Barista's (meaning a person who prepares and serves coffee-based drinks) is the newest addition to St. Marys' cafes.The owner, Tammy Kempen, is very particular about what she serves, and the staff meets at five AM to begin the day's baking. Everyone pitches in, and the result is three different muffins each day and ten to fifteen different squares and cookies.
Lunches and Dinners
The cafe serves light lunches (often a pasta dish) and has a choice of four sandwiches. The cafe is expanding and is open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings for dinner.In business since November, 2010, the cafe has a group of regulars who drop in frequently for a take-out coffee or stay to enjoy a pastry.
Specialty Coffees
Tammy, a native of Stratford, Ontario, was educated in St. Marys and spent some time as manager of two other restaurant chains. She decided to go out on her own after realizing that the town needed another place for people to gather over a latte or espresso.She also wished to have creative freedom in her own business. Tammy sells fire-roasted coffee and excels at seasonal lattes, such as the peppermint stick Christmas latte. Her newest will be a chocolate /berry mixture.
Baked Goods
Everyone on staff...Tammy's partner Alex Burge, Joy Cousins and Nicole Burge, are expected to be able to bake everything on the menu. The cafe opens early in the morning for the breakfast crowd and those wishing to pick up a coffee on the way to work, and closes at 4 or 5 PM. Although they are only open for the three nights now, there are plans to expand and remain open longer.
Barista's Specialty: Chelsea Buns
Chelsea buns are very popular and remain one of the most popular items on the menu.They are priced at $3.00, while other squares, cookies and muffins are priced from $1.10 to $2.50. There are also two flavors of biscotti and often a sample of a new pastry for patrons to try.Tammy is certainly exercising her creative freedom as she comes up with such things as a muffin that thinks is it a doughnut... an interesting and tasty coffee partner.
For a lady who was educated in St.Marys and has spent most of her life there, Tammy Kempen is very much into reviving the downtown area and offering out-of-the ordinary delicacies which entice people into her cafe
.She has also had special events such as psychic readings by local medium Tracey Milne and a contest to name the newest latte. Watch for more fun events in the future!
Source:
Personal conversations and visits to Barista's, February, 2011.
Anya Laurence - A writer, teacher and classical pianist, Anya Laurence has had three books published, as well as many articles in various magazines and ...
