The housing market is in the crapper, but we still need to drink coffee, right? If you are in the market for a home and a latte swing by On The Road Cafe, opening Saturday on Rogers Street.
This green house (across from Sylvia the psychic) has a “cute” espresso bar I'm told featuring brew from Rao’s Coffee of nutty/crunchy Amherst. Owner Mark Callahan (pictured here w/ a berries a'more) runs a real estate office out of this house too.
Nothing too fancy, prerequisite hazelnut and a Sicilian brew are among the early options. Smoothies are all natural, healthy affairs made with fruit, soy and whey protein. When I stopped in yeterday the upbeat barista gave me a taste of a peanut butter banana jamma, it was better than the coffee. Pumpkin smoothies are a seasonal must. Not much to nosh on — health bars, dried fruit, trail mix and pastries from Mirabella’s Bakery in Tewksbury. Bagels and soups are all part of the expansion plan. Grand Opening is Saturday 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., but GG readers should hit it today!
I've noticed that sign for some time now and was wondering when they would open. I look forward to checking it out!
Posted by Brianna | October 9, 2008 2:55 PM
Posted on October 9, 2008 14:55
I love Mirabella's and I love coffee, so this will be a must visit. Maybe I'll use it as an excuse to get my butt over to Janas Rink and get some exercise in before undoing it all with cannolis. Thanks for the tip!
Posted by Corey | October 10, 2008 1:12 PM
Posted on October 10, 2008 13:12
love the idea, it's actually very close to my house so i will check it out. Good luck though, that location is awful. For a trendy little coffee shop to do well i think you need foot traffic, and i don't think you have much there. Maybe you will get some business from the people attending events at the fabulous shedd park... best of luck...you'll need it
Posted by gobbo | October 10, 2008 1:15 PM
Posted on October 10, 2008 13:15
ha real estate and coffee, great idea. Though the way things are looking people will be buying more coffee then houses. I wonder if Scotty Plath will come and put his two cents in on this revolutionary idea
Posted by rick | October 10, 2008 1:20 PM
Posted on October 10, 2008 13:20
I disagree with gobbo and think it's a good location. High traffic and good neighborhood. You won't see me in there but I wish them luck.
Posted by (((Brian))) | October 10, 2008 2:50 PM
Posted on October 10, 2008 14:50
Went to school in Amherst, and Rao's was the place to go for a coffee. Ahhh nostalgia...Now only if Lowell could import Antonio's and the Hangar!
Posted by Robbins | October 10, 2008 7:31 PM
Posted on October 10, 2008 19:31
We went over there on Saturday. Not a big selection, but the coffee we had was good (I had a Mocha Latte, my husband a regular coffee). Would like to see more pastries & breakfast-type items in the future. There appears to be a very small seating area, though we just got take out.
We'll definitely be trying this place again in the future.
I must say, though, that I would rather be having my coffee at Cafe Aiello...I miss that place!
Posted by D & R | October 14, 2008 3:48 PM
Posted on October 14, 2008 15:48
I know Cafe Aiello had class. Go back and try the peanut butter smoothie. Sounds strange, but it's delicious!
GG
Posted by GG | October 14, 2008 3:51 PM
Posted on October 14, 2008 15:51
Northampton can be nutty/crunchy. Amherst, in contrast, is staid and tradition-bound with intellectual aspirations, much like Rao's excellent coffee.
Posted by Katie | October 15, 2008 1:12 PM
Posted on October 15, 2008 13:12