In July, Cavo Coffee opened its second location in West University, bringing to that neighborhood the same modern coffeehouse vibe and fare without noise and pretense.

Now, with a well-oiled kitchen team, the new Cavo location has rolled out a café-friendly menu that rises above the traditional coffee-and-croissant experience. Think a hearty veggie sandwich with a side of potato salad, an Asian noodle salad with pickled produce, and for dessert, offerings that include some input from Fat Cat Creamery.

"We're in the new wave of coffee shops, and as the tastes of Houstonians are expanding, we're responding to that," said operations manager Carlos Meltzer. He's previously of Revival Market and has worked off and on with Cavo owners Michael and Diane Caplan for the last few years. Helming operations at both locations (the other being at Greenway Plaza), Meltzer created the new menu with pastry chef Valerie Trasatti, also formerly of Revival. The attention to detail is clear, from the choice of bread on sandwiches to the happy twists in small plates, like lemon zest on a white bean and fennel dip. The offerings at Cavo's University West location will also be available at Greenway Plaza.

And more is coming at Cavo, whose new location is a clean white space with leather work chairs and a lounge area. Next to the café will be home base for the Cleo Roasting Company, which is being led by roaster Eric Hammond (formerly of Pearland Coffee Roasters). Michael Caplan and Hammond are looking to roast their own beans and sell them in brown jars, not unlike the practice of selling beer in growlers. Of course, the coffee will also be available at Cavo, when the roaster is up and running. 

For now, though, the coffee (at the moment sourced from a variety of roasters) is good, and the food is something to try.