The Foodie Adventures of D&A: Caffeine Bistro & Wine Bar

Recently, on a beautiful and relaxing Friday afternoon, D and I headed into the increasingly popular Caffeine, located on the historic Ormond Beach MainStreet. After passing by Caffeine for a couple years, I was more than excited to check them out when we were invited to come by for a meal.

I must admit, after an amazing lunch within the wonderfully decorated restaurant, they might just be my new favorite spot! Just as spectacular as our meals, the décor kept our eyes roaming as we awaited our delicious eats. If Caffeine didn’t serve any food, I am completely confident that it could continue to function as an art house. Beautiful, unique and fun paintings line the brightly colored walls of the front part of the restaurant. This artwork combined with the retro furnishings and chilltastic music, created an absolutely wonderful place to grub and spend some quality time with D.

While we were still soaking in the ambiance, our fried calamari appetizer ($11) arrived. Lightly dusted and fried strips of calamari are served over a bed of spring mix with lemon beurre blanc and marinara sauce. D and I have two completely different tastes in calamari, but this was one batch we both loved. The strips of goodness were appropriately battered so that the taste and texture of the squid could be appreciated. Both sauces were scrumptious and I particularly enjoyed having both to bounce back and forth to.

Before polishing off out appetizer, our entrees arrived hot and fresh. I had decided to go with the Fresh Maine Lobster ($17) apple wood fired pizza. A friend recommended the gourmet pizza and after savoring the first slice, I knew I too would be recommending this pizza to everyone! Chunks of fresh Maine Lobster sit atop a saffron champagne sauce and Boursin cheese, with a micro green salad situated in the middle. I loved the sweetness from the lobster combined with the herbs from the Boursin. I’ll definitely be returning for this treat.

Now, we all know D can polish off a pretty epic sandwich, but even he had a time with the Italian Grinder ($11). Salami, capicola, pepperoni, sopressatta, mortadella, Italian sausage, shredded mozzarella, romaine lettuce and tomato are all stuffed in a fresh hoagie roll baked in their wood fired over and served with olive oil dipping sauce. D really enjoyed the size, freshness and taste of the hoagie not to mention the delectable sweet potato French fries that accompanied it. No doubt that you get all your money’s worth with this sandwich or with any of the dishes at Caffeine. All the portions were pretty hardy.

After devouring all that we could, we were lead on a property tour by Duffy, Caffeine’s manager. Not only does Caffeine have amazing décor in their main dining room and bar, but outback they also have one of the coolest, most elaborate tiki bars in the Daytona Beach area. Enormous fire spewing totem poles surround the giant deck area that holds tables and chairs for conversing over a meal or just a few drinks. The outside bar is most impressive as well. A vast collection of miniature tikis from around the world surrounds the liquor, while petrified puffer fish dangle from the ceiling.

Back inside, the cellar rests off to the side of both the main restaurant and tiki bar. Perfect in size for small parties or meetings, the cellar has a warm and welcoming ambiance with dark wood furniture, wood ceiling paneling and bottles of wine stored everywhere.

So, whether you’re in the mood for a relaxing meal with retro ambiance, partying it up Hawaiian style, or sipping on wine with your closest 30 friends; Caffeine has a dining experience just for you and I INSIST that you try the lobster pizza. Like I said, I plan on recommending it to everyone!