Any foodie who has ever experienced a craving knows the importance of fulfilling that craving as soon as possible. My craving for authentic Italian food began over the weekend, and for me, my visit to Caffe Espresso Trattoria could not come fast enough. Having dined at the original location on Wall Street last winter, I knew that the food would be delicious, but wasn’t quite sure what to expect in terms of atmosphere and ambiance. Aside from the cute, little old man who quickly informed my husband and I not to park in the Walgreen’s parking lot, I was pleasantly surprised. While the outside appears to have the façade of any small restaurant in a strip mall, the inside is quite large and extends far enough back to hold at least 20-30 tables. For a Tuesday evening, the place was packed, and the aroma of garlic and basil instantly made my mouth water. I knew what I wanted even before I opened my menu – after all, when you crave something you absolutely ‘gotta have it.’ My choice – eggplant Parmesan served with their homemade cavatelli pasta. Prior to the meal, I indulged on two pieces of bread. While the bread did not have the consistency or flavor of traditional Italian bread, it was tasty nonetheless. Following the bread was a side salad that contained crisp romaine lettuce, cucumbers, and tomatoes served with the house Italian dressing with sun-dried tomatoes. The dressing was extremely flavorful with large, visible chunks of sun-dried tomatoes that added an extra bite and saltiness to the greens.
Finally, my craving arrived. It took all my power not to dig in before my fellow foodies were served. The dish came with three, thinly sliced pieces of eggplant covered with oozing mozzarella cheese and marinara sauce. A small portion of the cavatelli pasta was served on the side also covered with the ‘gravy.’ My first bite was not as fulfilling as I had hoped. The pasta, while delicious and slightly resembling the flavor and consistency (but not the shape or heaviness) of gnocchi was warm, not hot. I love my foods at extreme temperatures. Cold food should be freezing, and food that is served hot, needs to be burn-my-tongue hot or I am not satisfied. The eggplant however, was absolute perfection. The mozzarella cheese acted like an oven and kept the lightly fried eggplant hot and flavorful. I loved how thinly the eggplant was sliced, and the breading was delicious with hints of fresh herbs, cracked pepper, and grated cheese. Despite the pasta being on the cool side, I ate and savored every morsel of food that was on my plate. My craving…well…let’s just say I left Caffe Espresso Trattoria wanting more and knowing where I will come when my next desire for authentic Italian cuisine comes my way!