Raise your hand if you were intimidated the first time you walked into the AIC.
Yeah, we thought so. From the second you open the (extremely heavy) glass doors and glimpse the impressively modern chandeliers, whitewashed furntiures, all glass classrooms, and wide array of art, students seem to have one thought — “Is this really the Bryant we know and love?” Fortunately for us, it is. Even better, the AIC comes with more than high-tech classrooms and aesthetically pleasing furniture; there is a fully operating cafe nestled under the marble staircase.
Keeping with Bryant University’s mission to inspire young entrepeneurs and small business owners, they chose a local business, L’Artisan Cafe & Bakery, to serve their students in the new building. L’Artisan cafe’s main location is near Brown University in Providence. It specializes in high quality coffee and fresh sandwiches, wraps, salads, and baked good. Both the savory and sweet goods you salivate over on your walk to class are prepared in house, many of them the day of.
Here are the highlights of L’Artisan:
Used to ordering at simpler places, like Starbucks or Dunkin’? Don’t fret, all of your faves are still options here, they just may slightly differ in name or ingredients. Let the employees know what you like and they will be sure to point you in the right direction. Plus, L’Artisan uses Illy, and Italian coffee brand famous for its velvety taste and powerful caffeine punch — perfect to get you through long hours of studying.
We were beyond surprised and overwhelmed by all of our choices; at the other dining options on campus, we are lucky to get three day old sushi. However at L’Artisan, the food is fresh, healthy, and admiringly lavish (well, at least in comparison to ramen noodles and Easy Mac).
Paninis can be warmed or eaten as is and cost $7.50. Some great options include:
- Spicy Thai Chicken
- Fresh Mozarella and Pesto
- Turkey on Cranberry Bread
- Ham and Brie
Wraps can also be grilled and run at $6.50
- Chicken Avocado
- Falafel
- Smoked Salmon
- Chicken Tzatziki
The salad menu changes the most, but here are some common ones. And for those of you who were confused — the dressing is in a cup on the bottom:
- Ceasar
- Crab Salad
- Cosmopolitan
- Pasta and Pesto
- Couscous
There is a vast selection of pastries that change each day, inluding:
- Cinnamon Scones
- Banana Walnut Muffins
- Cheese Danishes
- Croissants
- Lava Cake (it can be warmed up!!!!!! Literally such a game changer — just note that they’re in the fridge, in case you don’t see them.)
There are also breakfast sandwiches, bagels, and mini quiches, as well as parfait and fruit cups. Make sure to stop by each day because items are constantly being added and changed, so you may be pleasantly surprised at the options. As the popularity increases, there will be a soup menu, which will open doors to a combo option, which is any two meals for a reduced price.
From an extensive menu, to friendly and passionate service, the cafe has a lot to offer. Although it does only take Bulldog Bucks, the prices are fair, especially for the products used.
We urge everyone to stop by at some point and give it a try. If anything, it can be your special treat after a hard class. And don’t be nervous to check it out; the staff is more than willing to explain what everything is and showcase all the delicious desserts and sandwiches. There’s most likely something here that you’ve never even tried — what better an opportunity than now?