“They ground their coffee by hand, it was so long ago,” she joked. “But it was really beautiful. The beatniks used to read their poetry and discuss their ideas there.”
Yangues has worked hard to keep the old world feel of Pamplona alive.
Though she has made small changes over time, like hiring women waiters and adding tapas to a menu that once included only coffee and pastries, the simple decor and atmosphere of the cafe has stayed true to form.
“I’ve had the same kind of flowers in the window for 47 years,” Yangues said, motioning towards a row of potted geraniums.
—Staff writer Wendy D. Widman can be reached at widman@fas.harvard.edu.
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