Sunday Motor Co. Cafe — Restaurant in West Palm Beach

There is some epic energy in this place. Having never heard of Sunday Motor Co. before and naturally stumbling on the cafe in the newly built Nora District in West Palm Beach, I figured it was a standard run of the mill cafe. Safe to say - these people go way above and beyond.

For starters - the ambience is warm, elegant, and inviting. The staff are all smiling and super attentive. Ask for a fork and you'll instantly be handled one served on a napkin. Ask for a splash of milk and the carton comes straight out of the fridge behind the bar. The owner, Nick, who I had the pleasure of meeting, floats throughout to ensure everyone is exactly where they want to be. There's a serious sense of passion baked-in to everything everyone does here. We even learned that the dish washer wears multiple hats and plays the role of the cured meat slicer.

The coffee - perfectly crafted. Dark roast, highly caffeinated. The toast - ricotta, tomato, and proscuitto specifically - thoughtfully designed. Olive oil with a finish of salt and thyme - again, not an ordinary cafe.

Most importantly, there's a buzz in the air that makes you feel like you're getting the best of the best from a mix of a local surf town with the touch of bustling city from the plenty of background chatter between children, parents, and friends that makes you feel like you belong there. Apparently they have built quite the community in their Madison, NJ flagship location and you can instantly feel their touch at work on day 2 alone. I look forward to being a regular to start my day off with this...

I was as equally disappointed as I was excited for the new motor inspired cafe. While the design carries over the integrity and simple sophistication, neither the service, music, nor the menu seem to collaborate.

The music is blasting, and includes the top 20 hits which have been playing on the radio on loop for the past 15 years. The interior design does not match the music; it is an equivalent of a heart surgeon who listens to classical music to go to a hard rock concert whence such is simply and unfortunately illogical. Jazz seems far more fitting.

While arriving in the late morning, I was pleased to try the toast. Which to my demise arrived cold, not once, but twice. I understand that some dishes are best served cold, but if you call something a toast, such means it is in fact toasted; thereby it ought to have at least a drop of warmth which is often what so many of us seek in it. When a toast arrives cold, it is a sandwhich; it lacks the comfort implied by the concept “toast.” A cold “toast” causes one to feel sadness and deep sorrow, as if one is logging for a warm embrace of their mother. A cold “toast” is not what Sunday cafe promises you.

I am happy I got the sticker though, great design.

I hope you will improve the service and menu as you guys are in the beginning of the journey here...

It’s open! I had a drip coffee and it was excellent—just the way I like it. My wife ordered the chilaquiles and said they were even better than what she’s had on the West Coast.

Service was a little on the slower side, but that’s to be expected with a brand-new place that was absolutely packed. As the area continues to develop, you can already tell this spot is going to become a great hangout for coffee and food.

The space is a bit smaller than I imagined, but there was still enough seating for my wife to enjoy her lunch. The lighting is fantastic, and I’m curious to see how they use the garage doors once the weather cools down.

Overall, this place looks like it’s going to rock. Definitely worth...