PetalPop Café proves to be a promising new spot

By GABRIELLE LAWRENCE

Think of your favorite non-chain restaurant or store. What makes it so appealing? 

Probably the food (or the products it sells). 

Likely the décor — is it cozy? Colorful? Sleek and sophisticated? 

The staff must have something to do with it — are they friendly and helpful? 

Maybe the location is appealing because you don’t have to drive all the way to the other side of town, or maybe you do have to travel a bit to get there, but it’s worth it because you love the place so much. 

I can see the intentionality that went into all these elements at PetalPop Cafe. It’s whimsically decorated in an homage to Belen’s Flowers, which occupied the space for decades. Yes, the parking situation is weird, but it’s also an easy 10-minute stroll from downtown if you spend your days there like Mr. She Ate and I both do. 

The cafe is busy and bustling — on a recent weekday morning after summer camp had concluded for the year, the place was packed with everyone from our illustrious and incomparable state Sen. Sarah Anthony to groups of girlfriends having brunch and other families with young kids like mine. 

The options on the kids’ menu are varied and plentiful, which I always appreciate. Both of my children ordered the pancake-and-protein option ($8), with my son choosing bacon and my daughter choosing sausage links. 

The pancakes were cooked in butter to achieve a crispy, ruffled edge, which is the only acceptable method as far as I’m concerned. They were served with lots of butter and syrup and were sampled by all members of the family. Eddie loved the bacon, but not as much as he loved the mug of hot chocolate, topped with a giant dollop of whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate. 

I had the PetalPop skillet ($12). Thinly sliced potatoes and onions were layered with melted cheese, bacon and two eggs (mine were scrambled), with a side of sourdough toast. This was hearty and filling, tastier than the Flap Jack skillet I’ve had in the past. 

Mr. She Ate chose the Berry Blossom parfait ($9), and while he enjoyed it, he said the berries would have been much better had they been fresh. 

Our breakfast visit was head and shoulders better than our lunch visit. I had a very unremarkable grilled cheese and tomato soup ($9), and Mr. She Ate had a club sandwich ($14). Both items were fine but wouldn’t have prompted a return trip. It was the breakfast visit that made me think that, with any luck, Petal Pop will turn into another beloved institution that stays open for decades. 

He Ate

By Bryan Beverly

PetalPop Cafe has made its home in the rebounding neighborhood just west of downtown Lansing on Ionia Street. Located in a former flower shop, it’s the kind of place that seems to bloom the moment you walk through the door, from the chic, thoughtful design to the warm welcome from the staff.

The atmosphere is undoubtedly one of PetalPop’s greatest charms. The décor is stylish, colorful and inviting. There’s a sense that every little detail has been placed with intention. And then there’s the food. The house-made offerings are the heart of the experience. The flavors are fresh and comforting, and it’s clear each dish is made with care.

Everything feels personal, a reflection of the passion behind the business. That passion is also evident in the owners, who don’t simply stay behind the scenes. During my visits, they made a point of stopping by individual tables, checking in with guests and making sure everyone was enjoying their experience. 

What makes this cafe truly special is how all these elements come together. Be patient, as the food takes some time to arrive, and just enjoy the moment. The décor sets the stage, the food delivers, the mocktails add a splash of creativity, and the staff makes you feel genuinely welcomed. 

What’s good

Anyone who’s been paying attention to food news of late is aware of the dangers of consuming lettuce and other produce. Very early on, PetalPop announced that it was abandoning some menu items in response to the outbreak. Kudos to the cafe for taking its patronage so seriously. 

That said, the turkey, ham and bacon club ($14) that my age-old friend ordered on my first visit was solid. Packed with meat between slices of buttery Texas toast, this hearty handheld’s only downside was the lack of crunch due to the responsibly absent veggies. 

The scratch-made mocktails deserve their own bouquet of praise. The apple pie and orange creamsicle drinks ($6.50 each) were creative, refreshing and beautifully presented. Each one felt like a little floral arrangement in a glass: bright, colorful and thoughtfully composed. You don’t need alcohol to have a celebratory drink at PetalPop. 

I also liked the whimsical PetalPop pancake ($11), a flower-shaped pancake with a sausage patty cooked into the middle. Cute and tasty.

What’s even better

I’m pretty picky about shrimp and grits ($16) and so is my longtime colleague who joined me on my second visit. We both agreed that the grits were distinctly creamy and flavorful, and the dish had a surprising amount of shrimp. The creole sauce was reminiscent of some of the best we’ve had in the South but didn’t overpower the grits. 

Another hit was the biscuits and gravy ($11). Warm and flaky biscuits that were made by hand were smothered in a rich and creamy scratch-made sausage gravy. I’ve had quite a few versions around town, and this one ranks near the top. 

Best bite

Many, many years will pass before I forget the moment my dear friend Fred tried the peach cobbler ($6) at PetalPop. At first, he was speechless. Then, he let out several OMGs before taking his glasses off. He even leaned over to the table next to us to extol the virtues of the dessert. 

This special menu item is the result of one of the owners standing in line for almost an hour to get the season’s best pick of peaches from Georgia. The crust was flaky and buttery but not overly so. The peaches were chewy and crisp but also not overly so. It was topped with whipped cream and caramel sauce for another layer of sweetness. Simply perfectly balanced.