Cafe Rio, like Cafe Azrou is an excellent place for loafing and looking at other people, even when the market is not trading. It has a lively, interesting interior which bursts enthusiastically out onto the street where its tables take up place which would otherwise comprise of market stalls on market days. (They have a street trader's license which I think covers this technicality).
A very welcome addition to this previously dead part of the High Street, Cafe Rio is open every day from 8.00am, except Sundays when they open at 10.00am. They sell Ciabattas (for three pounds fifty) with various toppings; such as Ham and Brie, or Mozzarella, Pesto and Tomato; ice cream and milk shakes - three flavours and good coffee. What they do is do the simple things well. They play world music at a reasonable pitch to make the place feel like something interesting may just be taking place locally, merely by their customers being there.
The manager, who I recently spoke to, does not think he has to advertise this successful business. I tend to agree; there is a good feel about the place and an optimism which needs to be caught by some of the other businesses around it.
(For a quick glimpse from You-Tube, click here)
2007-10-31 @ 20:23