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You need more Patio Café in your life

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Natali Carrera

Natali Carrera is a devoted coffee addict who also loves her twelve-year-old son, husband of 17 years and bargain hunting at Target. She works in the field of education and is also a freelance writer and YouTube vlogger (as a hobby). She's been told "bubbly" is the best descriptor of her personality, though she wonders if what people really mean is that she talks too much. Natali is a lifelong Fresno resident and Fresno State grad.

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As a lifelong Fresno resident, there are some local businesses that I consider to be institutions. Staples. Givens. These are the places we “all” know about, hold dear in our hearts, and visit as often as we’re able. For me, Patio Café is one of those places.

I’ve enjoyed eating breakfast there for as long as I can remember. Given this personal perspective, I was surprised when I recently planned a brunch to celebrate a friend’s birthday, and 75% of the guests had never been there! We’ve written about Patio Café before on FresYes, but it’s time to highlight this local gem once again.

Patio Café

The recently refreshed interior of Patio Café is inviting and pleasant

Great food, great service, great atmosphere

Patio Café has been located in Fig Garden Village for twenty years. Robyn Richardson is the café’s owner, and her care for her patrons’ happiness shows in all that she does. Though our recent brunch group was large, and dined at a very busy time for the restaurant, the service was attentive and the dishes came out as much a feast for the eyes as the body.

If you haven’t been to Patio Café, its name makes perfect sense when you drive up and see the outdoor seating under a canopy of colorful umbrellas. The indoor seating area has recently undergone a makeover with added bench seating, new artwork, flower boxes, and string lighting, which brings the patio feel indoors.

Patio Café’s mission is to serve fresh, local, healthy, and organic food that tastes great. In my opinion, they do a tremendous job of it. Produce from Valley-based KMK, Harvest Fields, Naylor Farms, and Wilgenburg Greenhouses grace each plate with colors so vibrant you’ll struggle to recall the last time you ate something so colorful and at its peak. 

What to eat

Patio Café serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Some of the most famous dishes include the Benedicts, French toast, Mexican breakfasts, and loaded, fluffy omelets. At lunch time, fresh salads with unique ingredients, wraps, and roasted vegetable enchiladas steal the spotlight. The dinner menu includes seafood and pasta classics as well as a small plates selection great for sharing and pairing with a favorite glass of wine. To view the complete menu (minus daily specials), click here.

Patio Café

French Toast

Patio Café

Breakfast Enchiladas

Patio Café

The Baja Omelet

Patio Café

Lollipop Salmon and Baby Kale Salad

Patio Café

Chilaquilles

Patio Café is a great place to go if you have specific dietary restrictions but would still like a nice meal out. At all meals, there are lighter options, gluten-free choices, vegetarian dishes, and low-carb meals.

Live music on the patio can be enjoyed by dinner guests when the weather is nice. This begins at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.

Even those unable to get out as often as they like can enjoy Patio Café’s fresh fare. The restaurant offers Uber Eats delivery.

If you’ve never been to Patio Café, make a date with your significant other, your favorite friends or your family members today, and get there! And if it’s been awhile since you’ve enjoyed the food, make plans to go back—you’ll be glad you did!

Details

Patio Café is located at 5138 N. Palm Ave. in Fresno. It’s open Sunday-Wednesday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday-Saturday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Breakfast is served all day.

Visit Patio Café online or follow them on Instagram.

Fresno’s Manna Café is a Gluten-Free Paradise

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Jenna Ardaiz-Brown

I'm a seasoned traveler, am intrigued by just about anything creative, and enjoy activities that run the gamut- knitting, downhill skiing, reading, and swing dancing, just to name a few. And of course, I write.

I was born in Fresno and grew up here, as did my husband and my parents. I'm thrilled to be raising my young son here too! I've gone away for school and spent brief periods in other parts of California, but have always ended up homesick for my hometown.

Latest posts by Jenna Ardaiz-Brown (see all)

What's good? Basically, everything.

Voila! Breakfast (and lunch) is served.

Sometimes, you just want a go-to breakfast spot. Someplace a little more upscale than say, Denny’s, but not too fancy-schmancy, mimosas with everything, that kind of deal. (Not that I have anything against a good mimosa. But you know what I mean.)

I ran across just such a place by accident last weekend. Occasionally, amazing things can happen just when you Google “Fresno gluten-free donuts.”

How Food Allergies & Great Word-of-Mouth Turned a Business Around

Located in north Fresno, Manna Café is a little off the beaten track, which is probably why they struggled at first.

I spoke at length with our server Chez about what turned things around for this family-owned local business.

According to Chez, a lot of their initial traffic had to do with the same reason my family was there: food allergies. His mom Catherine, who does the cooking at Manna, was diagnosed with celiac disease when the restaurant was just starting out. Thanks to her, pretty much all the food in the restaurant can be modified to be gluten-free.

Eventually, word-of-mouth drove their business, along with glowing reviews on Yelp and Trip Advisor. Gluten-free or not, the place has a great family vibe, which is why it has so many returning customers.

manna cafe gluten free

Check out the specials! What’s good? Basically, everything.

What to Order at Manna Café

The restaurant serves breakfast all day, both in house and take-out. Chez commented that they have lots of regulars, and they’ve become like family. Manna Café is actually so busy, they’re opening a second location at 6095 N. Figarden Dr. (where the old Starbucks used to be on the Bullard loop) this spring.

“Okay, great,” I hear you saying. “But is the food legit?”

For that, I need a YES, preferably in big red letters.

As I mentioned, Manna Café serves breakfast all day. The extensive menu includes staples such as bacon and eggs, and numerous types of omelets, as well as a breakfast burrito, breakfast sandwich, breakfast burger, and griddle favorites such as waffles, pancakes, and a Texas bread French toast — again, most of it gluten-free, if preferred.

If you’re looking for lunch, there are numerous burgers, sandwiches, and salads to choose from, as well as specialties like fish and chips, tacos, and hot dogs. Dessert in the form of ice cream, shakes, and pie rounds off your meal. (Check out the full menu here.)

And about that food: It’s the best breakfast I’ve had in awhile, which is saying something. I love me a good breakfast, and being able to order stuff many people wouldn’t think twice about was a huge bonus!

My husband decided whatever he was getting needed to involve pancakes, so he chose the “444 Breakfast,” which includes four eggs, four gluten-free (if you choose) pancakes, and four pieces of bacon. Depending on who you are, this either sounds ridiculous or amazing (if it sounds ridiculous, you can order the “222 Breakfast” — same thing, only half the portion.)

manna cafe gluten free

I suspect my kid finds the 444 Breakfast amazing.

I decided to mix things up a little and went with the Huevos Rancheros, which is also available in a gluten-free option. It was wonderful. I took a photo just for this article, but seeing it again is making me consider getting it framed.

manna cafe gluten free

Huevos Rancheros. Totally frameworthy.

We both loved our meals. The portions were huge and there was no way I could finish mine. I needed a box because, let’s face it, the whole reason we were there was to check out the baked goods.

Cobbler, pie, cake, coffee cake, cheesecake, muffin, brownie, and biscuits are all available — and all gluten-free. One blueberry muffin and a slice of cinnamon pecan coffee cake later, and we were officially sold. We are definitely looking forward to our next breakfast at Manna Café!

manna cafe gluten free

Om nom nom nom!

The Details

Manna Café is located at 10063 N. Maple Ave. in Fresno (cross streets: Maple/Behymer). They’re open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., 7 days a week. If you’re pressed for time, call ahead; they offer a 20-minute lunch option.

Head on by, grab a burger or breakfast, and tell them FresYes sent you!

Lissie’s Sweet Creations is For Lovers—Dessert Lovers

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Jenna Ardaiz-Brown

I'm a seasoned traveler, am intrigued by just about anything creative, and enjoy activities that run the gamut- knitting, downhill skiing, reading, and swing dancing, just to name a few. And of course, I write.

I was born in Fresno and grew up here, as did my husband and my parents. I'm thrilled to be raising my young son here too! I've gone away for school and spent brief periods in other parts of California, but have always ended up homesick for my hometown.

Latest posts by Jenna Ardaiz-Brown (see all)

I’m privileged to have an article published on what is arguably the sweetest day of the year. Happy Valentine’s Day, people! Aside from cards and flowers and adorable stuffed animals, candy, cookies, chocolates, and confectionery of all kinds rule this day, to the delight of all children—and chagrin of elementary school teachers, dentists, and dieters everywhere.

What can I say? It makes sense. Love is sweet!

Lissie's Sweet Creations

Can you feel the love?

Whether you’re celebrating with loved ones or spending time on your own for this Valentine’s Day, or celebrating the lesser-known “Galentine’s Day” (Feb 13) or “Single’s Awareness Day” (Feb 15), Lissie’s Sweet Creations has got you covered.

Lissie's Sweet Creations

Whatever your emotion, Lissie’s Sweet Creations has an appropriate cookie emoji.

I ran across Melissa Parr, the creative whiz behind Lissie’s Sweet Creations, when I finally admitted to myself that I wanted cute decorated cookies for my son’s second birthday that the birthday boy and I would actually be able to eat! (We’re gluten free.)

I reached out to quite a few home bakers who specialized in beautifully decorated cookies, and while regular flour is her usual medium, only Melissa was equipped to make gluten-free cookies to accommodate us. The loads of 5-star reviews from other happy customers, plus the mouthwatering, picture-perfect treats all over her Facebook page, just sweetened the deal. (Sorry, I could NOT help myself.)

Cupcakes, iced cookies, and elaborate cakes are what Lissie’s Sweet Creations specializes in. Every holiday and special occasion is represented when you look through her photographic résumé.

Lissie's Sweet Creations

Unicorns for days.

Have you ever seen something perfect online, but didn’t want to try it in case you became a Pinterest fail? Talk to Melissa, and she just might be able to save your bacon. Or make bacon out of fondant, should you need it. As I discovered during our chat, it would be far from the oddest decorative request she’s ever received from a customer.

Me: So, how did you get into baking and decorating?

Melissa Parr: My mother loved to bake and was well known amongst our family and friends as being an amazing baker and decorator. One of my earliest memories is baking cookies with her, and as a kid she always let me play with her cake decorating tools, so it has always been a hobby of mine.

What inspired you to start your business?

I brought cookies to my niece’s birthday party, and someone there asked if they could buy some for their own child’s party. I saw it as an excellent opportunity to make some money while staying home with my children. My husband encouraged me to start a business page on Facebook, and it just took off from there!

What’s your biggest challenge with maintaining a home-based business?

My biggest challenge with working out of my home is definitely managing my time, because I also have three children that I homeschool. I find myself working long nights so that I can dedicate my days to them. Coffee is a staple here, ha!

What are your goals to grow your business and where do you want to be in a year or so?

I plan to stay a home-based business at least until my two older children are in high school. Eventually, I would love to open a bakery or café, but for now my primary focus is my children’s education, so that will have to wait!

What are your most popular products?

Decorated sugar cookies are definitely my biggest seller. I try to offer mini-cookie sets for every holiday, and they are very popular!

The most common compliment that I receive on my cookies is on the icing, which is not the traditional hardening royal icing that most other bakeries use. My icing has a soft bite to it, and people love it!

Lissie's Sweet Creations

What’s your favorite product to make?

I am in love with making first birthday cakes, especially smash cakes! I love experiencing the parents’ excitement over their baby’s first birthday, and knowing that the cake I am making for them is often times the first cake that the baby has ever eaten.

What’s the most out-there request you’ve ever gotten?

Most of my requests are pretty traditional, but the most unique order I’ve had so far was probably the “Big Lebowski” themed cake that I made a couple of years ago. I had to sculpt a severed toe!

Lissie's Sweet Creations

Putting the final touches on a turtle for a cake topper. Much cuter than a severed toe.

Which of your creations have you been proudest of?

I take a lot of pride in all of my work, but the cakes that I have donated hold a special place in my heart. I volunteer for an organization called Icing Smiles, Inc., which provides critically ill children and their siblings with dream cakes for their birthdays. One of the first tiered cakes that I ever made was for a child through Icing Smiles, and I was so proud of myself for not only pulling it off, but for delivering it all the way to Los Banos in the August heat!

I know you’re happy to do gluten-free, and are there any other dietary restrictions you can accommodate?

I have fulfilled several orders for egg-free cakes, and am currently working on a recipe for vegan cut-out cookies.

Lissie's Sweet Creations

Vegan cookies are in the works! (These probably don’t count, but sure look tasty.)

 

Need that perfect cake, cookies, or cupcakes? Or just want to drool over a lot of pretty pictures? You can find Lissie’s Sweet Creations on Facebook or Instagram or just give Melissa a call at (559) 307-8926.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

[all photos used with permission from Lissie’s Sweet Creations]