Take it Easy, Etampes' family concept restaurant on the RER C - CLOSED

Unfortunately, Take it Easy closed its doors for good in the spring of 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, open since 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.

So, the U.S. can be found mostly on the menu, with homemade cookies and muffins, classic club sandwiches cut into triangles, tartines au gratin with cheddar cheese or XXL mixed salads, on the menu 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 cuisine, 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 the perfect kid-friendly café, with its comforting hot drinks, coffees, hot chocolates, teas, cappuccinos and Take It Easy's speciality, the chococcino, a chocolate cappuccino, a bestseller along with the inevitable choco-daim chaud, a hot chocolate topped with Daim's, to add a little caramel flavour.

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While Take It Easy is becoming increasingly popular with local families, it hasn't been 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 really a time to take for oneself.

A bit like the consultations that Take It Easy regularly organizes. With a focus on well-being, you can book 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 occupy the seats to telework, as the venue doubles 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 theplay area 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 extra, as the maximum number of children is 10.

If you live near Étampes, are planning to visit or live nearby, we recommend a family stop at Take It Easy!