If you’ve driven past Royal Oaks Country Club lately or biked down the trail nearby, you may have seen the Coffee Shop sign go up in the strip center at Royal Lane and Greenville Avenue. I ducked inside last week and discovered a new hidden treasure, Café Silva.
Named for the owner’s 16-month-old baby girl, Café Silva offers a small but cozy coffee lounge with free wi-fi and a homey flair. Friendly founder Masoom Khan greeted us at the door, and we feasted on homemade baked goods prepared by Suraiya, his wife. The Café has been open only a couple of weeks, but it’s already developing a loyal following.
My favorite was the moist and fluffy blueberry muffin, but my dining partner raved about the Monkey Muffin, full of butterscotch chips and topped with walnuts and cinnamon sugar. The apple turnover was warm and flaky, and the Saran-wrapped banana bread looked like a perfect choice for someone rushing off to work. They also offer fresh bagels and baklava.
We couldn’t resist taking home a few desserts for later, and we made friends at home when we unwrapped gooey brownies topped with white chocolate chips & walnuts and lined with chocolate syrup. I also loved the delicious color-blocked cookie, striped with part peanut butter, part chocolate. Yum.
I’m not really a coffee drinker, so you’ll have to try that for yourself. I grabbed a Pellegrino from the cooler and my partner had a creamy hot chocolate. Next time you go for a bike ride, stop in for an Ozarka and catch your breath. Take in the view of golfers on the Royal Oaks putting green and watch a soccer match through the big Café Silva windows. Oh, and add a few minutes to your ride if you plan on having a brownie.
