Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "coffee"

New coffee bar focuses on community, sustainability

2011-12-05T03:28:28Z

Two Sacramentans with a decade each working in local coffee bars are set to branch out on their own this week as they open Insight Coffee Roasters at Eighth and S streets.

Ben Lance and Lucky Rodrigues met about five years ago when they both worked at Temple Coffee, and their idea of what a coffee business should be is set to open Wednesday – possibly as early as Monday or Tuesday if all goes well.

“We’re opening this to stay in coffee, not just to own something in coffee,” Rodrigues said. “We want to do this our whole lives, and this is a way to stay in it and not earn minimum wage in our 40s.”

The premise of the business is to keep things simple while providing sustainable coffee to the Southside Park area, Lance said.

“Simplicity is the most effective concept,” Lance said. “We’re working directly with coffee growers in El Salvador and Guatemala. We’re actually going down there in a couple of weeks to meet them and see their sustainable business and know that they’re able to put a roof over their families’ heads.”

Working through Atlantic Specialty – a business that connects coffee roasters in the United States with coffee growers – Lance said Insight Coffee will be able to trace where each shipment is coming from and know that it’s not exploitative.

“We want to work with like-minded people,” Rodrigues said. “We’re really into sustainability, and we have a high attention to detail, so it’s nice to work with people who feel the same way.”

In keeping with the simplicity theme, furniture consists of a few couches along the back wall of the roughly 2,000-square-foot cafe area, wooden counters along the windows and a host of wooden tables built by Rodrigues. Chairs in the space are theater seats built in 1918 that used to be in the basement of the Masonic Lodge on J Street.

The space will hold 40 people, and Rodrigues said the emphasis is on community, with large communal tables and an open atmosphere.

Lance said that free Wi-Fi will be offered, but there are only about eight outlets in the seating area.

“We don’t want this to be a place where everyone is clicking away on their laptops and you’re afraid to make a sound,” Lance said. “We want you to play a board game or sit and have a conversation.”

Music will be provided by an old record player, and Lance said he wants to bring the work of local artists in two or three times per month to make use of the extensive wall space.

All the coffee will be French press, and while iced drinks will be available, there aren’t any plans to provide blended iced drinks or smoothies.

A standard cup of coffee will cost $2.25, and the most expensive drinks will be about $4.50.

A unique style of brewing using Chemex coffeemakers will be available, in which coffee is brewed in a hand-blown glass pitcher to the customer’s specifications. The 24-ounce vessel will cost $5 and is meant to be shared.

All milk and sugar in the business will be organic, with the milk being the Crystal organic line, from cows that live near Chico, Lance said.

“It will be reflected in the price, maybe a nickel or 10 cents more per cup, but it’s organic from the start,” he said.

The coffee roaster, in the approximately 2,000-square-foot space behind the cafe, was custom-made in Nevada.

Business hours will be 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. every day, and Lance said if business levels dictate, he will extend them. He said he also plans to bring in live music, with local bands playing two or three nights per week once Insight Coffee is up and running.

Another future addition, Rodrigues said, will be a beer bottle shop.

“We’re just waiting on our license,” he said. “We want to bring in beers from abroad – beers that follow sort of the same idea as our coffee. We want this place to be a mature area where people can lounge and have a drink, without being a bar.”

Insight Coffee Roasters, 1901 Eighth St., will be open from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. every day. The scheduled opening date is Wednesday. For more information, click here.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow him on Twitter @Brandon_Darnell.

Editorial Note: This story has been updated after it was published. The website link was added.

Javalounge returns to rule the roast at 16th and Broadway

2011-11-16T22:59:23Z

To the dismay of musicians and coffee enthusiasts alike, Javalounge closed it's doors in December 2009 for what many believed to be the last time. A few brave souls tried their hand at harnessing the force of that location, but none could prove strong enough.

After watching coffee shops come and go, Javalounge owner Jake Albus decided it was time for round two. Alerting passersby with blood-like graffiti-style paint on the front window reading "Javalounge Lives", word spread like wildfire.

October 22 marked the official grand re-opening, complete with live acoustic performers, free cookies and turkey dogs, and the slightly updated beverage menu. This night set the tone for what is to come with Javalounge version 2.0.

Many remember the array of metal, hardcore, and punk bands that brought shaking walls, crazy mosh pits, and backflips off the infamous orange couch. However, Albus aims for a more universally appealing approach this time around. The art on the walls follows in the footsteps of the Skinner mural that once filled them, but the furniture has been tastefully updated, as has the menu and coming attractions.

Just months before their closing, Javalounge introduced beer. Version 2.0 has expanded that adult beverage list to include a variety of beers in addition to wine in the near future. To accompany this new found class, Albus hopes to mix up the genres of music he brings to the stage.

Prepare for art exhibits, Sunday brunches, live music, and the Old Soul coffee that got this landmark started. Come and see what they're all about at 2416 16th Street, near Broadway.

MidLife GridLife - Going to Temple on Sundays

2011-11-11T22:45:30Z

A year and a half ago, give or take, I was unemployed.

For seven months.

Long, terrifying, faith-shaking months.

A period of time that began optimistically with the idea that I would give myself until after the first of the year (I was fired at the end of November—the most wonderful time of the year; the hap-happiest season of all!) before I panicked, and spiraled into a cold sweaty pool of disbelief, when my father died unexpectedly just before my birthday in May.

I am fortunate to have terrific friends, some of whom came quite unexpectedly out of long ago created nooks and crannied to offer tremendous comfort and support. I also learned that I have amazing colleagues, some of whom are now friends, who offered everything from an empathetic ear and free lunches, to job leads.

By June, one of those colleagues, Rick Jennings from The Center for Fathers and Families was even kind enough—among other things--to call my former employer (the one I had left for a theoretically “better” position) and offer to hire me part-time, if they would do the same, despite not really having a position available.

Happily, it never came to that.

In the year or so I was gone, my former employer, Cottage Housing, had not filled my position, due to all of the budget issues being discussed in the governor’s office. The position opened up again shortly after Rick’s intervention on my behalf, and I was able to apply for and regain it.

But for the unlucky seven months in between, I filled out three applications for loan modification, saw my father pass away, and followed the feds as they changed their collective mind about how long I should be able to collect unemployment.

All things I could have done from the comfort of my bed.

I’m bipolar. When things go sideways, the only place I want to be is my bed.

I’m bipolar; the last place I should be when things go sideways is my bed.

Being bipolar is a different column. This is about where I went for seven months to keep myself sane—or at least as sane as I ever like to be.

I went to Temple Coffee—on S Street (there’s a difference).

Sometimes I went there as many as five days a week.

My sister had told me about Temple in passing once, and I had taken a friend there and really like the atmosphere.
It now became my home away from home.; and by association, my home office.

I am not a person who says things like, “It has great energy,” but it does.

I tried taking my laptop to various other coffee establishments, both independent and corporate—including those in bookstores--but I had very little luck getting anything of substance done. I could check my email, play a little Scrabble, update my Facebook status ad nauseum, but I wanted to write, to feel productive, and that just didn’t seem to happen.

Until I started going to Temple.

I wrote my first play at Temple.

An entire play.

Poetry, some articles for an insurance web site, cover letters…

A play.

I found out my sister went to Temple for coffee on Mondays and started seeing her every week, sometimes as her date, sometimes just to say hello. Sometimes on Sundays, as well.

Soon I could order my latte and inquire, “Has my sister been in yet?” and the person behind the counter—Luke or Spenser or Lauren, say—would reply, “No, I haven’t seen her this morning yet,” or (most often on Sunday, because I tend to move a lot slower than she does), “She was here, but she left awhile ago.”

The Temple Coffee crew is so impressive. They know their business and they know their clientele. If I’ve talked to them more than a few times, they know my order and my name. This has also been true at Starbucks, but the vibe is just different. It’s quieter.

It’s an added source of fun that when I tell people “I was at Temple yesterday,” the uninitiated still think I may have converted to Judaism. They are fewer and fewer these days, however, as I spread the word.

I am now thankfully employed, but I still spend my Sundays and Mondays at Temple. Now I do homework or write; or play Scrabble or update my status on Facebook.

And I am grateful with every sip for the way it made me feel during those scary seven months.

It just has a great energy about it.

Temple Coffee has two locations: 1010 9th Street and 2829 S Street, both open 6am-11pm daily. www.templecoffee.com

Boston Takes Over the Naked Lounge This Tuesday

2011-11-03T06:38:39Z

In the mood for a low-country Regina Spektor-meets-Jimmy Buffett-on-whiskey act followed by a Dave Matthews crossed with a beached-out Buddy Holly number? Well, you can... this coming Tuesday, November 8 at the Naked Lounge in downtown Sacramento (1111 H St.), starting at 8:30. This all ages show features two of California's up-and-coming, on-the-scene singer-songwriters, Jo Elless (www.joelless.com) and Mike Macchia & Tyler Canaday (Mike's Lost and Found, http://www.youtube.com/TheMikeMacchia). Midwest and northeastern roots, with a little dixie thrown in for good measure, Jo Elless is a Berklee-trained multi-instrumentalist who arranges her songs for wind orchestra (all of the instruments, of course, she performs herself-- ranging from flutes to tinier flutes to saxophones and various clarinets). Her songs feature musings of foggy, city, subway life and Decemberists-like folk tales of the deserted south. Her latest album, Copley Inbound, received national acclaim, including landing Elless a spot on the cover of the magazine Saxophone Journal. Coincidentally, Boston native Mike Macchia will also perform along with Tyler Canady, in the form of Mike's Lost and Found (it's also his birthday, so join in the party!) follow her with a blend of sultry, acoustic rock sure to get you kickin' back, tapping your toe, and reminding you of past summers in love. It's all this coming Tuesday, November 8 starting at 8:30 at Sacramento's downtown Naked Lounge, 1111 H St. Sacramento CA 95814.

Disclosure: Sacramento music scene columnist

Midtown Modern Art Festival - Photos

2011-10-17T14:38:20Z

Some scenes from Midtown's Modern Art Festival:

For article about the art festival, CLICK HERE>>>

A look inside Broadacre, what goes into making your coffee

2011-10-13T04:43:17Z

Since opening its doors two weeks ago, Broadacre Coffee has been serving up freshly brewed, personalized and made-to-order cups of coffee to the customers downtown.

The four owners – Andrew Lopez, Justin Kerr, Lucas Elia and Jacob Elia – offer eight to 10 various artisan coffee beans sourced from at least four different roasters at any given time. They are currently serving coffee from Intelligentsia, Ritual, Coava and Verve Coffee Roasters.

They offer four distinct brewing methods: Chemex, Aeropress, French press, and V60.

The Sacramento Press visited Broadacre Coffee to meet with co-owner Andrew Lopez, who explained the process of ordering a cup of coffee and the intricacies of the V60 brewing method.

Broadacre Coffee will celebrate its grand opening in November during Second Saturday.

Broadacre Coffee is located at 1014 10th St. Its hours are 6 a.m. - 11 p.m every day.
For more information on Broadacre Coffee, visit its website.

Broadacre brews up new blends at Temple’s old space

2011-09-23T06:13:54Z

Less than a month after Temple Coffee moved from its 10th Street location, four artisan coffee enthusiasts are taking over the space to open Broadacre Coffee and offer a personalized, one-on-one, cultural take on modern-day cafes.

Brothers Lucas Elia and Jacob Elia – who owned Bloom Coffee in Roseville for three years – and former Bloom Coffee baristas, Andrew Lopez and Justin Kerr, are in the process of setting up their new coffee shop at 1014 10th St., which is slated to open in the next week.

To keep updated on Broadacre Coffee’s progress and find out when the shop will open, check its Twitter and Facebook pages.

“The opportunity just arose, and we really love that area,” Lopez said. “(The) building is just fantastic – it’s an iconic staple of the area.”

Most of the structural aspects of the building will not change, though the four owners have spent a week on renovations and mostly cosmetic changes. The entire renovation process is expected to take one and a half to two weeks.

The owners said they are focusing on brightening up the space, using bright colors and creating a casual atmosphere with a ‘50s and ‘60s, “Mad Men”-esque style.

The benches along the inside walls of the shop, leftover after Temple’s move, will be renovated and reupholstered. There will be tables and banquette seating as well as a lounge area with a couch and chairs.

Free wireless Internet will be provided, and electrical outlets will be available at almost every table.

While customers can come in to get a quick coffee or tea and go, Lucas Elia said that the distinguishing factor of the shop is the personal, one-on-one experience offered to every customer. Every order will be personally completed from start to finish by one barista.

“When you walk in, you’re going to be with us while (we walk) you through the process of the brew and explain where the coffee is from and what hands it (has) passed through,” Lopez said.

“We’re challenging what’s considered normal in coffee,” Kerr said. “More mainstream-wise, (coffee has) become more of a fast food item – you walk into a place, they hit a bunch of buttons on a machine, it spits out your coffee, you take it, and you pay $4 or $5 for it and go.”

For any given cup of coffee, the barista can tell the customer not just the country the beans came from but also the name of the farm where they were grown, the story behind the farmer, the exact lot the beans were grown on, the elevation they grew at, the date the beans were harvested and the background of the beans’ fermentation process.

Broadacre Coffee will carry eight to 10 different coffees at any given time from four different roasters that will rotate and be switched out as new coffees become available.

“We’re going with pretty much whoever we think has good coffee at the time,” Elia said. “It’ll bring a huge influx of coffees to Sacramento that weren’t available before.”

During the grand opening, coffees from four West Coast based roasters will be available: Intelligentsia from Los Angeles; Four Barrel Coffee from San Francisco; Coava Roasters from Portland, Oregon and Verve Coffee Roasters from Santa Cruz.

Customers can choose any of the available coffees to be made with any specific brewing method. Broadacre Coffee offers four distinct brewing methods: Aeropress, a quick and clean method that produces a lighter coffee with less body; French press, a total immersion method that creates a bold, heavy bodied coffee with a punch; V60, a Japanese style method that produces a crisp, clear flavor with very subtle nuances; and Chemex, a German style method that produces a very similar product to that of the V60 method but can make two to three cups in a batch.

Teas from Intelligentsia, sourced directly from the farms, will also be available. Kerr said they also plan to eventually carry herbal teas. They plan to source herbs from a nursery and then dry and cure the leaves to be chopped for the herbal teas and medicines.

All the flavorings and syrups will be made in-house, ranging from homemade vanilla syrup made from Tahitian vanilla beans to lavender syrup made by extracting the lavender in alcohol and diluting the concentrate with simple syrup . Elia said their goal is to create flavors that complement the coffee rather than mask it.

“Coffee is sort of an imperfectable science,” Elia said. “It changes every single day and it’s fun to be able to learn as much as you can about it and use all of the things that you have in your control to try to make the best possible coffee. And then you have to come back tomorrow and do the same thing just as well.”

“It’s more of a craft than it is a commodity item,” Lopez added. “I like to equate it more to beer making or wine making – there’s so much more intricacies that go into it, and not every cup is ever the same.

“When you have a great Guatemalan coffee that tastes like candied oranges,” he said, “it’s mind-blowing. You don’t think of coffee in that sense.”

Broadacre Coffee is located at 1014 10th St. Its hours will be 6 a.m. - 11 p.m. every day after construction is complete.

New ownership at longtime coffee bar near Broadway

2011-09-19T07:23:15Z

Lifelong Sacramento resident Matt Crummy, 21, recently purchased Off Broadway Bean coffee bar and renamed it Crum’s Place, fulfilling his dream of owning his own business.

“It was just sort of perfect timing,” he said. “I was looking to get into business, and I saw an ad on Craigslist, and it all just worked out.”

Crummy took ownership on June 17, and he said the business has been going well.

Before Off Broadway Bean, the 1,400-square-foot space was tha home of Java Lounge.

“My dad owns a hot dog cart at 14th and I (streets), and I always wanted to run a business, too,” Crummy said. “I don’t want to have a boss. I want it to be my own.”

Many of the facets of the former coffee bar have remained the same, as Crummy purchased the business complete with furniture and fixtures.

“The challenges have been finding the right employees and keeping everything stocked,” he added.

The coffee bar offers free wireless Internet and use of several computers. A library at the front counter is open to all, with a “take a book and leave one” policy.

His only employee is one who previously worked at Off Broadway Bean, who Crummy said has been helpful with her knowledge of the day-to-day operations of the shop.

Not having much experience making coffee, Crummy said he was trained by the previous owners in how to make all the different drinks and food items. Now, he said, he is bringing even more food and hoping to make it a place for numerous nearby workers and residents to stop by for breakfast and lunches.

Hot and cold sandwiches are made to order, and paninis are available. Grilled burritos were added to the mix, and he said they have been popular.

“I’m trying to give people an affordable place to come by,” he said, noting that sandwiches are $6, and grilled burritos are $4.

Also being added to the menu are more baked goods, including house-made banana bread and cookies.

“We’re really going to be making more of that,” he said. “We’ll be bringing in pear bread pretty soon.”

He said he wanted to incorporate hot dogs, but those require having an expensive range hood, which isn’t in the budget at the moment.

Isabel Gallus, 22, said she has visited the coffee bar several times since the change in ownership, and she was a patron of Off Broadway Bean beforehand.

“I like that it’s right off Broadway,” she said. “It’s easy for a lot of people to get to, especially by bike.”

She added that she’d like to see it become more lively, with evening music shows on weekend nights.

“It’s good to see a business staying in here,” she said. “I’d like to come down for some live music.”

Live music is something Crummy said he is actively working on, with an acoustic show featuring Brian Hanover and Brian McPherson Saturday and another show scheduled for the following weekend.

Saturday’s show will be $7 in advance and $10 at the door, with those ages 17 and under getting in for free.

Music Promoter Sean Hills is working with Crummy and said he used to book shows at the location when it was Java Lounge and 16th Street Cafe.

“It’s a good all-ages spot, which is attractive for doing shows since we don’t have many of them in the city,” Hills said. “I’m excited that it’s open, and I hope it stays open a long time.”

Currently, only acoustic music can be played, but Hills said he is working with Crummy to get permits for amplified music.

“He’s really interested in opening his doors to local musicians and artists,” Hills said.

A mural by a Sacramento artist known as Skinner on the exterior wall in the alley, which was thought to be at risk in the past, will remain, Crummy said.

The business, located at 2416 16th St., is open daily from 6 a.m. - 5 p.m., but Crummy said he is still working with the hours and will stay open later on Fridays and Saturdays if business levels warrant it.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow him on Twitter @Brandon_Darnell.

Temple Coffee reopens in new location

2011-09-07T07:02:05Z

Temple Coffee, a fixture on 10th Street since 2005, moved a block on Wednesday to Ninth Street, where it will have a more open, modern feel, but little else will change.

The move from 1014 10th St. to 1010 Ninth St. was something owner Sean Kohmescher said he had been looking to do for some time, saying the old space didn’t fit the needs of the coffee bar.

“The design of the (new) space is set up much more for conversations and engagement,” Kohmescher said, adding that the old space felt cramped.

Also bigger, at about 2,000 square feet compared to the old location’s 1,450 square feet, the newer one gives a more open feel. Both seat about 60 people, but the feeling in the new building is more spacious.

“It’s a lot cleaner feeling,” he said. “It’s more modern and fits in more with what Temple is about.”

The old coffee bar shut down on Saturday, and the move was done on Sunday and Monday, with final inspections on Tuesday.

A grand reopening ceremony will be held Saturday, with free coffee and tea, and art shown by painter Ilah Rose Cookston.

Trees felled more than five years ago just a few blocks away were made into tables, which now dominate the interior. Concrete flooring and clean lines, as well as spaces to hang artwork, are the major differences customers will notice from the previous address.

“It has a real community feel,” said Manager Shannon Loudon. “There’s a lot more foot traffic here, and a lot of our regulars live in the lofts upstairs, so they’re happy to see us in the new building.”

She added that a larger patio seating area that will be built in the next week will be railed off and give customers the option to sit inside or outside.

Electrical outlets are provided for the six seats fronting the Ninth Street floor-to-ceiling windows, and wireless Internet will be free once it is installed Thursday.

Regular customer Chester Randle, 61, said Tuesday that he often comes to Temple Coffee on his breaks from his state job.

“The service is fantastic, and the coffee tastes better than Starbucks,” he said, adding that he is glad the coffee bar moved to a location that is still close to walk, and that he will continue to go there.

Another customer, 52-year-old Henry Tavalaro, said he lives next door to the old location and frequented it, but he will still patronize the new location.

“I hope it’s a good move,” he said. “I know they’ve been wanting a bigger place.”

The new space had lain empty before Temple Coffee moved in, and Building Manager Anthony Reda said he thinks the coffee bar will be a good fit.

“Temple is a very well-known coffee and tea shop here in downtown Sacramento,” he said. “Our building is in an area that is about bringing the old and the new together and bringing Sacramento forward with revitalization.”

Temple is now located at 1010 Ninth St. Its hours are 6 a.m. - 11 p.m. every day.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow him on Twitter @Brandon_Darnell.

New coffee bar coming to Seventh and K

2011-07-15T00:47:51Z

An empty former Starbucks at Seventh and K streets will soon be serving coffee and food as Plaza Cafe Lounge opens next month with an emphasis on bringing a San Francisco-style coffee bar to downtown Sacramento.

“We want to make it a lounge place where you can sit on a comfortable couch or out on the patio and meet with friends,” said co-owner Zack Alemi.

The 1,800 square-foot space will be outfitted with $10,000 worth of leather lounge chairs and couches as well as free wi-fi. A 1,500-square-foot patio fronting St. Rose of Lima Park will add seating, and Alemi said the coffee lounge will connect to the Antigua night club next door.

Six big-screen plasma TVs will be in the space as well, tuned to various news channels or whatever customers want to watch, Alemi said.

A mixture of hot sandwiches, ciabatta paninis and pizza by the slice will be available, as well as bagels, other breakfast foods and desserts.

“We’re going to have pies, probably six types of cheesecake, and smoothies and shakes,” Alemi said. “I don’t know of many places where you can just go and get a piece of pie and some ice cream, and we want to offer that.”

The shop will stay open until 11 p.m. on weeknights and 2 a.m. on weekends, and Alemi said hookah pipes will be available as well.

“We’re really bringing a new-age cafe like you see in San Francisco, L.A. and San Diego,” he said. “I think there’s a lot of potential here for a coffee cafe with the mall and the Capitol so close.”

The coffee will come from Vaneli’s Handcrafted Coffee of Rocklin.

“(The owner) goes all over the world and goes straight to the farmers for the coffee,” Alemi said. “He’s got the best Italian roast – it’s smooth and you don’t even need to add sugar or cream.”

Much of the plumbing and other infrastructure was already in place from Starbucks, and Alemi said that enabled him to save money on the building, though he estimated the cost redo the space and add equipment – such as a $5,000 machine to squeeze fresh orange juice – to be about $175,000.

The 24-year-old Alemi and his 22-year old co-owner Omar Tarin said they are excited about recent developments to that section of the K Street Mall.

The City Council’s June 21 approval of the redevelopment plan for the 700 Block of K Street along with the move to bring cars back to K Street will both benefit their business, they said.

“When we get those apartment buildings right across the street, it’s going to be really good for us,” Alemi said. “And the cars will be good, too. Light rail comes by every 30 minutes, but cars come by all the time, so they’ll see us.”

If the possibility of Temple Coffee’s move from the Levinson’s Book Store space pans out, Alemi said his coffee cafe will be the only coffee bar in the area.

Tarin said he sees the potential for the corner of K Street and Seventh Street as a beautiful area, adding that he likes being next to St. Rose of Lima Park.

Alemi said he anticipates coffee and hot chocolate sales being good during the winter when the park has its ice-skating rink.

Next door to the coffee cafe, Antigua owner Felipe Olvera, 32, said he thinks the coffee cafe will be a good addition to the corner.

“They’re going to add to the potential of K Street,” he said. “We’re some of the first businesses to be here, and we hope to be here for a long time as the area really develops.”

He said opening up a walkway between his night club and the coffee cafe will be a way to give his customers a place to hang out and have a conversation when they want to take a break from dancing or drinking.

“We want to promote each other and be able to survive in this hard economy,” he said. “We need to all come together.”

Alemi said his biggest concern with opening the business is the fate of the nearby Westfield Downtown Plaza, which has been the subject of sale talks.

“I’d love to see someone come in and buy it and bring some high-end stores in,” Alemi said.

He added that he anticipates the completion of the 24 Hour Fitness remodel will bring a steady flow of traffic to Seventh Street.

Neither Alemi or Tarin have formal business degrees, but both own or have owned businesses in the past, and Alemi said he thinks it’s more important to know how to connect with the community and offer a product than have formal schooling.

“There are people with business degrees looking for jobs at Target,” he said. “You’ve got to know how to bring people what they want.”

Alemi owns Frontier Limo Service in Elk Grove, and Tarin owned the World Class Motors car dealership in Roseville, as well as two Paradise cafe locations in Rancho Cordova, which he sold.

Two employees have been hired, and Alemi said hours will be from 8 a.m. - 11 p.m. on weekdays, and the business will stay open late – until 2 a.m. – on Fridays and Saturdays.

“It’ll be a cool place for people to lounge and get coffee,” Barista Jasmine Mojadidi, 20, said.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow him on Twitter @Brandon_Darnell.

River Rock Tap House to open

2011-07-05T02:06:28Z

Two restaurateurs with a love of fine beer and coffee plan to open an alehouse in Midtown with a possible cafe and coffee-roasting operation next door.

Tex Mex Bar and Grill owner Mike Keolanui said he and his best friend, Anthony Priley, expect to replace Keolanui's restaurant at 2326 J St. with a joint venture, River Rock Tap House, July 9.

They decided to team up again, about 17 years after they opened River Rock in Citrus Heights featuring 40 craft beers, on-site roasted coffee and food. Priley and his father, Steve, who co-founded Java City, owned River Rock. Keolanui was the general manager.

Within a month, they also hope to sign a lease for the space next door at 2330 J St., which most recently held a well-known breakfast spot called Cornerstone Restaurant, Keolanui said.

River Rock Cafe could open in a year focusing on coffee, tea and breakfast, but possibly offering over-the-counter lunch and dinner as well. A costly interior and exterior renovation would be done first.

The restaurants would be beverage-driven yet feature different menus. Keolanui would oversee the food at both spots. Steve Priley, who sold his interest in Sacramento-based Java City in 1993, would manage the coffee-roasting operation and its wholesale and retail coffee business. His son would manage the tap house's craft beers: 40 to start and another 30 down the road.

"Tony has always been a visionary and sort of a 'Rain Man' when it comes to beer," Keolanui said. "If Tony's the Rain Man of beer, his dad is the guru of coffee. He's the Gandhi of coffee. That guy has got a huge following. He talks a different language."

He opened Tex Mex on J Street about nine months ago as a new location for Texas Mexican Restaurant, which was facing closure as part of a K Street Mall redevelopment project. Tex Mex did well, but Keolanui wants to try something new, he said.

"I got kind of burnt out on the Mexican food scene," he said. "There are so many Mexican restaurants down here."

He said he knew he wanted to feature craft beers. Brian Bennett, who co-owns Paul Martin's American Bistro Restaurant in Roseville, came up with the idea for the "tap house" name and other ideas for the business, Keolanui said.

The list of beers is still being finalized. At least 80 percent will come from California and Oregon microbreweries. Classics like Guinness will also be on tap, Anthony Priley said.

West Coast brewers are developing their own style of high-quality beer using fresh hops grown nearby and more hops, which imparts more bitterness. Craft beer from the West Coast is gaining respect after developing its own style, just like California wines did in the 1970s and 1980s, he said.

"There's such quality and diversity right on the West Coast. It's a more aggressive style of beer than you find on the East Coast, in the Midwest or even internationally," Priley said.

"The flavor profile of traditional English beer is smoother and sweeter – less bitter. A softer mouth feel than something with a lot of hops. The difference would be sweetness compared to a bitter flavor profile."

They'll include many local beers from microbreweries such as Rubicon, Sudwerk in Davis, Roseville Brewing Company and Two Rivers Cider.

"I'm excited about the beer culture that's developing here," he said. "Sacramento is becoming a very well-known beer culture throughout the region."

Priley has persuaded six former employees to come back one or two days a week as tap masters – sort of beer sommeliers – at a small second bar to be added. They will help train and educate customers as well as Keolanui's existing staff about fine beer.

"It's going to be this crazy restaurant Brady Bunch kind of thing. Tony and I are the parents and we just got married," Keolanui said.

River Rock Tap House hours will be 11 a.m. to midnight daily.

The tap house will start with a small menu that may include some food from Tex Mex and the original River Rock, such as a fresh fish sandwich and smoked salmon salad. They'll introduce two or three new items each month and have food events driven by beer, such as ribs or brats and beer.

Items may include fried oyster nachos, crispy calamari with poblano sauce, summer grilled sausage with stone-ground mustard and a butcher's board of meats and cheeses.

"The food itself is going to pair wonderfully with the beer," Keolanui said. "I think people will be surprised at how well beer goes on the palate with those items."

Suzanne Hurt is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow her on Twitter @SuzanneHurt.

Art In Sacramento, Where Do We Go From Here?

2011-03-27T22:57:17Z

Master Barber & Beauty Shop presents:
Art on Stockton Blvd. - Art Panel Discussion

"Art In Sacramento - Where do we go from here?"

This is your chance to share and discuss with some of Sacramento's lead art professionals and artists! Join Master Barber & Beauty Shop and panel participants, Dr. Allan Gordon, Lorrie Kempf, Patris Miller, Daphne Burgess and James Sweeney for an evening of lively discussion on "Art in Sacramento." Come with your thoughts, stories and questions as professionals in the art world tell their personal and professional views on the Sacramento art scene.

Keynote Speaker: Gerry GOS" Simpson - Artist, Photographer and Author

Moderator: Tim Foster - Editor, Midtown Monthly

Panelist:
Allan Gordon (PhD, Curator, Artist)
Lorrie Kempf (SMAC, Curator, Artist)
Patris Artist (Artist, Gallery Owner)
James Sweeney (Art Collector, SAAAC)
Daphne Burgess (Artist)

Coffee and Tea is provided by: Old Soul Co.
Refreshment will be Available
This is a FREE event

Gourmet bakery TreyBCakes opens in Midtown

2011-03-10T02:50:38Z

The owner of TreyBCakes – rhymes with "baby cakes" – made good on a dream inspired by his grandfather when he opened the gourmet bakery and eatery Monday.

Trey Luzzi, 34, just started his first business at 19th and L streets with plenty of help from his relatives. Recipes, family stories and a love of food have been handed down for generations on both sides of his family.

George Lunsford, the grandfather who showed him how much fun cooking and entertaining could be, died five years ago. But the rest of Luzzi's family has done everything they can to help launch TreyBCakes at 1801 L St. in Midtown.

"It's a family affair," said Luzzi Wednesday as his sister, Tami Adge, ate lunch at a table next to him. "This is what I've thought about for 25 years."

TreyBCakes offers sweet and savory foods. Pastry chefs Jenni Brewster and Steven Facio arrive at 2:30 a.m. to make desserts, which include cakes, cupcakes, brownies, cookies, fruit tarts and fresh, seasonal pies.

Savories include sausage or bacon breakfast sandwiches, salads, soup, quiche, three sandwiches (steak, chicken and meatball) and "stud muffins." Brewster, who has helped many local bakeries open, created the stud muffins, baking meatloaf in puff pastry with a mashed potato, parmesan cheese and bacon topping. It's now their top seller, Luzzi said.

His other grandparents, Betty and Fred Luzzi Jr., put their house up as collateral so he could get a business loan. Betty Luzzi, 81, taught the two pastry chefs how to make her special red cake and its complicated butter cream frosting. Fred Luzzi, 90, restained all the tables.

Luzzi’s father, Fred Luzzi III, helped him redo the floors and install Sheetrock and tile on the walls. His mother, Kathy, did interior decorating and shared family recipes.

His retired father volunteers behind the counter, while cousin Staci Moitoso is the restaurant manager. His mother often comes in to help.

It was his parents, in fact, who suggested he open a high-end bakery when he resigned after 14 years working for the state of California.

Starting with the state at age 18 – working full-time while going to college full-time at night – Luzzi worked his way up until he was hired as deputy cabinet secretary to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. He was later appointed to revamp the Department of Corrections' compliance department.

"It was time to go in a different direction," he said. "I thought, 'Now's the time to fulfill a dream.’ "

But Luzzi, who describes himself as a workaholic, had started even earlier in the restaurant industry. At 14, he took a cooking class with chef Kurt Spataro and then worked as a prep cook at his restaurant on Sundays. Luzzi later prepped salads and desserts at Zinfandel Grille on Fair Oaks Boulevard.

Both sides of the family are Italian. So family gatherings and memories have always involved plenty of food.

His grandfather, Lunsford, developed the recipes for sausage and banana cream pie sold at TreyBCakes. But "Popi," as he was known to grandchildren, also encouraged Luzzi to one day open his own place.

"At that time, I wanted to open a restaurant. That's what I wanted to do with my life," Luzzi said.

He chose a vacant space next to Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates in Sotiris Kolokotronis' mixed-use complex containing retail and residences. Suite 70 previously held Freddric Bradford, a home decor store.

The bakery cafe is bright and airy, with walls in pale yellow and brick red, nearly floor-to-ceiling windows and European-style decorative ceiling panels. Pendant lights hang above a granite counter decorated with orchids.

The L-shaped dining room has seating for at least 40. Luzzi is working on permits for outdoor seating, where dogs will be welcomed with treats and water.

He's also applied for a beer and wine license. He wants to feature wine and dessert pairings, such as a wine and dessert flight pairing bite-sized desserts with an ounce of wine. He might offer chocolate-covered strawberries with champagne, chocolate ganache cake with port and fruit basket cake with white wine. The price would probably be $8 to $10.

"Prices have to be fair," he said.

TreyBCakes also sells high-end Vaneli's coffee, tea and gelato such as honey lavender and white mint. Hours are 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. - 1 a.m. Friday and 9 a.m. - 1 a.m. Saturday.

As for the name of the business: a friend gave Luzzi the nickname years ago, rhyming it with "babycakes," and the name stuck. He's now had the name trademarked.

"Everybody calls me TreyBcakes," Luzzi said.

Suzanne Hurt is a staff reporter and photographer at The Sacramento Press. Follow her on Twitter @SuzanneHurt.

So much to say for being off Broadway

2011-03-01T03:05:47Z

Somewhere between Broadway and X, a secret spring runs with water that brings happiness, relaxation and generosity. I’m not sure where the mouth of the spring lies, but you can get a taste by just taking a look at some of the great businesses popping up in this corridor of numbered streets tucked next to the freeway between Broadway and the grid.

The intersection of neighborhoods seems to make this area hidden and accessible only to those choice locals who know where to go. Off Broadway Bean, known by so many as just another cafe at 2416 16th St., is trying to make its way by producing specially selected and freshly roasted coffees and container after container of loose-leaf tea, just waiting to be steeped as a Bali Blend in a handcrafted teapot brought right to your table.

Owner, Jay Hopkins, prepares the drinks as if serving for a close circle of friends, always ensuring that the white mocha latte is perfectly to your taste, and willing to fix it if it is not. His wife, Roberta Hopkins, bakes the fresh goodies, and Vegan Needs supplements the stash with delicious desserts for those with a specialized diet. There’s a selection for everyone: vegan scones, peanut butter chocolate chip cookies and delicious sandwiches made to order with so many fresh toppings you could hardly choose them all — not that you have to pay extra for them. The prices are outrageously reasonable and the service is so nice and genuine, I almost wonder if I’m not in a small town rather than just outside downtown Sacramento.

The heavily stocked bookshelf boasts quiet cafe entertainment of all kinds: almanacs, newspapers, board games, books and journals, and even an enormous encyclopedic dictionary for the more studious clientele. Plus, for those into gazing about, the walls are covered in local art of various media, from the textiles of Elaine Borrelli and transfers on plywood pallets by Andrew Littlefield to the eerie fogscapes of Donald Satterlee.

There’s so much to say for businesses that serve and share their homestead without pretension. Not just the management and staff are friendly, but the other customers are, too. Kindness and generosity breed more of the same, and a weekly stop-off at any of these establishments is likely to earn you a friend or two.

After an afternoon at Off Broadway Bean, you are sure to work up an appetite. The next stop off Broadway is Slice of Broadway Pizza, another unbeatable stop for locals and visitors alike.

Chic for Change – Becoming a Force in the Community

2011-02-01T07:32:58Z

I live in the ‘burbs and I can get to feeling pretty isolated from my neighbors. Okay, I have that feeling a lot of the time. It’s mostly my own fault – I don’t always make the effort because I’m kinda shy and different… I don’t always know where to start. Give me the right setting and a reason to chat, well that definitely helps. I’ve discovered one such setting and no, it’s not a support group (though I could probably use one of those). It’s a new shop near El Camino and Fulton called Chic for Change.

Teshala Paradiso, who everyone calls “Tesh,” is working to realize a vision that came to her during a year-long turn with a very serious illness. She described how on one particularly bad day, “I was laying in bed and thought, ‘If I ever get better, what would I do next?’ I knew I wanted to do something more." She continues explaining, "I liked to shop, loved thrift stores and had a great interest in building community, and this idea formed.” Tesh, who is married with two young children, realized her vision on January 3, 2011 by opening a unique high-end second hand store, which just so happens to be large enough to also serve as a community gathering place.

Chic for Change also benefits several local area nonprofits. 20% of every purchase goes directly to either Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children, Sacramento Area Emergency Housing Center, or Wildlife Care Association. The customer gets to choose which one. It works like this: you purchase $40 worth of items; $10 of your purchase goes to one of the three nonprofits, providing each with a steady stream of financial support. But this is about more than just money.

Tesh explains that she wants Chic for Change, “…to be a place where people can come and get nice things they can afford and at the same time support their community - and also as a place where people can socialize, collaborate and build friendships.” The large store encourages this by having a homey area with a couch, chairs, coffee table, and pillows providing an area for customers to sit and chat, wait for a slower shopping partner, or enjoy a mocha from the coffee bar, which will soon offer a full menu of espresso drinks.

I went in for a visit myself last Saturday afternoon. I walked into a large store with high ceilings, still a bit sparse and still a work in progress but looking visually appealing. Toward the back of the store, local singer/songwriter Christian DeWild and percussionist Mike Pavisch played a two-hour set for customers while the store offered free refreshments, a 50% off clothes sale, and a big discount on the cost of a Disaster Survival Skills class.

While others shopped, I kicked back on the couch with my coffee, turkey sandwich roll and brownie and listened to Christian’s ear-pleasing, gravelly roots-rock sound. I did a little shopping too, picking up a nice Crate and Barrel tablecloth for $5, a set of three heavy duty stainless steel pots and pans for $20, a nice Fossil handbag for $10 and, of course, some clothes. A huge calendar behind the counter provided sale dates, classes and special events such as fundraisers, and said I wanted my donation to go to Wildlife Care Association (I do some volunteer fundraising for them, and this is how I found out about the store).

Chic for Change aims to be a higher end thrift store with reasonable prices. To accomplish this, Tesh has to be a little picky bit about the items sold in the store. Those that can’t be sold are donated back to the partnering nonprofits, especially the Sacramento Area Emergency Housing Center who benefits from clothing, blankets, linens, furniture and kitchen items and more. As put so very well by Ms. Paradiso, “There is no reason for any of us to stand alone.”

About the nonprofits:

Sacramento Area Emergency Housing Center (SAEHC) - This program started as a family shelter back in 1972 and now serves over 500 homeless people. Their website explains, “SAEHC runs one of only two shelters in Sacramento that accepts two-parent households, single fathers, and sons over the age of 14.” They also recently received funding to start a program for homeless seniors. Their goal is to help these struggling families and individuals to learn the tools needed to become more self-reliant.

Wildlife Care Association (WCA) –For the past 29 years, WCA has been providing medical and rehabilitation services to over 6,000 injured, ill, orphaned, injured and displaced wild animals each year. Hundreds of baby birds fill the nursery every spring but critters are brought in year-around to the facility, which recently located to McClellan Park. Once the animals have recovered or have grown and learned to fend for themselves, they are released back into the wild, giving them a second chance at life.

Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) – Since 1977, CASA has trained volunteers to advocate for foster children in the juvenile court system. These children only end up in court as a result of having been abused, neglected or abandoned and in the child welfare system. The volunteer gets to know the child and helps to avoid any additional trauma by ensuring that each child has a voice in the system. The CASA volunteer works closely with the child to understand, for example, does the child want to be reunited with his or her parents, or would she prefer to stay in foster care or to be adopted, and then speaks up for them in court, ensuring the child's needs and wishes are heard.

A Fun-Raiser to Benefit A Chance for Bliss Animal Sanctuary

2011-01-04T19:47:42Z

Trailhead Coffee & Cycling Lounge announced today the First Annual Bike for Bliss benefiting A Chance for Bliss Animal Sanctuary. Registrants will enjoy Trailhead’s own signature coffee and energy bars before and after the ride.

“Bike for Bliss is our way of helping our neighbor, A Chance for Bliss, and giving back to the community,” said Rob Johnson, co-owner and cycling lounge enthusiast, Trailhead Coffee & Cycling Lounge. “We want to be a regular gathering establishment for our community, and getting involved with A Chance for Bliss is a way to meet our neighbors and give everyone a fun day for a good cause.”

WHO: Trailhead Coffee & Cycling Lounge Fun-Raiser for A Chance for Bliss Animal Sanctuary
WHAT: Choose your ride: 30 mile personal best or 3.1 mile fun ride
WHERE: Start and finish @ Trailhead Coffee & Cycling Lounge:
2210 Taylor Road
Penryn, Calif.
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011 at 10 a.m.
HOW: Register online http://www.achanceforbliss.com/events/register-bike-for-bliss.html or call 916-663-9121 to register by phone (register day of event at 9 a.m. at Trailhead Coffee & Cycling Lounge)

Cost:
$25 ages 17 and up
$15 kids ages 6 – 16 (children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult)

Donation is tax deductible.

Supporting Resources
-USA Today story on A Chance for Bliss: http://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/pets/2010-06-02-chance02_CV_N.htm#uslPageReturn

-Trailhead Coffee & Cycling Lounge: http://www.coffeeandbikes.com

-A Chance for Bliss: http://www.achanceforbliss.com

About A Chance for Bliss Animal Sanctuary
A Chance for Bliss is a unique, non-profit animal sanctuary that cares for senior and special needs animals, as well as those that are facing end-of-life circumstances. We are committed to the care and welfare of our ‘residents’ on an extraordinary scale, and once at the Sanctuary, each resident remains until they make their transition.

About Trailhead Coffee & Cycling Lounge
Trailhead Coffee & Cycling Lounge is the combined vision of Jerry Cannon and Rob Johnson, owners and cycling lounge enthusiasts. From racing bicycles at the professional level, to working for pro teams in international cycling races such as the Tour Du Pont & T-Mobile International, the Trailhead crew is ready to answer cycling questions or join in on a discussion.

Having done the management thing for that – whisper – corporate coffee giant up north, the Trailhead crew knows coffee and the coffee obsession. We are dedicated to the lounge environment, which allows us to create a proper pulled espresso or a coffee the way our customers want it. Our Trailhead blend coffee is roasted to our specification and we bake our famous "TRAILHEAD BARS" fresh daily. Visit us on twitter.com/trailheadcoffee and facebook.com/coffeeandbikes.

Lori Bertelli
Bertelli Group Public Relations
(916) 216-2968
lbertelli@bertelligroup.com

Disclosure: Lori Bertelli (Bertelli Group Public Relations) is the media contact for this event.

Starbucks Mania

2010-11-23T00:01:02Z

The holiday season is full of tons of sales, tons more traffic, heavy amounts of stress, unending joy and most importantly, coffee. The greatest thing about coffee is that you can buy it as a gift, you can buy it in between buying gifts, you can buy it while you are talking about buying gifts and you can buy it when you are finally finished buying gifts.

Shoppers everywhere thank Starbucks in particular for their availability, popularity and new product choices every year, especially around this time. Starbucks has become a culture all on its own from the ordering lingo, to the quality of service, down to the family friendly vibe.

“I don't even like coffee, but I like the atmosphere here and how nice they are. Plus they have tea and fraps so I get those,” says Gabby Munoz, a local Starbucks customer.

What is truly fascinating is the constant popularity that has not wavered even in this economy.

“People complain about raising prices, but they weren't the only person effected by the recession, Starbucks as a company has to survive too,” says Hillary Martinez, a local Starbucks shift manager. “It must not bother them too much anyways, because they always come back for that triple shot.”

Through the years Starbucks has managed to stand their own, keeping the customers coming, and the ideas flowing.

“People go crazy for those plastic cups. We get them in and within hours they are gone the same day,” says Kaley Wassall, a local Starbucks barista. “Seriously though, any kind of sale we have, or even the store next to us has, we have lines out the door.”

Most people in Sacramento know this to be common sense. There is a packed Starbucks on almost every corner, and there is rarely a person who has not heard of a Pumpkin Spice Latte, Peppermint Mocha or Caramel Apple Spice.

“I thought the holidays this year would not be as busy because of the way things have been, but I think people are just tired of not spending money,” says Quoc Nguyen, a local Starbucks store manager. “They just want to enjoy themselves and have a good holiday I guess.”

For some people Starbucks culture may be all about the brand name, but for others its about coming together and having some hot chocolates on a rainy day; and that is what the holidays are all about.

Shine coffeehouse going strong

2010-10-05T02:15:47Z

Shine – a new coffeehouse at 14th and E streets – opened Aug. 29, and management said the neighborhood has been receptive, with sales steadily climbing.

“We are ‘the chill zone,’ ” said Rena Davonne, owner of Shine. “I wanted it to be a neighborhood place.”

The Shine building – which also houses belly dancing and yoga businesses – held a grand opening Saturday, and the coffeehouse brought live music to its small stage.

“That went really well,” said Manager Demetri Gregorakis. “About 500 people came through the doors that day.”

Gregorakis said that constitutes about four times as many customers as came through the business on previous Saturdays.

“That was the first time we had live music, but we are going to start having it Friday and Saturday nights in a couple of weeks,” Gregorakis said.

One of Davonne’s goals in opening the business in the Mansion Flat area was to help clean up the neighborhood.

“Back in the ’90s, I started Fed Up (a neighborhood group), and neighbors and I worked to get the drug dealers out,” Davonne said.

Davonne lives in the neighborhood, and she said that in opening the business, she wants to continue to make the area a better place for residents and nearby businesses.

Rosemary Cortez lives down the street and stops by Shine just about every day.

“I’ve been in this neighborhood since 1956,” Cortez said. “We had a big drug problem, but you don’t see that here anymore.”

Cortez added that she’s seen a noticeable decline in the past month.

Sacramento Police Department spokesman Sgt. Norm Leong said he doesn’t have specific numbers on crime trends in the area, but agreed that opening businesses has a positive affect on a neighborhood.

“It definitely helps,” Leong said. “As you have more eyes out on the streets, you tend to have less crime. It’s a good deterrence.”

As much as Cortez likes the safer feel of the neighborhood, she said she comes to Shine for her coffee and Danish – and the amiable service.

“They’re very friendly in here,” she said. “I really like the old-fashioned furniture. I’m 63, and it reminds me of what my mom had.”

But the neighborhood “chill zone” is geared toward all ages, and 21-year-old Amy Kozak said she likes to pass the time in the coffeehouse.

“It’s nice to walk down here and use the Internet,” Kozak said. “I used to go down to Weatherstone, but this is just a block away from where I live.”

When she heard that management intends to schedule regular live music, she said it “will be even better.”

According to Gregorakis, the economy hasn’t been an issue.

“I don’t feel like that’s a real problem,” Gregorakis said. “I feel like it’s a lot of hype. With a little creativity, you can (start a successful business). We got a little lucky, because things lined up for us.”

Gregorakis credited the success of the business so far to being in tune with customers and focusing on buying local products.

“All of our products are local, except our coffee, which is fair-trade organic coffee from Mexico, but it’s roasted locally in Rocklin,” he said. “We’re part of the neighborhood. We’re not some foreign object planted here just to make money.”

The coffeehouse is open from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Read an earlier story on the coffeehouse here.

Exterior photo by staff reporter Suzanne Hurt. Interior photos by Brandon Darnell, staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Old Soul Co. petitions for airport slot

2010-10-01T00:45:16Z

The Old Soul Co. coffeehouse chain isn’t on the list of recommended vendors for the Sacramento International Airport’s new Terminal B, but company owners are hurriedly gathering signatures on a petition to put before the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors at their meeting Tuesday.

At that meeting, the board will make its final decision on which companies will provide food and beverage concessions at the terminal, and Old Soul Co. co-owner Tim Jordan said he hopes to be included.

“This is a decade-long contract,” Jordan said. “We feel like our bid was very strong, and we’re the locally owned choice at that.”

In the terminal plans, three spaces are going to be used for coffeehouses, Jordan said. Two companies – Starbuck’s and Peet’s Coffee & Tea – will fill them.

The selection was made by a panel composed of Sacramento International Airport officials, officials from airports in Oakland and San Francisco, and representatives from the private sector, according to District 1 Supervisor Roger Dickinson.

Dickinson said the panel was directed by the county to include a number of considerations when making its selections.

“One of those was to have a good representation of local restaurants and businesses, and another, of course, is to try to achieve as much revenue as possible,” Dickinson said.

Bids submitted to the panel were a combination of individual restaurants and packages from corporate groups. Old Soul Co. was part of a group bid that was not selected, according to Dickinson.

“I assume what the board will try to do (on Tuesday) is take a look at whether the process was handled fairly and appropriately, and how well the recommendation to the board satisfies and meets the objectives,” Dickinson said.

Jordan said Old Soul Co. is not attacking the process.

“We’re not saying they got it dead-wrong,” Jordan said. “This one piece, though, there’s a better choice – a better overall decision that the airport can come to.”

He added that Old Soul Co. is not looking to monopolize all three locations, but to move into one of the spots.

The online petition to the board was launched Tuesday and had generated more than 700 signatures by Thursday afternoon.

Both Dickinson and District 5 Supervisor Don Nottoli said they had received numerous e-mails and phone calls about the makeup of airport concessions.

“It’s important that we do hear from the people,” Nottoli said.

The panel’s recommendation does contain “a certain amount of weight,” according to Dickinson, but both he and Nottoli said the ultimate decision rests in the hands of the board.

Nottoli said Old Soul Co. was “in the running to begin with” and had a strong bid meeting the qualifications.

Both Nottoli and Dickinson said substituting one vendor for another could have consequences on the recommended group bid, but neither could elaborate before Tuesday’s public hearing.

“We’ll hear from both sides,” Nottoli said. “This is far from final.”

Jordan said he thinks his Old Soul Co. can help Sacramento distinguish itself as an airport with a unique set of food vendors that millions of passengers will pass through each year.

“Do we want to look like any other airport or reach for the highest, noblest version?” he asked. “It’s powerful, it’s a big deal, and we want to get this as right as we can.”

In addition to the petition, Old Soul Co. is hosting a rally from 6-9 p.m. Friday at its coffeehouse at 3434 Broadway in Oak Park.

The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors public hearing is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. Tuesday at the board’s chambers at 700 H St. in room 1450 on the first floor.

Photo of Old Soul Co. in Oak Park by Ed Fogle.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Good Eats FINALLY Opens In Sacramento! But Maybe They Should Held off for a Couple of Weeks?

2010-09-02T06:08:11Z

Good Eats has finally opened, and after a whole lotta hoopla I was raring to get over there and try what had caused so much excitement for over two years in developments. Good Eats is attempting to be a coffee shop, prepared foods outlet, and restaurant dining experience. A lot to take on right? That's what I thought too.

“Our Good Eats Kitchen is going to be a celebration of good food,” stated Michael Ashker, co-founder and CEO of Good Eats.

About two years ago when the location for Good Eats was up in the air, they were looking at the Corti Brothers spot on Folsom Bvld. This was met with public outcry, and a debate over whether the right to keep a Sacramento institution should be overturned as their lease was up, and the owner was looking at other ventures, no longer at Corti Brothers. This was such a huge deal that it was covered in an article by the Sacramento Bee, found here.

After many a protest and article around the city, Michael Ashker decided to find a new spot for their idea, and they landed on the long-time closed Andiamo Italian restaurant.

So after breaking ground Michael Ashker was in construction starts and stops for a year and a half! Many complications no doubt came in to play, such as the recession, potential partners pulling out (unconfirmed), and such.

But on August 23rd they finally opened their huge double doors, abet with a hanging banner sign for their name and logo. This is supposedly their soft opening, even though a waiter told me there wasn't going to be a grand opening, and it was open to the public? So I call this a Hard Open, and it was.

Inside it is HUGE, there is a huge prepared food selection, along with bread, hot food, cold case, dessert selection, and coffee bar - quite a lot going on, but there is signage everywhere to lead you around.

The service through the prepared food side was up and down, from being warmly greeted and offered samples in the front entrance, to the abrupt hostess asking,"Are you dining in?" on first approach.

We opted for the bar, as you can always take in more of the industry scene from this angle, and it was a pretty view. The bar is entirely granite with a huge mirror display above the not yet stocked bar area.

The two servers that were behind the bar were charming despite their lack of knowledge of the menu items. And although there was a decent wine option (no list) from Bogle for about $5 a glass, there were as yet no taps, no beer, and although they were claiming to have a full bar it was coming in that night?

This was four days post the opening, but I know these things can sometimes take time. But to give you an insight to the lack of prep there was a coca-cola man installing their fountain station (plumber style crack and all) at the time. Keep in mind four days later. Made for an interesting meal and a show!

On to the food, again this is where I would have held off. This is where I would have stood back and looked at what I was preparing, and wondered how it stacked up to its competition.

There is a great and thriving food culture in Sacramento right now, so to put out anything less than a smart and awesome product out would easily put you on the bread lines.

Think about it; we have Corti Brothers, Sellands, Taylors, Whole Foods, Ettore's, and at one time David Berkeley, all in the prepared food isle. In proximity we have OneSpeed, 33rd Street Bistro, and Formoli's bistro all within a mile!

This competition is stiff, so you better bring your A-Game!

Good Eats was not. The menu prepares many of the foods that they create for quick take home, so I tried to take this into account when looking at what I'm eating, but it still doesn't add up.

Mediocre is mediocre.

We asked the server what was a not to be missed on the menu, and he said the mushrooms and the sliders. So we tried both, as I was taking pictures and asking many a question (should have been a hint of interest maybe?) - well the mushrooms were stuffed portabellas with sauteed onions, tomatoes and "flavored cheeses" as eloquently quoted on the menu.It tasted about as good as the description; limp, soggy, and bland.

The other items we got were the buffalo-style sliders, and the baby spinach salad. Chefs, please take heed: if your slider bun is coated in char but seems slightly OK to you DON'T send it out! You only get ONE chance to make a first impression, and this was a bad one.

The char flavor was so strong that it overwhelmed the taste of the slider, the server saw this as he placed it on the table and said nothing. In tasting the other, non-chared slider, it wasn't much better.

The salad we tried was not their signature salad, as all the components of that signature salad are found in the Trader Joe's bag mix for $4.99 - so I wasn't really interested, and the one we did try was nice, but definitely not worth $11 (not when I can get a superior lemon-chicken salad at Magpie for $9.50).

So I know this is no doubt coming off as pretty harsh, and I'm not seeking a bitch-fest, this was disappointing for me too!

I was looking forward to a great dining experience, a place to go get quick take home dinners! But there are obviously some bumps to get past.

There is quite a lot of time and money put into this venture, so I think that the owners can take the time and attention to demand better from their service and food quality.

I mean I saw Rick Kushman (food writer for the SacramentoBee) also being shuffled around by the abrupt hostess! SOO much potential, but so many things that need to be addressed before they lose their first impression goodness, and all the customers that come with the first gasp of newness!

Sacramento has stepped it up culinary in massive ways in the last 10 years, there's no room for inferior quality if success is desired.

Old Soul Needs More Love in the Evening

2010-08-21T05:52:10Z

Ignore the dust. Ignore the tractors. In a few more weeks, the alley won't be a complete disaster and soon the whole thing is going to be paved and beautiful. In the meantime, give some love to your favorite local coffee-shop in the warehouse.

Old Soul at 1716 L Street is open from 6am to 9pm every day (except Sunday, until 4pm) but the crowd dwindles to a slow trickle after about 3:00, which is unfortunate.

Sure, we stop serving lunch after two o'clock, but we still have pastries and quiche and some wicked banana breads. There's free wi-fi and air-conditioning. The coffee, served at all hours, is delectable. Try a french press of your favorite bean. Try a cappuccino. Did I mention the granola? Did I mention the delicious aroma of freshly-baked muffins wafting out from behind the counter as the evening bakers prepare treats for the next morning? There's plenty of seating, readily accessible outlets, an eccentric book collection, a chess board, and soothing artwork hung against the red brick walls. Did I mention that the coffee is fantastic? Try the new El Salvador, try the Panama. I recommend the Brazil. Come talk to the bakers. Come look at the roasting machine and chat with our renowned roaster, Lucky. Look over our tea selection, give them each a sniff, and find your favorite evening pick-me-up. Come study for that exam or finish that assignment. Bring a date after dinner. Bring a friend from out of town. It's a coffee-shop in a warehouse in an alley... How much cooler can you get?

I say all this to plead for my sanity. I say all this because I'm the main closing-shift barista at Old Soul in the alley and I am growing weary of dull, uneventful evenings in the warehouse. I want more customers. I want more people to chat with. I love Old Soul. I know that it gets a lot of love in the morning from our much-appreciated regulars, but I think the evenings deserve some of that attention, too. So next time you're in the area and you're looking for a neat place to visit, try Old Soul in the alley. We're open late and we're always happy to see you.

Disclosure Note: The author of this story is employed by Old Soul.

Americana-Rock Phenoms at Naked Coffee

2010-05-11T19:11:56Z

The 6-piece Americana-Rock phenoms, The Whiskey and the Devil Chaplain, are making their Sacramento debut at Naked Coffee on Saturday, May 22nd. The guys make up a fantastic mix of indie roots, folk and straight ahead Americana music. Formed at the latter-end of 2007, the Whiskey is making a name for themselves one show at a time through their knock-down live performances.

Here is just some of the attention they've been getting:

“The fellas that make up this Valley-born folk/bluegrass group played just a handful of songs, but it was enough to make an impression. They opened a February night show at the Cellar Door in Visalia for genre-faves Langhorne Slim and April Smith, and both were wowed by the six-piece experiment called Whiskey and the Devil Chaplain.” - Tom Price, The D Magazine

“Crystal clear tones, alluring lyrics and an aesthetic craft that leaves you wishing there were more than four songs, this is the kind of music you find yourself coming back to listen to over and over. This is not a band obsessed with overproduced songs and overpriced equipment. It’s raw and it’s honest, but still catchy and noteworthy.” – Allysa Laurel, The Campus

“Take in a show, you will not be disappointed!”– Ezekiel Simms--Nashboro Cane Cutters

They will joined by Christopher Fairman and Be Brave Bold Robot.

Show starts at 8:30pm! $5.00

Sacramento baristas return from nationals

2010-04-21T03:10:29Z

Three local baristas have returned to Sacramento fresh from the 2010 U.S. Barista Championship.

Young baristas from Chocolate Fish Coffee and Temple said they were amazed at the level of competition as they went up against 55 other baristas at the competition held in Anaheim last week.

The six baristas from other cities who made it to the finals Sunday — people such as repeat winner Michael Phillips of Chicago and second-place winner Chris Baca of Santa Cruz — were easy to recognize from coffee culture magazines and videos. For the most part, the finalists had well over 10 years of coffee-making experience plus skills honed at several nationals, said Ben Lance, the 25-year-old manager of Temple.

"It was our first time being at the big-daddy competition," said Lance, who's been a barista for seven years. "The level of ability up there is so great that it's almost borderline intimidating."

After working as a barista for seven years, Lance said one of the things that impressed him most was that Chocolate Fish Coffee employees Erik Annonson, 22, and Kyle Baumann, 21, were so calm on stage it was hard to believe they were taking part in their first nationals. They each have four to nearly five years of experience.

"They both brought the thunder pretty hard," Lance said.

In the end, Lance and Baumann were about three points apart, and Annonson scored about 20 points higher. Organizers announced the finalists' scores Sunday. Other scores won't be announced for several weeks, said Temple owner Sean Kohmescher.

Hometown baristas compete at nationals

2010-04-15T03:02:33Z

Three young punk baristas from Sacramento are competing in their first national barista competition this week.

Ben Lance, the 25-year-old manager of Temple, and Chocolate Fish Coffee employees Kyle Baumann, 21, and Erik Annonson, 22, left Wednesday for the 2010 U.S. Barista Championship in Anaheim. The competition is being held Thursday through Sunday as part of the 22nd annual Specialty Coffee Association of America Exposition.

All three compete in preliminaries Friday to see if they'll go on to semifinals and finals at the coffee geek event of the year. More than 1,000 people may watch from the stands, and others from around the world will watch as the event streams live online.

Lance, Baumann and Annonson are among 58 baristas who have made it to the nationals. Sacramento is sending three for the first time. Only a few hundred compete each year in 10 regional competitions. By doing so, they gain respect for themselves and their coffeehouses — with some achieving near-celebrity status among their peers and coffee-drinking fans.

Lance has competed in two regionals. He was a regional judge last year. He can't go into a grocery store without at least one person recognizing him. And every time he visits another coffeehouse, the staff pull him shot after shot of espresso. Which he likes, unless it's 10 p.m.

"The top guys — they're kind of like rock stars in the industry," said Auckland native Andy Baker, who owns Chocolate Fish, a New Zealand-style coffeehouse at Q and Third streets, with his wife, Edie. The shop features an umbrella-shaded patio, beach photos from New Zealand and surf videos harking back to Baker's youth.

He and Temple owner Sean Kohmescher spent last Monday night at their shops, watching their baristas practice and giving them pointers. Kohmescher and Lance drove down together with coffee and equipment for the competition. Baumann and Annonson left with the Bakers right after their Wednesday morning shift.

The competitions are part of the third wave of coffee culture in this country.

The first wave is said to have begun after World War II, when freeze-dried, store-bought coffees from Folgers and Maxwell House made the beverage cheap and easily available. Peet's and Starbucks launched the second wave in the 1960s and '70s by importing Italian coffee culture with its espressos, cappuccinos and dark roasts.

A new wave began in the mid-1990s, when independent coffeehouses ventured beyond just dark roasts to celebrate the unique tastes of individual coffees and the growers who make them.

"People still wig out and do a double-take when I say, 'Yeah, this coffee is going to taste like marzipan and grapefruit,' " Lance said. "And hopefully it will, if I do my job right."

Competitors will be judged on the talent and artistry they show in preparing, serving and explaining espressos, cappuccinos and a signature beverage to four judges — 12 drinks in a 15-minute routine. By competing, baristas also improve their knowledge and skills.

"We wanted to step up our game and fine-tune our craft," said Baumann, an earnest guy who's worked as a barista for nearly five years. A T-shirt reading, "Make Coffee Not War" peeked out from under his flannel shirt. After competing in Western regionals in February, he's become more tidy, tightened up his routine and found it easier to educate customers.

While neither gave the impression they'd fight off a rock star image, right now, they're still mastering the art of making great coffee.

"It'd be nice. But for the most part, we just want to be better baristas," Annonson said. Bearded and contemplative, he said he's served coffee for four years but "coffee I'm proud of" for only two years, since joining Chocolate Fish.

Baristas thrive and learn through camaraderie, both in Sacramento and at competitions. Here, they visit each other's coffeehouses to sample coffee, talk about coffee and experiment in a collective effort to "push the art forward," Lance said. He added that every coffeehouse pulls its espressos differently, and that impacts the taste.

To prepare for this year's regionals, Annonson and Baumann practiced with Lance at Temple. Lance gave them tips on preparation, how to come up with a winning signature drink and what to do on-stage when serving judges. A roaster who supplies coffee to Chocolate Fish also gave advice to the pair, who will be among the youngest competitors at nationals.

And they practiced on their own. Four to five days a week, before or after work, as far back as two to three months before regionals.

"This is not something you can just practice two to three times and you're good to go," Lance said. "A good majority (of what's done during competition) is what I do every day, serving people and describing how things taste. But (it's done with) almost a sommelier type of presentation."

Baristas at this level also want to educate people about coffee, as well as about the farmers who grow and harvest the beans. Many farmers live in poverty in developing countries. They labor to produce the highest quality coffee they can, which affects everything in the chain, he said.

Monday night, all three ran through their routines — pulling espressos, pouring cappuccinos (with latté art on top) and going through many steps to perfect signature drinks.

Working as a barista is physically demanding. Baristas try to apply 50 pounds of arm pressure each time they tamp down espresso in a portafilter and must use all their strength to crank portafilters into espresso machines — up to 200 times on a busy six-hour shift, said Lance, dressed in black and pulling espresso with tatooed arms.

They dress up for competitions, so judges are unlikely to see one sign of Lance's devotion to the craft: a portafilter and hourglass shot timer tatooed on his calf.

But judges will see another sign of that devotion: the signature drinks he and the Chocolate Fish boys create from scratch, using culinary methods to put carefully selected ingredients together to make the coffee beans' flavors sing.

Baristas use coffee from their own shops to compete. Annonson is aiming for the taste of a chocolate malt milkshake — using fresh-squeezed pixie tangerine juice, barley malt extract, chocolate and whip cream — to play up his coffee's chocolate flavor. Baumann is using tangelo juice, vanilla-enhanced sugar, heavy cream and cacao shavings to create "chocolate-covered orange cream puffs" that call out the beans' citrus tones.

Lance put coffee and sassafrass together for regionals. After that didn't go over well, he's layering a French press coffee mousse over a chocolate ganache and blueberry syrup reduction shaken with espresso.

They will each take their best shot at becoming the U.S. Barista champ and going on to the world championship in London this summer. But there's one other thing that Lance, Annonson and Baumann are after.

"We're all under the same sun and we all want the same thing: to get the public to appreciate what they, unfortunately, take for granted — which is the quality of a cup," Lance said.

Photos by Suzanne Hurt, a staff reporter covering business and development for The Sacramento Press.

Talented Musicians at Naked Lounge Downtown

2010-02-19T03:33:35Z

They already serve espresso ranked in quality the best two percent of the top ten percent of the world’s coffee, and now the Naked Lounge has also been dishing out a fair share of awesome talent, as well, in their recently opened Downtown Venue. With shows Thursday through Sunday, there’s a good chance you’re somewhere near this coffeeshop on one of those nights and there is no reason not to pay a minimal cover charge to hear one of these bands. It’s a place to have a beer and meet some interesting people, even if you only talk to the personable staff, some of whom you can also see performing on stage.

Admittedly I’m here to promote my girlfriend’s show to be held on April 23, which is far enough away to plan ahead for and worth marking down on a nearby calendar. Her name is AJ and she’s new the area and glad to share her music with new crowds and new faces. Headlining said show on April 23 is local favorite Autumn Sky, who AJ happened to meet at Autumn’s birthday show a few months earlier. Have your hearts melted like butter when you hear these artists sing back to back. All that to say, there will be plenty of other shows to see in the meantime, so go on down to Naked Lounge Downtown and check out the venue. Try the pumpkin cheesecake muffin, experience the Kerouac espresso martini, and find a new favorite band.

Then I’ll be seeing you on April 23rd—I’ll be the guy who gets to kiss AJ after the show.

Temple Coffee " The Art of Home Brewing"

2010-02-16T05:41:30Z

How well do you know your coffee? From the grinder to the filter (bleached or brown), from the water to the method of brewing (Mr. Coffee or French press), Temple Coffee and master barista Ben Lance have the answer.

Thursday, Temple Coffee informed the java-loving public with its "The Art of Brewing" event at the newest 2829 S St. location. The event started off examining the flaws of the common coffeemaker notoriously associated with cramped hotel rooms and finished with what looked liked, at first glance, a chemistry set equipped with Bunsen burner and all.

The common home coffeemaker produced a light-flavored cup of coffee that the crowd felt lacked the desired viscosity. As a novice, I remained less vocal. It tasted like the tried-and-true cup I was accustomed to.

However, the class was designed for all levels of expertise.

Through careful examination, Lance showed the class how this brewing method was extremely wasteful of the grounds. Moreover, the hotplate and brewing temperature caused the coffee to be too hot. Temperatures hotter than 145 degrees Fahrenheit cause tastes to be indiscernible, flavors to be masked and tongues to be burned.

The class ran the gamut of different brewing methods and finished with a visually stimulating Japanese method. The class watched transfixed as the Bunsen burner's flames licked the belly of a beaker and magically levitated all the contained liquid upward. Lance looked like a warlock making a potion, and the class loved it.

"The Art of Brewing" was a trial run at the new location and is one of many events to come. The new location is equipped with an in-house roasting machine, which will likely be covered in upcoming classes.

Powered by a knowledgeable staff, great inside and outside ambiance, and a killer music playlist, Temple Coffee, owner Sean Kohmescher, and manager Ben Lance are pleased about the dozen coffee lovers at its inaugural brewing class. Temple Coffee's next event is March 13 and will discuss coffee tasting and profiling.

Signs of Soul in Oak Park halted

2010-02-11T21:30:00Z

The City of Sacramento halted efforts to mount Old Soul Co. sign Thursday morning.
Oak Park, Sacramento, CA
February 11, 2010

Excited patrons of the new Old Soul Co. location in Oak Park were eager to see the iconic glistening new sign ready to go up Thursday morning and so was the crew. That eagerness was squelched when a call came to the Alpha Signs' crew, from the city, to halt.

The building at 35th and Broadway is a historical building and though the old Starbucks sign was in the same location, the city won't allow the sign installers to drill new holes in the historic bricks nor is the sign allowed to have any exposed electrical cable. Furthermore, the city wants the sign above the horizontal band of bricks which puts the sign at the level of the 2nd floor apartments rather than the store level where the previous Starbucks sign was located.

Patrons are upset at the "unnecessary hoop jumping" the city is imposing. They pointed out that the well crafted and beautiful sign is a welcome sight over the boarded up building across the street at 3501 Broadway and other "eyesores" in the area. Alpha Signs did the much larger and elaborate sign installation at Guild Theater next door without issue a few years ago. A spokesman for Alpha Signs is hopeful that things will be ironed out shortly and is optimistic that they will be able to install the sign sometime next week.

Old Soul Co. Opens New Location in Oak Park

2010-02-05T01:35:05Z

Old Soul Co opened their third Sacramento location Thursday morning in Oak Park.

An old familiar spot has a new face in Oak Park and the community is well pleased. Starbucks shut down its 35th and Broadway location last year, much to the disapointment of many. The location was a community hub where many gathered daily to socialize, conduct business or just relax with a good book and a cup of coffee. Despite many letters from patrons voicing their conerns to Starbucks corporate office of the closure, the doors were finally closed in September of 2009.

Knowing the community cenergy the coffee house brought regular goers better known there as "The Usual Suspects" were confident something good would come of it…the prime location couldn't sit quiet for long.

Thursday morning, with no fanfare, advertisement or forewarning, Old Soul Co opened their doors for business. Location manager Tim Jordan stated they were suprsingly very busy this morning, "you would have thought it was our official grand opening".

While all the furniture is not moved in yet, what furniture and décor that is there shows the location is going to be a wonderful and comfortable spot for "The Usual Suspects" and those who patron the new friend in Oak Park. College students were already enjoying the coffee and space as they cracked their books open to study. One stated, "I've been walking by here every day waiting for them to open".

Owner of "Underground Books", Mayor Kevin Johnson's Mother (known to locals as Mother Rose), said "Thank God this coffee house is open. It's what this community needs."

Not only does Old Soul roast and brew their own smooth coffee, they have a breakfast and sandwich menu as well.

The official open house will be the evening of this month's 2nd Saturday, February 13th from 6 to 9:30 P.M. The management is planning a wonderful event, and even obtaining a special event permit for the evening.

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Businesses hope to hold steady in 2010

2010-01-22T05:24:09Z

Small business owners in Sacramento plan to hold on tight in 2010 for what appears to be another tough year.

Several said they're doing their best just to keep their businesses going as the recession continues to waterboard the local economy. The owners of a local chain of taquerias said they will do what it takes to keep their heads above water for the next year.

"That's been my theme since 2008: survival mode," said José Cortéz, who co-owns 10 La Fiesta Taqueria and La Favorita Taqueria restaurants in the Sacramento region. He and his family, including his mother and a brother who manages one La Fiesta, come from the Mexican state of Jalisco. The restaurants serve food of the Los Altos region of Jalisco, which is famous for tequila.

Customer numbers have remained the same at restaurants like La Fiesta at 1105 Alhambra Blvd. But operating costs for everything from produce and meat to equipment, health licenses and employment taxes have gone up about 7 percent, he said.

The chain is also trying to recover the rest of $90,000 in repairs after someone accidentally drove through the Alhambra restaurant's front doors last fall. No one was injured, but the restaurant was closed for 35 days as they replaced broken counters, doors, windows and equipment, including registers.

The owners don't want to raise prices or lay anyone off, he said.

"We have the business we have because we have good employees," Cortéz said. "The problem is with restaurants, you don't make much."

For now, they're just breaking even, he said.

The owners of Quickly, a family-run tapioca milk-tea franchise at 16th and U streets, will also do what it takes to stick it out over the next year. Michelle Yee and her husband, Doug Holdren, opened the place two years ago as a side business to their full-time jobs.

The couple, joined by their kids, work weeknights and mornings and weekends in a sunny storefront painted in Quickly's bright oranges and blues. They also employ three college students to help run the establishment.

"Basically, all our free time is here," she said. "We enjoy working together. We spend time together here, instead of at home. By working together, we make a few extra dollars."

Quickly sells frozen and hot drinks in a wild variety of flavors and styles, including slushes, snows and milk teas sometimes mistakenly called "bubble tea."

"Everybody calls this the 'bubble tea place.' It's 'boba' — tapioca," Yee laughed. "I don't know how it became 'bubble tea.' "

In 2010, they plan to add more variety to their food menu and try new things, such as fried sesame balls and an egg puff popular in Hong Kong, to attract new customers. They also provide friendly service to keep people coming back, she said.

"I'm waiting for the economy to get better," Yee said. "When we work so hard for our business, it really doesn't matter if it's a good economy or a bad economy. We are going to make this work."

Down 16th Street, neighbor Henry Rodriguez's Casillas Cigars has been selling cigars for more than three years. The small shop sells everything from robustos and double coronas to skinny "pencil" cigars and cognac cigarillos. Rodriguez will most likely not make any changes to his business in 2010.

"I'm going to maintain," he said.

State senators and other friends of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger have been known to stop in to buy a Nicaraguan cigar known as the torpedo rosado or "red torpedo" for the governor, Rodriguez said.

Sales are strong enough that he'd like to triple his stock if he can get a small-business loan to build a second humidor, install a new floor and update his website. He would also hire a couple people to help out when business gets hectic, he said.

In 2009, business at Sacramento Beekeeping Supplies remained about the same as years past, said owner Nancy Stewart.

"We stayed pretty steady, even with the economy what is has been," said Stewart, who runs the store at 2110 X St. with help from her family.

However, interest in protecting honeybees has grown so much in the last four years that she ordered an extra 1,000 bee boxes that she can pre-assemble as needed before spring, when the new season for raising bees starts. She also ordered early, placing her order with a supplier last fall, rather than waiting for spring.

"Last spring, I had people start telling me, 'I'm going to (start raising bees) now so I can help with the problems.' I'm kind of expecting the same thing to happen this year," she said. "So I'm semi-prepared for a good year."

Another business making a few additions in 2010 is Temple coffee and tea house at 2829 S St. An imported German roaster will soon begin operating and Temple will soon sell wholesale coffee, owner Sean Kohmescher said.

Temple Manager Ben Lance is also offering a new class, the Art of Home Brewing. Coffee lovers will work with a range of equipment and learn different ways to grind, brew and make coffee.

Kohmescher said he will focus on internal development of the staff and company, "as well as making great coffee."

"What are we hoping for this year? Growth and prosperity," he said.

Calling all Crawl Captains!

2009-10-14T22:43:01Z

The Jewish Federation is celebrating their move to Midtown Sacramento by throwing a big party for a cause! The Big Nosh is a gourmet food and pub crawl benefiting 5 local charities where participants will get a chance to eat and drink their way across the grid sampling appetizers and cocktails at 30 restaurants and coffee shops. Tickets are $36/person and Crawl Captains may register at www.thebignosh.com and earn their ticket for free by recruiting 10 or more people to their team. Teams will start at different locations at the same time in a "round robin" format and experience Midtown as it's meant to be experienced: walking!

Calling all Crawl Captains...register now at www.thebignosh.com, recruit 10 people to join your team and get your event ticket for free...tickets are $36/person and include an appetizer and drink sample at more than a dozen locations in Midtown Sacramento!

What does it take to run a Temple?

2009-09-20T03:01:52Z

Sean Kohmescher has come up with a winning business model when it comes to his two Temple coffee shops, but don't call him a businessman.

"My identity is not a businessman," he said. "My identity is someone who is passionate about coffee and tea."

Someone wanting to follow in his footsteps might think twice about replicating the road to his success.

Kohmescher spent eight months building the first location. "I built everything. If it's not a chair and it's not a couch, I built it," he said.

Although Kohmescher has a degree in interior graphic design, he has no formal background in architecture. He couldn't afford an architect at that time, so he drew the plans up himself -- sketch after sketch. "I learned the hard way," he said.

After the plans were up to the Department of Health and city building code's specifications, Kohmescher got to work using his own hands and his own tools: a hammer, jig saw, skill saw and belt sander.

Kohmescher was still working full-time while working on his first Temple. He would work all day and then go work on his own business, "anywhere from five to eight hours a day." When asked how much sleep he got, he laughed. "Not very much. It was a tough year."

The interior wasn't the only thing Kohmescher had to worry about before opening in 2005.

Before he opened his doors for business, he would regularly see women defecating near Temple's doorway and homeless people gathered near where the railing is, enjoying a beer. He called the police many times to make sure these issues weren't hindering his ability to attract customers.

Kohmescher recalls what was going through his mind on the day of the first Temple's grand opening, "I hope this works."

The decision to be open 365 days a year was settled upon from day one.

"It's important to be a community spot," he said. "Not to be selfish, to be in business for the people."

What about Christmas? "When I grew up we went to bars and coffee spots on holidays," he said. "On Christmas more than any other time I want to go out to breakfast."

The hard work didn't stop when the construction was finished. Kohmescher worked 18-hour days for the first four months that Temple was open with only one other employee to help out.

"I didn't have a choice for it not to succeed," he said. "When you sell everything you own, it's not an option."

Temple keeps it simple, specializing in coffee, tea and pastries. "When you do other things, you dilute the product."

The Old Soul muffins and pastries are baked at 3 or 4 a.m. every morning so that when Temple opens at 6 a.m., they're still warm. Other coffee shops have their baked goods delivered by semi truck from the Bay Area so by the time they hit the shelf, or the display case, they're already a day old, he said.

Kohmescher is adamant about people recycling. He finds it weird that people order coffee in to-go cups and then sit there and drink them at the shop. "Would you order take-out at a restaurant and then sit there and eat it with a plastic fork?"

His environmental conscience encompasses more than just the fair trade and organic coffee or the desire to recycle. The air conditioning may be constantly blowing, but Kohmescher said he keeps his shops at the SMUD-recommended temperature for energy efficiency -- 76 or 77 degrees. The thermostat only allows the temperature to fluctuate one degree.

June 29 marked the opening of the second Temple. Kohmescher decided he wanted another coffee shop to house a roaster and provide a space for training and certification programs.

Ben Lance has worked for Temple for over two years and has managed the S Street location since its opening.

Despite the long hours and long days, Lance said he genuinely loves what he does. "I would be here all the time anyway."

Kohmescher's passion for coffee has rubbed off on Lance, he said."The fire was there before, [but since working for Temple,] it’s bloomed into a brush fire."

Lance calls himself a "lifer," and hopes to "bring the level of quality and coffee awareness to another level, so there’s more understanding for the general public"

Temple is preparing for the Western Regional Barista Championship in February and the United States Barista Championship in March.

Lance has been practicing his latte pours for the Millrock Free-Pour Latte Art Competition on Sept. 25 in Seattle.

He will compete against 39 other baristas to pour the best looking latte. This is Lance's second time competing. Last year he placed 11th.

Kohmescher spends quite a bit of time at both Temples. "[I don't want to be] an absent owner," he said. "If I’m away, I’m doing other things for the business, for the coffee world."

His advice for someone else trying to open up a business: "Learn the business, work at a great place to get experience, take classes, become educated."

Asked if he would do anything differently, "I'm going to say no," he said after finishing one of his eight daily 8 oz. coffees. "What you’ve done makes you know what you know."

Best Restaurants - a different take

2009-07-21T01:54:18Z

It's that time of year again - time for "Best Restaurants," brought to you by Sacramento Magazine.

After reading the readers' picks for each category, it made me wonder whether the results would be different for readers of The Sacramento Press. Our focus has been primarily on events and coverage of things in the Grid, whereas Sacramento Magazine covers a larger demographic including the suburbs.

There were four categories that stood out to me in Sacramento Magazine's Best Restaurants: Best Burrito, Best Pizza, Best Burger and Best Coffeehouse.

I live in the Grid and therefore have my own biases about restaurants that live in Downtown and Midtown. I prefer restaurants in this area to those found in the outlying areas. It would be interesting to see the results had it been limited to only restaurants in the Grid.

Best Burrito went to Chipotle, with Dos Coyotes coming in second and Ernesto's coming in third. Both Chipotle and Dos Coyotes are chains. The Grid has very few chain restaurants, and I wonder if the presence of chains amidst family-owned and unique Sacramento restaurants makes a difference in reader choice. Does the quality speak for itself?

Best Pizza went to Round Table. Granted, Chicago Fire and Zelda's picked up second and third place, but I wonder how a delivery-based chain is even allowed in the running. Did Hot Italian or Luigi's or Giovanni's make it in the top five?

For the category of Best Burger, there are quite a few restaurants that come to mind that did not make the top three. Jim Denny's, Whitey Jolly Cones and Nationwide Freezer Meats were all missing from page 115 for best burger. In-N-Out, however, took first place, the Squeeze Inn (deserving, in my opinion, one of the top three) made second and McDonald's placed third.

For Best Coffeehouses, Starbucks was voted first place, Peet's took second and It's a Grind made third. When I think of good coffeehouses, I think of the unique havens in the Grid. Temple comes to mind. So does Weatherstone and Naked Lounge. If I want ambiance and a coffee or tea that comes in a mug that was washed and that is reusable, I do not go to Starbucks. If I want free wi-fi that does not require a cellular account, I cannot go to Starbucks. If I want a swirled foam design on my latte, I will not go to a mass chain coffeehouse.

My coffee choices come from currently living in the Grid, although I did grow up in the suburbs.

After reading this list, I looked at Sacramento Magazine's website. At the bottom, it reads "Find the best that Sacramento, California has to offer at Sacramento Magazine Online. With fantastic features such as a restaurant guide, an entertainment and events calendar and monthly recipes, you’ll find everything you need to know about exciting Sacramento, California."

Now, I ask you - readers of The Sacramento Press - if you were to vote on Best Restaurants for The Sacramento Press (in the Grid), which ones would make your top three for best burrito, pizza, burger and coffeehouse?

Temple opens second shop

2009-07-20T06:39:59Z

About 300 people milled in and out of the newest location of Temple coffeehouse at 2829 S St. for the grand opening Saturday evening.

The new coffeehouse is the second Temple location in Sacramento.

The front area of the building was crowded with young people, business professionals and families mingling. The back room of the café was opened up as a space to snack and play darts.

Drinks were free for those attending the private opening event. Anything the customer wanted, the baristas were happy to make.

The second location was well-received by community members.

“I was so excited that we have an authentic coffee shop in our neighborhood,” said Ann Hamilton, a board member for the Newton Booth Neighborhood Association. “The board is really thrilled, and I personally am really thrilled.”

The event attracted people from beyond the Grid. Baristas from Santa Cruz and San Francisco were present at the event to support the opening.

Scott Guglielmino is a coffee wholesale director for Verve coffee roasters in Santa Cruz. He had much to say about the future of Temple.

“Temple will be roasting their own coffee, which will be a great thing for Sacramento to have,” Guglielmino said.

He estimated the roasting facility to be running in about six months. The back room featured the cafe's first roaster (pictured above), and Guglielmino said it has roots in San Francisco as Ritual Coffee’s first roaster.

Much of the encouragement Temple Manager Scott Sean Kohmescher received from the community in Sacramento and beyond has to do with the philosophy of Temple coffee.

He said fair trade coffee and teas are “something we believe in—we believe in community and in things being organic.”

Hamilton lives two blocks away and reflected on a meet-and-greet Temple had with the community Saturday morning: “They had a little morning treat for the neighborhood with coffee and pastries, and it was delightful!”

The opening party brought many community members who celebrated the growth of a sanctuary together, and it would not be possible without the support of the staff and baristas working hard to keep the crowd hydrated.

“They are just awesome!,” Hamilton said. She was impressed by the enthusiasm of the staff and how the baristas would applaud the classical guitarist and flutist when the musicians couldn’t be heard over the noise.

The staff was a key part of making decision in developing the idea for the new location. “It’s really important for the staff to be on par with what we’re doing and to make that transition to opening another space,” Kohmescher said. “Businesses don’t function without staff that are involved.”

The night progressed, and the older crowd trickled out as the younger crowd trickled in. The large gravel parking lot was a space for conversation - people were chatting under table umbrellas, and patrons left Kohmescher with pats on the back and words of support.

“It’s an honor and wonderful that the city of Sac supports local businesses like they do,” Kohmescher said. “I’m glad everyone came out and pretty amazed by the turn out.”

Pretension on the Rise in Sacramento Coffee Shops

2009-07-07T00:18:15Z

"Pretension" has become a common term used to define most Sacramento coffee shops. Visitors have said they feel like an outsider in most joints they enter. It is as though the moment they enter, the looks of the regulars remind them they are obvious newcomers.

Yelp has several reviews of some of my favorite stops in Sacramento, which exemplify this attitude. There is a frustration with the "hipper-than-thou" baristas and the "fake small talk" of the regulars. There is a perception that these places are "grungy, like their patrons."

When most are indignant about the regulars, I am asking how I might become one. Though I am not looking to cut my jeans into shorts and take the brakes off the bicycle I do not ride, I still want to be a "regular".

Face it, you are not intended to belong to the 'regular' group because you are not...a...regular. The regulars are the ones who give a place its character. You may not one of these people, but every one of them was once a newcomer. They were once invariably blogging about how pretentious the coffee shop or bar they now love once was.

This group really appears more closed and bombastic it really is, and your capacity to become a regular is much larger than you may realize.

The very attitude of the regulars, which aggravates you is simultaneously the very magic of their appeal. Ray Oldenburg wrote in his book, The Great Good Place, "Joy and acceptance reign over anxiety and alienation. This is the magical element that warms the insider and reminds the outsider that he or she is not part of the magic circle."

The reason we are aggravated with the regulars is because we are faced with the reality that we are not regulars.

So come on back a few times. Slowly introduce yourself. Perhaps begin with the only true regulars; the baristas, bartenders, or workers.

Rather than blaming the pretentious regulars; why not become a pretentious regular?

One Temple not enough

2009-06-23T04:23:49Z

Sean Kohmescher discovered the coffee culture as a beach barista in San Diego.

The 23-year-old wanted a job on the beach, and he liked coffee. He became a barista at an outdoor café on Pacific Beach, and then what started out as just a fun job turned into a passion.

"I kind of fell in love with the culture," he said.

Kohmescher dreamed of opening his own coffeehouse someday. It wasn't until he began developing his palate while working in San Francisco's fine-dining scene that he really became passionate about coffee and tea.

After moving to Sacramento, he opened Temple, a coffee and tea house, in 2005 in a storefront at 1014 10th St., once home to Levinson's Books.

Now this 35-year-old entrepreneur is putting the finishing touches on a second Temple location, opening Monday, June 29, at 2829 S St. A grand opening party will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 18.

Sitting in his cavernous new warehouse, Kohmescher made it clear that he couldn't settle for just opening a branch of a big coffee chain, or, as he describes it, "the coffee equivalent of McDonald's." His fine-dining experience inspired him to create sanctuaries where people could enjoy a hand-picked selection of teas and coffees from around the world.

He chose the name "Temple" after traveling extensively in Southeast Asia and discovering the role Buddhist temples play in Asian culture.

"I had this connection with the temple being a community spot, or a meeting and gathering place for all the villages," he said.

What sets the newest Temple apart from other coffeehouses is that it will soon operate as a roastery. Sacramento has only a handful of coffee shops that roast their own beans in-house, including Coffee Works and Old Soul. A German roaster is expected to arrive by boat from Europe the day before the grand opening.

Another difference is the space itself. Kohmescher looked at 50 buildings before finding what he wanted: a place with character, a workable facade, front retail space and reasonable rent.

He chose a nearly century-old, small brick building with an attached warehouse and space for a front garden in the Newton Booth neighborhood. He saw past the building's caved-in roof, broken windows and chicken wire covering part of the warehouse that was open to the sky.

"It was definitely dilapidated and my staff said I was crazy," he said. "But they never saw [the first] Temple before we opened that space, so they didn't know what that looked like, either."

Landlord Chris Brocchini handled rehabbing, which involved cleaning the space, building a new roof, replacing windows and supporting the roof and walls with exposed steel framing.

Kohmescher's passion for everything about his business also makes him stand out from other coffee retailers. He and his staff built nearly everything inside the 1,000-square-foot retail space from the ground up. Last week, they finished building the front counters, espresso bar, banquette seating and display case out of birch stained in a warm walnut. They built the tables and designed and installed the garden.

His goal was to create a warm yet urban space with an international feel. He used lots of wood to soften brick walls and the exposed orange framework and mechanical duct. Buddha statues and other art create a global vibe.

Described by staff members as a "determined perfectionist," Kohmescher is also hands-on with the entire process to make sure customers get expertly made coffee and tea.

"I have a philosophy: I don't eat out at places that don't make food better than I make at home," he said. "I think we (Temple) should strive to make coffee better than people can make at home."

He turns people like 26-year-old Jessica Woods into some of California's Top 10 baristas. Woods had never made coffee before working at Temple, but under Kohmescher's training, she and other employees have competed in the Western Regional Barista Competition and won.

Last week, he tested several wannabe baristas at the new Temple. New employees must go through eight hours of training and score 100 percent on a written test before touching the register. The exam tests people on such things as steeping times for particular teas, coffee flavor terms and decaffeination processes.

After new employees have worked at Temple three to six months, they must go through four weeks of on-the-job instruction before they can work as a barista.

Last week, coffee lover and poet Stuart Canton took the test in the new Temple. He said Kohmescher's business sophistication and fine dining perspective got him interested in the job.

"To him, it's come in and have a fine dining experience, but it's with coffee," said the 21-year-old Natomas resident. "Temple has a quality product and a degree of seriousness I don't find at a lot of other coffee houses, which I'm attracted to as a person who's passionate about coffee beyond a blended white mocha with lots of whipped cream."

Back in the warehouse, Kohmescher dug through shelves stocked with black bags of tea. The new space will have a more extensive list of French-press coffees and expensive teas than the first, and will stock seven to 15 coffees and 28 teas, he said.

He opened bags and sampled aromas of loose-leaf blueberry rooibos, lychee red and pricey osthmanthus silver needle ($50 for 16 ounces by volume).

He explained that he works with several importers or "green bean buyers" to get fine coffees from small coffee farms — so small that big coffee chains can't use their beans because there just aren't enough. A Kenyan coffee will arrive next week for the store's opening.

Monday afternoon, manager Ben Lance led a tea tasting so new staff could learn about the look, smell and taste of the teas.

Kohmescher now describes his passion for coffee and tea as "somewhere in the borderline of insanity." He teaches staff to seek perfection in a cup of coffee or tea and educate customers so they'll develop a higher appreciation for what they're drinking.

"The fun in life is actually knowing about things," he said.

Talk to Strangers

2009-05-22T17:37:17Z

I see you all the time at Tupelo Coffee House, but you don’t know me. We both like it that way. Neither of us will exchange a word, but I have created your brief back-story for my own entertainment. It is fiction, but this is the nature of our relationship. I have 900 Facebook friends, and I frequent all the same spots, but I do not know anyone.

We work here, meet here, and play here. When home is where the couch is, we spend most of our waking hours out and about; returning home only to crash for the night. Time is calculated in semesters, leases, and rental agreements instead of years or friendships.

Neighbors have come to represent mysteries rather than faces or lives. Forgotten are the times of a quick chat on the lawn or a longer conversation on the porch. We no longer live in neighborhoods; we exist in networks.

Once I became a ‘regular’, I began recognizing other regulars. This is where I first recognized you. When I saw you at Second Saturday, I wanted to walk up excitedly and ask what you were doing there. I wanted to catch up. Then I faced the disappointment in knowing…

I don’t know you.

People are more and more ‘connected’ while becoming more and more lonely. When the neighborhood is quickly forgotten, my goal is to engage in my networks. If we are always here, there is no reason we should not know each other.

What if there we were no strangers?

Introduce yourself to someone you see all the time but still have not met. If you see me at Tupelo or my bar, restaurant, or club, you may soon be startled by my endeavor to meet you.

What if you and I started a revolution where people were less lonely?

Don’t be a stranger!

There's a New Buzz at RetroLodge

2009-05-07T22:17:47Z

Naked Lounge is bringing a new buzz to downtown, and it isn’t just strong coffee. The local coffeehouse will be adding about 500 square feet of live entertainment space to its new location in The Offices at RetroLodge at the corner of H and 11th Streets in Downtown Sacramento.

The new space will be open by early summer and will host after-hours events including live music and open mic sessions. The timing could not be better - just as Concerts in the Park are winding down, Naked Lounge will be serving up an eclectic mix of entertainment just a few blocks away.

Andy Ekstrom, who manages leasing for The Offices at RetroLodge, says that he is eagerly anticipating the completion of the new venue: “When Naked opened its doors back in February, it brought a surge of new life to The Elroy building [at RetroLodge] and the neighborhood. The new expansion will create a nighttime pulse in this area and will likely emerge as a 2nd Saturday activity."

Ekstrom also noted that the expansion fits perfectly into the growing culture of creativity at "Retro", which has attracted a variety of local tenants that lease the small office spaces above Naked Lounge and across the street in The Astro building. Rachel and Sarah Campbell of the local fashion and culture blog TwinSoup and Marty DeAnda of local music management company Dig Music are just a few of Retro’s tenants who can be spotted grabbing their daily dose of caffeine or holding informal meetings at Naked Lounge.

The line-up for the summer is still being determined. Ekstrom recommends visiting Naked Lounge's website or joining the Facebook fan page for The Offices at RetroLodge to stay tuned into the latest details. Or simply drop by for a cup of coffee and see for yourself how construction is progressing.

Pull up a chair at Tupelo.

2009-04-29T21:39:42Z

Ray Oldenburg, an urban sociologist, coined the term “the third place” to refer to the place besides home and work where people spend the most time. The idea of the third place is a key aspect to building a community. For some Tupelo patrons, their third place is quickly becoming this trendy local coffee house.

Tupelo is located on Elvas Avenue, tucked behind 56th and H. A mile away from Sac State, most students could walk or bike to this location with ease. Highly recommended by a friend and trusted coffee fanatic, this branch of the local Naked Coffee chain did not disappoint.

First of all, this is a great setting for work because of the noise factor; rarely anyone is too loud. Most people come in to study, and believe me when I say study; it seems everyone is either on a laptop or reading a book. Overall Tupelo has a very artsy feel; in fact a guy sitting next to me was drawing some great sketches.

Tupelo has a very nice interior and plentiful seating that ties in with the urban décor, don't expect the same worn college frat couches that you would find at the original Naked Lounge. The furniture feels contemporary with leather wall couches and a picnic table. I should warn you that seating is scarce; the patrons come in to sip and search with their laptops handy. I had to wait for five or ten minutes to grab a seat and jump on the wi-fi.

The first sip of my latte came with the realization that the beans are top notch. Tupelo allows the espresso to speak for itself. I had a sip of a friend’s medium roast drip and it was flavorful and almost fruity.

The only difference a loyal patron would find between Naked Lounge and Tupelo is the atmosphere. If Naked Lounge is known as “urban”, Tupelo feels more “suburban” with its larger interior and handy adjacent parking lot; it caters more towards the individual who wants a bit more space and convenience.

The Tupelo crowd is mostly students and working professionals that like to keep to themselves. This trend may be caused by the plentiful amount of wall sockets, the comfortable seating and dependable wi-fi.
If you are looking for a quality cup and need to get some work done, take a trip towards Tupelo. It may not be your “third place” but it could definitely be your “third work space”.

Saving the Oak Park Starbucks

2009-04-22T17:41:53Z

When the Seattle-based Starbucks Corporation decided to shutter its Oak Park store on Stockton Boulevard, it sent shock waves throughout the neighborhood.

The Oak Park coffee shop is more than just a place to grab a cup of Joe; it's a community hang out. Civic groups meet there, art lovers visiting the 40 Acres gallery next door linger during Second Saturday, and it's one of the few places in North Oak Park where neighbors can get together.

Vice Mayor Lauren Hammond, Mayor Johnson, and community activists have been in touch with Starbucks to ask the company to reverse its decision. So far, the corporation isn't budging, saying it needed to close the store (along with more than 400 nationwide) to help its bottom line.

But neighbors aren't giving up. A new effort is being launched today to convince Starbucks to change its mind. Neighbors are hoping to gather 1,000 signatures in the next 24 hours.

Here's the link: http://www.inmycommunity.com/imc_joomla/.

Old Soul: Pastry lovers welcomed.

2009-04-14T22:40:28Z

On the tour I have now coined "sip the grid", the first stop was the Old Soul Coffee house (the L Street variety) I found it on my lunch roaming in midtown. Located in an alley behind L Street Old Soul seems to have a quiet entrance. When walking in you will notice the grandness with over 20 foot ceilings and a rustic warehouse feel it feels larger than you average coffe house. Your eyes will catch that the Old Soul has no walls seperating you from the kitchen and coffee roasting station. An interesting design that makes the Old Soul feel very open and larger. (Another perk..The Old Soul roasts there own coffee right in front of you) When I walked up to the counter I was greated by a the staff who seemed very chill and down to earth. When I ordered the small drip he said it would be two dollars when I pulled out my debit card he knew I was a tourist. He laughed and said "We only accept cash" followed up on my dumbfounded look he handed me the coffee and said "Don't worry about it, pay next time."

Great service if you ask me The Old Soul staff was corgial and understanding. When I asked where I could plug in my laptop he said I could sit at the table or couch I opted for the large picnic table which everyone seems to share. The staff told me to stay as long as I like and in fact many people do. You can catch partrons either playing chess, board games and your casual passerby. When I was there a business meeting was underway on the couches.

When I sat down I sipped on the coffee and read a few articles on my computer (Internet junkies bewared the lynksis wi-fi is touch and go) Then came the coffee, "sumatra" which was a nice blend but a tad bitter for a dark roast. A friend of mine had a mocha which I enjoyed much better. They do this very well and not too much chocolate which other chains do. This lets me know the beans are quality and they don't have to cover up the espresso with sugar. The barista's know what they are doing steaming the milk quite well with a velvety texture. The coffee is quality for sure.

I know this is about the coffee but I have to mention the pastries which they claim artisan in style. It's true they are always baking and the smell from my seat was intoxicating ( I nearly bought one) If you are in the area and love a good scone from what I can hear they are fantastic. Someone came in and ordered an entire box.

The crowd is mixed leaving everyone feeling comfortable, I never once felt that people were turning there noses at me. I came in a button up and slacks from work; so I didn't look your avereage twenty something with scruff and tight ankle denim. That is perpahs one of the great perks about old soul. The people.

Things for consideration are that parking is limited and you have to pay (unless your on nights and weekends).

The Hours: Could be open later for the late night coffee bums.
Mon-Sat. 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sun. 6:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

If you consider the great atmosphere and architecutre Old Soul is great for sitting to hang. Though the slightly overpriced drinks and limited seating make it a place you may not always want to venture (if your a cheap student like myself). Overal the quality coffee and the aroma were enough for me to rate the Old Soul on L.

4 cups out of 5 *

Next up is Butch n' Nellies

The Sacramento Coffee Tour

2009-04-11T00:39:28Z

While mid sip in a Midtown coffeehouse early one morning (let's be honest, it wasn't that early), I had an idea. If I spend most of my time enjoying and finding new places to enjoy a warm cup, why not do something resourceful while I am at it? That is when the idea began to brew for The Sacramento Coffee Tour. It is a comprehensive tasting tour that will unfold over the next few weeks, aiming to narrate a story of all that the Sacramento grid has to offer. Now before I get into the details, let me tell you that I am a student and work in Midtown. So some of my tastes in a coffeehouse may vary from yours, but this series will aim to be as objective as possible.

First, this won’t be a list of pro's and con's about certain local coffeehouses; if you want that you can go to Yelp. Instead, this will be telling you a story, a narrative of Sacramento and how coffee plays a part in that story. What makes a great Sacramento coffeehouse and how are our coffee places distinctly “Sac”? Are they just a carbon copy of Bohemian hipster scenes from the Bay Area, or do they have a touch of something unique? These are the questions I am looking to answer, and while doing so, will enjoy as many warm brews as possible.

Before embarking on said tour, criteria must be established.

- Drink -
First we have the coffee; let's not deter from what makes a coffee shop, it’s ALL about the coffee. All coffee, all the time. I will generally order a small dark roast or house blend. You can generally gauge a coffeehouse’s quality based upon their house roast. Many places forget about the staple and focus on frilly drinks and sugared teas, which are great if you’re into that kind of thing. The goal is to understand Sacramento's coffee culture and I don't want to waver from this. I will also order either a mocha or latte to get a taste of how they can handle these as well. I plan to stick to the Midtown grid and surrounding areas, as it seems to be the hub for Sacramento's coffee culture, but am willing to make exceptions for a great cup.

- Crowd -
People make a place we all know this. People can either be the draw or can drive certain clientele away from establishments. A key component of the Sacramento Coffee Tour is to ask who frequents the shops. What is the staff like? Will you feel more comfortable here in a three-piece suit or your favorite corduroys? These are the questions that need to be answered.

- Place -
Location can make or break a business. Is there easy access to parking? How about inside - is the ambiance inviting? Most coffee houses aim to create patrons out of locals right from the gate, so we are focusing on architecture and style.

As it stands, these are establishments I will venture based upon recommendation.

- Old Soul Coffeehouse

- Tupelo Coffee

- The Naked Lounge

- The Java Lounge

- Cafe La Boca (not in the Midtown area, but I’m making an exception)

- Chocolate Fish Coffee

- Temple Coffee

- Capitol Garage Coffee

Everyone is encouraged to drop a comment and let me know your favorite spot and I may add it to the list.

Another one bites the dust...

2009-02-20T22:03:49Z

We're not sure why, but the sign in the window says it all: Sargent's Coffee at Alhambra and L Street on the edge of the Grid, is no more.

Along with Old Soul, Naked Lounge and Temple, Sargent's served top of the line coffee for discriminating tastes, in an environment that was light and airy, with big leather couches and jazz on the stereo. I liked 'em because they used Ambience soy milk, which has no soy taste. Highly recommended.

The place wasn't open long - maybe two years, probably not that long. Other business in that spot, notably Red Square (?), had trouble. But Sargent's Elk Grove location didn't make it even that long before closing a few months ago.

Perhaps there IS a limit to how many cafes this town can support?

Meanwhile, we've got a message into the Sargents' email address, and we'll let you know what they say. Whether this was the economy or just a bad location or other reason, we don't know. Do you?

Naked in midtown

2009-02-19T00:32:58Z

One of the most well-known hotspots in midtown Sacramento is undoubtedly the Naked Lounge on Q Street. Now, as of last week, downtowners can enjoy the same Naked proximity with the newly opened Naked Lounge located at the corner of 11th and H.

True to its name, Naked Lounge on H Street also gets its coffee from Naked Roasting on 36th and Broadway. "We roast all of our coffee and espresso; whatever coffee, we only serve one particular coffee at a time, and then our decaf," says Naked Lounge barista Justin Short. "We do it all at 36th and Broadway."

"We work really hard to keep the coffee consistent, so that people know they're getting good coffee no matter what," he adds.

But that's where the similarities between this Naked Lounge and its predecessor end. While the Naked Lounge on Q has more of a subdued, modern atmosphere, the Naked Lounge on H is bright, vibrant, and a little retro.

"It's new, it's funky, it's cool," says Short. "We try to keep the style a little different so that people know they're in a different place."

The décor is completely unique. The art displayed on the walls was done by Short and by Naked creator, Chris Pendarvis. Even the furniture was locally handmade, specifically for Naked.

"[Chris Pendarvis] repainted [the tables] to that cool orange color to match that couch that he had re-upholstered," explains Short. "The two concrete tables and the concrete coffee table were poured on the spot by our contractor."

The grand opening was held on Feb. 6, where new customers could enjoy live music and their favorite Naked drinks at the new location. "We kicked it off really well, I think," says Short. "Everyone is really excited that we're going to be here."

There is free wireless for Naked customers, as well as a patio area in the back where customers can enjoy their drinks outside.

For more information about this and other Naked Lounges, visit www.nakedcoffee.net.

Photos courtesy of Justin Short.

Crawl…Flash…Spokes, It’s Bikeramento Week!

2009-02-12T02:14:33Z

Last night was an amazing meandering ride from Downtown through Midtown for the 1st Annual Bikeramento Crawl.

Set the scene of a moving banner from sanctuary to sanctuary in the light rain. It all begins with the religious experience of a cup of mojo at Temple Fine Coffee & Tea.

The loose Bikeramentans gather and awkwardly introduce themselves to the team. It’s to be expected. Who are these bike-crazy folks, these Spokes People, who believe that they can influence city planning and have fun doing it?

Ah….soak up that caffeine. A fine whiff of a single origin espresso parting the perfect foam of that cappuccino. David Barton shows up with the sharp photographer for Sacramento Press. And the adventure begins.

The energy builds, spreading the word to random cyclists biking over for meetings and everyday items, creating a chance run-in with Panama Bartholomew of the Planning Commission.

Australia, and barista extraordinaire from the emerging Chocolate Fish Coffee down the street, check.

Scotland, skydiver and cyclist, check.

Eco-activist, check.

State workers and Bay Area transplants, check.

Gear up to travel over to Brew It Up where Sacramento Press opens the tab and buys the ragtag Bikeramentans a round of beer. Mmmm…house-brewed Vanilla Stout. More creative capital joins the crew. We hear whispers of city-wide capture the flag driven by online clues.

Off we go into the wild night yonder, hustling to Butch N Nellie’s Coffee House at 19th and I Streets for Muddy Dublins, Guinness with a shot of espresso, and Dublin Floats, Guinness with 2 scoops of chocolate gelato. It’s a mad nightcap as a large group adds on to the fun and night lights flicker onto the bikes, like quirky fireflies amidst the dewy darkness.

Onward to DeVere’s Irish Pub. It’s our poor waitress’ lucky draw, her first night on the job serving Bikeramento. A flawless delivery as Sacramento Press hurls a round of Washington Apples for the 20 of us gathered, followed by a roundhouse of beers and a few small plates to soak it all up. “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” as we toast our sponsors.

Time slows down as we enjoy the jovial sounds of a full crowd. The lamb sliders linger on the tongue and bid us adieu into the rain once more.

Last call to Rubicon Brewing Company on 20th and Capitol Avenue next to The Waterboy Restaurant. We run into friends, associates, and more Bikeramentans. Thank goodness for open-faced meatloaf sandwiches drizzled with mushroom gravy. Another crowded house on a wintry Tuesday night, the perfect ending to Crawl home for bedtime stories and foamy dreams.

The Bikeramento Banner travels from post to post like a wise, wandering gypsy at home wherever it lands against the cityscape, signifying the temporal nature of each stop combined with the cyclical energy of moving forward together as an evolving urban wheel .

It’s 10 minutes to the next event, the bicycle flash mob on Wednesday evening. Find the answer online at Bikeramento.org.

Jetsons Land in Sacramento

2009-02-11T07:07:40Z

The Astro and the Elroy are quickly becoming one of Sacramento's coolest hangouts. The two newly renovated buildings, which were converted from motels, are collectively known as the RetroLodge.

Originally meant to house 50 work/live studios, RetroLodge's amenities include bathrooms, conference rooms with kitchenettes, and shared courtyards. The style is meant to evoke 1950's and 1960's Palm Springs, but the most important feature the property boasts are its 50 parking spaces for lease, a rare find in midtown.

One of the first tenants in the Jetsons-named Elroy building was Dig Music - the label of notable Sacramento musician Jackie Greene, perhaps the most successful Sacramento musical product of late. Back in August, Greene's manager and record label owner, Marty DeAnda, had to move Dig and it's three-and-a-half full time employees after outgrowing their old office.

DeAnda said of acquiring Dig's new digs, "My whole house is full of all retro furniture and stuff, so this [property] was really interesting to me. The RetroLodge is going to have a lot of hip little businesses."

"The Naked Lounge is a great hang out, and their coffee is great. They're also thinking of making an all ages music venue," says DeAnda, who volunteered to apply his audio expertise when the proposed venue is ready to set up their speakers.

DeAnda was speaking of the newly opened Naked Lounge, which is practically a midtown institution. The Naked Lounge became the first storefront business in the Elroy building when their doors opened earlier this week.

The Naked Lounge also owns a local coffee roasting plant, at 3527 Broadway, which is open to the public on Mondays where coffee is half off. As for the new location, Naked Lounge had similar reasons as Dig Records for moving, according to manager Jenn Fox.

"There's one in midtown already, but everyone knows our name, so we're always trying to expand. Why not? We're all for local independent business." Besides, "The [RetroLodge] building is going to be great."

These two businesses are perhaps the most visible in the RetroLodge, which hopes to expand by the end of the year. Sacramento Press spoke to RetroLodge's Project Manager Andy Ekstrom about his hopes for the office space.

"I would say it's a little more difficult [to lease] than usual, but we have been able to sign 17 office leases, and the Naked Lounge for retail. Obviously we're not 100% full, but we expect to be by the end of the year."

The RetroLodge's 50-year-old building recently underwent a "green" renovation. The motel underwent structural changes, but for the most part the old structure was reused to build new amenities like showers, bathrooms, and conference rooms.

Ekstrom added, "I think the beauty of RetroLodge is diversity. Right now we have web developers, music management, the Naked Lounge, and pretty soon there will be a sandwich shop. Are there other spaces with offices [for rent]? Certainly. But none of them have a Palm Springs type of environment in downtown."