By Samantha Fournier
Even as you drive by, you’ll notice that the white lights that border the windows of Vida Doce Café and Pastry shop are lit up. This Newington café may be the relaxing place of refuge that the Berlin Turnpike was lacking in before the café opened earlier this fall.
Behind the tinted windows is a sophisticated interior filled with tables for three or four. The rich yellow walls and cranberry accent wall will have you glancing from the pictures hanging up to the small knickknacks set on glass shelves behind the counter.
Before you notice the surrounding decoration, your eyes will gravitate towards the crystal clear counters filled with shelves of sweet pastries and various flavors of gelato. The friendly staff do their best to make your choice worthwhile as your eyes move from one dessert to the next.
There are several Portuguese desserts to choose from as well as treats like strawberry shortcake mousse, carrot cake, Oreo cheesecake, chocolate chip cookies and brownies. Each of the desserts is plated for presentation and looks almost too pretty to eat.
If you are at a loss when trying to decide which sweet to eat, the tiramisu will make your mouth happy. The layers of light cake soaked in coffee sit between layers of fresh whipped cream, garnished with a little layer of cocoa powder and a coffee bean on top.
If you eat your sweet treats at Vida Doce there is also a selection of coffee drinks and Tazo teas, listed on a black chalkboard behind the counter, to choose from. If you would prefer to have dinner before dessert there is also a list of sandwiches and panini’s priced in the seven dollar range and salads that the café serves from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The grilled chicken panini is toasted and filled with melted fontina cheese, caramelized onions and marinated chicken. On the side you also get your choice of salt and vinegar, barbeque or regular Cape Cod potato chips.
As you eat you’ll notice that Vida Doce has become a popular place for locals to stop in and enjoy coffee and dessert while they chat or buy dessert to go. This café never seems to be empty.
While Vida Doce doesn’t have any comfy couches to lounge on it is still a place you can visit when you need a break from studying and a cup of coffee.
Vida Doce is open Tuesday through Sunday. Tuesday through Thursday the café is open from seven a.m. to seven p.m., Friday and Saturday it is open from seven a.m. to nine p.m., and from seven a.m. to six p.m. on Sunday.
