Nestled in the strange chasm where hipsterdom-meets-Five-Points, Crema Coffee House boasts the perfect combination of stellar espresso, great service and Apple products. Located off of 29th and Larimer, the black brick and colorful wall mural invite patrons in with a degree of intrigue. Upon entering, the industrial woodworking studio meets an art deco boutique, Crema is a strange, yet wonderful combination of espresso and off-beat decor.
Behind the register, the menu is stenciled on wood panels and a huge painting of a square-rimmed hipster girl hangs over the exposed kitchen where several well-dressed chefs work diligently. And by register, as in all good and rightfully hip places, the register is merely an iPad on a swivel. Saving space and paper receipts, you can even designate your tip with the touch screen.
Making friendly conversation and simultaneously pouring the most perfectly portioned latte seems to be the norm at Crema. Using local and international renowned roasters including Nova Coffee, Boxcar Coffee Roasters and Intelligentsia Fresh Roast Coffee, Crema’s espresso is rich and creamy, resulting in a most delightful cup of coffee. Each and every one of which is lovingly made by bearded hipsters while they steam milk to the perfect foamy texture, creating the photo-and-consumption-ready latte.
Crema also serves up some delicious entrees, particularly breakfast and lunch specialities which include a fluffy and creamy quiche and a southwestern take on the breakfast burrito, complete with salsa, black beans and corn. Crema presents all of it’s food and drinks in simple and modern taste. With plain, rectangular plates and delicate handled mugs for the coffee, Crema takes their visuals very seriously.
An enormous lighted chandelier hangs in the main room where panels of ceiling are covered by what appears to be the material from your grandmother’s 1970’s orange couch. Strangely beautiful, Crema has plenty of windows to let in the natural light.
With a sparse number of outlets, Crema is not the best place to study or work, but better for conversation and quiet coffee moments.
The staff is attentive, friendly and talkative, a rarity in places so hip.
With a soundtrack including CAKE, Spoon, The Pixies and The Strokes, it seems these are the maturing Hipster’s of their late 20’s to mid 30’s who can still appreciate good music despite its slow seep into contemporary pop-culture.
And while Crema is, in fact, a hipster’s paradise, the crowd is not just for gauged-ear-goddesses. There was a good mix of cool kids, regular adults and older women teaching each other how to use their iPhones.
And perhaps the most refreshing part about Crema is the oddly warm and friendly atmosphere, something irritatingly infrequent in the coffee house world.
Beards and beautiful latte-art abound, who wouldn’t want some Crema?
