Mike Edgar converted his garage into a commercial kitchen 10 years ago to whip up fanciful tiramisus for online consumers. Now the former Microsoft employee has expanded his menu and opened up shop in one of the smallest pieces of prime real estate in Bellevue.
“We’ve got the most powerful 96 square feet in Bellevue,” said Edgar from inside his Heavenly Cafe at Bellevue Square, formerly known as Dog in the Park. “Our motto is, ‘Heaven in your mouth.’ “
Edgar still offers up his tiramisu with choice of sauces, but said he’s aiming to capture every customer variable. For the morning crowd down at Bellevue Square, he offers up espressos and sweet flavors in his waffles-on-a-stick with Heavenly Whipped Cream, made with French Brandy, mascarpone cheese and heavy whipping cream — the same as what’s layered with lady fingers in his tiramisu.
There are still hot dogs, which can be paired with Edgar’s homemade Texas chili or encased in his waffle batter. Lunch crowds can also choose a panini, quesadilla or spanakopita.
Nightly crowds pouring into Bellevue Square for Snowflake Lane have also kept Heavenly Cafe busy, with orders coming in for desserts, espresso and hot chocolate. Edgar said he saved money and added an interactive element to his espressos by purchasing a handheld espresso maker that he’ll let people use to pour their own shots if they like.
Edgar wants to keep his gourmet-on-the-go-themed cafe affordable, so everything on the menu is less than $6. He’s also selling ingredients and partnering up to sell the type of equipment used in his cafe.
“What I use to make myself, I’m also going to sell,” he said, adding he’s working on the labeling to sell packages for making his hot chocolate, the coffee beans he uses and more, including reselling items like his handheld espresso machine. “It’s kind of like this shop. It’s very open and transparent.”
He’ll also bring down some larger orders on tiramisu made at his website, but is quick to remind people he’s into much more now.