Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Roanoke County awash in java
Larry Bly
Larry Bly has plenty on his plate these days. He's got two TV shows on Cox Cable Roanoke. Click ahead for details and showtimes.
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This isn't so much of a complaint, as it is an observation: Suddenly Roanoke County seems to have a coffee house on every corner. That's not a bad thing. In fact it's much better than having a bank on every corner, which is also a trend out where I live.
In the Cave Spring area alone, I now count at least six coffee houses or restaurants with a coffee theme. The really great thing is that, except for one, Starbucks at Kroger, they're all independently operated by small business people. And I hope that they're all doing well. There certainly seems to be the traffic for it, what with 90,000 plus people zipping by on 419 most days. But only one is actually on Route 419.
The latest entry into the coffeehouse arena is the Brambleton Blend. It's more restaurant than coffeehouse. In fact the restaurant, now open and serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, is so good that I'll do a separate commentary on it later when I've had a chance to sample all three meals.
Thus far, breakfast, along with their very own distinctive and bracing coffees, has impressed me mightily. Everything from the oversized cups to the excellent house blends have met with favorable reaction. The kitchen was working itself into a froth last Sunday while I was there. While the food is creative and the offerings not ordinary, they seemed a little overwhelmed service-wise and kitchen-wise. Of course, the place was packed, which it never was as a former Mexican restaurant or a sub-shop before that. And before that it was not overwhelmed or crowded as a Pizza Hut. So maybe these folks have found the key! More on them later.
Up the street just a block or two is the Mojo Cafe'. It's a breezy, informal kind of place very comfortable with bold flavors of coffees, sodas and other drinks. Talk to your neighbors, discuss politics, or just enjoy a fresh bowl of freshly prepared soup and maybe a homemade sandwich or croissant. It's located across from Bank of America near the Coffee Pot.
Down the road a few blocks, there's the new High Point Coffee. Their brew was quite satisfying to my taste, and there is a nice variety of freshly baked items from the case to enjoy with your coffee. They're located in the Brambleton Plaza near the 419 and U.S. 220 intersection.
Another block and half away, the Kroger on Brambleton (not the one in Cave Spring Corners) features a Starbucks. I've observed that this little niche store stays pretty busy, due in large part to the convenience of Kroger shoppers and because so many people love the Starbucks brands. Starbucks, for all the criticisms against it, remains a brand to beat, even if they have decided to drop many of their popular breakfast sandwiches in an effort to streamline the operation and speed up the service.
The new Daily Grind on 419 at the new West Village Shopping Center is open. A long time coming, it's finally found a new home for many of the high-octane bunch. I was a regular at the one on the downtown Roanoke Farmers Market until it closed. Locally owned and operated, it's a part of the Daily Grind franchise from out of Winchester. There's the usual emphasis on the house blends, but you may enjoy food aplenty plus lots of room to relax and read The Roanoke Times. Or maybe a book. Remember those?
Oh, and I nearly forgot: about another mile up the road and onto Starkey is the familiar and always popular and packed Mill Mountain Coffee. How could I forget? This one has been here the longest and remains a favorite for young and old, near the RAC (Roanoke Athletic Club). It serves excellent cookies and pastries along with full-service luncheon sandwiches and croissants.
Each coffee house seems to have its legion of fans. Each has its own peculiar niche. Most or all offer WiFi Internet services. Coffee houses have always been more than just about convenience or location. Coffee lovers will go out of their way to find a comfy place to plop and chat or just to linger. Now there are more places than ever! So don't get the jitters. Coffee is always just a few minutes away and it's freshly made constantly to keep you coming back.
Bly for now.
