Cold iced drip coffee, empanada at Cafetero is Jeanne Muchnick's Best Thing Ate this week
Summer days call for cool drinks and there's nothing like the cold, iced drip coffee at Cafetero Coffee Company in New Rochelle. That, coupled with one of their delicious empanadas, was the best thing I ate (and drank) this week.
The coffeeshop, in the lobby of the Modera apartments, is the second spot owned by Juan (aka "John") Reverol and just turned two. Reverol also owns R Cafe & Tea Boutique at 302 Huguenot Street and the coffeeshop at the New Rochelle Metro North train station, the latter of which started as a pop-up last October and is now a permanent fixture. (R Cafe has been around since 2011.)
What makes his coffee so special is that it's sourced from the mountains of Colombia, making each cup rich and dense. While I love the lattes here — his baristas are masters of creating works of art with foam — it's the cold iced drip, with its oaky flavor, that has me going out of my way to buy a bottle.
The process itself, on full display by the counter, is like a high school chemistry science lesson complete with swirling tubes of glass dripping black coffee into a big jug.
It's truly fascinating watching the ice on top of the equipment dripping as it goes through the grinds, making it taste different than what you'd find in a cold brew — a method that takes about 16 hours to produce a gallon. The way it's done, explained Reverol, means all the fat and acidity is eliminated, leaving you with a pure cold drip process which has a hint of whiskey.
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It's become his number one seller, and one reason why, about a month ago, he decided to sell it in bottles to go —in what look like whisky bottles. Buy it once and it costs $20. Bring it back for a refill and it's $14.
Of course it all tastes better with an empanada — there are usually six varieties including Adobo chicken, Argentinian beef, chorizo and cheese, guava and cheese, ham and cheese and mushroom, spinach and cheese. Or, get yours with a piece of cake. Reverol sources his cakes locally and is constantly switching them up. Always on the menu: The pineapple upside down cake but on any given day it could be red velvet, chocolate or tropical carrot.
Another must try: The super refreshing Brazilian lemonade.
The coffeeshop, which features other pastries along with grab and go items like yogurt and fresh fruit, is meant for relaxing or even having a small meeting thanks to a communal table in the middle and about 20 seats overall. There are another 15 outside.
Personally, I love the vibe, which feels less like a lobby coffeeshop and more like a community hang-out. There's lots of plants, a couch, sunny window seats, plus the alfresco setting which has views of two of New Rochelle's gorgeous murals.
If you go
Address: 111 Centre Ave., New Rochelle.
Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday; 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
Good to know: In the summer there's a DJ every other weekend. Come early August there will be a live music event. Check their social media for details.
Headed to Hoboken? Reverol is opening a fourth shop the end of June in Hoboken, N.J. Look for Café Cartel on 1100 Adams Street (between Adams and Jefferson).
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Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @jeannemuchnick or via the lohudfood newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Muchnick's Best Thing I Ate: Iced coffee, empanadas in Westchester
