Portland celebrated the soft opening of Baristaโs fourth location on Friday morning with a light snowfall. Despite the bitter cold and slippery sidewalks, foot traffic at the new shop was steady. From eager coffee enthusiasts to curious neighborhood passersby, a stream of customers visited throughout the morning to enjoy some coffee and congratulate owner Billy Wilson on his new shop. Located at 823 NW 23rd Avenue in the Alphabet District, Barista 4 is among a handful of established, independent shops to open on the busy commercial street in the last year or soโneighbors include nationally known brands likeย Salt & Straw, Bamboo Sushi and The Meadow.
The cafรฉ is a refreshing addition to the busy commercial street, which still dotted with progressive indies and corporate chain-stores alike, including Starbucks, Brooklyn Industries, and Williams-Sonoma. Although itโs not yet quite finished, the spacious new location has come together beautifully. On the far wall is a mural painted by barista and artist Cameron Stewart. Inspired by William Morrisโs jasmine wallpaper, the impressive floor-to-ceiling work will feature an intricate weaving of vines, leaves and jasmine flowers, which rather resemble coffee flowers.
Seating consists of three roomy diner-style booths with tufted leather seats, a row of several two-person tables with black wooden chairs and bar seating along the window facing the street. The extravagant detailsโthe busy mural, the large gold-framed mirrors, the ornate table basesโare balanced out by a clean La Marzocco Linea espresso machine. Sleekly stamped zinc abounds both for on the bar counter and the cafe’s tables.
Simple black Schoolhouse Electric chandeliers illuminate the bar, and black pendant lamps hang low throughout the rest of the space. โWeโll also be getting lots of plants in soon,โ Mr. Wilson told me. โWe want it to feel comfortable and homey, like youโre in someoneโs house.โ
In addition to coffees from Counter Culture Coffee and MadCap Coffee Company, the opening menu features the a well-regarded Portland troika: Heart Roasters, Coava,ย and Stumptown. Billy Wilson has abandoned the French press at his new shop in preference for a Fetco brewer: โItโs funny to see how the brew methods always come full circle. Ten years ago everyone was all about the French pressโit was everywhere. Then it was the whole manual pour-over thing, and the vac pot,โ says Billy, who believes the Fetco โmakes really good coffeeโ while freeing up the barista to do other things.
Barista is also Roman Candle Bakeryโs first wholesale account outside of the Stumptown empireโall four shops will make the switch from Nuvrei beginning today, the 7th of December. An assortment of other food options will be made in-house from a tiny kitchen in the back. โWeโll have some really good sandwiches using Olympic Provisions meats, maybe some hot cereals, some pies,โ Billy told me. โWeโll also have several beers and one cider, and $5 house wines, red and white.โ Cava and by-the-bottle wine options will also be added to the menu.
Barista 4 officially opens next Wednesday, December 11. Hours will be 6am to 8pm on weekdays and 7am to at least 8pm on weekends. The shop’s soft open lasts all weekend. Stay tuned for updates on Twitter (@BaristaPDX).
Joanna Han (@joannakarenina) is a Sprudge.com contributor based in Portland, and a Deputy Editor at Kinfolk Magazine.
