If your typical study routine of Starbucks and ZSR Gov. Docs has got you in a rut, you might want to check out Caffe Prada – a coffeehouse, wine bar and gelateria on the corner of Fourth and Broad in downtown Winston-Salem.

Photo courtesy of Caroline Halleman

Comfy seating, soft music and free Wi-Fi create an environment suitable for group projects, a tutoring session or students who like a little background noise while they work. bExposed pipes, vibrant paint, interesting light fixtures and an overall industrial decor create a restaurant that seems like it belongs in a cosmopolitan European city, rather than downtown Winston-Salem.

Prices at Caffe Prada are on the steep side, and it’s hit or miss whether you get your money’s worth.

Unless you’re freezing, I recommend skipping the espresso drinks that will run you upwards of $3 and are average at best.

I tried the mocha ($3.58 for a small), made with espresso, milk and Ghirardelli chocolate sauce.

It was no better than one I could pay for with Deacon Dollars at the Starbucks on campus.

However if you’re a coffee purist, they do offer $0.88 cups of standard brew. The chocolate chip cookie I sampled, again, was sub-par. Though it only cost $.99, it tasted like it was store bought.

The gelato however, is another story and completely made up for any fault in the other cuisine I sampled.
Handmade in house each day, the frozen Italian treat had me begging for more.

I wasn’t adventurous in my flavor choice, but sometimes tradition is what’s best.

I sampled a few flavors and after an internal debate eventually decided on peanut butter. The gelato was just sweet enough with a creamy texture that emphasized a light peanut-y flavor.

My small brightly colored cup was plenty filling, and at $3.48 I would expect nothing less. Larger sizes are available, but in all honesty, a small satisfied my snack needs.

The restaurant also offers an undersized sandwich and salad menu, smoothies and assorted baked goods for those who need a bit more substantial dining experience.

If you require a bit of a buzz to get your studying done, don’t worry – Caffe Prada offers a wide selection of beer and wines. Wines are available by the bottle or glass. Their real pride and joy is their traditional Venetian Bellini. While I don’t recommend indulging in one while studying for midterms, perhaps it can be the reward for a paper well done.

While the restaurant is only ten minutes off campus, it can seem like a major inconvenience to travel downtown just to grab a cup of coffee.

However, I highly recommend venturing to the Italian café just for the atmosphere. For more information about Caffe Prada and daily gelato selections, visit cafeprada.com