Let’s start from the beginning. First things first, nothing’s perfect. Sure, if the term is used loosely, Godiva chocolate and Char-Grill’s spicy, one-of-a-kind fries are definitely borderline. But let’s face it: nothing falls into the category of being perfect, of having not one single flaw. It’s impossible. Unattainable. To put it simply, a hopeless cause.

With some walls in a light shade of lavender and another in modern brick which covers half the café, Francesca’s doesn’t make an extravagant and overly sophisticated first impression.  The cat paintings on the walls and homemade mirrors and picture frames for sale seemed very out of place.

            However, the wooden floors and paintings gave the entire café a cozy, comfortable feeling.  To add to this “homey” aspect, bright Christmas lights decorate shelves above the counter, casting the café in a warm, upbeat glow. 

            There are tables for all different sized groups, ranging from tables for two to booths that can seat six to eight people. Chairs nearest to the entrance of the café had creative designs crafted into their iron backs, such as a coffee cup or silverware.  For those who did not want to sit in these chairs, Francesca’s made it possible for customers to enjoy a nice cup of coffee or hot chocolate on four couches, offering relaxing spots to just sit down and get lost in the pages of a  favorite novel.

            Because Francesca’s has a steady flow of customers, conversations throughout the cafe produce a moderate noise level.  Old ’80s tunes play quietly in the background, which gives the café a peaceful setting.  Here, many choose to slowly sip their beverages while surfing the Web. 

            Approaching the counter, the strong smell of freshly ground coffee beans draws in customer after customer.  The coffee aroma mixes with the sweet scent of chocolate, making a powerful yet sweet combination.

            Since 1985, Francesca’s dessert café has been serving a variety of desserts and beverages in Durham.  The menu consists of milkshakes (ranging from $3.75-$4.70), coffee (ranging from $1.50-$4.00), gelato, which is Italian ice cream (ranging from $1.75-$4), sorbetto, slushies, and other baked goods. Bakery goods include frosted cookies (ranging from $1-$2), brownies and blondies (ranging from $1-$2), and slices of pie or cake (ranging from $2.50-$5).

            The Oreo cheesecake was an interesting combination of two of my favorite foods, cheesecake and Oreos.  Although on the outside this dessert looked like a white slice of cake with sprinkled black dots, the taste was much more welcoming. After taking my first bite, my first thoughts were wow, this is really cheesy.  Of course, befitting of  its name, Francesca’s Oreo cheesecake offered an explosion of sweet, creamy goodness on the inside.  Watch out, The Cheesecake Factory, you’ve got competition!

            So when I say perfect is impossible, well, I still have to stand by that statement.  Nothing is, or ever will be, superior enough to fit in the category of perfection. 

            But I have to say, Francesca’s Dessert Café comes pretty close.