If you didn't know it was there, you'd probably never find it. I was tipped off to a hidden secret of sorts, Caffe Rosso, an Italian café located in Ramsay, just south of Inglewood, when it was mentioned in a Fast Forward article about the revitalization of the area. I decided to check it out.
On a normal day I drink more caffeine than my doctor would probably approve of, so the prospect of checking out a new coffee shop was right up my alley. And what a pleasant surprise it turned out to be.
With its bright red walls, Caffe Rosso is immediately welcoming when you walk in the door. After surveying the layout of the café, it was quickly apparent that there is an allegiance with Illy, a renowned Italian coffee company. There are cans of Illy coffee for sale by the cash register, and brand logos on the shop's coffee and espresso cups as well as in several other places around the room.
The Illy company takes pride in its products, mixing traditional coffee-making with the newest technologies. It has perfected its own methods of canning and preserving the coffee, using a widget along the same lines as the one that makes canned Guinness palatable. Normally, the idea of canned coffee in a fancy café setting would be off-putting, but this stuff is the real deal.
I ordered a latte along with the half-sized version of the meatloaf panini for my lunch. Based on its size in the display case, I figured the smaller portion would be more than enough.
The servers at Caffe Rosso were extremely friendly and advised me they'd bring my sandwich to my table after it was grilled. Just like the one in the display, it arrived at my table looking thick and delicious. The bread was made with a hearty, fresh focaccia infused with complementary spices, and loaded up with sauce, cheese and, of course, meatloaf. The panini was sweet, tangy and spicy all at once, offering great balance and contrast. The whole sandwich was toasted nicely, and the cheese was melted perfectly. The meatloaf itself was actually closer to a cut of deli meat, almost like a bologna, but much tastier.
I came to learn that Caffe Rosso bakes its own bread and, like the cans of Illy, you can buy its loaves fresh to take home if you prefer to create your own homemade paninis.
As for the latte, it was fantastic. I'll admit to enjoying a Starbucks latte from time to time, but this was much better. The taste was strong without being overbearing and wasn't too bitter.
After eating, I almost regretted ordering only the half panini until I strolled back to the main counter to look at dessert options. Because I was tight on time, I decided to grab some food to go. I ordered the pesto chicken ciabatta, a piece of triple chocolate cake, the berry crumble and another latte.
The ciabatta looked amazing, was nicely toasted and came full of strips of real chicken breast and melted cheese. It stood up well after the travel time, which was definitely a plus. The chocolate cake was good, but nothing I haven't had in a chocolate cake before. The berry crumble, on the other hand, was delicious.
There were scones and other treats to choose from as well as a handful of other sandwich options. Caffe Rosso also has two breakfast wrap choices that look delicious and would be a great morning accompaniment to any of the coffee blends the café has to offer.
As for the prices, everything was on par or cheaper than what you'd end up paying at Starbucks and, as far as I'm concerned, Caffe Rosso offers a higher-calibre product.
The next time you're down in the Ramsay area, make sure to pop in and grab yourself some goodies. Whether it's to stay or to go, seeking out this hidden gem is worth the effort.
Caffe Rosso is located at 803 24 Ave. S.E.; phone, 479-2999.
