Old World Coffee Perks Up California Avenue (Starting) this Weekend

It's not an elite country club. It's not a secret handshake or a foreign language. The vibe is inclusive more than exclusive. The tables are narrow, the chairs clumped together. It is fine coffee meant to be accessible. Yes, they will talk big, enough to make your eyes glaze over, but only if you ask encouraging, leading questions. But what they seem to do well is to contaminate the curious. Chris dropped the word "educate" many times and to me, that is a tall order, but it also spells that at the heart of Old World Coffee is going out of their way to go outside of themselves. We were at Old World Coffee, that new coffee bar on California Avenue that has been the buzz of anyone interested in the midtown revival in Reno. Although already three years old catering to events, this is Old World Coffee’s first and only coffee shop in Reno. The interiors were warm but uncluttered. Minimalist but not stripped of personality. Because there's so much of that. There were careful details to the discerning. Dapper baristas donning denim aprons. Not Neutral stoneware, probably handcrafted, perfectly warmed up before your drink of choice was poured in. And you have to see for yourself their state of the art espresso machines. Old World Coffee, according to owner Chris Garrison, was borne out of nostalgia. Of times when people sat and talked. It struck me more that more than people realize that he is bringing labor of love back. The space was his vision including the gorgeous handcrafted tables with supports DIY-ed in his dad's garage. This is not just another annoying hipster, overpriced craft coffee bar. And as I say that, I actually know none of those places. In defense of $4 coffee, there is no pretense. There is a difference. And it is your choice to make if you want just a cup, or if what you seek is an experience.

They serve locally roasted Hub coffee and if you’re really into coffees, you would be elated to hear that they also serve San Francisco’s Four Barrel (which, I’ve observed before, has trumped Sightglass in my view). We had a cupping/tasting and although we know what to expect with espressos (and they make them wonderfully at Old World), pour-overs were an awakening. Chris had us try two different slow drip coffees and the tender liquid almost felt a cross between a coffee and a tea, with more nuanced and beautiful subtle flavors. I think I just might come back here for more. I have a premonition. This kind of soul and quest for work more meaningful resonates. I'm predicting I'll be seeing many of you at the line that would snake outside the door on Sunday mornings. I'm giddy as can be and it's not just the coffee talking.

Thanks, Chris and friends, for the cupping and for bringing something downright awesome to our biggest little city. Old World Coffee is located at 104 California Avenue, Reno, NV. More information can be found here. And if you're one of the early birds this weekend, get a coffee and snag a free one for a friend!

If you're curious about Four Barrel in San Francisco, I wrote about it on my old blog here.

#food #renotahoe