Mystery Diner in Batavia: Bocaditos launches long-awaited new dine-in cafe

Anticipation mounted all year for the move of Bocaditos across the river in Batavia from its carryout-only location to a cafe where people can dine in on the Argentine specialties it’s made popular, elevating empanadas into the spotlight.

The menu extends to sandwiches, salads, desserts, specialty coffees and the caffeinated Argentine beverage Yerba Mate.

A spacious patio is another amenity of the new Bocaditos, part of the Newton House complex of businesses at the northwest corner of Route 31 and West Wilson Street. The restaurant’s outside entrance fronts Wilson Street, with a parking lot along the north side of the historic building.

Last week’s ribbon cutting by the Batavia Chamber of Commerce celebrated the business, a mother-daughter operation famed for the family’s empanadas featuring delectable fillings nestled in baked puffed pastry. The name Bocaditos translates to little bites or mouthfuls.

The Mystery Diner discovered there’s nothing diminutive about the flavor of these handhelds treats.

We walked into the relaxed, welcoming space with four tables, and studied the menu on a digital display to the right of the counter.

With our hearts set on empanadas, we each picked two and shared them for our sampling.

My dining companion selected the spinach one with cheese and bechamel sauce that conjured up his favorite creamed spinach dishes. He paired it with a corn empanada prepared with cheese and bechamel.

I chose the carne, featuring ground beef, bell pepper, onion, olives, raisins, and hard-boiled egg, plus the pollo with chicken, bell pepper and onion.

We enjoyed all four, with the chicken one of the standouts with its complex seasonings and terrific flavor. None were spicy hot. On our next visit, we’ll try the one with diced ham, mozzarella and oregano.

The pastry was delectable, and we were told frozen empanadas are available. After brushing on an egg wash at home, you simply bake them for a taste of Bocaditos anytime.

The side dishes deserve a spotlight of their own. Highly recommended are the two salads we tried, one with shredded carrot, corn and mayo, and another of brown lentils, hard-boiled egg, green onion and mayo.

With everything prepared fresh to order, customers are invited to reserve ahead to have items waiting for them.

We capped the meal with a tasty mocha, with espresso beans from FreshGround Roasting in Geneva, mingled with Argentine chocolate.

The website highlights eye-catching custom cakes and desserts, and notes that catering is offered.

Imported wares available for purchase are displayed in the cafe, such as Yerba Mate, specialty beverage containers, and vintage wines from Argentina. The bottles can be opened by patrons dining in, and sealed by the restaurant staff for transportation home.

Hospitality sets the tone for artisan foods at affordable prices, a winning combination at Bocaditos Cafe.

• The Mystery Diner is a newsroom employee at the Kane County Chronicle. The diner’s identity is not revealed to the restaurant staff before or during the meal. If the Mystery Diner cannot recommend the establishment, we will not publish a review.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Bocaditos Cafe

WHERE: 11 N. Batavia Ave. (Route 31), Batavia

WHEN: Noon to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday

INFORMATION: 630-937-4002, www.bocaditos.cafe