Chester Township is home to a new cafe and market aimed to make customers feel like part of the family.
Chester Township is home to a new cafe and market aimed to make customers feel like part of the family.
It is both chic and casual — with orchids on the tables and gold accents in the décor — as well as cozy, with warm wood tables and floors.
Versare Cafe + Market, at 12777 Chillicothe Road, is a specialty coffee shop owned by Gabriella Albino, her husband, Carmen Albino, and her parents, Biagio and Athena Gallo.
The cafe offers espresso beverages, non-coffee drinks, Mediterranean small bites, fresh pastries and artisan breads. It market carries gourmet Mediterranean foods and wine, as well.
“Part of the reason we opened was to offer a place where people can go and gather. There are few places like that,” said Gabriella. “We want to make people comfortable while breaking them out of their comfort zone and exposing them to new foods.”
Athena prepares all of the food offerings daily, which are family recipes updated with a modern twist. The food is prepared in small batches, from scratch, using fresh and high quality ingredients.
“The whole concept is to introduce the favorite foods the kids grew up with. A lot of the recipes have been the heart of our house,” Athena said. “Everything we offer is of the quality we would serve in our own home.”
While the cafe has a set food menu, including some gluten-free and vegan options, it also offers a specials menu. Last week, the specials included quiche with swiss chard, leeks and mushrooms, a baby kale salad with a homemade honey lemon vinaigrette, a tomato basil soup and a smoked salmon everything bagel.
“We are not underestimating what people might be wanting,” Athena said. “And we don’t want to stay stagnant. We listen and pay attention and we aren’t afraid to evolve and try something.”
Gabriella added to her mother’s sentiment by saying the cafe hopes to expand its hours and its offerings after it is a little more established. She envisions monthly wine and coffee tastings for example.
One thing that sets the cafe apart from others is the small market area it offers. Here, customers can purchase items such as olive oils, sauces and pastas along with wine and beer.
“We are a place where people can come and eat and have the opportunity to take things home to try and transition into their lifestyle,” Athena added.
While her passion is food, her husband’s passion is coffee and wine. He is proud of the selection the cafe offers and can be found pulling the espresso shots behind the bar.
“My son-in-law and I sat with the wine distributors for several hours to try different wines,” Biagio said. “We wanted to offer things local groceries did not.
As a result, the market offers unique finds for reasonable prices.
The Albino/Gallo family is not new to the food industry. Carmen Albino’s family has owned Guido’s Pizza and Generations Reception and Event Center, located next door, for 60 years. When the Versare location became available, it seemed like a natural fit.
“We wanted to compliment Guido’s cuisine while also bringing something new to the area.” Gabriella said.
Versare Cafe + Market is open Tuesday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Call 440- 688-4420 or visit them on Facebook for more information.
