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| - It's 84 degrees and gently overcast on a Sunday morning. I am seated at a small cafe table on the patio at Alo Cafe. A slight breeze blows through green leaves of bushes and the tree beside me. This is my very first time here.
When I arrived around 10:00a, the patio was already full, so I found a seat inside. I was immediately greeted by a very busy, though cheerful, Alicia. She informed me that a seat outside would likely be a 10 minute wait and apologized for the inconvenience.
I was not in any hurry, so made myself comfortable and ordered a pour-over coffee. A few minutes later, the coffee was served and I placed an order for the breakfast sandwich with sausage and cheddar cheese.
Around 10:35, Alicia let me know that a couple of tables had opened up outside, so I decided to migrate. I found a spot in the back corner of the patio under a small tree. It felt like a miniature getaway all my own.
Nick came by to check up on me and offered to refill my coffee. I gladly accepted. Both he and Alicia were very attentive and polite throughout the course of my visit. Eventually, my sandwich made it's way out to me. I had been waiting for some time, but didn't mind in the least.
Still, Alicia apologized for the long wait, explaining that it was due to a large group take-out order and informing me that my coffee was on the house as an apology. The sandwich wasn't amazing, but I loved that they used real egg. Felt very homemade.
I ordered a mango/ginger scone "for dessert" and received another coffee refill. Both the coffee and the scone were delicious. The check came with a "No rush - stay as long as you like." And I did. Just me and the bushes and my tree and the singing birds.
Do I absolutely love this place and the people I got to meet here? Yes, so much. Would I recommend Alo Cafe? Without a moment's hesitation. If you haven't been, I can't recommend it highly enough.
Sit inside if you want the noisy bustle of a village cafe. Sit outside to disappear into a quieter, garden-like retreat. If you're super lucky, you'll get the same great attention from the same great team of servers that I did.
Alicia and Nick - thank you both for being so wonderful. Alo Cafe - thank YOU for being the hidden gem that you are. I'll be sure to visit again, and I'll be sure to send others your way every chance I get. :)
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