I’ve discovered two new hidden gems in Hampton Roads: Tastefully Philly Cafe and Bodega Cafe.
When I visited them, they brought me joy.
Tastefully Philly is inside the Paperbacks Ink bookstore in Newport News. It sits in the back of the room. Seating is limited but can accommodate a few friends meeting for lunch.
Let me warn you: Philly steak and cheese sandwiches aren’t served here. Cooking isn’t permitted on the premises. But customers have other tasty options, such as roast beef, turkey and ham. Soups, salads and desserts are also on the menu. The drink selection consists of items such as hot and cold lattes and macchiatos and house-made lemonade.
Owner Danielle Prince, who’s from Philadelphia, offered me samples of the chicken salad and the banana pudding. Delicious. I ordered both for dine-in along with the butternut squash and apple soup.
Just before I arrived, the café served its 1,000th customer. Not bad for a place that opened two months ago.
I’m convinced most of those people had the chicken salad. If not, they missed out. I got mine on a croissant but it’s also available by the pound for takeout. It had a traditional taste with chicken, mayo and eggs, but there was something amazing about it. Perhaps it was the proportion of ingredients, the flavor of the chicken and the right amount of salt. Whatever superpower Prince had in making chicken salad for the past 30 years, it was synonymous with the business’ tagline, “Where you can taste the love.”
I felt the same about the banana pudding. It was cold and made with fresh bananas, unlike others. I loved the hint of spice. Delightful.
I opened the container of the butternut squash and apple soup, scooped a spoonful and saved the rest for later. Smooth. Hearty. Good.
For the ride home, I bought a lemonade. It was a refreshing sip at each traffic stop. The sour overpowered the sweet and gave me a perfect pucker for kissing, the way I like it.
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Far from Tastefully Philly is Bodega Cafe, in Virginia Beach. It features coffee classics such as Americano, cappuccino and macchiato. It offers five signature drinks, including the Bodega Cat (espresso, white mocha and lavender) and the Spanish latte (espresso and condensed milk). Pair them with muffins, scones, bagels and other pastries, all made by local businesses.
Owner Melinda Garcia, who’s from the Bronx in New York, used to work at a coffee shop in Manhattan. She always enjoyed serving good coffee to family and friends at home. The family moved to the area about a year ago and they opened the Bodega Cafe in December. It’s in a shopping strip called Holland Center.
I walked in at the right time. Realtor Heather White was paying for everyone’s order.
The mango and passion fruit juices looked good in the dispensers behind the counter. On Garcia’s recommendation, I ordered a 50-50 mix. I wanted a treat, too, and she said the cinnamon rolls and chocolate croissant were customer favorites. I picked the roll; it came from Prosperity Kitchen and Pantry.
I sat on an orange cushioned bench that lined the wall. White tables and black chairs were situated in front of it. The place had a chill vibe with a cozy sofa and two chairs in the corner and bar seating overlooking the parking lot.
I sipped my orange colored drink. It eased down my throat with a fresh and fruity, sweet sensation. Rapid finger snaps of approval. Mango and passion fruit made a great combination.
I became an instant fan after a bite of the cinnamon roll. It wasn’t too sweet or stingy on the icing. Though it was gooey, it didn’t make me feel heavy after eating it. It left me satisfied, with a happy soul.
Before leaving, I bought a Cake Boy Cakes blueberry coffee cake. It had a greenish tint but the miniature Bundt was moist and fabulous. I loved the crumble bits on top and in the middle. Berrylicious.
Rekaya Gibson, 757-295-8809, rekaya.gibson@virginiamedia.com; on X, @gibsonrekaya
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If you go
Tastefully Philly
Where: Inside Paperbacks Ink, 9716 Warwick Blvd., near Huntington Park, Newport News
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday
Details: 804-504-6132, tastefullyphillycafe.com
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If you go
Bodega Cafe
Where: 3574 Holland Road, near Rosemont Road, Virginia Beach
Hours: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday
Details: 757-340-3282, bit.ly/BodegaCafe
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