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Posted on Fri, Aug. 08, 2008

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Posto is a cozy cafe

It doesn't have a lot of room for seating, but it does have a lot of good things to eat and drink.

BY DENISE NEIL

The Wichita Eagle

College Hill's newest neighborhood hangout is Caffe Posto, a tiny but cozy coffee and gelato shop that also recently began serving lunch.

Owned by Kay and Cory Conklin and local wine expert Jamie Stratton, the coffee shop opened in March.

ON THE MENU: A rotating selection of panini sandwiches, quiches, soups and salads as well as coffee drinks, pastries and a gelato case that always features at least 12 flavors of gelato and sorbetto.

DON'T-MISS DISHES: The lunch menu at Caffe Posto is so fluid -- changing every few days -- that it's not printed but rather handwritten on a board by the cash register.

But diners can always count on three sandwich variations, a couple of soups and an array of inventive salads.

Among the best dishes we tried was a Capri chicken salad ($7.25), made with a summery mix of greens, mandarin oranges, sliced almonds and grilled chicken breast. The star of the salad, though, was a wonderful ginger-flavored dressing with a definite spicy kick.

The fuschia-colored raspberry vinaigrette on the house salad that accompanied the mushroom and spinach quiche ($6.75) was not quite as pleasing. The dressing had an odd, somewhat off-putting flavor, but the quiche and its buttery crust rescued the plate.

Also delicious was the Italian tomato soup ($4.25 for a cup), attractively served in a oversized white coffee mug and tasting amazingly similar to Tanya Tandoc's famous tomato dill. That's a good thing.

We made a mistake by ordering the ham and cheddar panini ($7.75 with a cup of soup), which was served on a too-thick bread and could have used dressing of some kind. Our neighbor's turkey and roasted red pepper panini was served on a more manageable bread and looked much better. The tortilla soup served on the side, though, tasted freshly made and was floating with delicious bits of tomato, pepper, tortilla strips and chicken.

For dessert, we hit the gelato case, sampling pistachio, limoncello and caffe caramel. The flavors were on, but the texture was off -- quite a bit denser and gummier than a typical gelato, a dessert known for its light creaminess.

All the coffee drinks we sampled at Caffe Posto, including a tasty iced latte, were expertly made.

AMBIENCE: Caffe Posto is a tiny spot, with seating for about 20 inside. But it's attractively decorated, neat and cozy. In cooler weather, a small patio with a row of tables facing Douglas also would be inviting. The cafe offers free wireless Internet service.

PRICE RANGE: Entrees average about $7.50. A small gelato is $2.75. A small latte is $3.30.

SERVICE: Patrons order and pay at the counter and then pick up their own food -- easy to do in such an intimate space. The staff members were all pleasant and helpful.

Ratings reflect the critic's judgment of the food, service and atmosphere in relation to the price. If you would like to nominate a restaurant to be reviewed, call 316-268-6321.