First Time
I’d arranged a meeting with Andreas of DJS Professional Light & Sound for coffee and Amarilino Cafe was our meeting place, and as it was my first time I thought I’d find out more. My first impression was the striking contrast of black and yellow, blended with greys and white brick and lots of plants, discreet lighting, a cool sound system, and lots of quirky minimalistic ideas.
Smile
Out front a comfortable covered terrace, high tables, and stools, and over on the benches a big cuddly teddy bear with an Amarilino Yellow kit on. Just inside, more high stools around a high table, visually supported by an old baker’s bicycle, and three high chairs looking into the window bar. Inside its modern, quirky little areas, sofas, Alice in Wonderland style highbacked chairs, and a cool selfie mirror adorned with greenery and flowers and on the back wall, ‘Amarilino Makes Me Smile’, it made me smile!
Surprising
It’s a family business and Demitris, now a member of this awesome family, plays professionally for Anorthosis FC, so I was loving the place already, and naturally, they’ve got a couple of big screen TV’s so you can stay in touch with the live sports, but the deeper I delved the more I was loving it here …
Cute
So, I got together with Antigoni, Demitris’ wife, to find out more, and over an absolutely delicious cappuccino, my first question as always; why Amarilino? Antigoni said; “One of the main choices of colour here is yellow, ‘amarillo’ is Spanish for yellow, and in Cyprus ‘Ino’, means cute, so it’s a Spanish Greek mix … I liked the name! … I asked her, ‘don’t tell me, you did the interior design’? … I needn’t have asked!
Good Timing?
Antigoni mentioned they opened in January 2021, so I said ‘that was brave opening just after the first lockdown’ Antigoni replied “We always wanted to open a modern coffee shop and delicatessen and we used it as a ‘bedding-in’ phase, sort of a soft opening, and as most of the orders at that time were takeaway and delivery, we learned very quickly what our customers wanted and then we created the final Menu
Single Origin
We discussed how important coffee is these days, and I asked, what coffees are you serving? Antigoni said; “Our everyday house blend Espresso is perfected by a Greek Roasting Company, but we also serve a variety of mainly single-origin coffee from several regions around the world including Brazil, Columbia, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, and Nicaragua, to mention but a few”
Smoooth Operators
Their blending techniques are just amazing, the milkshakes and smoothies on another level, my favourites are the Amarilino Milkshake, Banana ice cream, oreo biscuits, marshmallows, and caprice. Maybe, the Fairy Tale smoothie a blend of gooseberries, banana and orange … but of course, you must try the ‘Amarilino’ signature smoothie, a blend of pineapple, honeydew melon and lemon .. tantalizing!
Snacks
To accompany your coffee, try one of their signature sandwiches or wraps. On my must-try list are the Chicken, chicken breast, tomato and basil pesto, manouri cheese, lettuce, tomato, and mint, or the Smoked Salmon., hmm. Much as one of their best sellers is the traditional Cypriot Mixed with Roast Pork, halloumi with a twist … or the Mediterranean Madness with flavoured Anari or better still the Honey Temptation, oat, granola, honey, and sundried fruits.
Sweets
Everything is homemade here, so just wait till you try the naughty corner … start with a must-try; their Homemade Cheesecakes or the Brownies with cheese, or the fabulous Carrot Cake … and I’ve heard The Vegan Apple pie is to die for!
Protein
They also make their own cereal bars, must-tries are the White Protein, the Peanut Butter with cranberries, or the Peanut Butter, orange, and white chocolate, Mmmm!
Barristers
They’ve got a great team of barristers; Yiota out front, Angelos, Rene, and Nicholas all offering a friendly smile and excellent communication and they’re all very qualified to make your hot or iced coffee selection, absolutely perfect!
Respect
Antigoni told me “We respect nature, so we also provide Biodegradable Thermos Cups so you can take them home for daily use instead of plastic” … naturally if you have a coffee machine at home you can also buy a selection of coffee beans or ground coffee to take home with you, or just call and get it delivered!
Open all year
Daily: 6.30 am ’til 8 pm
Directions
You’ll find Amarilino Coffee n’ More at 131, Grivia Digini, Paralimni, it’s the continuation of 1st April Avenue, next door to Akis Express … click on the Google map icon below …
GPS: 35.04845, 33.97731
More …
Network Reference No: 9006
