Tucked away from the commotion of Syracuse University and located in the heart of Westcott is a combination bike shop and cafe with a cozy atmosphere for students. Mello Velo Bicycle Shop & Cafe seamlessly brings a cycling and cafe culture to Syracuse.

It’s easy to miss the cafe when walking down Westcott Street. The brick building where the cafe is located also houses a Spanish restaurant and a laundromat. Mello Velo is located on the top floor and has separate entrances for the shop and cafe.

Each entrance features a long staircase with posters and ads gracing the walls. On the shop side, dozens of bikes, helmets, jerseys and general cycling gear hang along the cramped corners and walls.

The shop eventually spills into the cafe, with more bikes beautifully painted and gleaming above as customers enjoy the food. The cafe side, which is connected to the shop by a door, features vintage posters, magazines and signs relating to cycling culture. Comfy chairs, high wooden tables and warm lighting give the cafe a cozy feel.

The menu is extensive and even has subtle cycling references. Items such as the Randonneur, the Domestique and the Peloton hint at terms commonly heard at cycling events. Intrigued, I decided to order the Yellow Jersey, the African peanut stew and a pita pizza pocket.

The Yellow Jersey, a reference to the color jersey worn by the leader of the Tour de France, was a warm breakfast sandwich stuffed with apples, bananas, honey, cinnamon and thick peanut butter. A hearty sandwich, each bite was sweet with all the fruits and honey, but the peanut butter added a little bit of saltiness.

The textures also worked well with each other — the crunch of the bread and apples complemented a ripe, soft banana. It was served with a yogurt fruit salad, composed of even more apples, sweetened yogurt and topped with almonds. The yogurt was a bit too sweet for me and didn’t do much for the sandwich.

The African peanut stew was probably the most surprising item I ordered. The warm vegetable broth was made with peanut butter and was filled with onions, collard greens, tomatoes and cubes of fresh bread. The spices inside gave the stew a curry-like consistency and taste. It was extremely flavorful, packed with nutrients and even had a slight peanut taste. This stew is a great addition to the menu.

The pita pizza pocket was also pretty good. Mozzarella cheese, spinach, onions and pesto were stuffed inside a whole-wheat pita. The sandwich had all the tasty components of a pizza, and each bite had warm cheese and pesto. The pita was toasted nicely so that it wasn’t too soggy, and held up to the sundried pesto tucked away inside. Although it’s not a traditional breakfast item, it wasn’t a bad way to start off the morning.

Like any great cafe, Mello Velo also serves a variety of coffee treats. The macchiato I ordered was strong with a slight bitter aftertaste, but had a great smooth feel overall. Even the pumpkin spice latte I got was tasty, and the cinnamon complimented the sweet, spiced syrup in the espresso. The best time to visit the cafe is breakfast, since there are very few people who come in. But since they serve breakfast all day, it’s easy to try the great coffee and warm morning dishes any time of the day.

It’s not hard to find great cafes in Syracuse. Whether near campus or downtown, there are a number of places to go check out. But Mello Velo is different. It has the vibe of a coffee shop, but the culture and history of cycling in the forefront. It’s a small gem in the heart of a big city.

Published on December 1, 2014 at 12:01 am

Contact Rohan: rythakor@syr.edu