Local Bites

Cafe' Koko Restaurant Review

Café Koko, resting in downtown Greenfield, has become our preferred dining place for a decent and swift lunch, when we are in the area. Having recently undergone a face-lift, the corner cafe' has become a less tawdry and dark place than it used to be, thanks to a few vital modifications. Signs have been posted around the building's perimeter preventing loiterers, who used to hang outside the café and smoke, from diminishing the atmosphere. Also aiding the café’s atmosphere are ceiling tiles decorated by local artists and everyday people, such as my brother and his horseback-riding camp, consisting of three people, each individually painted a section of the tile of life around the stables. My favorite tile is a lively painting of two aliens peeking down at you through a trompe l’oeil hole. Art work displayed on the walls is changed every so often and helps provide an interesting background. The building also has wireless, and outlets next to a row of tables certainly attract extra customers. The atmosphere does have its downside, though, with its petite and unstable tables, barely allowing enough space to fit two plates, let alone three, with drinks and silverware.

The fairly choice-friendly menu welcomes customers who will be willing to try something unconventional, although you can get some of the regular café lunches, such as a turkey club sandwich, some traditional salad choices, and soups, but you will be more satisfied with the food if you go with something more eccentric. The Omni is one of my favorite choices, with crisp bacon, lettuce, tomato, pesto, avocado, and sprouts, all served on a bagel. Although it’s a “breakfast” sandwich, it will leave you feeling full at any time of the day. Their chocolate chip cookies with walnuts are some of the best cookies around, and they also have lots of other fresh deserts, ranging from maple kissed cornbread to rich chocolate treats.

This particular day, I ordered soup in a bread bowl, a new choice on the menu. My favorite soup from past experiences was Grandma’s chicken, so I went with that. My brother ordered the same thing and my mom ordered a small side salad with curried chicken salad. The person taking our order at the counter needed extra help spelling “miso,” and we could tell she had been newly hired. The food was ready rapidly, as usual. We grabbed a row of seats at the sun bar, which is one of the only places to sit with three or more people. I quickly observed that there was no broth in the soup; the bread had soaked it all up. It was a disappointment, for the broth is usually what makes it such a great soup. Left in the bowl was shredded chicken, a bit insipid without the broth, and mushy carrots. The bread was horrible, partly because it was drenched in broth, but also the quality of the bread was poor. Over all, my and my brother’s meal was disappointing. My mom’s salad was not any better. She noted that the dressing, usually very appetizing, was too vinegary, and instead of miso, it tasted more like bad balsamic dressing. Ironic, that when I review the café, we get the worst food we have ever gotten there. Usually, the food is quite good. Even though I gave Café Koko a so-so review, I would advise you to try it if you are in the area, but do not order soup in a bread bowl! This is not by any means a destination restaurant, but you might enjoy the food there…most of the time!

--LGP