Flyover Flavor: June 2017

Silo Coffee + Goods Profile [Update: Closed]

cwe

Roaster: Blueprint

Opened: 2016

Drinks Menu: Classic options (americano, cappuccino, etc) with a few specials, such as a lavendar latte.

Food Menu: A few pastries from Whisk, a local bakery.

Espresso Machine: Simonelli manuel machine

Brew Options: Pour overs, Toddy cold brew, espresso. They also serve Big Heart Tea.

Location: Central West End

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 (lower score because the café space is small and the store hours are limited)

Review:

Silo Coffee + Goods will soon close its cafe in the lobby of Techartista and focus only on whole sale, catering and coffee subscription business. While this CWE shop offers a buzzy and artistic atmosphere for enjoying a cup of joe, the truth is, this company will probably be better off without the physical location. The seating is limited and uncomfortable, and the limited hours (closed by 4:30 pm and only open Monday through Friday!) makes it almost impossible to visit. What's intriguing about this young company is the mission.

Silo was created to support Solea Water, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing clean water to communities in Latin America and the Caribbean. The founders of Solea decided they needed a sustainable source of funding for the nonprofit to supplement grants and donations. Since a lot of specialty coffee beans are grown in the same regions in which Solea implements clean water initiatives, a coffee shop is a natural fit. Silo works to ethically source its beans to ensure fair business practices. It also invests 10% of its profits in clean water projects in those same coffee farming communities.

This mission is a great way for this coffee shop to differentiate itself from the other shops in St Louis. Linking Silo with this non-profit that gives back to coffee growing communities helps coffee drinkers be more mindful about where their coffee comes from. It's also great to give back to and support the farmers who grow the coffee we are lucky to enjoy.

The cause isn’t the only enjoyable quality about Silo. The space, while it won't be open much longer, is worth mentioning. There’s a creative energy in the air. A large sculpture hangs from the ceiling and fills the open space above the espresso bar. The second floor is open and visible from the lobby, showing the little offices that ring the upper floor. The sounds of soft music and animated conversation filter down, hinting at the hard work these startups are putting in. Young people wander in and out, some walking their dogs, others bringing their animated conversations out of the office and onto the street. It’s a peek at the flexible, fast-paced lifestyle that people idealize about startup life.

It’s not clear at this point whether closing the cafe is the first step toward full closure, but I hope not. It’s an interesting company with a good product – not my favorite, but certainly good quality. Silo sources great beans, partners with Blueprint for skilled roasting, and prepares great drinks (based off the nice foam on my macchiato when I visited). Hopefully the catering business will do well enough to keep Silo afloat.

7:11 PM
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Sardella Profile

clayton

Roaster: Sump

Opened: 2016

Drinks Menu: Basic espresso menu, a small tea selection, and drip coffee. Simple and well executed.

Food Menu: Everything! They offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus brunch on the weekends.

Espresso Machine: Two-group Faema

Brew Options: Pour overs, cold brew, espresso; Big Heart Tea

Location: Clayton, MO

Rating: 4 out of 5

Review:

Connected to Pastaria in Clayton, Sardella offers a younger, hipper dining experience than the family-friendly restaurant its attached to. The intimate space is filled with two- and four-top tables and a small bar. While kids and large parties make Pastaria a lively dinner spot, Sardella offers an intimate space ideal for grabbing a quiet drink or bite. It has an Italian theme with white and blue tiles lining the walls and bleached wood covering the floors and bar. Funky light fixtures and an open kitchen add modern touches to an otherwise old-world vibe.

I went in for brunch and was delighted to see a chrome, vintage-looking (but I suspect quite new) espresso machine behind the bar. This machine is not just for show; the skilled bar manager made two very tasty drinks for me. I started with a Cup of Sunshine latte. It was similar to a chai latte without the kick or tickle in the back of your throat that often accompanies chai. The powder base includes turmeric, ginger, black pepper, cinnamon, and a number of other spices, which are combined with milk to create a drink that's lovely to look at and soothing to drink. It was smooth, rich, and comforting – and caffeine free if you’re looking for a coffee alternative.

I couldn’t walk away from this Faema machine without testing out its full capabilities, so I tried a latte next. It’s clear that the manager knows her way around a steam wand. She explained that she worked as a barista for many years in New York and I’m glad she decided to bring her skills to St Louis.

I also tried out the brunch menu and was pleased. The food came out promptly and hot, which should be the standard, but there are so many places that fall short of this, so it’s worth mentioning. I got a fried egg sandwich with bacon and red pepper jelly on an English muffin. It was a simple sandwich and well executed. I was particularly happy with the fresh, spongy English muffin and sweet, spicy jelly. I also tried a mushroom and fontina quiche that was even better. The quiche changes up regularly.

With an interesting atmosphere and well prepared food and drink options, Sardella is a good option for brunch.

3:55 PM
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