TOSCANINI'S ran into some tax trouble earlier this year and was shuttered by the state. Fans of the Central Square coffee shop/ice-cream parlor/brunch purveyor came to the rescue, though, donating dollars — fivers and hundreds and thousands — to keep the place in business. That’s called a devoted set of regulars. And it’s no surprise that’s the sort of loyalty that owner Gus Rancatore’s spot provokes. The weekend installments of Breakfast@TheBigTable feature made-to-order pancakes and eggs and fruit; the ice cream is some of the smoothest around; the coffee drinks excel; and the folks behind the counter eschew coffee-counter workers’ reputation for surliness. These kind souls deal with a flow of grouchy pre-caffeine customers. The sparkle-eyed dude with the dreads down to his waist and the short-haired girl with the cat tattoo are all smiles and morning benevolence. They bring a bit of joy to people’s days.
TOSCANINI’S | 899 Main Street, Cambridge | 617.491.5877 | tosci.com
