My roommate just told me that it used to be the old college station city hall. I think he is lying.

It's in a strip plaza, isn't it?

EDIT: Nevermind, I had it confused with Cenare

[This message has been edited by DallasAg1999 (edited 10/2/2004 3:43p).]

It was, indeed, City Hall at one time.

I believe it is still owned by the city and they just rent it.

your roommate is telling the truth. it was city hall back in the day.

it was built by students in the Bell building back in the day. working there is tough, because it's made to be a city hall, not a freakin' restaurant. it works out somehow, though.

The city is going to sell the land to a condo developer.

I have never eaten here. is it any good?

It's Cafe Eccell, and it is an old City building. The bakery (it is presumed) was once the city jail.

I worked there in college (6 years ago) as headwaiter for about 2 years. Donnie Anz was the owner at the time and he has since transferred ownership to Costa Dallis. Costa is a terrific guy, sort of short and squatty with almost no hair. He started at the restaurant as a pizza cook in the wood fired pizza oven. He brought a lot of the Greek flair to the restaurant.

I don't know who the current Head Chef is, but if its Peter (last name escapes), then you are in good hands. Peter is a true professional and doesn't overdo things the way some Chefs do trying to make a name for themselves.

The greatest thing about Eccell is the "in house" concept. Everything they prepare, down to the home grown herbs and even the spreads on the sandwiches are done in house. They have strong relationships with local vendors, even though the national and large sellers are way way way cheaper.

The desserts are terrific, usually changing. When I was there the favorite was the strawberry tart. My favorite was the Chocolate Amaretto Mousse Bombe & there was usually a great cheescake or two. If you enjoy the apertif, there was a great Rasperry flourless cake that went great with the local Messina Hof Port wine, one of the best ports anywhere.

As for non sugar filled foods, the pizzas are quite good and big enough to split for lunch...might try a salad. They probably don't mention it on the menu, but you can order a half salad and the greek is quite good.

The sandwiches are made from bread baked in the onsite bakery and filled with terrific stuff. They used to serve one on the foccia bread that included fresh mozzerella shipped in from Dallas Mozzerella Co., a small hole in the wall joint near Deep Ellum that has won tons of awards for their cheese.

Good wine list, otherwise well done menu. President Bush, Lyle Lovett & Julia Roberts, Gene Stallings, good ol' Tony Barone, RC & Wally, were all known to stop in and eat a bite. I had a chance to serve most of them. Lyle used to love the key lime pie and George would come with a group for various library related tasks when he was there.

As you can tell, I really enjoyed my time there and learned a lot about running your own biz. The folks at Eccell have a revenue generating machine and they know it. They've tried some other ventures (the original owner was actually a co-owner of the Chicken at one time with Ganter) but none have had the success of the little restaurant on Church St.

i nearly ate their tonight

Unless its changed in the last 4 years, the food is okay, but the desserts are the best in town.

It's worth it to go just for the Chocolate Mousse Bomb Cake.

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but none have had the success of the little restaurant on Church St.

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They own La Bodega which is across the street and is very successful. They also opened a newer place called Margarita Rocks, not sure how it is doing. I believe they own the Library on Northgate too.

As for the food I have had from mediocre to very good. My biggest problem is how inconsistent the food is. Especially for the price you pay.

even us servers will admit that the food is sometimes hit or miss. never bad - just has it's really good days.

how expensive is the place?

Beat the heck outta t.u.
Beat the HELL outta TEXAS TECH!!!!!

I took my girlfriend out for dinner there Friday night. I had a drink and the grilled salmon, and she had the new smoked bacon clam somethingorother pizza and both were amazing. And then of course we finished it off with a Strawberry tart. Came out to $50 with tip. I love that place.

I'm not familiar with La Bodega, that must be established since I was last there. When I was in CS, that place across the street was a failed Italian restaurant (failed because someone swallowed broken glass in their water...sort of lost steam after that) and then became a banquet type facility for large parties like wedding receptions, guests of the University, etc.

If Costa has anything to do with it, I'd bet that place does great fish tacos. He was always talking about starting a place that did those.

Is "The Library" the same locale as where the Crooked Path was? That was their venture, but it wasn't going well at first.

It has amazing fish taco, I like the habanero shrimp tacos with a habanero mango salsa. They also have amazing breakfast.

fish taco...hold the sour cream

I knew it wouldn't take someone long to post a comment like that..

La Bodega is in the old Rosalie's (and La Taq) building across from Cafe Excell. It specializes in Cali-Mex tacos and burritos. I love that place. Good Mexican Martinis as well.

Alcoholics go to Meetings, Drunks go to Bars.

La Bodega = Best chips and salsa by far. Great food too.