MORE THAN COFFEE MORE THAN SWEETS, CAFFE DOLCE HAS FINE EATS
By Kevin T. Czerwinski
The food, the drinks and the atmosphere at Caffe Dolce make it a must see if you want to experience Suffern at its best.
But take some time to talk with owner/bartender/philosopher Mark McGuy while you're there because the Caffe Dolce experience wouldn't be complete without such a conversation. He's been running the not-so-little bistro on Lafayette Avenue for 13 years and he's as big a reason as any why Caffe Dolce remains a destination for those looking to be hip and trendy.
McGuy will quote literature and discuss it over a cup of coffee, which by the way is among the best brews in all of Rockland County. He'll offer insights about the goings on in the Village or simply discuss the menu, which by the way is spectacular if drinking coffee isn't your thing.
Caffe Dolce offers an eclectic collection of dishes that come complete with specialty items, pasta and soups and are sure to appeal to any palate. And McGuy and his staff, which features the lovely Kayla Berger behind the bar, serve it all in a warm, friendly fashion.
"We've evolved," said McGuy, who also owns and operates the coffee cart in the lobby of Good Samaritan Hospital and the concession stand at the Torne Valley Recreation Center. "We started as a café and dessert place and now we're a full restaurant with a bar and a nightclub. We've sort of consciously been evolving. We've sort of gone along with the trends of what people wanted and listened to our customers.
"We've established our identity over the years. People have come to refer to us as a nice restaurant and café. We're an institution. We've become more or less one of the local, familiar homegrown restaurants."
The menu at Caffe Dolce has long been a favorite of Village residents but as McGuy said, the evolution of the restaurant is ongoing. He's currently listening to his customers' suggestions and using their feedback in an effort to tweak the menu and add new dishes. McGuy also has an extensive wine list with most bottles priced under $30.
While the storefront appearance of Caffe Dolce can be deceptive, it shouldn't be. There's plenty of space in the restaurant and in the back party area - it can accommodate 70 people - allowing McGuy to host corporate and private events. He can easily handle close 150 people at a time, providing intimacy without being overwhelming.
Caffe Dolce is a particularly festive place to be during the summer months because of that back patio. McGuy offers a mouth-watering selection of barbecued and smoked meats, which are available year-round, that blend in well with the party atmosphere created by the outdoor seating.
Combine that with the live entertainment he offers on weekends at The Cabana Bar and it is easy to see why this seemingly little restaurant in the heart of the Village is actually a big part of the Suffern landscape.
For more information regarding the menu, a copy of the Caffe Dolce newsletter or a calendar of upcoming events, check out CaffeDolce.com.
"I think our reputation is fairly well known in the area and through Mahwah," McGuy said. "Still, there are some people in Suffern who have never been here. We're one of Rockland's best-kept secrets but that's also to my demise. I think we always offer a good, fair value. We have fresh quality products for a fair price."
It's all part of the Caffe Dolce experience, something you won't want to miss while making your way through the Village.
Free two-hour parking is available on the street in the Village while the Parking Authority's lots are free for three hours. The Chestnut Avenue lot and the Orange Avenue lots are the closest to Caffe Dolce.