This a.m./afternoon stop by Cafe Aiello, which opens today at the corner of Gorham and Appelton. I got a message from a very excited owner Sean inviting the gourmet public to stop by. I'm very curious how this place has been reinvented. New owners, deli sandwiches, cupcakes and lattes at a lesser price. Could be the recession-RX we need. I probably won't get there today, but I'm looking for reviews. Does it hold up? Are these real lattes? And what of the ambiance?
Haven't had a chance to stop in yet, but it's on the schedule for tomorrow morning.
Where is the advertising?? There are a couple of small posters in the windows announcing a grand opening, but come on folks, you gotta get the word out or people aren't going to come in! Balloons, banners, a big GRAND OPENING sign, something!
Can't wait coffee goodness!
Posted by LostInLowell | February 18, 2009 9:44 AM
Posted on February 18, 2009 09:44
Went into the revived Cafe Aiello this afternoon for lunch - expected to find a deli atmosphere...there were 3 people behind the counter and no customers. There were a few pre-made subs wrapped up in the case and a few wrapped muffins on the counter. No "hello", no greeting......no nothing......the hand made sign listed a few kinds of meats...a few kinds of cheeses and said Subs sm and lg.....we stood there for a few minutes....no one asked if they could help us....so we left...went to the Owl Diner...welcomed warmly.....had a great meal. Won't go back to Aiello unless we hear RAVE reviews but from what we saw it is just another sub shop - albeit with only 2 parking places.....I give it a week before its an empty storefront again.
Posted by dissapointed | February 18, 2009 3:21 PM
Posted on February 18, 2009 15:21
Tried it out today. Was quickly greeted by someone behind the counter, though she was a bit disorganized and unsure of her products. I'll chalk it up to opening week kinks. At least they had food, unlike the dog place which ran out of dogs every day over the first week it opened.
The large sandwich I got was very good. Healthy portion of meat, fresh. Very reasonable priced as well.
Will visit again at some point.
Posted by Jumpin Jack Flash | February 18, 2009 7:57 PM
Posted on February 18, 2009 19:57
I have visited Cafe Aiello 2x since it has reopened. Desperately seeking a decent latte in Lowell since the Cafe closed. I was pleased to see the Espresso machine was still there but the atmosphere seemed cold and the girls behind the counter were lost and seemed confused! Okay how can they be writting down every order on a little pad like waitresses when there is an Apple computer on the counter not even being used!
Back to the Latte... not bad def better than the others around but these people need some help.
I'm afraid it's not going to last unless they step it up a notch people!!
Posted by April | February 24, 2009 11:39 AM
Posted on February 24, 2009 11:39
Went there twice....didn't get anything either time.....first time they weren't ready for lunch yet...(11am) only had muffins........a few days later went in....stood there....finally they asked if they could help me....i ordered a sub....handed them my credit card only to be told....cards didn't work that day...cash only.. I'm sorry..WON't be back. Neither time was there anyone in there except for the employees.
Posted by Pauline | March 1, 2009 8:03 PM
Posted on March 1, 2009 20:03
Well I guess from the lack of postings that this place is destined to be the next vacant storefront downtown? Very surprised that you haven't posted a yeah or nay yet GG!
Posted by Downtowner | March 4, 2009 1:45 PM
Posted on March 4, 2009 13:45
I've withheld comment because I haven't yet had the opportunity to check it out. Also I'm kind of scared to from the comments. I so want this place to succeed.
Posted by GG | March 4, 2009 1:50 PM
Posted on March 4, 2009 13:50
Sadly, my experience at Aiello this morning requires two big thumbs down. Where to begin? There were no morning munchies, just empty plates (with crumbs from yesterday still on them) sitting in the case. The counter was strewn with papers and the sink and back counter were buried under a pile of dishes and coffee pots. The barista greeted me as soon as I walked in, but it took her 10 minutes to make a latte, including writing down the whole order on a giant piece of paper, cleaning dishes so that she had something semi-clean in which to make my beverage, and trying to find space to work amid the mess.
Another customer came in while I was waiting, he waited about 5 minutes, and walked out, without a word to or from the barista. I finally left with a sickly sweet mocha latte (the request for easy-on-the-chocolate seems to have been ignored.)
I really want this place to do well, the atmosphere is just so cool, but after the service this morning, I would think twice before going back. They need to get someone in there who has worked in a coffee shop before and knows how to make things move, no morning commuter is going to wait 10 minutes for coffee that was made with questionably clean utensils.
Posted by LostInLowell | March 30, 2009 9:02 AM
Posted on March 30, 2009 09:02