Since I moved off the Kosciusko stop in Bushwick, I have longed for a solid coffee shop. Tikal Cafe…read more2 is just that. The issue is that it doesn't come up when you search for "coffee" on google maps. It doesn't need to be a hidden gem, but with some adjustments to their marketing strategy I think it has a lot of potential to be much bigger.
I have never been let down by their coffee. Best lattes in the area by far. My FAVORITE part of the cafe is when you order a pastry, they warm it up without you asking. This is solid quality service!! I think their matcha is fine, it wasn't my faavorite but it's a decent option. My partner has ordered their juice and really enjoyed it.
The newest addition to the cafe, and perhaps the best, is DINNER!! Chef Rodrigo did a fantastic job curating the menu, and pushing this spot into new territory. He specializes in pasta, and has roots in both Argentina and Italy. I had a great time sitting at the bar, learning about his inspiration, and trying some incredible food.
I started with their not-caesar caesar salad, which featured miso paste. This was a great dish, I'm not typically a caesar salad fan because of how heavy the dressing is but I had no issue with this dish. Next up, I tried the roasted seasonal peppers. This was different than anything I've tried before, with fresh peppers, tortillas, and cream. It was light and refreshing.
For the main dish, I had the ravioli with wine-cheese sauce. this was truly delicious. The sauce is light, unlike most cheese based pasta sauces. I really thought it was perfect. I noted to Rodrigo that I wish I could taste the wine flavor a liiiiittle more, but it was excellent. I got a dessert to go - the gluten free banana bread. I was nervous because it's gluten free, but WOW it is tasty. I'd seriously recommend stopping in for dinner. The staff is very friendly and the food does not miss. I will definitely be back!
(all of my pictures arent uploading right now, so ill try to edit that later)