Caffé di Fiore

“There are just so many different flavors and varieties in our food that people love,” Calderon said. “It’s very important for us in keeping the authenticity of the food and [to keep] innovating. Some recipes for the dishes come from my grandfather and my mother, who both cooked. So I also have this in my blood.”

Calderon said some of the more popular dishes include the mole enchiladas or his wife’s homemade tres leches cake. The specials, such as the ceviche plate, are usually Calderon’s own creations that he tests out first among friends and family and then later brings to the restaurant.

While the cafe does offer some non-Mexican food items, such as panini, sandwiches, pizza and ice cream for kids who might not like the typical menu offerings, Calderon said most customers enjoy the authentic Mexican plates and have found an appreciation of the variety of foods that the cafe offers.

The restaurant also features a bakery headed by a pastry chef. Freshly baked Mexican wedding cookies, jam cookies and sweet vanilla and dulce de leche cupcakes are among the chef’s specialties. Calderon said the bakery section is a popular feature of the cafe, with customers coming in specifically to buy a pastry, a cake or cookies.

Calderon said managing both the bakery as well as the regular menu dishes that are prepared daily can be challenging at times.

“It’s not an easy business, but you still put on your best face,” he said. “Since the four years we’ve been here, we now know most of our customers by name, and we’re like family. Pleasing the customer is only going to happen if you work hard, and so we’re going to keep working hard.”

10110 Woodlands Parkway, Ste. 900, The Woodlands, 281-298-1228, www.caffe-di-fiore.com

Hours: Mon.-Thu. 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 8 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.-4 p.m.