Unfortunately, Take it Easy closed its doors for good in spring 2023.
In English, "take it easy" means take it easy, take your time. This is the philosophy of Nina and Gilles, the couple behind this family-run café, which opened in 2019 in Étampes. The American vibe is part of the culture of Nina, whose parents are both American by birth. Although she has always grown up in France, she has been immersed in both cultures since birth. "It was important to bring out the American culture in Take It Easy," she explains.
The U.S. can be found mostly on the à la carte menu, with homemade cookies and muffins, classic club sandwiches cut into triangles, cheddar tartines au gratin and XXL mixed salads, available all week long. On Sundays, it's time for brunch, and not just any brunch, as Nina and Gilles offer a formula that's out of the ordinary. What's on the menu? A 100% American brunch with pancakes in maple syrup, grilled bacon and eggs, either fried or scrambled (the choice is yours).
When it comes to cooking, there's no question of skimping on quality. Here,"everything is homemade", insists Nina: even the bread, prepared on site with organic flour. The fruit and vegetables come from the market next door, and the cookies, muffins and desserts of the day come out of the oven every morning... For snacks, it's a perfect kid-friendly café, with comforting hot drinks, coffees, hot chocolates, teas, cappuccinos and the Take It Easy special, chococcino, a chocolate cappuccino, a bestseller along with the unavoidable choco-daim chaud, a hot chocolate topped with Daim's, to add a little caramel taste.
While Take It Easy is increasingly popular with local families, it wasn't easy. "Gilles and I live in a village next to Étampes, which is considered a fairly dead town... Inevitably, if nobody came up with anything, this reputation would persist, so we decided to come up with our own project", says Nina. One Friday evening a month, the café offers a themed musical aperitif with a blind test, as well as apéros pour Elles, which bring women together for three hours of workshops and meetings, a chance to get away from their daily lives as mothers and take a breather. Macramé, flower arranging, jewelry making: it's truly a time to take for oneself.
A bit like the consultations that Take It Easy regularly organizes . Focused on well-being, you can make an appointment for a session ofosteopathy, reiki, alternative medicine, naturopathy... When you come to Take It Easy, you'll also have the chance to take part in a babywearing workshop, baby sign language, baby yoga,music awareness... Or, for moms, the chance to pamper themselves with a session of pre- and post-natal yoga.
During the week, it's more likely to be professionals who fill the tables in the Take It Easy restaurant, or who occupy the seats to telework, as the place doubles up as a café and has free wifi access. On Wednesdays and weekends, the customers are a little younger and full of energy: these are the days of the kids, who can enjoy theplayground while their parents, grandparents or carers sip a coffee. You can also organize a birthday party at Take It Easy, with a birthday package starting at €15 per child, including drinks, sweets, a surprise bag and access to the playground. Entertainment, cake and other options are available at extra cost, bearing in mind that the maximum number of children is 10.
If you live near Étampes, are planning a trip or live nearby, we recommend a family stop at Take It Easy!
Location
Take It Easy Etampes
121 Rue Saint-Jacques
91150 Etampes
Prices
Boissons chaudes: €1.5 - €4
Dessert: €2.5 - €4
Boissons fraîches: €3 - €4.5
Plats: €9 - €10
Brunch enfant de 3 à 10 ans : €10
Brunch adulte: €20
Official website
www.take-it-easy.fr
