A plain and fancy morning at Cortona Cafe.There’s nothing better than the whiff of dark coffee and sweet banana pecan waffles to rouse you in the morning. There’s also nothing more comforting in the evening than being enveloped in the welcoming arms of a glass of ruby wine and a savory empanada. Thus, we end this week in Voracious where we began–at the Central District’s Cortona Cafe.Cortona Cafe is located in the bottom of a new-ish row house on the corner of 25th and E. Union St. Skirted by a small technology company, an after-hours hair styling business and the studio of a well-known local artist, Cortona Cafe occupies a cozy bi-level space and offers free wi-fi and a small selection of quality reading materials (including some fascinating business cards). Of course, there’s also the Herkimer coffee, fresh juices, tea and a small but impressive selection of beer and wine (hello, weekend mimosas!), various tasty baked goods from Le Fournil and Little Rae’s Bakery, empanadas from Rosa’s Chilean Empanadas, and oh yes, those waffles.The most popular waffle at Cortona Cafe is the banana pecan waffle ($6.50), a fluffy Belgian waffle topped with an entire sliced banana, a generous handful of toasted pecans, whipped cream and a bit of powdered sugar with maple syrup and butter served on the side. The plain Belgian waffle ($5) is lovely in its austerity, offering up nothing but crispy corners and sweet insides. The Tiramisu waffle ($6), though it sounds dessert-ish, is actually a welcome treat morning or night. A bitter shot of espresso offers a fantastic juxtaposition to its Matterhorn-esque topper of whipped cream. True sweet freaks can indulge in a decadent Nutella strawberry waffle ($6.50). For those interested in such things, Cortona Cafe’s waffles are made with Washington grown, Shepherd’s grain flour, rBGH-free milk, and local, cage-free eggs. There’s also a wheat-free vegan waffle ($5) the recipe for which is currently being reformulated by a dietary master from Bastyr.Baked goods range from fantastically flaky croissants and chewy cookies to a fist-sized quiche that is more delicious and filling than being called “fist-sized” would indicate. But the star of these baked goods are the savory empanadas ($5.50). These perfectly-sized pockets are filled with belly warming chicken curry or shredded beef (the secret ingredient of which is…hard-boiled egg), and a much sought-after vegetarian option packed with corn, black beans, jack cheese, peppers, green onions and raisins.Cortona Cafe is a small space with impressively diverse offerings–just like its neighborhood. Beyond the small businesses in the neighboring buildings there’s also a meeting place for the local Muslim community, a Buddhist healing arts center, and a community garden farmed by the muffins at Alley Cat Acres, the bounty of which is biked to the local food bank. Sure, waffles and coffee can’t be beat for bookends to a day. But add to them the spice this vibrant and diverse neighborhood brings, and you’ve got the beginnings of the secret recipe that makes the Central District one of the Seattle’s great neighborhoods. Cortona Cafe, 2425 E. Union St., 206.327.9728, cortonacafe.com CENTRAL DISTRICT