-earned peace and quiet.
Also, unlike its predecessor, the new Café Fresco has an in-house kitchen, which will allow for cooked meals, especially breakfast fare. With the same management, the new Fresco will strive to equal the original as a "futuristic eatery with a feel-good vibe; an efficient, fast-paced spaceship of a place."
The new Café Fresco will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.