One Way Cafe: A Tosa Village melting pot

Sandy Haeger likes to refer to her aptly named One Way Cafe as a neighborhood melting pot. Located on the southernmost block of a one-way street, Underwood Avenue in the Village of Wauwatosa, the One Way Cafe is, as Haeger describes it, "a friendly neighborhood community place to hang out for breakfast and lunch."

More than seven years ago, she bought what then was well known as the La Boulangerie. (Prior to her ownership, it was called Nova Cena Cafe.) Since then, she's worked hard to customize the homey space into a combination restaurant/gallery that serves food and showcases the artwork of an ever-changing group of artists. She is featuring the Chinese brush paintings of Charlotte Fung Miller, through Feb. 16. The artists change every six to eight weeks.

The breakfast menu at One Way Cafe includes omelets ($6.75), quiche ($5.75) and weekend specials such as malted Belgian waffle ($5.95) and sour cream walnut coffee cake ($2.50). The lunch menu features house-made soups ($3.75 to $4.75) and salads ($3.75 to $8.50, depending on size), including the signature walnut chicken salad. Featured sandwiches include the Italian beef sandwich ($6.95) and the homemade meatloaf sandwich ($6.75.)

Along with the house-made specialties, One Way Cafe features baked goods from Breadsmith and Simma's, both located in Wauwatosa. On Sundays, they offer brunch until 1:30 p.m.

If you're looking to cater an event, One Way Cafe can do that as well, either at your location or, depending on availability, in the restaurant.

The Basics

NAME: One Way Cafe

ADDRESS: 1427 Underwood Ave., Wauwatosa

PHONE: (414) 258-7979

WEBSITE: One-WayCafe.com

FARE: freshly made comfort food

HOURS: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekends

PRICE RANGE: $2.50 to $9

(approximate)

RESERVATIONS: yes, for larger parties

HANDICAP ACCESS: yes

GLUTEN-FREE OPTIONS: no

LOOKING TO 'GRAB A BITE'?

"Grab a Bite" is an informal look at the food scene in the Wauwatosa, Brookfield and Elm Grove area by freelance writer Karen Waldkirch. Whether you're looking for a place for a date night or a casual spot for lunch, Waldkirch will be out and about scouting eateries for you. If you have a suggestion for a column, e-mail her at kmwaldkirch@yahoo.com.