After their short hiatus after the holidays, The Elephant Bistro has reopened! Bands and Karaoke are being lined up, and Trivia Night has returned each Wednesday!
Located downtown at 64 Church Street in Canajoharie has been drawing crowds with their homemade specialties in their recently renovated historic building.
As you enter the Bistro, the large room extends to the back of the building, where large windows fill the space with natural light, even on cloudy days. The walls are mostly original wainscott and brick, dating back 1900′s. Along the walls are pictures from various local artists, all of which are available to purchase. The arrangement is always changing, as pictures are purchased and replaced with works by new artists.
The building once housed a shoestore. Later, in the 60′s, it was the local pool hall. Most recently, before the Kraak’s purchased the building, it was an Italian Bakery.
Many walls were built within the space over the years, which Hain removed to restore the natural beauty of the building.
“We saw this building on a visit to Canajoharie, and were inspired by the renovation possibilites” said Autumn, who was working in Albany at the time.
The family moved to Canajoharie and started the 7 year process of renovating the building, all three floors of it.
“We had the idea at the time to open a coffee shop here” says Autumn, and the process is not yet finished. The business, like the building, is continually evolving.
The Kraaks started baking homemade goods, and extended a lunch menu. Eventually, they added a dinner menu as well.
Many of the meats and vegetables are locally purchased, and they feature Coffees, including expressos, mochas, cappachinos and chai from Organic Deans Beans, a socially responsible company.
Each day there are new baked goods lining the bakery case. Popular favorites include scones with fresh fruit – cranberries, or perhaps blueberries. Double brownies and the gnache are also quick to go.There are daily specials including homemade soups and a daily quiche. The Quiche Lorraine is insisted upon by many locals.
There are also sandwiches available, such as the Gobbler, featuring roasted turkey, stuffing, cranberry and a special pesto mayo. The Cubano, made of roast pork, cheddar, jalapenos with a yellow mustard.During the week you can find local business people working from their laptops on the wi-fi next to a cozy fire. Most weekends you can expect to find local bands playing in the front, as people fill the room to the back, singing and dancing.
