Eatery's
ambience, food make it a good day
Maribel Villalva
El Paso Times
Friday, January 13, 2006
First, a disclosure.
As some of you may know, reviewers should be anonymous. When we go to
restaurants, we don't tell the wait staff who we are or that we are there to do
a review. We want to take in the atmosphere and customer service that everyone
else is subject to.
But the owner of Buon Giorno Caffe in Northeast El Paso found out I was the
reviewer when I called for permission to send a photographer. He insisted on
knowing when I was going and said he knew what I looked like. He was probably
joking, but I didn't want to take that chance.
I decided to go on a Saturday with my mom, disguising myself as best as I could
with jeans, a pullover and a UTEP cap. I figured I would blend in with the rest
of the customers. Once we walked in, we quickly saw we were the only customers
there. So much for anonymity. I begged my mom not to say my name out loud or to
blurt out that we were there for a review. My friend Gustavo has often come
close to blowing my cover on previous reviews.
Buon Giorno Caffe is in a little nook shopping center on Hondo Pass. It was
previously Chamomile Coffee and Tea Café, which I also reviewed in April 2004.
Our server said the switchover happened in August.
Having liked
Chamomile, I was pleased that the menu was very similar. It still offers the
chicken sandwich, antipasto platters and waffles (for breakfast) that my friends
and I liked more than a year ago.
I decided to try
the Sofia salad ($5.95) that came with field greens, fresh pears, walnuts, feta
cheese and topped with raspberry vinaigrette. It was delicious. The tangy
vinaigrette and creamy feta cheese were great together. My only suggestion would
be to add something with a little color into the mix -- maybe dried cranberries
-- to spruce up the presentation.
My mom loves
croissants, and was thrilled to learn she could order the albacore tuna sandwich
($5.75) on one. Her plate came with a side of cole slaw and a house salad with
the vinaigrette. She thought it was wonderful. I had a taste of the tuna and
agreed. I'm not a fan of onions, but the diced red onion wasn't overpowering.
The cafe offers a good variety of breakfasts -- from fruit-filled waffles to
bagel sandwiches. The menu also features a few platters with meats and cheeses
as well as fancy panini sandwiches with items such as prosciutto, provolone,
sun-dried tomatoes and roasted peppers.
They also have a good selection of specialty teas and chai. My mom ordered the
orange mango iced tea and enjoyed it.
The biggest difference between the two restaurants is that Chamomile used to
offer board games -- such as chess and Chinese checkers -- to its customers.
Buon Giorno has traded the games for a more European flair. It works. The art on
the walls is beautiful, too.
Buon Giorno Caffe made my drive to the Northeast an enjoyable one. Next time,
I'll order the waffles with a cafe mocha.
Maribel Villalva may be reached at
mvillalva@elpasotimes.com; 546-6129