The first time I was introduced to an Italian Cafe, was when I set foot in one in Italy in 2004. I had read all my guidebooks like a good little tourist….and I was certainly excited a the prospect of visiting a café. I like love coffee, so for me it was only natural that I would want to explore. Thing is…those guide books never prepared me for how much I would treasure a good Italian Cafe. So imagine how excited I was to stumble upon a new cafe that opened in Newburgh called Caffe Macchiato. Just the name conjures up images of milky, creamy mocha colored heaven in my mind.
A caffe macchiato is an Italian coffee drink…..espresso with a dollop of foamed milk on top. Macchiato means ‘stained’ in Italian. So it is coffee stained with milk. What a fitting name for this cute little cafe right near the Newburgh waterfront.
Even the facade from outside screams Italian, with the tiny cafe tables, the blackboard with the menu and the sign swinging from a wrought iron hanger.
The owner speaks and her lovely Italian accent wafts through the cafe. If I close my eyes, I really do feel like I’m in Rome. The walls are lined with teas and coffee. Antique coffee pots and presses are displayed on shelves. The warm ocher colored walls and dark wood tables and bar offer a European feel.
We ordered a French press and a crepe Out comes a large French press filled with some of the best I have tasted. She uses coffee from Veneto, Italy. Our crepe was filled with Nutella, banana and strawberry, smothered in Creme Anglais and dusted with powdered sugar. This crepe rivaled some of the best crepes from Paris. We were making loud moaning noises at the table, but in typical Italian fashion….we did not care!
The display case in front are filled with homemade treats like biscotti, tiramisu, madeleines, croissants, panna cotta, pistachio truffles, and dried fruit like figs and apricots filled with nuts. The menu has typical cafe fare….espresso and coffee drinks, pannino, salads, pasta, fish and more.
We couldn’t leave without a few to-go treats. So we grabbed a madeleine, biscotti, pistachio green tea truffle and a stuffed fig. They were all just delicious. On the way out I asked the owner why she came here to Newburgh from Rome. In her very broken English she asked "You enjoy your breakfast?", to which we of course replied,"Oh, very much!" Her reply…"Well, that is what I want to do for you, have you enjoy some of my Italian cooking and maka good food for you…this is why I am here."
As her by-line states Caffe Macchiato is ‘A touch of Italy in downtown historic Newburgh’. Not only do I agree, but I am so glad that I can experience an authentic Italian Cafe without having to go to Rome.
Caffe Macchiato
99 Liberty Street
Newburgh, NY 12550
845.565.4616