Reviews for Dead End Cafe

07/26/2014 - Gabriel Espinosa
So, I made plans with Pilar to go and check out the Dead End Café in Parksville. I’ve wanted to sample this place since they opened a few months ago and tonight would be the night. I had read somewhere that there would be live music and if there is one thing I absolutely ABHOR is loud and invasive music during meals, unless it’s stadium pizza and beer at a KISS concert – then it’s fun! I called the place to find out about the music and to make reservations. To my surprise the gentleman on the other end of the phone line informed me that it would be opera sung by the owner and that no, it is not garishly loud. I made reservations for two not really knowing what to expect, after all, the Dead End Café is truly in a literally “dead” village.

What a delightful evening we ended up having! If you’re looking for a snooty Parisian experience don’t come here. But, if you’re looking for a charming evening, to be filled with good wholesome Americana, entertained and enticed by musicians and singers matching the somewhat romantic atmosphere and environ with timeless classics, then the Dead End Café is definitely the place for you. Though the décor is not extensive, it is just right for the eatery. With it’s cream-colored walls and pillars and it’s ambient lighting with a chandelier here and there, it’s architecturally straight lines and it’s small tables, it’s just the place for a romantic meal for two though accommodations can easily be made for as large a group as you can bring, and bring them you should!

Tonight Tom, the proprietor, entertained us with beautiful Neapolitan love serenades sung with his rich baritone voice and accompanied by an accomplished pianist, Barry. There were some other pieces but for us the Neapolitan music was the essence of the evening! Listening to that deep baritone with closed eyes one is instantly transported to Capri – to any of the teeny Cliffside cafes on that island, smelling the constant odor of wisteria flowers which bloom there profusely. At least I was! And Tom is not one of those entertainers who sing their song and leave. No! No! No! He would sing a song, then talk to us, the diners, and not to the audience, but to individuals, talk about the music, talk about his life story, his childhood, any one of several topics this evening, and then swing right into another song. The Dead End Café reminds me very much of the typical Dinner Show Club of the 40’s and 50’s. Sort of a fusion of Casablanca and Ricky Ricardo! I almost wanted to be dressed in a proper suit, though the place is ultra casual.

Now on to the yummies! First off dear reader you must know that the menu is quite limited, BUT there is a reason! Everything is freshly made on the premises while you wait excepting the deserts, which apparently are made elsewhere. There are different specials each night. I decided to start with the Mozzarella Wedges, which are little crusted wedges, filled with mozzarella. These were definitely home made. How do I know? Because the frozen mozzarella “sticks” which many restaurants buy in bulk stay firm when cooked, but when I sliced into one of these, the cheese oozed out easily. They were quite good with the accompanying marinara sauce. Pilar had a very nice mixed salad with balsamic vinegar. For the main course I tried the Pizza Margherita and Pilar sampled the Taxicana Chili Pizza, which featured Cheddar Cheese, Scallions and Sour Cream on top! Everything was delicious. Though Pilar was full, I had space for a delicious slice of fresh Blueberry Pie smothered in Vanilla Ice Cream! The choice for wine tonight was a refreshing and fruity Beringer White Zinfadel, 2012, which went perfectly with everything. Prices are very much on the LOW side and our lovely waitress Amy confided that she has had diners complain that the prices seemed a bit low for what they were getting. Imagine that!

All in All it was a surprisingly extraordinarily delightful evening spent in a very nice eatery with very nice down to earth folk. I strongly urge my readers to take the trip to Parksville and sample this jewel of a restaurant!

The Dead End Café
6 Main Street
Parksville, NY 12768
845-292-0400
www.parksvilleusa.com