And she nixed her pastel imposible—flan-topped chocolate cake requiring more than 20 eggs—in favor of an eggless replacement: Carlota de limon, Mexican key lime icebox cake made with coconut ...

Bardo CoffeeHouse is mellow enough that you can hunker down and study for finals here, but you won't get hushed or scowled at if you stop in to grab coffee with your chatty girlfriends, either.

Finish your meal with a slice of flan and a cafecito — a superb shot of sweet espresso — and you may want to express your joy by shouting "Que rico!" over the din.