Café de Olla Review in the Dining Out Guide
Dear Gringa Gourmet,
Every time I go for my evening walk, I see people lined up in front of a restaurant near the corner of Olas Altas and Basilio Badillo. What’s the draw? - Curious Jorge
Dear Curious,
I’ve wondered the same thing, so last week I made a point of personally checking it out. I hate waiting for anything; hence, I arrived at Café de Olla at 6:00 pm sharp, before anyone with a civilized palate would consider eating dinner, especially in Mexico.
Although I arrived early, I was nonetheless instructed to bide my time on the sidewalk, despite the availability of several empty tables inside. My partner and I apparently did not warrant the use of a larger table that might possibly be needed to accommodate a bigger party. While hungrily eyeing the dishes served to patrons seated at outdoor tables a foot or two removed from where we stood, we salivated at the sight and smell of bacon wrapped steaks and the restaurant’s signature twice baked potatoes and scallions cooking on the street side grill--a powerful appetite enhancer and a mighty effective marketing ploy.
Ultimately we were hurriedly ushered in to the back of the restaurant near the coffee station and a few single diners-- also relegated to the anterior. The seemingly stressed wait staff were brusque and did not check back to assure our satisfaction after our orders were served. Smoke from a table of four female tourists seated nearby floated in the air, eventually finding its way to our table, much to our chagrin.
My partner’s mixed barbecue platter was fine, but his Onion soup and my Combination fajita (shrimp, chicken and beef) were bland, at best. Café de Olla, however, serves a generous glass of wine, large Margaritas ($65 pesos) and has a decent selection of bottled wine including options from Chile, Spain and Italy as well as Mexico. By-the-glass prices range between $35 pesos and $50 pesos. Several Mexican dishes such as Sopes, tacos and empanadas are available and menu items are reasonably priced-- (12-ounce New York steak, $175 pesos; Grilled Shrimp, $180 pesos).
Adjacent tables were served a delicious looking seafood soup, complete with lobster tail, and a generous, good-looking vegetable salad. A seafood platter for two is the house specialty. Café de Olla’s ambiance is a bit dark and uninspired, but the location couldn’t be handier to people staying in the Romantic Zone. The menu offers several starters, including a melted cheese (fondue) dish served with tortillas ($55 pesos), and various grilled meats, chicken, fish and seafood, including octopus in garlic. In addition to caramel custard, pie, chocolate cake and ice cream, diners celebrating a birthday may request a “sexy banana,” served frozen and covered with chocolate.
For first-time tourists--non-plussed by more upscale gourmet establishments-- who don’t wish to stray far from the beaten path, geographically or culinarily speaking, Café de Olla is a popular option. Make reservations, if you want to shorten your wait.
