CULTURE + ENTERTAINMENT
BEST BISTRO
Welovekrave.com (605) 725-5700 1801 Eisenhower Cir, Aberdeen
Krave Cafe ´ Dominika Blum’s beginnings were far from Aberdeen. The creative and entrepreneur was raised in Warsaw, Poland, where she grew up under the shadow of a communist regime. “I was raised by my mother in an environment where freedom was a luxury, not a right,” she said. “Despite the challenges of communism, my mom and I traveled as often as we could—she was determined to expose me to new experiences and the world around us.” Her life took a turn at the age of 14 when she and her mother, along with her stepfather, immigrated to the United States.
“Together, we share a love for exceptional food, genuine hospitality, and creating a space where guests feel inspired and at home,” said Blum. The restaurant that “blends European elegance with American spirit” is not just a place to eat, Blum says, it’s a community hub where the experience is just as important as the food. The pair, who both own the business, transformed an old church building into Krave, keeping only the original foundation, brick, rafters, and studs, and revamped it into a warm, inviting café that reflects Blum’s love for travel, art, and quality. The menu includes loose-leaf tea, coffee drinks like Café con Miel , Freddo , and Affogato , and will soon offer Boba Tea . Krave is best known for their crêpes, like the Caprese Delight with mozzarella, basil, cherry tomatoes, oil drizzle, balsamic glaze, and herb de Provence. Pay homage to Blum’s first American home with the Chicago , which has caramel, orange, and toasted walnuts. “Our most ordered crêpes are definitely the Monte Cristo and the Florentine ,” said Blum. “The Monte Cristo, with its perfect balance of sweet and savory, is a guest favorite, while the Florentine, with its rich, comforting flavors, is a popular dinner choice.”
Blum recalls stepping off of the plane at Chicago O'Hare International Airport and that it “smelled like freedom.”
That freedom didn’t come without challenges, one of them being Blum didn’t speak a word of English.
“After attending summer school for three months, I learned how to communicate in English,” she said.
Blum attended the Institute of Technology in Chicago where she studied architecture and continued her passion for travel. It was through travel that she fell in love with food, showing that “every meal can tell the story of a culture.” This appreciation for food continued as Blum worked in a Michelin -star restaurant while in college, where she discovered elevated food service went beyond placing a dish in front of a guest—it was about crafting an immersive experience that engages all the senses. After meeting her husband, John , Blum moved to his hometown of Aberdeen. She says she saw opportunity in her new community, and thus Krave Café was born.
Krave also has baked goods, like Biscones , Kookies , Cupcakes , Mini Breads , and more.
Blum says she’s excited to renovate additional kitchen space, which will allow them to expand and to create new offerings like interactive classes. Krave also plans to grow their catering services and host more events.
“There’s so much to look forward to as Krave continues to grow and evolve,” said Blum.
20 | 605MAGAZINE.COM
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