CAFFEINE FIEND
Panorama reviews five St. Louis coffee shops LUCY LOCHMOELLER a&e editor
illustration by | NICOLE GORRELL & GRACE HU photos by | GINGER SCHULTE
C. Oliver Coffee + Flower Bar is the sort of place that brings immediate joy to anyone who walks in. Located in Maplewood, this cafe is surrounded by many other popular and unique restaurants. Despite having to battle these competitors, C. Oliver is able to hold its own and catch the eye of any passing person. Through its enormous windows, a gorgeous red and pink flower wall dominates the room. The cafe itself is simple with mostly white furnishing, however, the stunning flower wall and other floral accents bring in warmth and energy. The service is amazing; the latte is brought out in two minutes, but the speed of service doesn’t compromise the quality of the perfect coffee. The espresso flavor radiates richness and a deep bitterness. The foam and milk don’t take away from and dilute this flavor — they only add to the quality of the latte. C. Oliver Coffee knows its way around the coffee bean and the garden.
C. OLIVER COFFEE + FLOWER BAR
THE CLOVER AND THE BEE
The Clover and the Bee is possibly one of the most delightful cafes in St. Louis. Located in the heart of Webster, the vibrant and clean design of this cafe fits right into its charming environment. The cafe has bar seating for people to sit and watch the baristas, as well as an abundance of booths and tables. The walls are painted with colorful designs that feature a lot of gold accents. The workers are kind and offer overall good service, making sure everyone inside follows COVID-19 safety rules. As for the coffee, it is amazing. Their latte is the perfect ratio of espresso to milk and has beautiful, deep flavor. The espresso is perfectly pulled, and the steamed milk has the right amount of foam with no large bubbles. The menu has many fun and unique food options, making it similar to a restaurant. However, the cafe still pulls off a cozy coffee shop atmosphere. The Clover and the Bee is everything a coffee shop should be.
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SPREAD DESIGN BY LUCY LOCHMOELLER
