Coal House Cafe plans improvements

The Coal House Cafe will expand to seat 15-20 people this spring and include wireless internet.  The current space, which was actually a former coal house, is historic but small.

"Our hope is to bring a fresh Bohemian vibe and lively wifi hotspot to the East Hill community," says Robert Kadar, son of owners Jon and Eva. Robert also plans to bring the Science Cafe concept to the Coal House, by hosting live events that include a casual, face-to-face conversation with a scientist about current science topics. 

Coffee, pastries, soups, and sandwiches are the usual fair at the Cafe, and a favorite is the Matzo Ball Soup, which recently won an award from the Academie Nationale de Cuisine.  The soup is the creation of the Kadar family, longtime Ithaca restauranteurs, and they say, "Full of chicken and vegetables and matzo balls, this soup is every grandmother's miracle cure, and it'll be even more welcome as cold weather sets in."  For 14 years, the soup was the mainstay of Olivers, a Kadar-family restaurant formerly located in the space now occupied by Collegetown Bagels on College Ave.