Coffee Shop Stop

  When there’s a new coffee place around I have to check it out. I recently stopped at the Alternative Grounds Caffe in Middleport at 17 Main St. It’s located in the former Jones Hardware Store. We decided to go to lunch and found the decor contemporary with a historic flair. There are historic photos of the Middleport you can glance at or watch CNN while waiting for lunch. There’s a couch to sit on if you are waiting for your order, although we didn’t wait long at all.  The caffe is a departure from the norm for the Village. The internet connection in the shop is a plus for tourists visiting. On this trip your tastebuds are treated to some new flavors.

   My lunch was a chicken wrap. This wrap had grilled chicken, bacon, caramelized red onion, smoked Gouda, mixed greens with basil mayo. Then all these warm goodies are wrapped in a grilled tomato tortilla.  I think it was the basil mayo that really gave this simple wrap an elegant flavor.   

  My son Vincent had the Roast beef panini, Oven roasted with Muenster cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion on focaccia bread with creamy horseradish sauce.  He called it “extremely gourmet” , he said the sandwich had too many favorite flavors to pick from. The horseradish was strong and he really liked it.

  My Mother Betty had the Greek Chicken , which was grilled chicken, tomatoes, red onion, feta cheese with kalamata olive spread served on focaccia bread. She said it was well done and her favorite and she probably won’t ever order anything else from this caffe. She actually went to Greece last summer and ate the foods, so I’m taking her word for it that it was good.

 My regular black coffee was good, but a bit stronger than I like it.  They also have designer coffees like Cappuccino, caramel Macchiato or mocha .  So I will need to go again and have an “only coffee visit.” If you are a tea drinker don’t be afraid to stop by, it’s not only coffee at the caffe, You can purchase hot tea or a pot of loose tea in all different flavors.