Coffee Story, Chapter 1: Coffee, Oatmeal and Bagels

Patch stopped at Coffee Story at 151 Old Ridgefield Rd. on Monday afternoon, and while the shop's young owner, Han Lee, whipped up a cappuccino, he shared the story of his month-old enterprise.

Lee, whose mother owns the neighboring Sun Spa and Nails, studied economics in school. He said he is working his way up the learning curve with lessons about over-ordering, wasting food and various other "hiccups" that befall a newbie on the block. 

Later this week Lee plans to expand his menu to include breakfast sandwiches, and, for lunch, salads and sandwiches to round out the coffee-focused menu. 

Coffee Story is clean, spacious and a nice spot to do work if you need free wifi and a caffeine fix, or even a snack or meal.

The front-of-store display is unique. Lee features tea, bagels, cupcakes, coffee beans and oatmeal. 

There is a wide selection of 12 oz. bags of coffee beans roasted by "Coffee Labs," which Lee and his staff will happily grind for you to take home. Coffee Labs sounded familiar. Lee explained that Coffee Labs is local and roasts their own coffee.

Indeed, Coffee Labs are roasters, but they also have a shop in Tarrytown, where this Patch editor has attended poetry readings and jazz performances.

Patch purchased a 12 oz. bag of "Honduras Finca Liquidambar: Pecan, Marshmallow, Fudge Vanilla" coffee at Lee's recommendation.  It smells and tastes delicious. Plus, I will confess, I am crazy about Labradors and love the Coffee Labs story: Apparently, "Coffee Labs" owners named their spot after a certain chocolate Labrador snarfed down an unattended cup of coffee back in 2001 without leaving a drop.

Patch also purchased a single serve cup of Umpqua Oats oatmeal to bring home, though the idea is to add hot water while at Coffee Story for a quick, healthy breakfast.  

On a dark stormy Monday afternoon though, it made sense to bring the oatmeal home for a hot lunch. Compared to the supermarket single-serving oatmeal envelopes we're all used to, Umpqua was a nice surprise. Their website describes Umpqua as "thicker, chewier (not mushy) custom-milled whole rolled oats in innovative flavors."

Though not an expert, I'd agree the oatmeal was not gummy or sticky and the "Mostly Sunny" apples, cranberries and cinnamon was not too sweet.

We'll head back to Coffee Story for Chapter 2 when we hear from Lee that he has expanded the menu as promised. Watch this space!

Coffee Story is located at 151 Old Ridgefield Rd. Tel. (203) 529-3883