Caffe Prada, like its owner Alex Prada, is authentic and unique. When you walk in, the bright decorations, orange wall color, wood tables and beautiful chandelier make you aware early on that this is not your ordinary coffee shop. You will probably find Alex Prada sitting out among the customers talking about his travels or his time spent in New York. With his interesting background, Prada brings a little bit of Italy via New York to the corner of Broad and 4th streets in downtown Winston-Salem.

The espresso bar is the heart of Caffe Prada. You can order any of the coffee drinks you can find at a chain coffee shop, but the flavors are so much richer because everything is done fresh before you: the milk is poured and steamed when you order and the espresso shots are pulled from fresh ground beans. If you are not a coffee fan, try the Chai Tea Latte - one of the most flavorful chais I've had. This cup of tea is chock-full of strong, inviting cinnamon and other spices.

Prada also holds the title of the first green coffee and wine bar in Winston. All the cups are "eco-containers," meaning they are fully biodegradable. Even the outside patio chairs are made entirely of recyclable materials. They even offer WiFi in the caffe.

Although Caffe Prade serves up great coffee, it is much more than just a coffee shop. It offers a variety of sandwiches, salads and other snacks. Like any coffee shop, Prada sells various muffins, breads and pastries, but they also have a variety of desserts, including a great tiramisu. There are several flavors of fresh fruit smoothies available as well. To top off this variety, wine and beer is also available and wine tastings occur about once a month.

The pride of Caffe Prada is their gelato. Mixed fresh by Prada himself, they offer a dozen absolutely sinful flavors. My favorite is Prada's own creation called "Light in the Piazza." Named for the Broadway musical about a family from Winston-Salem who vacations in Italy, the gelato is made of Italian custard with chocolate sauce and chunks of biscotti. Simply amazing.

The caffe that prides itself on being a "third place" in Winston truly fosters a family and community atmosphere. I've been there several times and always have seen friends meeting for coffee, business associates having casual meetings or families with children sitting at the outdoor tables. So, whether you are looking for a great place to relax with friends, do some work or just indulge in some gelato, Caffe Prada is a great hang-out in downtown Winston.