Coastal Brew

By OCinSite At-Large | April 08, 2011 1:03 PM

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By Brett Callahan | Photos by Jody Tiongco | Newport Beach Magazine, April/May 2011

The aroma of freshly ground beans, coupled with a whiff of salty air, constitute the perfect morning in Newport Beach. Whether it’s for the morning commute, a warm-up after a cool session in the Pacific, or a meeting with an old friend, coffee remains the universal starter for whatever the day may hold. Take a look at some of the iconic coffeehouses and cafes around Newport that have been serving their loyal locals for years.

Artful lattes served daily at Kean Coffee.

Kean Coffee
Kean Coffee is owner Martin Diedrich’s blissful transition back to the small coffeehouse business. Martin saw his Diedrich Coffee chain explode to more than 30 locations across the country in the mid-’90s, and says that he “began to fondly look back at the days when I just had two or three.” Named after his only son, Kean Coffee has just two locations, the first here in Newport. Martin, together with wife Karen, roasts fresh coffee on-site every day using a roaster manufactured by his brother Stephan. “I get to pursue my art and my craft and serve my community directly,” Martin says. The latte art for which Kean Coffee has become famous adequately reflects Martin’s pursuit of coffee perfection. As Martin says, “It’s a signature of pure craftsmanship in our trade.”
(2043-100 Westcliff Dr.; 949-642-5326; keancoffee.com)

Keanu Reeves does not moonlight as a barrista at Kean Coffee.

Alta Coffee Warehouse and Restaurant
Converted from a bookstore into a café in 1985, the wooden bookshelves were turned into floorboards and the entire place was built by hand, meaning Alta takes the term “homemade” seriously. “Except for the bagels, everything is homemade at Alta,” manager Tina Bentley says. Tina’s husband, Tony Wilson of Wilson Coffee Roasting Company, roasts organic coffee in small batches every day to ensure optimum flavor. The 31st Street Blend, a mix of Mexican, Costa Rican and Sumatran beans, is the top seller among regulars, who constitute about 60 percent of the business. “The regulars bring in their own mugs, and we have a large shelf for those mugs to be kept,” Tina says. Just like at home. (506 31st St.; 949-675-0233; altacoffeeshop.com)

Zinc Café and Market
Owner John Secretan opened Zinc in the late-’80s after spending his college years in Berkeley cafes, noting, “the gourmet coffee and coffeehouse mentality had not yet happened in Orange County.” Zinc retains its connection to the Bay Area as it serves coffee from the San Francisco-based Ecco Roasters. “The coffee we use changes throughout the year,” John says. “We stay with a coffee that is purchased when the bean is at its best, and when it’s gone, it’s gone.” Try the latte and poached egg plate to get hooked on Zinc. (3222 E. Coast Hwy.; 949-719-9462; zinccafe.com)

Zinc Café

Rose Bakery Café
Starting as a donut shop, Rose’s has evolved into a unique cafe in Newport. “A lot of the business is word of mouth,” owner Dai Lim says. “The customers know our names, we know theirs, and it creates a comfortable atmosphere.” The sweet treats aren’t just in the donut display, as Dai and husband Shawn offer an impressive line of espresso shakes. The Mocha Express headlines a group that includes: Creamocha Frost, Creamilla Frost, Vanilla Express and Wild Blast Blend. Made with Lavazza espresso and either yogurt or ice cream, the shakes pack their fair share of both caffeine and flavor. Traditional coffee favorites such as cappuccinos and lattes are also available. (3536 E. Coast Hwy.; 949-675-3151)

Rose Bakery Café

Pain du Monde
Literally meaning “breads of the world,” Pain du Monde is renowned for its made-from-scratch baked goods almost as much as its privately roasted coffees and espresso. Pain du Monde has three local locations in Newport, Fashion Island and Corona del Mar, and is quickly building a long list of regulars. Even as it remains a relatively proximal group of stores, the sweet smells and tastes of Pain du Monde reach a far greater customer base. “I know quite a few people that commute from San Diego and will stop by on their way to and from work,” shift manager Gabby Champion says. To first-time visitors, Gabby will often suggest an espresso with the café’s tri-berry scone, but says so with the disclaimer that, “everything really is delicious.” (561 Newport Center Dr.; 949-644-4835; 1000 N. Bristol St.; 949-553-1206; 3636 E. Coast Hwy; 949-723-1131; pdmcafe.com)

Drip. Neat. At Pain du Monde.

The Caffe at Pelican Hill
This Italian espresso bar caters to locals and resort guests wanting to sip on coffee or munch on brioche, paninis, homemade breads and traditional fresh gelatos. “The Caffe even has an added touch not found at other espresso bars—an endless panoramic view of the Pacific,” comments Kate Starr, public relations manager at the resort. The Caffe features La Colombe organic coffee, which she says, “delivers a jolting 25 grams of coffee in a single shot.” The Caffe is centrally located in the main resort building, but there is also Caffe II, a smaller coffee bar at Pelican Hill Golf Club that serves breakfast burritos and many of the same favorites as The Caffe. (22701 Pelican Hill Rd. South; 949-467-6800; pelicanhill.com)

MORE HOT SPOTS:
Haute Cakes Caffe, 1807 Westcliff Dr.; 949-642-4114; hautecakescaffe.info
C’est Si Bon Bakery, 149 Riverside Ave.; 949-645-0447
Matahari Café, 2900 Newport Blvd.; 949-675-6282; mataharicafe.viviti.com
My Galley, 500 W. Balboa Blvd.; 949-375-4355; mygalleybalboa.com
Aroma Café, 4341 MacArthur Blvd.; 949-756-2677
Caffe Balboa, 613 E. Balboa Blvd.; 949-723-0064
Mariner’s Coffee Shop, 2606 Avon St.; 949-650-3370
Al Cappuccino Coffee House, 4547 W. Coast Hwy; 949-650-1993
Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, 1316 Bison Ave.; 949-719-0524; coffeebean.com
Peet’s Coffee and Tea, 894 Avocado Ave.; 949-640-6377; peets.com
Tully’s Coffee, 1260 Bison Ave.; 949-759-8246; tullyscoffeeshops.com
Java City Bakery Café, 1064 Bayside Dr.; 949-760-6886; javacity.com