Silk Road Caf: The shabby chic of CV

If you have ever walked outside, by the corner of North Charles and 33rd Streets, you have probably smelled a very eclectic mix of Asian cuisine wafting out of the open windows of The Silk Road Caf. Located in the Blackstone Apartment building, this small, informal caf feels like a cross between a Chinatown eatery and a dessert caf in Greenwich Village. The casual atmosphere is created by the two quaintly decorated rooms, which are able to seat roughly 35 in wooden booths and at small tables. The walls are adorned with intricate Asian tapestries that add texture to the otherwise basic dcor.

Be prepared. The first time you go inside you will most likely be surprised by the unusual mixture of delicacies that are offered. It is not uncommon to see a plate of hummus and pita being shared by two students, one of whom is eating tofu with stir fried noodles while the other is enjoying a grilled chicken foccacia sandwich. Silk Road Caf takes pride in offering dine-in or carryout options that range from Thai and Chinese to Indian and Middle Eastern.

The owners are known for accommodating to the special orders that students and Charles Villagers request. The service is quick and efficient, and therefore Silk Road is an ideal venue for lunch or dinner on a tight schedule. In addition, there is no pressure to vacate tables quickly, making this a nice place to relax and read, socialize, or get some work done.

Some of the favorite main courses include rice noodles with spicy basil sauce, teriyaki chicken and the "Silk Road" beef served with pita and a mixed salad. But there are endless options if you prefer a more traditional meal. You can pick from a choice of white rice, brown rice, fried rice, lo mein noodles or flat rice noodles. These can be prepared with an array of homemade sauces, such as black bean, tomato, teriyaki, or curry and can be added to chicken, shrimp, tofu, beef or vegetables. Though the presentation is rarely considered, the food is fresh and the taste is consistently good.

For dessert, Silk Road Caf has a variety of choices, including tempting cakes and tortes, freshly baked cookies and brownies and another bestseller: ice cream. While all of them are popular, the favorite favors are green tea and chai served in a sugar cone are my personal favorite, served on top of a soft oatmeal raisin cookie.

The prices are also very reasonable for the college student's thin wallet, with appetizers averaging $3 or $4 while most entrees are no more than $6 or $7. The portion sizes are very generous and are offered in both regular and large sizes.

Just like many other Charles Village restaurants, Silk Road happily accepts J-CASH. According to the owners, the transition to using J-CASH was a smooth one, and they are very pleased about the increasing number of students that use their JCards to pay for meals.

For the price, the quality of food, the quick service and the proximity to campus, the Silk Road Caf is a great choice for a small snack or a three-course meal.