Renaissance Caffe

The Renaissance Caffe will forever remain a piece of my identity, and stands as a sanctuary guarding some of my fondest high school memories. My friends and I discovered the place walking home from Clayton Valley High School one day early into freshmen year, looking simply to escape the heat. From the onset, the owners (Betty and Howard) welcomed us like family. The food was excellent, because (and hear comes the tacky comment) it was actually made with love and care. Betty put her full effort and attention into every dish, and always aimed to please. Pretty soon, we were frequenting the Caffe every day after school, building relationships with the owners and each other. Whether it be a cool sweet glass of lemonade talking to Betty about her new grandson, enjoying a hearty chicken sandwich as Howard regailed on old war stories, or simply getting a break on payment with an established tab, the rigors of life seemed to cheerfully fade away in the pleasure of good company, a pleasant peaceful atmosphere, and great food. The smell of fresh ground coffee, the tacky artwork on the walls, the way the soft, plush chairs were positioned near the window so as to watch the world go by, the conversations with Betty and Howard on slow days, the cold floor with one crack, and all the 1950’s — 1960’s pop classics playing in the background will be the memories I plan to look back on in old age with great fondness. Those memories will forever be a part of me, and ever on I wonder past the building now an Italian restaurant (and who knows what else in the future) that was once the place I called my second home and my place of solace, I will be taken back, even if for only a second, to the peace and joy I received for finally feeling like I belonged.