Bites Nearby: Cala Lily Cafe Is Hidden Gem

Nestled in a tiny strip mall off Route 8, the is unobtrusive from the outside, but unforgettable from the inside.  It's also more proof that residents of Richland and Pine don’t have to drive into the city to enjoy upscale cuisine in a posh atmosphere.

Overview: Cala Lily is tucked into a small, not-very-welcoming strip mall at 5499 William Flynn Highway in Gibsonia. But don’t let the humble location fool you, this is a popular and well-known restaurant in the Pine-Richland area. Plan to sit and savor the experience of dining in a fine restaurant featuring a creative fusion of Euro-American cuisine.

Décor: The dining room and bar area are small but cozy and warm, with a décor featuring lush burgundies and creams.  Like the food, the décor seems to be a fusion of various Euro/American country-inspired styles. The bar is a welcoming space that has gathered its share of enthusiastic regulars.

The Drinks: Cala Lily has a full wine list, with wines by the bottle and glass. Our party had an excellent Cab and a Chardonnay. The cafe is very well known for its extensive selection of martinis, which practically every other diner seemed to be enjoying. Ranging in price from $5.50 to $8.50, the flavors include Caramel Apple, TiraMisu, Strawberry-tini and Chocolate, to name just a few.

 Appetizers: Appetizers range from the traditional -- Hot Banana Peppers ($9) -- to some unusual combinations such as Danish Brie baked in Roasted Pineapple & Mild Habanero Glaze with Crispy Toast Points  ($15). We opted for the appetizer special of the day, crab-stuffed calamari. It was unique and tasty.  

Entrees: Cala Lily offers its early dinner menu for $15 Monday through Saturday. It includes a limited menu with a choice of entrée, house salad or cup of soup, side dish and bread and butter. Diners must be seated by 6:30. There is a full selection of regular entrees as well, including Lobster Ravioli ($22/$30), Pumpkin Tortellini ($29), Pork Medallions ($23) and Chicken Breast East-West ($19). Several items have different prices for two different serving sizes for those who may want a lighter dinner. Entrees are served with a starch and vegetable. On the night of our visit it was savory Tandoori Mashed Potatoes with mixed vegetables. Our entrees were perfectly prepared and very good. The bar area also has an extensive tapas menu.

Desserts: Cala Lily is famous for its "Lily" dessert, a chocolate-dipped truffle ice cream in a bath of Chambord liquor topped with whipped cream.

Service: It was wonderful at first. We were seated promptly even thought we didn't realize we needed reservations on the weekend, and our server was knowledgeable and accommodating. Unfortunately, there was an extremely long lull between us finishing our entrees and then seeing our server again. Then, we weren't offered dessert or coffee, perhaps because we were practically nodding off by that time.

Signature Dish: The menu is extensive but two local favorites are the Fire-Roasted Poblano Chile Relleno with Spanish Drunken Goats’ Cheese ($11) on the appetizer menu and Imported Pumpkin Tortellini with Crabmeat ($29) or Chicken ($23) on the entrée menu.

Address: 5499 William Flynn Highway, Gibsonia

Cost: $$ to $$$