NOTE: I scheduled this post to go up… We are traveling to Honduras right now, please keep us in your prayers. Head over to our RO4Y blog and read about the awesome things that have happened! Enjoy and thank you!
I have a confession to make… Italian food is my comfort food and I know good Italian food when I taste it. This was the best I’ve ever had… seriously.
Puerto Viejo has a large Italian population and several Italian restaurants to choose from. We decided to go to Café Viejo because they have a large menu of fresh pizzas, handmade pasta, good prices and a great reputation. I went for the handmade pasta while my hubby went for a pizza. My in-laws each got handmade pasta too and we ate every single noodle & pizza on our plates. The food portions were very generous and it was above and beyond our expectations… even my in-laws couldn’t believe how good it was and they live near Chicago!
We were served fresh italian bread along with olive oil & balsamic vinegar throughout our meal. Our salads topped with mangos was very refreshing, but I have to talk about the handmade pasta. It was thick, chewy and extremely tasty. I don’t usually get homemade pasta because it would often taste starchy and unappealing, but these were nothing but the best! They make their pasta fresh everyday and use the freshest ingredients! I was thrilled to learn that the owners, 3 brothers, learned to cook at the knee of their Italian grandmother back in Rimini. We all know how important it is to preserve our grandmothers’ & great-grandmothers’ cooking! Everything they make is 100% authentic with a few Caribbean twists thrown in here & there.
I chose handmade pasta tossed with fresh veggies, fresh basil and olive oil with a touch of freshly ground black pepper and parmesan cheese. It was deliciously moist and full of flavor. I was VERY happy with the pasta and literally at the whole plate. My past experience with this kind of dish usually came out to me dry and not very flavorful, but these guys made it perfetto e delizioso!
Next, Jon ordered the Caribbean Pizza and it was very unusual, but delicious! I MUST make this for you all sometime, but that means I have to keep the ingredients a secret for now… he he :o)
My in-laws each order handmade pasta with different sauces. I can’t remember what they were, but I do remember them eating every bite till their plates were clean. They live in a very Italian neighborhood and have been to plenty of italian restaurants around Chicago area that claim to be the best. They said Cafe Viejo was the best they’ve ever had!
If you are anywhere near Puerto Viejo… I HIGHLY recommend stopping by this place. You will experience a little bit of Italy right in the small Caribbean town of Puerto Viejo! They do not serve lunch, only dinner and they are close on Tuesdays.
Here I am eating the last few bites of my pasta and pizza… I STUFFED myself! Both girls were wiped out on my lap. We were at the beach earlier that afternoon and they missed their naps… how can they nap when they have too much to do at the beach?! LOL!
I love Italian food too and sometimes I feel like an Italian. Everything sounds delicious. You’ll be in my prayers as you move to another place. Hugs.
Marillyn, this is such a nice place to have some delicious Italian food. The place looks pretty cozy and that’s why your girls fell asleep! hehe… At least, you could have your food in peace & quiet. Btw, have you done your packing already?