The cafe which could be right up your street (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

The cafe which could be right up your street

10:50am Friday 9th February 2007 in Takeaways By Emma Clayton

It's a peculiar trait of soap operas that people eat out in cafes and pubs just a stone's throw from where they live.

The residents of Coronation Street only live around the corner from Roy's Rolls, yet most of them eat in there on a regular basis.

Rather than pour themselves a bowl of cereal for breakfast they're round at Roy and Hayley's caff, ordering a full English.

It's the same in Albert Square, where the EastEnders lot tuck in at Kathy's café even though it's practically next door to their own homes.

If I was a character in a soap I'd probably dine at Casa Caffe all the time. Not that I live around the corner, but I did when I was growing up.

Back then Albion Mills was a working mill, as a child I used to hear the siren going off and see all the workers pouring in and out.

Now it's a smart business and commercial complex that includes Greenwoods menswear factory shop and Casa Caffe, accessible from the same entrance.

I've browsed around the store a few times and thought the café looked inviting, and I'd heard it was worth a visit, so I went along with my dad, sister and nephews for a bite to eat.

It's a light, airy place, fresh and clean-looking with white walls, laminate flooring and shiny tables.

One side borders a row of windows, allowing light to flood in, and the other looks onto stylish factory shop windows, creating a bit of an al fresco feel.

The look is retro - red and chrome chairs and black granite-look tables - and there are magazines and newspapers dotted around.

It's the kind of place where you could spend a lazy Saturday morning poring over the papers with a cappuccino and a slice of lemon cake.

The very reasonably-priced menu, chalked up on a blackboard, featured Deano's Delights, all £3, which included chicken and mushrooms in white wine sauce and pan-fried liver and onions in red wine sauce.

The jacket potato selection included refreshingly varied fillings, such as sausage casserole and bacon and brie.

I had a Mediterranean vegetable and pesto bagel served with a fresh, crunchy salad in a tangy dressing - much nicer than the usual half-hearted salad garnish that come with light dishes.

I would've preferred my bagel toasted rather than warmed but the filling, which seemed to be mostly chunks of leek, was tasty.

Cheese fan Sam went for a cheese sandwich, (without the mayonnaise), served in a soft, floury teacake. It got the thumbs-up.

Jack went for sausage and mash, it's a shame he wasn't in the mood for eating most of it as the mash was nice and fluffy and the sausages looked good quality.

Sophie had a Cajun chicken and salsa sauce sandwich. She said the sauce made the bread too soggy to be eaten as a sandwich but she enjoyed it nonetheless.

My dad said his chilli beef wrap, served with the tasty salad, was delicious.

Our food arrived swiftly and the staff were very pleasant, making us feel welcome from the moment we walked in. We'll certainly be back.