I know that Valentine’s night was over two weeks ago, but our dinner date at Caffé Veneto was such a great night out and a good business idea to extend opening hours, that I’m hoping they’ll be doing it again soon!
For one night only the café opened its doors serving a special five course Valentine’s menu. Since Tom and I have been going out, this is the first time we’ve actually ventured out on Valentine’s night and this place didn’t disappointed.
By day Caffé Veneto serve a selection freshly baked pastries, brewed coffee and croque monsieurs – there’s definitely a distinct European feel.
Sat by the giant Venetian wall scene, you could completely forget you were actually in Banbury’s town centre (and that’s not necessarily a bad thing) Trendy upcycled coffee sacks run the length of the counter and make an unusual ceiling covering whilst weathered wood adds to the stripped back look.
On Valentine’s night the café felt busy, but we were by no means crammed in like sardines – which can be the case with some coffee shops.
I broke my ‘give-up-wine-for-lent’ pact and merrily enjoyed the glass of prosecco on hand (I’ve kept up the lent part since!). I particularly fancied Caffé Veneto for Valentines for its Italian inspired menu, so for starters I had a trio of brushetta whilst Tom had caponata – a traditional Sicilian dish, made with eggplants, onions, celery, tomato, olives, capers and basil.
Our starters were swiftly followed by two great mains: penne carciofi e spinaci – penne pasta with baby leaf spinach, grilled artichoke and fresh asparagus in a white wine and tomato sauce; and chicken milanese – chicken escalope with rocket salad and a neapolitano spaghetti.
I had definite dessert envy when Tom’s rum caramel cheesecake appeared on the table. My pasticcini mignon, hand made Italian cakes filled with cream patisserie, fruits, chocolate and cream, were tasty but rustic. You can clearly see the team’s enthusiasm, although the waitress quickly identified that the “afternoon shift might have become a lot longer!”
You can find Facebook, keep an eye out for their next open evening!
