Coffee Bar

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The front signage

By Tatiana Rivera

Coffee Bar features a large center bar for the purpose of offering a closer connection with your barista

If you’re passing through the ever-evolving financial district and seeking to experience the latest approach to coffee making (known as the third wave in the coffee movement), try Coffee Bar. This newly opened coffee house and tea bar is the lastest concept of two downtown entrepreneurs who aspired to create an “individual customer experience” with this venture. Also the founders of Spring Street, Library Bar and Pizzeria Urbano, owners William Shamlian and Michael Leko just may have established a downtown staple, but only time will tell.

Instead of the boring, old bar-against-wall design employed by most franchises, Coffee Bar features a large center bar for the purpose of offering a closer connection with your barista, and a new grade pour over bar, which ensures a more flavorful and higher quality cup of joe. The pour over bar uses an interesting technique that allows baristas to control the grinding, drip and amount of water.

The menu here is as simple as the décor. You can choose from espresso, coffee, latte, macchiato, mocha, cappuccino, iced coffee and tea. There are also fresh pastries from the Cake Monkeys, bottled drinks, fountain drinks and sandwiches and salads, which are available until 3pm.

One of the notable differences between second-wave coffee houses and Coffee Bar is the design. The use of reclaimed wood and steal, integrated with the high ceilings and tall windows and the color pallet of beige, light greens and dark browns gives this place a minimalistic yet innovative feel. The steal chairs and trashcan barrels give off an industrial vibe but the tile wall and hanging lamps are neat and sophisticated.

I’m ready to try a drink. I order a chai tea. As you can see, I’m not an avid coffee drinker. I like my teas; I order a tea everywhere I go, plus it’s hot. The walk from the public parking lot (sorry environmentalists) mixed with the warm breeze of the afternoon sun had me craving something cold, or quenching. The chai tea is neither of those, but it’s what I was eager to try. I also sampled an iced white tea and green tea. The cashier/barista was very kind to me and patiently explained how she crafts the lattes.

The prices are above average for an average-sized cup of java, even for these days, but the value, style and location make it an ideal place to swing by if you’re early for the monthly art walk. The only downer for downtowners is the hours—the store closes at six everyday. Sadly, they are still not making enough money to keep their doors open longer.

Besides the coffee, it’s a great spot to chill. The low music, dim lighting and ample space offers an ideal place to sit with a laptop and concentrate or sit with a partner and plan your next ‘preneur, which is what it seems the nearly dozen or so customers are doing.

It’s not so much cozy as it is calming. There’s an outdoor shaded patio in front enclosed by a short gate and numerous tables. It might have been the open space but I felt inclined to linger around and order that artfully made latte.

600 S Spring St Mon-Fri 7 am - 6 pm Sat-Sun 8 am - 6 pm www.coffeebarla.com


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