Cafecito: Bold Latin Flavors, Vegetarian Friendly
By Staff in Food on Nov 4, 2010 7:20PM
Variety may be the spice of life, but as any foodie will testify, spices bring true variety. At Cafecito, the spices are as bold as the concept behind the cafe. A Cuban-inspired cafe featuring coffee, salads, and signature pressed sandwiches, Cafecito delivers on taste, variety, and ambience. For non-meat eaters, it also delivers a wonderful selection of vegetarian dishes.
We stopped in on a brisk and busy Wednesday afternoon, drawn by the promise of freshly brewed Cuban coffee. What we found was a culinary tour of Latin American cuisine. The coffee was as smooth and satisfying as we expected, but we were surprised to find a diverse menu featuring sandwiches and salads inspired by the tastes of Cuba, Argentina, Uruguay, and others. From Cafecito’s own signature cubano (a savory press featuring roasted pork, ham, swiss, pickles and mustard) to the almost desert-like elveez (sweet plantains, guava, and peanut butter), each sandwich is made to order from fresh, natural ingredients.
Cafecito’s coffee is roasted Cuban-style and shipped in from Florida. We started our visit with a round of fresh brews. The cortadito, a small cup of Cuban espresso with a teaspoon of sugar and a few tablespoons of hot milk was strong and full-bodied. We also sampled the cafe con leche, Cuban espresso in a glass of steamed milk. It was smooth, creamy, and delicious. The Cubano sandwich is a must-try and did not disappoint. Vegetarians should try the flavorful provoletta, full of grilled provolone cheese, roasted red peppers, and topped with chimichurri sauce. Every bite was bursting with flavor. We paired it with warm and hearty black bean soup.
Cafecito is the brainchild of actor-turned-restaurateur Philip Ghantous. For two and half years, he has been delighting South Loop diners with tastes equally as daring. “At Cafecito, it is all about teaching people about flavors,” he said when asked about his choice of cafe themes. During our time at Cafecito, we were surrounded by a fun and chatty mix of students, tourists, and business people. Judging by the banter around us, it was an appreciative crowd.
When you visit Cafecito, do not skip out on the deserts. The cafe serves up a large selection of fresh-baked postri. The tres leches cake is cool, light, and sweetly refreshing. The alfajores, cookie-like confections of Arab origin and popularized in Latin and Spanish countries, melt in your mouth with the richness of caramel and sweetness of coconut.
Finally, the prices at Cafecito are about as wonderful as the icing on the tres leches cake. With most of the coffee drinks well under three dollars, there is no need to feel guilty about spending a few more dollars to have a sandwich or a desert. Get there before 11 AM and treat yourself to one of their popular breakfast sandwiches. Whatever time you go, Cafecito is sure to be serving up something fresh and bold.
Cafecito is located at 26 E. Congress Parkway.
By John DiGilio