Bites Nearby: Café Olio

Prepare to be amazed at the selection of baked goods and foods on display and for sale at Café Olio, located on The Pinehills Village Green. Come by in the morning for a muffin or bagel and a coffee, stick around for a salad or panini for lunch and grab a loaf of bread or a pastry to take home. And that is just the tip of the iceberg.

Olio is a "European-style, Italian-inspired café," says chef and owner Stephen Conti. He explained that "olio" is the Italian word for oil. The café offers breakfast, lunch, takeout, catering, a Sunday brunch and special events.

The owner told how he was originally scouting for a location in Boston or Cambridge before he "fell in love with The Pinehills concept." He opened Olio in 2005 and expanded it in 2007.   

Conti added that the menu is "simple, fresh and seasonal" with "as many healthy options as possible."

The most popular dish is the chicken salad, followed by the Italian panini, made with ham, salami, pepperoni, mortadella, provolone, tomatoes, pepperocini, oregano and a balsamic glaze, and the house mixed field greens salad, featuring crumbled goat cheese, dried cranberries, candied pecans and a balsamic dressing, the owner noted.

Each day, there is a soup, panini and whole wheat wrap of the day, Conti said. Also, from lunch to closing, a grill menu is available, with hamburgers and hot dogs.

Baked goods include cranberry orange and maple pecan scones, apple strudel, cinnamon buns and a spinach and feta croissant. Bread choices are Parisian, Tuscan, cranberry raisin, herbed focaccia, rosemary and multigrain. There are also breakfast paninis, breakfast plates, yogurt parfaits and whole grain oatmeal.

For lunch, try the lentil salad, orzo pasta salad or bacon and scallion potato salad, deli and gourmet sandwiches, a goat cheese panini, quiches, calzones and chicken pot pie. To top it all off, espresso drinks, Italian sodas, smoothies, gelato and sorbetto are also available.

Desserts such as éclairs, bomb cakes, fruit tarts, lemon squares, brownies, cupcakes and cookies can be found too.

The Sunday brunch buffet is held from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. and costs $9.99 for adults and $4.99 for children, according to the owner. Guests may enjoy scrambled eggs, home fries, bacon, pancakes, French toast, fresh fruit, oatmeal, yogurt, toast and bagels. Mimosas are offered at the brunch, and beer and wine is served daily.

He explained that some of the events taking place at Olio include themed dinners, wine tastings and cooking lessons. Conti attended The Cambridge School of Culinary Arts and two of his cooks are currently studying at Johnson & Wales University.

Café Olio's ambiance is influenced by Italy as well, with paintings of Tuscany and flowers scattered throughout. There is a small TV in the corner near couches and lamps, suggesting a homey feeling. Outside is a porch with wicker chairs and a garden patio.  

Not surprisingly, the café has had its share of accolades, including the Best Coffee Shop award in 2009 from Cape Cod Life magazine and the Gold Plate Award in 2008 from NECN's "TV Diner."

Conti said he hopes customers have a great experience, with good food, service, atmosphere and value, and "leave wanting to come back."

Café Olio is located at 3 Village Green North, Suite 312 and is open Monday through Friday 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Call 508-224-4200 for takeout.