(vioscafe.com) – Ravenna
How I heard of this place: It used to be the Honey Bear Bakery, a coffee shop at the far end of Third Place Books, which offered bar seating against the windows overlooking NE 65th Street, cafe fare and friendly staff. Vios came in about two years ago and after hearing many good reviews, it was high time I sampled the menu.
Type of cuisine: Simple Greek cuisine, and a limited breakfast menu to boot!
Ambiance: Casual setting with tall booths, chairs and tables around the large, open space for seating. The space hosts a children’s play area between the bookstore and restaurant. Simple and sparse space with a lot of openness. Photographs of the homes and colors of Greek mountainside properties, gorgeous water and beautiful skyline are found throughout the front of the cafe. Small red and white umbrella-shaped light hangings dangle from the ceiling. “…a setting reflecting the comforts of home.”
What I ordered: I was meeting a friend for coffee and a morning chat, so I ordered the hot chocolate ($2), which is prepared with real, Belgian chocolate melted to a thick consistency and mixed in with the steamed, foamy milk. My dining companion needed breakfast so she also ordered the Greek omelet ($8.75), with caramelized onion, feta cheese, fresh thyme and spinach, accompanied with large, wedge-cut sweet potato fries and thickly sliced, grilled bread.
What I loved: The hot chocolate was unquestionably one of the best I have had the bounty of sampling. The thick and dark chocolatey concoction provided the perfect warmth for a brisk, cold morning, after a walk to Vios, and the slight bitter taste of melted chocolate kept the sugar rush at bay. My dining companion must have thoroughly enjoyed her very fresh and delicious-looking, healthy portion of breakfast as there was little to be spoken of two hours later when we were getting ready to leave.
Why I loved it: The service friendly and the options limited, giving ease to the decision-making process. It seems as though great care is taken to prepare and serve fresh, home-cooking to patrons.
Cost: Low to average ($5-$12 for a breakfast plate)