Café Expresso By Jim White This is the time of year for hot new restaurants. Let’s not forget some of our old friends when making business lunch reservations. Dieter Paul and his staff at Café Expresso consistently provide a fine setting for an upscale or casual lunch, friendly service and enjoyable food. The charming little place has been an anchor of the ever-growing Preston Center restaurant scene for several years. You’ll feel kid glove comfort when dining here made possible by Dieter’s prestigious background in the foodservice industry. It always feels like a “big city” restaurant experience. Something we don’t always get in our big city. This restaurant would thrive in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago or San Francisco. Consider the cuisine Italian with a continental flourish. The wood-burning oven turns out some of the finest focaccia around ($3.50 or $.90 a slice)-not to mention tasty ten inch pizzas ($6.95) with designer toppings ($1.10 each). Starters include smoked salmon ($6.25) or a delightful carpaccio ($6.25). The thin slices of beef tenderloin are served with capers and mustard sauce. This is a simple menu that keeps its crowd of regulars coming back. The grilled Tuscan sandwich ($6.95) is a highlight, particularly if you’re looking for a meatless item. Sun-dried and fresh tomatoes are combined with grilled eggplant, fresh mozzarella, pesto and sprouts on sourdough bread. The pastas are standouts. You get a choice of several different kinds with your favorite sauce for only $6.95. Mixing and matching is fun. The sauces are varied and well prepared. Bolognese (tomato meat sauce), Arrabbiata (tomatoes, garlic, black olives and red pepper) and Alfredo (butter, cream and Parmesan) are good choices. You’ll also find a few, well-chosen entrees. Rotisserie chicken ($6.25 quarter/$8.25 half) is some of the best in town. Veal piccata ($11.50) is elegant simplicity. Lasagna ($7.95) is hearty comfort food. A brief list of wines by the glass compliments the selections nicely. As the “new restaurant season” converges on us, keep this steady, reliable option in mind for a client who appreciates style without pomp and circumstance. Café Expresso 6135 Luther Lane (214) 361-6984   Send me an Email: jwdineline@aol.com