Millburn-Short Hills Magazine May 2019 | Page 47

COFFEE MILL ROASTERS THE PECCARY MILLBURN The sign in front of the recently- opened coffee shop on Millburn Avenue reads “Baristas Assemble!,” a manifesto that underscores how the shop is run by baristas, not a top- down management structure. It allows for creativity in preparing the coffee being served, which includes using the Hario Syphon method, a Japanese system of siphon coffee-making using two glass chambers. This is done in only one other store in Northern New Jersey, according to Teek Washington, a manager at the shop. Coffee made with this method costs $12, but he says the process leads to a better- tasting product. There is also a dark blend ($3.50/small) that is popular with customers. • 315C Millburn Ave. (973) 218-6597 BOXWOOD COFFEE ROASTERS COFFEE MILL ROASTERS MILLBURN Customers who enjoy the “Brew,” the drip coffee blend prepared daily by Coffee Mill Roasters, are served some of the best coffee beans from countries such as Brazil and Guatemala, says owner Adel Aziz. Aziz points out that his shop roasts the coffee in small batches of 10 to 15 pounds because it yields a “very high quality in the brew- ing.” ($1.95 to $2.40) Special coffees include Overdrive (drip coffee with a shot of espresso) and Cafe and Cocoa (combination of coffee and hot cocoa using Ghirardelli cocoa). The menu includes fresh pastries and breads from Balthazar Bakery in New York. • 41 Main St. (973) 218-6559. thecoffee millroasters.com ROCK ‘N’ JOE MILLBURN Heard of a Lavender Latte? This coffee concoction ($4.49/ small) has a “Fruity Pebbles” flavor that is in demand by customers, says the store’s general manager, Matthew Olmsted. Coffees come hot, iced or frozen at this chain, which features arti- san brands such as Velvet Underground, with its “mild choc- olaty flavor,” and Black Dog Espresso, with “spice notes of Monsoon Malabar.” Unique open-faced breakfast toasts are prepared daily with toppings such as banana, almond butter and chia seeds ($6.96). • 63 Main St. (973) 232-5458. rocknjoe.com VILLAGE COFFEE SHOP MAPLEWOOD Ever consider having a white chocolate amaretto latte ($4.25) with a “Spanish Scramble” Mexican breakfast ($9.95)? You could do that at Village Coffee Shop, where they’re among the customer favorites, says Anand Patel, son of the owner. Patel says customers enjoy the uniquely flavored lattes that are prepared in-house, which include banana mocha and ginger spice. They can also choose from 30 types of flavored coffee ($2.75 to stay, $2 to go), such as graham cracker and lemon grass Chai. The food menu features a wide range of dishes, from specially-made home fries with “secret seasoning” to chicken tikka masala. • 164 Maplewood Ave. (973) 762-6660. villagecoffee 164.com ELITIST COFFEE SOUTH ORANGE When mother and daughter proprietors Sharon and Shauna Arnette opened their shop in late fall last year, they almost called it “Superior Bean,” but settled on “Elitist” because it would “get people talking.” Sharon Arnette says the cafe on South Orange Avenue is where customers can enjoy their coffee not only brewed with the French Press meth- od, but also roasted using blends from international loca- tions. Customers are also provided with tasting notes provid- ing details about the coffee they are drinking. • 132 South Orange Ave. (973) 327-4066 BOXWOOD COFFEE ROASTERS SUMMIT Stephen and Erin Bellamy opened the Summit location of this mini-chain four years ago; a second location recently opened in Westfield, and a Florham Park address is planned for the future. The owners describe Boxwood Coffee Roasters as part of the “third wave coffee” movement that treats coffee as artisanal food, with care given to every aspect of its production, from choice of coffee beans to brew- ing method. Sam Robbins, the mar- keting manager for Boxwood Roasters, says customer word- of-mouth has made honey cinnamon latte and the “fruity, chocolaty” Bear Hug (both $4.90) permanent fixtures on the menu. • 17 Beechwood Rd. (908) 219-4076. boxwoodcoffee.com MILLBURN & SHORT HILLS MAGAZINE MAY 2019 45