Cafe Torino

I found this unique restaurant and bakery when researching dining options in Warrenton. We stopped during the lunch rush but didn't feel rushed at all. The owner and the employees were attentive and answered our questions about the bakery items and lunch items. We were both very pleased with our choices; one did a sandwich and the other did a hot pasta dish with chicken and asparagus. We decided to sit down and eat and in the midst of COVID and Omicron, I personally loved that the tables have some distance between them. We took bakery items to go and shared with family members at home and everyone absolutely LOVED their chosen item, from the cookies to the mini key lime tart to the mini apple pie.....all DELICIOUS. We have decided to make a visit to Warrenton and this restaurant an annual trip. One owner had recently had surgery so they weren't open during dinner so our plan to visit again once dinner is available. We.can.not.wait. If I could give 10 stars, I absolutely would. Thank you for a great experience.

Avoided them for the better part of 15 years then I found out I was the problem! I have lived in Warrenton for about 15 years now and I have not frequented Café Torino much during those years, because I just did not feel they pandered to their customers enough. By pandering I mean things like their limited operating hours, and at some point, I got the feeling they just don’t care about their customers that much. However today while enjoying an AWESOME lunch it finally dawned on me. It’s not that they do anything wrong it's what I have come to expect, and of all people, I should know better. I have traveled and lived all over the world extensively, and thus I should recognize European style businesses and attitudes. They create great food without much fanfare, it’s not fast food and not white glove service either but I have loved every bake good or meal I have had there. The employees and who I assume are the owners are probably more friendly than most restaurants, and while I could not put my finger on it before I think I can now. Their food is SO GOOD that they have regulars they know by name and of course I am not part of that click yet, so I feel slighted or un-appreciated when they are too busy to show me some attention. By the way while still not a regular they know by name, this area of their service has improved immensely over the past 5 years. They also run the place with what a appears to a novice like myself, a very minimal staff so they are very busy and no time for BS so they need their patrons to have their act together and not expect the wait staff to spend a lot of time with you. I think that everyone there does everything they don’t have dedicated wait staff, hostess, water boy or that type of staff. Your dish is just as likely to be brought to your table by the owner or the cashier. More often than not they are not open when I want to eat there, and this has been frustrating but let's face it I can't go eat at the Little Inn in Washington VA any time either. Now I am not comparing these two against each other just trying to make the point that the food is so good at Café Torino that when they are open, they will have customers ready to spend money and I am one of that group. That they have hopefully found a work life balance that works for them is great and I will learn to go enjoy their food when they are open! The bakery case is often lacking what I want but only because once again it is that good and well the early bird gets the worm. I will just have to get there quicker! So, in a nutshell GREAT FOOD just get there early and of course when they are open! By the way I ordered the cream of tomato soup and well after my first taste I broke out the camera, my wife took a bite and ordered her own bowl. She had a sandwich she enjoyed, and I had the ravioli with tomatoes plus chicken. By the way the saltiness of the bread with the tomato soup, I thought I was at a Michelin star restaurant. Café Torino staff I hope my review comes across positive because it is meant to be and I am rather envious or your success and talent!