Kahwa is the new favorite neighborhood coffee shop, at the border of downtown St Petersburg and the Old Northeast neighborhood, and within walking distance of the Renaissance Vinoy Resort. Today was still hot in St Pete, so people were sitting inside with their coffee, reading newspapers, checking their e-mail on the free wireless, or chatting with regulars and newcomers alike. The shop was opened in March of this year by Catherine and Jean Thibault and Sarah and Raphael Perrier, so it has a distinct French flavor. Raphael and Jean are master roasters, and the two couples have had a roasting warehouse and wholesale business here in St Petersburg since 2006. Before that, they were in Philadelphia - then Raphael convinced Sarah to return home for the Renaissance of St Petersburg.
When I came in this morning Aaron and Leeanne were hard at work. I looked at the choices - Kahwa offers four blends both by the cup and by the pound, named for 4 winds of the world: Sirocco, Mistral, Boreas and Zonda. Not only does Kahwa supply local restaurants from Parkshore Grille to the Garden and from Cafe Alma to the Don ce Sar, they also supply Paul Bocuse, Michel Richard and Joel Antunes. Coffee ... Expresso ... hm, I'll take a latte this morning. Despite the ambiance, this morning mine will be To Go.
My latte came with the lid off, in case I wanted to add sugar (I didn't). How could you not smile when you see this heart in your coffee? Of course I had to take a photo of this. Aaron noticed, of course, and while I was talking with Leeanne he prepared a cup of coffee To Stay:
Yes, definitely another photo. I carefully brought it over to one of the tables so that there wouldn't be the distractions of the counter. Now everyone seemed to be taking notice of this crazy woman taking photos of coffee.
Raphael Perrier, one of the co-owners of Kahwa Coffee and a master roaster, introduced himself and started asking me questions. I told him that although his shop is just 3 blocks from my office, it was a client who brought me in. The client is renting in Parkshore Plaza, just "around the corner" and whenever I'd pick him up to show property, he'd always insist that we stop at Kahwa to get some coffee to take with us. One thing led to another, and now I come in whether it's for coffee to go or coffee to stay. Raphael told me about working in Philadelphia for La Colombe and then convincing his wife Sarah to move back to her St Petersburg home because it was an up-and-coming spot, ripe for a renaissance. So, from Leon, France, Raphael wound up in St Petersburg Florida. Though the building is contemporary and the decor is minimalist, this French cafe is warm with its Cheers-like atmosphere and it's heart is evident both in the conversation and on the coffee!
The customers next to Raphael joined in the conversation and wanted to pose - didn't I want to show happy customers? Of course! Welcoming smiles stop time, just for a moment, and we can pretend we're in Europe.
Kahwa coffee cafe is located at 475 2nd Street North in downtown St Petersburg Florida. Weekends they're open from 7:30 am to 6:30 pm and weekends from 8:30 to 5:30. To borrow from their coffee website, Tradition, Perfection, Passion: Kahwa Coffee Roasting strives to bring to your table the ultimate Coffee Experience. At Kahwa Coffee roasting, our process is simple: Green Arabica beans from different regions of the world selected for their specific inherent characteristics, hand picked when fully ripened, blended together according to strict proportions, and traditionally roasted at the right temperature so their flavors mingle in perfect harmony obtaining what, for every master roaster and customer is looking for, the perfectly balanced blend.
Even the New York Times wrote about Kahwa in their article on St. Petersburg.
So - stop in for coffee at Kahwa - and tell them Sharon Simms sent you!
Sharon, I love St. Petersburg and I am sure I would also love Kahwa Coffee Shop. My daughter and I had a disagreement about the heart design coffee shops put in the coffee. I say it is a heart but she swears it is a leaf. Who is right? LOL
Shirley - I say it's whatever you perceive it to be. Remember all those black and white images in psychology classes such as the one that was a young fashionable woman or an old hag, depending how you saw it? So for you and I, it's a heart; for your daughter, it's a leaf. I'll have to stop back at Kahwa and ask them how they see it.
Oh Sharon! This is a wonderful local area coffee post! I loved the latte swirls to look like a heart...and is that a feather? Wonderful info on Kahwa Coffee Shop and no doubt they'll all be flocking there now!
Thanks for sharing this new spot with us, Sharon. As a St. Pete resident, I'm looking forward to visiting Kahwa when I get downtown. I am also looking forward to getting the opportunity to meet you one of these days soon!
All the Best,
Don Apelian
I love a good coffee shop, Sharon, but not the chain stores. This one sounds like a winner and reminds me of the places in France and Italy which are, IMO, the best. This is a great Localism post,
Jeff
Sharon,
That place must do very well..with that talented way of making froth look like art work...very cool.
Looks like a fantastic place. The next time I plan on meeting someone at one of those fancy named places for coffee, I'll try here instead. I know the area well, and look forward to sipping a cup of java outdoors.
Sharon, Love how you featured this coffee shop and those coffee photos are a delight. Do you also take photos of clouds?
Hi Sharon,
It appears to me that you had way too much fun this morning. What a great informative post in general and for localism. Guess we need to make a trip over the bridge and spend a day checking out all the new businesses.
This was just in time im looking for a place where i could enjoy having coffee with my friends within <a href="http://www.counselorsoflaw.com/>St Petersburg</a>. The place looks cool and i like the way the coffe is being presented nice photo. Must try this sometime...
This was just in time im looking for a place where i could enjoy having coffee with my friends within St. Petersburg. The place looks cool and i like the way the coffe is being presented nice photo. Must try this sometime...
I could have sworn I answered all but ellathinks, but maybe I missed the submit button - just as I now clicked delete all comments in My Home when I meant to only delete the 2 selected messages. Well, that's one way to clean out an office!
Sally - I'll have to ask them whether it's a feather.
Don - maybe we'll run into each other at Kahwa.
Jeff - I like to think that St Pete is a bit European in its charm.
Neal - just another way that art adds to your life - and little surprises.
Tony - I hope you'll take al your clients and friends there.
Margaret - no, I haven't started on the clouds yet. Rainbows, though.
Hal - it will be well worth your trip.
ellathinks - Glad this was timely. Presentation is so important.
Hey Sharon-
Nice way to post a new business. How your market is on the upswing. We're finanally seeing light here is Paradise. Hugs to and Tammy.
Hi, there, Greg! Hope the light in your market means we'll see more of you! When you're next up this way we'll go to Kahwa together.
Good Morning Sharon! Great story on this wonderful place. We in St Pete are so lucky to have places like this.....local, non-chain feeling with a European touch. The "passion-tea" is amazing!
Doug - whenever I go in to Kahwa's I look to see if you're there in your familiar corner.
I was looking for a new coffee shop locally owned. Thanks for pointing me in this direction--I'll check it out this afternoon!
Delaney - please let me know how you like it after you've checked it out.