Cafe Ariana

Nino and Marie Favaloro were dealt a blow last year when their restaurant "Favaloro's Big Night Bistro" was taken out by a fire. After wading through oceans of red tape, they are just about ready to have their grand reopening. One bright spot in all of this is that it provided them with the impetus to reopen their Cafe Ariana. The original incarnation of this delightful European style eatery was in the Holman building, and it quickly gained a devoted following among the locals. The Favaloros closed it when they opened the Big Night Bistro, and it left a gap in quality low cost food offerings in downtown Pacific Grove.

All the prior favorites are back in their new location on the other side of Lighthouse. These include their trademark butternut squash soup and a variety of very affordable panini. Among these truly delectable Italian style grilled sandwiches are salami, turkey, caprese, and pesto chicken. I have tried panini at many different places, and I have not encountered any that compare with those at Cafe Ariana.

The Favaloros have added individual pizzas to their list of offerings. At first glance, these seem to be rather tiny, but that is an optical illusion due to their being served on a pizza pan that is significantly bigger than the actual pizzas. The crusts are thin and crispy, and they are very similar to individual pizzas I have eaten in Italy. My wife and I easily make a meal out of one of them when supplemented by their very generously sized Cesar salad with grilled chicken. The greens are always fresh, and there are ample quantities of the chicken.

One thing I have always appreciated about Cafe Ariana is that they serve espresso drinks the Italian way, with just the right amount in a small cup. I do not understand why certain establishments serve a bowl of cappuccino! In addition to the various coffees and teas, there is a nice selection of very decent wines and beers as well as some unusual and intriguing soft drinks.

Any review of Cafe Ariana would be incomplete without mentioning their gelato. It is not cheap, but very, very good. The Favaloros use their own recipes, and they are outstanding. Again, very reminiscent of what one finds in Italy.

One gets a good feeling just walking into Cafe Ariana. The color scheme and interior design are warm and pleasant, helping to increase the feeling of light in a storefront that could very easily be dark and dingy. Nino Favaloro is obsessed with cleanliness, and it shows. The cafe is maintained impeccably.

Cafe Ariana is located at 543 Lighthouse in Pacific Grove, between Fountain and Grand. They are closed Sundays and Mondays.