Buongiorno

The Pitch

In late 2016, a team of seasoned restaurateurs joined forces to give the Concordia University area an all-purpose Italian café (which I duly reviewed).  Later around the one-year mark last December, Parma Café introduced a full breakfast menu to go with its pizza/pasta/panini proposition.  Today would mark the second time I accept an invitation to sample the snack bar's morning fare.

tagged:  EARLY BIRD

The Mood

My initial discouragement with an empty interior at eight thirty in the morning was soon wiped away.  By nine o'clock, the beautiful, classic space was filled with a modest Anglo crowd of regulars and office types.  Most patrons were in for coffee only, but everyone seemed very chill, chatty and not in a hurry to go elsewhere.

tagged:  ANGLO CROWD CHATTERBOX CORNER

The Food

Parma's one-page breakfast menu is more Italian inspired than Italian – a good thing since the national breakfast consists solely of pastry!  Items are small (no all-too-common potatoes and fruit bowls on the side), nicely put together and molto cheap (with nothing exceeding $6)!  Plates do take a while to churn out, so take your time and relax like a European would…

$4

$4

Frittata

"gnocchi, bocconcini, spinach & arugula"

$5.95

$5.95

Bagel BLTC

"tomatoes, lettuce, cheese & bacon"

tagged:  BUDGET-FRIENDLY

The Verdict

As a matter of principle, I never accept free meals at the same spot more than once – certainly not in this short a period; at some point one starts to feel like a freeloader!  Parma Café is the first exception so far; its charm, sophistication and affordable fare have proven infectious.  With breakfast added to the fold, this Italian hangout can now be enjoyed morning, noon and night.