First Look at Cafe Express

Cafe Express is a fast casual concept created by James Beard Award-winning Houston chef Robert del Grande. The concept is full service-quality food, made from scratch, in a fast casual setting.

The menu is focused on lighter, health entrees… without being preachy about the healthy part. We noticed immediately that flavor comes first at Cafe Express; it’s just an added benefit that the food is on the healthy side.

The Setting

The Woodlands Cafe Express is located in a strip center on College Park; the space has been totally renovated. The designers have created a bright, airy, thoroughly contemporary setting that’s welcoming and approachable. It’s an ideal spot for family and friends to gather, and even features a large communal table that’s ideal for larger groups. (Click or tap on any image for a larger view.)

The Woodlands Cafe Express is run by an enthusiastic team of seasoned industry professionals and fresh faces. Shannon Chaffe, the General Manager, has done an admirable job of assembling a strong team that seems to be constantly in motion.

The Food

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Cafe Express’s manageable menu consists of a variety of freshly made dishes ranging from salads to sandwiches to entrees to pasta. We sampled a handful of entrees on our visit.

The Tuscan Amore is flavorful vegetarian pasta dish that will appeal to vegetarians and omnivores alike. Al dente fettuccine is topped with roasted tomatoes, kalamata olive tapenade, basil pesto, artichokes, and garlic, then finished with shaved parmesan. The sum of these components is a light, refreshing pasta that is hearty without being overwhelming; we didn’t miss the proteins at all in this dish (although I’ll bet Cafe Express would add chicken or shrimp if you asked.)

Salmon is often boring, but the Mediterranean Salmon is anything but. A thick grilled salmon fillet is accented by a savory lemon herb gremolata that accents and enhances the rich flavor of the skillfully grilled salmon. Sides were solid as well, a tasty house mashed potato, and a remarkably flavorful steamed broccoli both demonstrated how the kitchen sweats the details.

If you want to customize your dish, the fresh Condiment Bar stands ready to help. A housemade selection of veggies and other garnishes awaits your creative ideas.

The Breadsticks

Complementary breadsticks have been a Cafe Express hallmark since the beginning, and we’re happy to report that they’re still prominently on display. We fear that there would be an uprising of Cafe Express fans if these every go away; thank goodness that this hasn’t happened. Warning: They’re addictive.

Conclusions

Cafe Express is a great addition to the dining scene in the Woodlands. College Park Drive and the Medical Center area needed a restaurant like Cafe Express that serves delicious, scratch made food that is light and healthy. We look forward to returning and exploring more of the menu.