The Black Cow Coffee Company
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Select The Black Cow on Google Maps NOT Black Cow Coffee. They are at the same address, but the latter fails to have you turn right onto Hospital Access Rd. Probably a good time to mention: this cafe is inside of Phelps Hospital. First of all, kudos to whoever worked out having a local coffee purveyor steer the cafe activity on the premises rather than turning to the Pete’s, Starbucks, and Dunkins of the world. Second, to get to this unexpected taste of the homegrown past the sliding glass turnstile, you need to get a visitors pass from Chaira at the front desk. Well, Chaira was who took my ID and printed my key to coffee acquisition. I’m forever in her debt. And, it is at this point that—before you turn down the Main Hospital corridor—the cafe counter appears against a backdrop of dusty plum before you. You might expect donuts and muffins vacuum-sealed in Saran Wrap, but I bet you didn’t see the Penny jars of assorted rugelach and pre-packaged baked goods by New York bakers The Hungry Gnome, baked by Susan, and Thistle Baking Company coming. Why not just have Nutri-Grain and KIND bars? Lays on the chips display? Absolutely not. Try Chuno-Artisanal Plantain chips and Bobo’s. Even if the product pride wasn’t so abundantly apparent, the barista was cool as a cucumber. With “A Blues Serenade” by Frank Chacksfied and His Orchestra blessing my ears during my extended moment in the space, delineated only by a glass pane of frosty leaves, I overheard one order that caulked the remainder of my thoughts:
“Cappuccino.”
“What size?”
“Cappuccino.”
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Drink: Coffee
It was a little too hot, but I can more than forgive it. It had some kind of body and flavor for which I was more than grateful. A Papa New Guinea coffee, it read medium body, and that’s what I’d immediately registered. This coffee is one of the truest to the description I’ve ever experienced: “These beans have medium to full body with slightly high yet balanced acidity. Making for a delicious, slightly sweet cup.” I completely concur.
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Food: The Hungry Gnome Loaf Slice
Unmarked good from The Hungry Gnome - she told me that it was banana bread with Nutella and that it was pretty popular. For me, it was kind of lackluster. It was odd to me that the heavy chocolate parts weren’t fully chocolate (probably because I grew up with a mother who put mini chocolate chips in her banana bread). There are some parts with sugar grittiness, but I don’t mind that. While not something I would probably purchase again, this loaf slice saved my hide during my work shift. However, I’d recommend springing for the rugelach if you’re up for it.
Price: Small Coffee=$2.31; Nutella Banana (The Hungry Gnome)=$4.70
Hours*: Monday–Friday {7–17}; Saturday {8–14}; Sunday {CLOSED}
*On their website: Monday–Friday {7–19}; Saturday {7–15}; Sunday {CLOSED}