Lunch, March 2005
The Guadalupe Historic District has emerged within the past ten years to give Canyon Road and the Plaza a run for their money as a shopping/dining haven. This blossoming neighborhood, weaned on eclectic boutiques, avant-garde cinema and good, strong coffee met new friends along the way, some like Borders, others like the Farmer’s Market. Large fashionable friends moved in like Outside Magazine and Café San Estevan, generally raising the level of sophistication of this young dandy. Now, on the eve of great change with the new Railyard Community progressing daily, the locals watch nervously and anxiously for signs that this noble little punk might morph into Adobe Disneyland, The Sequel.
The charming Café Dominic, sandwiched (no pun intended) between famed establishments like the Zia Diner and Cowgirl hall of Fame, could easily be lost in the shuffle. And that would be a mistake because it is everything good and kind about this neighborhood. Regular after regular swarmed in for take out or to take a load off. Kids swarmed underfoot not content to play with the crayons provided. Yummy desserts competed with yummy gossip magazines in the order line. (You place your order and pay at the counter and everything is brought to you.) The atmosphere employs some lovely natural lighting and cozy brick walls to give you the feeling that you are eating at home. Everything is clean and bright and the room feels spacious. The ubiquitous tiny wobbly two-tops are banished.
Breakfast is served daily until 3 pm, which is the kind of menu that excites me. I ordered the migas and was happy I did. The arrived less than five minutes after I sat down and looked so fresh, the colors almost popped off the plate. From the salsa to the eggs to the tortilla strips, everything was exceedingly fresh. The jalapeños, sometimes an after thought, were outrageously hot and satisfying. The accompanying black beans are always vegetarian, as are the chiles and rice. I ordered a coffee supplementary (all the coffee comes from Aroma) and it came immediately with an additional receipt and … animal crackers!
All the usual breakfast suspects are available: burritos, chilaquiles, huevos, pancakes, omelets etc. I am sure what sets all the food at Café Dominic apart is the taste. All around me, folks were ordering and loving the various sandwiches (all served on Sage Bakehouse bread), such as Reubens, Monte Cristos, grilled cheese with pesto. Café Dominic claims to roast their own turkey breast. A large assortment of salads, New Mexican plates and of course, hamburguesas are also available. I wish I’d had the room for dessert. Alas. Perhaps another visit very soon.
