Caffé Tazza and Genesee Johnny a memorable outing

by D.E. Bentley –

I admit it, we really do not get out often.  Especially this time of year when we are occupied with our large garden spread and our two dogs – which act like they have not been fed, walked or given an ounce of attention, despite an abundance of all three.

It takes commitment and follow-through to head out for an evening out.  It also requires energy and a drive.  As we like to say, “we are a half an hour from everywhere.”  Everywhere includes Dansville, NY, and this past Saturday night we were well rewarded for our effort to experience the nightlife.

Our travels took us to our first, although not our last, outing to Caffé Tazza, on Dansville Main Street, which opened September 4, 2014.  The menu and décor looked fun, and the opportunity to hear some local blues with Genesee Johnny also peaked our interest.

Genesee Johnny was already in warm up mode at 8 pm when we arrived.  Table seating in the front room, within view of the stage, was taken.  There is a large back of house seating area and a lovely patio behind.  The eclectic feel of the restaurants online presence had attracted our attention, as had the potential for an evening of blues, so we opted for the last of the open seats at the bar.

Since the Tazza owners’ Coffee Cup, Inc. also includes The Coffee Cup Restaurant (which opened fall 2016), menu options include both the bistro style tapas and wood fired pizza menu as well as the restaurant’s menu.  The kitchen is shared and backs up to another company-owned establishment – The Sugar Bowl.

We opted for some of the Caffé Tazza options.  I started with the “Coconut Lime Shrimp Served with Chili Sauce” and my dining partner started with the “Wood Fired French Onion Soup.” Both were excellent.  We then shared the “11 inch Thin Crusted Wood Fired”  “Mascarpone Caprise” pizza, which included San Marzano red sauce with mascarpone, asiago, fontina, parmesean, and provolone topped with fresh mozzarella and basil.   The chef hit upon just the right flavor combination, with the cheeses, sauce and spices balanced to perfection.  The crust was softer than crispier wood fired crusts we are accustomed to, one of the reasons we gravitate toward them.  The wood fired taste was evident, and awesome, making the texture differences minimally distracting, if not void and null.

Desert options included ice cream – and why not, with an ice cream shop right next door – and truffles.  We opted for a couple truffles – salted caramel and tiramisu.  I like desert – with coffee – at the end of a meal.  The truffles were wonderful.  Given the quality of the tapas and pizza, I would like to see what they could do with some nice homemade desert options, such as tiramisu custard.

A wonderful meal overall…and the service was excellent.  Then there was the music, which played throughout for our dining enjoyment.  We recently caught Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers at CMAC and definitely enjoyed the tunes and the chance to again feel his energy, although given the modern concert scene, we lamented that so few well-known musicians are willing to play smaller venues.  Thankfully, there are bands like Genesee Johnny (e.g. John Robert Sacheli and company) that allow us the pleasure of enjoying some great blues tunes while relaxing in a laid back and eclectic setting.

Genesee Johnny fills the stage with Sacheli – Vocals, Guitars, straight harp, Tim Brinduse – Harmonica (cross harp) and vocals, Dan Lopata – Upright Bass (I so love upright bass), Aleks Disljenkovich – Guitar and Bret Waddams – Drums / Percussion.  This was our first time hearing this band “from the rocky bottom river delta of the mighty Genesee in Rochester, NY.”  Not only do they fill the stage, but they also filled the house.  Given the quality of the tunes and the relaxing setting, it was every bit as enjoyable as Petty.  I especially enjoyed their thrilling rendition of BB King’s “The Thrill is gone. ”

We left after the first set due to a packed planned schedule on Sunday morning.  The music was great, the food delightful and another craft brew, or two, might have been delightful as well.  Seeing the Caffé Tazza fb post the next morning reinforced our regret at cutting short an incredible, as it was, evening. The post read: “Thank you to all who came out last night to listen to Genesee Johnny Band!! Johnny ended up with 5 stitches in his right hand inflicted by his own guitar! Now that’s a show!!  The band played on and we can’t wait to have them back on August 12th!!”

We could not agree more, and encourage locals and visitors alike to check out Caffé Tazza.