Like my opinion matters... Cafe Paesan (restaurant review)

It's been a LONG time since I updated my blog.. sorry about that.  I've been working to embrace a healthier lifestyle and limiting the number of times I go out to eat.  Instead of socializing over dinner, we are socializing while walking at night.  It feels great... and I've lost weight (almost enough that it is noticeable, or would be if I didn't wear baggy clothes).  So cool!  Have to admit that I'm glad I did reviews of so many bakeries and desserts before I made this change...

But, last night  I went to dinner with a group of girls that get together on a monthly basis for dinner (and really the night before too but that is IT for the week), and we decided to try a new restaurant-- Cafe Paesan.  Cafe Paesan operates like an Italian version of Cafe Rio and is owned by the same people.  Located in the Smith's parking lot in Orem (Center and State Street), my first impression of the restaurant was how spacious and pretty it was inside.  Not at all like the crowded Cafe Rio--which I never go to for that very reason.  The tables weren't crowded together, there was no line, and unfortunately it wasn't very busy which I hope was unusual because I really enjoyed the restaurant!

Took us a while to order because all of the choices looked good and surprisingly inexpensive.  A personal size pizza was under $5.  I think that everything was under $10.  The menu consists of flatbread sandwiches, pasta, salads, and pizza.  When I asked a server what was the best thing on the menu, he told me the pasta which I ordered.  In fact, he told me to order the pasta with a mixture of fresh Pomodoro (tomato) sauce and Creamy Parmesan sauce.  I'm sure the creamy parmesan sauce was extra healthy!  Was a great combination though... I had to laugh when the next person in line asked the same question and he told her something entirely different.  The service people were good-- enthusiastic, engaging, willing to give suggestions.  And they didn't oversell... I remember a restaurant where the server asked (several times) if the food we had was the most amazing and fantastic food we had ever had... How do you answer that?  We weren't at McDonalds or anything when that happened, but it wasn't exactly a fancy restaurant where you would expect to find the most amazing and fabulous food ever either. 

Back to this restaurant though... Besides the combination of tomato and Parmesan sauces on the pasta, I also chose the Balsamic Grilled Chicken and veggies.  The serving size was large and I immediately boxed up about 2/3 of it to take home for lunches for the rest of the week (so not like me but I am trying...).  Out of sight, out of mind and the best thing is that I actually remembered to take the box home with me and didn't leave it on the table.  I did have it for lunch today and there are probably 2 servings left. The chicken was tender and flavorful, as were the veggies and the flavors blended together nicely.  I would order this again in a heart beat, especially since it was "the best thing on the menu". 

Shelly ordered the Romagna Sausage pizza and it looked really good.  The pieces of sausage were enormous and reportedly quite spicy.  The crust was thin and it looked to be perfectly cooked and quite obviously "the best thing on the menu"...

Here is a picture of the flatbread sandwich.  I actually forgot what was on it.. but I know that between all of us we tried the Balsamic Grilled Chicken, the Romagna Sausage, the Spicy Apple Braised Pork, and the Italian Style Braised Beef.  And... you will never guess this, but all of them were "the best thing on the menu".  One thing that the servers didn't brag about that they definitely could have was that this was a Pepsi restaurant!  Yea for Pepsi-- sad though that the ice was cubed and not crushed.  Crushed ice would have made the experience perfect...

So, what's my rating...  I would give it a definite 3-Plus Star Rating, maybe even a 4 Star Rating.  How's that for being a bit wishy washy?  I hope it is just being out of practice... I really liked the atmosphere, the service, the food, the prices, and had a great time with my friends.  Was it the most amazing and marvelous food I ever tasted?... maybe not... but I only have positive things to say and will definitely go back!