Sicilian-inspired coffee shop to open soon in site of former Pennsville pizzeria

Michelle Padalino was born in Sicily and moved with her parents to Pennsville, N.J., when she was very young. She worked in her parents’ local pizzeria for most of her childhood.

Michelle Padalino is planning an October opening of her new coffee shop. | PHOTO BY MURRAY SCHULMAN

She said she always had a dream to bring her Italian roots to the forefront of her life. What better way to do that than to combine Italian hospitality with the joys of the true Sicilian café? She is poised to follow that dream as the owner of Caffe’ Doppio, which opens in a few weeks in the same location – 157 N. Broadway – where parents once operated the pizzeria in town.

Padalino plans to keep the original interior look the same, honoring her family roots. But what will be taking place behind the scenes will be something spectacular.

“Doppio” means a double shot of espresso with a longer extraction time that brings out rich boldness and even a hint of sweetness from the beans. You are left with the warm flavors of roasted caramel, a velvety mouth feel, and a rich long finish. This will be the signature offering at Caffe’ Doppio.

Padalino said her espresso beans will be exclusively sourced from a micro roaster in Sicily, so each drink will taste as it would in a Sicilian coffee shop.

Padalino said her espresso beans will be exclusively sourced from a micro roaster in Sicily. Every espresso and espresso beverage will taste as it would if the beverage was ordered in a Sicilian coffee shop. Every espresso shot will be hand measured and tamped to perfection in the traditional way with no shortcuts. It may take a moment or two longer, but the result will be memorable.

Caffe’ Doppio will also serve a cold brew prepared the old-fashioned way. The unique cold brew grind is steeped in filtered water for 24 hours to extract every bit of flavor from the grind.

For regular coffee drinkers, Caffe’ Doppio will source her coffee from a New Jersey-based micro roaster to assure that her coffee is the freshest and most carefully roasted in small batches possible. This goes hand in hand with her dedication to the concept of using only local farm-fresh products whenever possible.

Padalino didn’t forget about non-coffee drinkers. She will have several non-coffee beverages among her offerings, including a delicious and refreshing virgin limoncello spritz.

Caffe’ Doppio will offer a variety of pastries and cookies that complement the coffee and espresso beverages. Every cookie, cannoli and biscotti will be prepared in-house, the traditional way, by her pastry chef and mom, Marina Lentini. Her tiramisu is a Caffe’ Doppio signature espresso accompaniment that will transport you back to the pastry shops of Sicily.

Padalino said her menu will start with the basics and will remain fluid, growing and changing depending on her and her mom’s creative whims as well as on the tastes of her clientele.

Caffe’ Doppio will hold a soft opening for invited friends and family later this month, followed shortly after by the first meeting of the Pennsville Business Alliance to be hosted at her location. The official grand opening will take place soon after that complete with town officials, live music, samples, and maybe a few surprises.

Caffe’ Doppio is destined to be the place to be with friends and neighbors enjoying the best of the Sicilian coffee shop experience in Pennsville, N.J. I hope to see you there. This is The Chef’s Perspective.