The former flight attendant takes off again by opening a café-brunch in Val-d'Oise

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She traveled the world before launching her own business. Célia Mendy, 39 years old, ex-flight attendanthas just launched its brunch café concept, 40, rue Pierre-Butin, in Pontoise (Val-d'Oise).

A business which expands the catering offer in the lower part of the city, between the Notre-Dame district, the quays and rue Prachay.

From morning coffee to lunch around a cuisine without complexity, fast and delicious, she will “offer simple dishes that we like, but that we don't want to cook”, confides Célia, who has kept the know-how of the quick menu that she had to improvise during business flights, in her career as an air hostess.

“Here, no daily menu,” she warns.

From her time in airlines, she found the name of her restaurant, the Coffee [Si].

“Because when I worked as a hostess, they didn’t call me Célia, but Si,” explains the manager.

Mamie Astride

Originally from Rouen (Seine-Maritime)Célia reconnected with her family past. His “grandma Astride” managed the Bar de la Marine on the quays of the port on the banks of the Seine.

The Norman woman finally landed in Port-Cergy, through the link with her companion, Modibo Niakaté, ex-pro basketball playerwith whom she had three children (9, 5 and 2 1/2 years old).

She then discovers a town with no real center and limited catering options.

From this observation was born his idea of ​​launching his own business. However, she chose Pontoise, not very far from the banks of the Oise.

Opened in September, its café has already gained the loyalty of a clientele of liberal professions.

Even a couple of American teachers, based in Pontoise, have their habits there.

“Before, we had to go to Paris to taste our favorite café crème and then Célia opened her restaurant. We’ve been coming here ever since,” explains Kevin, accompanied by Jennifer.

For Célia, her perfect mastery of the language of Shakespeare is an asset when interacting with the two expatriates from the USA.

The manager wishes to develop her offering with local producers.

She works with a roaster in the Hermitage district.

She invested in a benchmark coffee machine in the world of bars.

His establishment even has a lunch area, with vinyls available to customers, while waiting for a take-out order.

The Coffee [Si] 40, rue Pierre-Butin. Wednesday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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