Just west of Soyka and south of Churchill's in the heart of the Mimo district, at the D Place apartment community a casual poolside concept called Cielo Cafe cranks out a cheap, quality, full-range menu seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Co-owners William Velez and Kearen Gattenio opened Cielo ten months ago. William says:
Cielo Cafe has a friendly community vibe built around its poolside regulars. They have cheap sandwiches, wraps, apps, and burgers. They also have $2 and $3 beers by the bottle. It's a good place to chill, drink a beer, and eat a sandwich. Pictured here is the Salami Slammer (salami, pepperoni, provolone, and mustard on a hoagie) with fries, cost $6.50
"The place was available so we put in a proposal. The management here took my offer and allowed me to buy the business. It's good. I think we're priced just right. Our menu allows people to get a good meal at a budget cost. We have vegetarian options, a full range menu from breakfast to dinner and healthy alternatives. Majority of our customers live here, but we do outside deliveries and people come in too. We also do cafeteria lunches once a week for Cushman Private School....toasted sandwiches, veggie sides, chips, fruit....I'm all for a good nuritious alternative to most school lunches. We got it (that gig) by reputation. We also do catering, and Kearen does the EarthCake cupcakes for SWEAT Records Cafe."
This combo of empanada, fries, and a can of soda costs only $5. Pictured is a nontraditional buffalo chicken empanada. They also offer beef, chicken, veggie, pizza, and ham-and-cheese variations on this theme.
Here's a banana-walnut, vegan EarthCake. Cost: $2. That's 75 cents cheaper than SWEAT sells them for. Other flavors include chocolate, vanilla, cookies-n-cream, pumpkin, carrot, and lemon ginger.
Here's the Cielo Crew: Kearen, William, and their new chef, who's been on the line six weeks.
Cielo Cafe's address is 5205 NE Second Ct., poolside at Design Place, the apartment complex on the southeast block of 54th Street and NE Second Avenue. Just tell the guard people you're goin' to Cielo and you should have no problem. Or do like I do. Ride a bike and pretend you live there. Call 786-470-7324.
