First things First: Stell Coffee & Tea

Perfect

There are very few things I like in the world more than coffee and something sweet. Not just coffee, but something even more sublime than coffee. I like really, really good coffee.

At Stell Coffee and Tea, they know how to do it right. Imagine, if you will, that your version of Italian food has always consisted of pizza at Chuck E. Cheese’s. It’s fun pizza, fills you up, and keeps you playing games, because, let’s face it, you are not at Chuck E. Cheese’s of your own volition. No, evil hordes of vilanous midgets, their bloodthirst reaching full boil at the sound of whack-a-mole and the hum of dispensing tickets have bullied you into this place. Then, all of a sudden, you are brought to a friend’s house.

An Italian friend.

With an Italian mother.

Cooking Italian food.

Then, you get it. You get the richness, the complexity, and you begin to understand that it is all about the food. And like the lady in “Big Night”, you exclaim through tears, “My mother was a horrible cook!”

Stell’s is like that. They roast their own beans on a mammoth roaster, grind each order fresh, tamp the espresso themselves, pull the shots, and bring out that beautiful, caramelly, cigar-like wonder tonic for all to enjoy. It’s completely different than a Starbuck’s, or even a Coffee Bean. Those places fill you up to get somewhere, while Stell’s is about getting you in there; their espresso is full and deep; after having Stell’s, drinking Starbuck’s is like warm milk.

It isn’t always perfect, though. Depending on the barrista, the consistency changes, but that is part of the fun. Maybe perfect isn’t the best way to describe it, or imperfect. When you get a cheeseburger from McDonald’s, you are surprised if it doesn’t have the two pickles in the middle, and the bun with that same schmeer of ketchup and mustard. Every time I go to Stell’s, I taste what the barista has put into the coffee. If they are having a bad day, I taste the sturm und drangst ; if they are a little tired or amped I taste it.

Wonderful

The pastry I had was wonderful; the cake part was marbled white and chocolate, topped with a buttery muffin-like crust of chocolate, with just a hint of cinnamon on the cake. So good.

Stell’s has lot’s of people doing it’s own thing. Many students from Loma Linda University frequent the shop, while regulars, businessman, hipsters on fixies, and the artsy crowd establish the locals vibe. It can be a bit daunting. I remember my first visit made me feel a bit like an outsider, but as I frequented the shop, they get to know you, and you get to know them.

As I sat eating my cake and drinking my latte, watching the world around me pass by, I wondered why anyone would want to leave?

It was hard coming up with a reason.

Cheers.