Red Cherry Cafe -
VisitingNewEngland small business partnership
15 Reasons to Love Red Cherry Cafe in Walpole, Massachusetts
Editor's note: Sorry, Red Cherry Cafe closed in April 2019
Article and photos, unless otherwise noted, by Eric Hurwitz.
Article
updated on 2/24/2019.
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Orange zest cake from Red Cherry Cafe. Photo
source: Red Cherry Cafe Facebook page.
Red Cherry Cafe debuted on the south of Boston dining out
scene in June 2018 with an ambitious vision unlike any other local cafe.
Bridging the gap between chain and traditional locally-owned cafes,
coffeehouses, bakeries and family restaurants, Red Cherry Cafe
immediately
catches the eye upon entering this downtown Walpole eatery. With its
clean, bright colorful and cozy interior -- as opposed to an edgy,
trendy cafe coffeehouse or cafe -- this is a dining destination for all ages.
Dining room at Red Cherry Cafe.
Evelynn Sidiropoulos -- not too far removed from being a Bentley
University college grad -- clearly possesses a vision, a passion for the business, and the backing of a loving, hard-working, close-knit family. With mom Donna, dad Bill, brother
Kosta and several relatives helping, Red Cherry Cafe is truly a family venture open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Red Cherry Cafe owner Evelynn Sidiropoulos meets with customers.
The usual cafe offerings are often taken to the next level: homemade
soups, salads with fresh greens, breakfast and
lunch sandwiches, paninis, wraps, mac and cheese, organic coffee and espresso,
loose-leaf teas, smoothies, and baked goods (including excellent muffins). The Sidiropoulos'
Greek roots also help create authentic regional culinary gems
rarely found in American cafes and coffeehouses.
A work in progress in the best sense, Red Cherry Cafe keeps evolving as a one-of-a-kind
cafe that I suspect will soon become a go-to destination in Walpole and
vicinity.
Not too long ago, Red Cherry served strictly as a frozen yogurt shop
-- and a good one at that. The frozen yogurt craze waned, however, with
many shops nationwide going out of business. Evelynn and family sensed
the downward trend and wisely closed the storefront for a while to reinvent itself.
The change has been welcomed with open arms from the Walpole community,
collectively knowing that the new Red Cherry Cafe fulfills many
restaurant needs in the downtown district.
"Things are coming along very well," said Evelynn. "We make our food
fresh here and have organic coffee and much more. We will be featuring
more new items in the near future, too. We are looking to make homemade
pies soon as an example."
Suggested food, drink and dessert from Red Cherry Cafe
Mediterranean Salad
Because of their Greek heritage, the Sidiropoulos family knows how to
make a fabulous salad straight from the heart. This isn't your basic
chain restaurant version of a regional dish. The combination of
romaine, chicken, tabbouleh, feta, olives, roasted red peppers and red
wine vinaigrette would certainly make one from the Mediterranean proud.
Broccoli and Cheddar Soup
Sometimes, one has to wonder if the phrase "homemade soup" is just a
marketing phrase given that so many restaurants barely go beyond the market
brands. The rotating offerings at Red Cherry Cafe taste like something
out of grandmother's kitchen -- hearty, flavorful and substantial.
My
favorite: the broccoli and cheddar. With a wonderful stock base, a
full-bodied cheddar taste and spoon-sized bites of broccoli, I could
eat this every day.
Spanakopita
Photo source: Red Cherry Facebook page.
Once again, the Sidiropoulos family's
Greek background shines through with this mouthwatering Greek pie
filled with a blend of spinach and feta cheese in a baked phyllo dough.
Growing up in a town populated with Greeks and having been to pretty
much every noteworthy Greek restaurant in the Boston area, I can
honestly say that this is one of the best Spanakopitas I have ever
tasted. The blending of ingredients in correct proportions to an exact
baking time make for something truly special.
The Coffee
Photo source: Red Cherry Facebook page.
There's nothing like sourcing locally.
Red Cherry Cafe's coffee and espresso is certified organic and roasted
locally in Massachusetts. No jazzed-up, chain coffee with unknown
origins here!
Caprese Panini
Photo source: Red Cherry Facebook page.
Let's face it, paninis trending. Most
paninis, however, underwhelm with skimpy portions and the very strong
chance of being over or undercooked. Many people feel they are better off
making their own paninis at home, or just going with a traditional
sandwich. Red Cherry Cafe takes no shortcuts in making its own paninis
with a perfectly formed, pressed ciabatta roll with plenty of meat and
veggies on the inside. The Caprese and Turkey Paninis especially
exhibit the art and science of proper making of this form of sandwich.
All I can say is "Yum!"
Orange Zest Cake
Photo source: Red Cherry Facebook page.
This traditional Greek cake is soaked in
syrup and topped with orange slices. Made on the premises with lots of
love, the Orange Zest Cake will have you saying to a friend, "Orange
you glad you tried this?" Sorry for the bad joke. The cake simply has a
wonderful taste begging repeat orders.
Bacon and Egg Breakfast Sandwich
What a tremendous idea using Gouda cheese in a breakfast sandwich. It's
a great melting cheese with a hearty, unique taste. Combined with egg
and bacon on Ciabatta, this amply served sandwich puts to shame the
kinds you would find at the fast food and even many of the higher end
chain establishments.
"I had a bacon, egg and Gouda sandwich and a large iced cold brew.
Delicious!!" said Ed Jackowski, owner of the School of Rock in Norwood,
Mass.
Banana Bread
Photo source: Red Cherry Facebook page.
It's hard to screw up banana bread, but Red Cherry seems to bring it to
the next level. Yes, most banana breads taste just fine -- even many of
the supermarket made brands. But what if you want a version that
matches the unforgettable kind made at home by a skilled family member?
Red Cherry achieves that, and without overcharging like the "gourmet"
places do.
Waffle A La Mode
Photo source: Red Cherry Facebook page.
Finding a way to include dessert in your breakfast is always a special
occasional treat. Red Cherry's Waffle A La Mode features a delicious
homemade waffle toasted and whipped with ice cream and chocolate sauce.
Whipped cream is optional but highly recommended. Pairs well with an
Espresso!
Richardson's Ice Cream
Photo source: Red Cherry Facebook page.
Following up on the Waffle A La Mode, it's great to know that Red
Cherry Cafe uses Richardson's Ice Cream. Based in Middleton, Mass., this
legendary ice cream stand serves some of the best ice cream in all of
New England. The Sidiropoulos family realized this when wisely searching for an ice
cream to replace its frozen yogurt selections. Red Cherry offers
several different flavors, but vanilla is my personal favorite. Made
with vanilla bean extract imported from Madagascar, the Richardson's
brand transcends the cliche, "As plain as vanilla."
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Who doesn't love chocolate chip cookies? Red Cherry started off
with just OK versions and then really stepped it up with the current
kind.
Absolutely phenomenal -- chock full of chips and served in a big
portion!
Espresso Freddo
Photo source: Red Cherry
Facebook page.
A Greek favorite, this chilled, sweetened espresso served in a tall
glass with ice is a frozen treat with a uniquely strong taste.
Red Cherry Cafe isn't just about the food
In addition to the food, drink and desserts, here are a few additional
elements that make Red Cherry Cafe so special...
Cozy Living Room Area
Many families get together with fellow neighbors here to enjoy some
food, drink and dessert. It's an ideal spot for neighbors to connect,
converse and feel at home.
Outdoor Dining Patio
Directly located across from the beautiful Walpole Town Common, the
outdoor patio area is especially nice at twilight when the beauty of a
small New England town looks its best.
Evelynn keeps experimenting with
different styles of food and drink, but also keeps an impressive
foundation of menu favorites. Her wilingness to take chances makes Red
Cherry a local cafe, however, illustrates her constant quest to please
the public. At the end of the day, isn't that how a restaurant should
operate?
"We are off to a good start, but there's much more to do," said Evelynn. "It is exciting to think about the possibilities."
Red Cherry Cafe is
located at 1049 Main St., Walpole MA. Tel. 508- 921-3196.
Web site: http://www.redcherrycafe. Facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/RedCherryCafe.
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