The Bexley Coffee Shop

In the spirit of the holiday season, here is shout out to another Bexley gem of a place: The Bexley Coffee Shop.



This unassuming café is everything a neighborhood coffee shop is meant to be. Proprietors, Paulette and Sean, make you feel welcome as soon as you enter the door. They will, by order, make you a cup of what might be the best coffee in all of Columbus. I kid you not.



The reason behind this? They roast their own coffee (named Red Bike Coffee Roaster). Few people might know about this because they currently make small quantities just for the café's needs and only replenish when necessary. They do have enough, however, for people like me to take a pound or two home to extend that strong, nutty flavor experience in the comfort of my own home.



Beyond the daily caffeine requirements (they do have teas and other beverages as well), Bexley Coffee shop is a small mecca of local arts and locally produced goods. Sean and Paulette carefully select interesting handmade items to intrigue and inspire their customers.



With a cup of coffee in your hands, you can browse the selections and grab that perfect holiday gift for your loved ones. What could be better? No crowds, no nonsense. And you are supporting the local economy!



I must not forget to tell you about the baked goods they have on the offer as well. Again, local bakers are present here: Pattycake Bakery, Sassafras Bakery, Sweet Thing Gourmet (jams and biscottis), among others. Whoever invented pastry and baked goods must have known that their two best friends are named Coffee and Tea.



I was also happy to see handmade art pieces by my dear neighbor, Abby Feinknopf whose talents I adore. She was one of the first people in Columbus who took me by the arms (literally) and showed me around some of her favorite 'gems' in the city. For that, I do owe her!













So, if you have a minute, or two, and are hungry for that 2pm coffee break (or whenever else that may be), stop by this sweet spot and say hi to Sean, or Paulette, or both. They are always there with big smiles along with that perfect cup of coffee with your name on it.



The Bexley Coffee Shop
492 Cassady Ave.
N. Bexley, OH 43209
614-253-3788

The Happy Plants at Portico

If you are anything like me, you will appreciate anything that puts a smile on your face, especially in the dead of winter, in Ohio.



I found just the things that made me just a little happier each time I see them:



The Happy Plants at Portico Cafe, part of Voda Emporium in Olde Town East.



Really, how can they not make you smile?

The owners, Gary and Ted, recently opened the sister-store/cafe to their wonderful Voda Emporium next door. They not only enjoy plants, and creativity, but these Happy Plants, as I like to think of them, are made by Gary from salvaged thrift-store dolls. The plants that become their hair styles are impossible-to-kill house plants, which makes these items irresistible!



Portico Cafe offers other house plants as well, and Ted told me that they will have some flowers, too, come Valentine's Day. In addition, the cafe is the perfect stop if you are looking to warm up with coffee, soup, bagels, sandwiches, and other breakfast and lunch items. It's a cozy nook, with happy plants...what else can you ask for?



Portico at Voda Emporium
85 Parsons Ave
Columbus, OH 43205
Neighborhood: Olde Towne East
614.744.0101
http://www.Vodaemporium.com

Stauf's Coffee

Birthday Coffee. Where to go better than Stauf's in Grandview?

To be honest, I had not spent much time in Grandview, yet. I did come into this coffee shop before, without any purchase, just to have a look around. And that is why I returned there today, with my family in tow.

The retail/ coffee shop has a great ambiance. If I were still a student (alas...those days are over), I could see spending hours of my days here with text books, and a computer, and a lot of caffeine being fed through my veins. Alright, let's get back to reality.

I brought my husband and children here because 1) I knew my coffee-loving husband would love it, and 2) I knew my pastry-loving children would love the selection of scones/muffins/bagels they have beautifully displayed at the counter. And I am glad to tell you that I was right on both accounts!

Stauf's
1277 Grandview Avenue
Columbus, OH 43212-3438
(614) 486-4861