Cafe Europa

Europa and the outdoor patio

Cafe Europa!

Nestled on Main Street in Covington, Europa has been making some waves around town for their fantastic deserts and Sunday Brunch. Rico and I stopped in on Friday just before lunch time so there was no one else in the restaurant. Walking in the front door you are greeted by a classic row house store front, display cases filled with home made deserts, meats, cheeses, and some coffee machines.

Rico and I took a seat outside on the patio, the weather being too beautiful to sit in the back dining room. In the winter months I can see the dining room being a lovely place to eat, walls covered with local art, all for sale, and a small fireplace to heat the room.

Be sure to read both of our reviews, as well as the Sunday brunch update at the bottom of the page. Also don't forget to follow us on twitter @EatingCinci for all of our instant posts and pictures (only posted on Twitter) while we are out around the trisate. It's also a great way for you to suggest your favorite places for us to visit!

Rico's Review

This time around Schwebler and I were rushed so we went to a cafe I had never been to. Cafe Europa in Covington had the makings for the best fall lunch. A small outside patio, with the tables under a roof made of vines. Frank Sinatra was playing out of a old stereo as the breeze and sun made the set up perfect.

On the inside they were hand making crepes, desserts filled coolers and the sight of gelato took me back to Rome.

Things were going great... until I ordered my food.
I got a Spicy Italian Panini, or as they called the "hobo."
The sandwich had: salami, capicola, pepperoni, provolone, roasted red peppers, vinaigrette all on a baguette. I'll start with my side dish though, basic potato salad. How can a restaurant mess that up. Well they can.

Cafe Europa prides itself in having everything home made with the best ingredients. Well my potato salad tasted like it was from Walmart... A cheap mass produced summer staple. The very plain mustard base dish left me regretting the choice.

So I moved on to the sandwich, first it wasn't on a baguette, it was on thin bread that was smashed on the press. The meat and cheese was good, warm all the way through. The problem came with the peppers. They were cut so thick they were cold in the center and over-powered everything else.

Needless to say I was not impressed with the food.
Overall you couldn't ask for a better place to sit and enjoy the meal... The problem comes with the meal. It only cost me $7.37 so maybe I get what I pay for... What you get is a great environment with generic food.


Justin's Review

I first have to apologize for doing another entry from Northern Kentucky, but since Rico and I both live on the south side of the river, our schedules and time constraints simply weren't working this week. Regardless, we snuck in a good lunch time review at Cafe Europa in Covington.

Inside the shop

I had been to Europa once before, but only for some blueberry bread pudding and coffee with the parents. Both of which, from what I remember, were outstanding. Today though Rico and I were putting their lunch menu to the test. There's lots to choose from as long as you like panini's, although there are a number of daily soups and salads, as well as a few select appetizers.



Half of the two page menu.

We decided to lunch on the shaded patio outside, taking advantage of the beautiful streak of weather we have been having. I ordered a cafe mocha to drink, I was a bit tired after class and needed a good pick me up. The coffee and tea is one thing that makes Europa a great pit stop.

My French Panino

To eat, I chose the French Panino. They called the bread a baguette, but I would consider it a standard grilled panini. On the bread, some thick pancetta, a hearty melted brie cheese and some thin green apple slices. Personally I had never had apple on a sandwich before, and I actually really enjoyed it. The pancetta was salty, savoury, and everything you could expect from a well cooked pig, but the apples really tied it together, giving the sandwich a sweet, crispy alternative to onions or peppers. The brie was a little overdone. It's not that I don't like brie, there was just too much. It simply overpowered the pancetta and apple.

Cafe Mocha

 My side was garlic pickles. I realized that I ordered pickles at Wunderbar too, so I guess I may soon become the all around expert on Cincinnati's pickled hot spots, a title to be proud of I'm sure.... Like I said at Wunderbar, the pickles were tasty but still just pickles; let's face it, they're hard to ruin.

The desert window

The portions weren't huge, but it was definitely a full meal, and besides I chose a very light side item.

My tally was $11.34, not bad.

Overall I would say it was a good lunch, although I think from now on I may just stick to coffee and deserts. One thing I forgot to mention is that their gelato is fantastic; some of the best I've had this side of the Atlantic.

As a side note my parents have gone to Europa's Sunday brunch a number of times and have given high marks, especially since there is live music on the patio on Sundays.

The tea selection.

Home made gelato

Be sure to hop down to Covington, perhaps to grab some authentic German food at Wunderbar, and then head over to Europa for some great home made deserts and coffee. Thumbs up from me.

Regards,

Justin.




Sunday Brunch Update

After our lunch on Friday I (Justin) had to give Europa another chance at redemption. I had eaten there before and knew of the great food they can really produce. My parents had raved about their Sunday brunch and so I decided to join them after church along with my grandparents.

I have to say right off, it was one of the best breakfasts I've had in the Cincinnati area. I had "The Kentuckian," three eggs any style (I got sunny side up), apple wood smoked bacon, Sicilian potatoes, Italian bread, and some fruit salad.

The eggs were good, cooked well on the outside and just enough runny yolk on the in. The potatoes and bacon were heavenly, the bread was crisp and the fruit salad was fresh and sweet. I was so relieved that the Sunday crew at Europa renewed my faith in the restaurant.

We ate out on the patio again as Rico and I had done, but on Sunday mornings a soft 3 piece jazz band plays from 11-1. They were great, not to loud and great musicians and vocalists all around. I will be back to watch them again, and to eat some of Europa's faith restoring Sunday brunch. Check it out and follow us on Twitter @EatingCinci for all the tweets and pictures not seen on this blog.

Talk to you soon and happy eating!