DINING OUT
Just Brew It Local coffee shops go far beyond a simple cuppa joe PHOTOS/KAYLA GLEASON
All over St. Pete, coffee and pastry shops work hard to cater to their neighborhoods and specific clientele. Some roast their own unique blends, others buy from and support local roasters. Some offer foods for those with dietary restrictions, others experiment with alcohol to make caffeinated cocktails. But wherever their specialty lies, these are some of the best spots in town to grab a quick pick-me-up or take a seat and hang out for a while. A vegan galaxy bar and cappuccino at Craft Kafé BY KAYLA GLEASON Valhalla Bakery at Baum Ave. Market 1113 Central Ave. Opened last November, Valhalla Bakery brings a variety of vegan treats to the hopping EDGE District, hoping to break the stigma around the diet. “I think it’s a great fit for us and we want to be a fun place for the community to just come hang out,” said owner Celine Duvoisin. Some of their most popular bakery items include the fresh biscuit sandwiches and Nanaimo bars – a pastry popular in the Pacific Northwest and Canada consisting of a graham cracker-coconut crust and
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vegan dark chocolate. The bakery is hoping to grow into wholesale and begin taking more custom cake orders. “We’re going to see what the community wants from us and do that,” Duvoisin said. www.valhallabakery.com. Intermezzo Coffee and Cocktails 1111 Central Ave. Right next door to Valhalla Bakery, Intermezzo Coffee and Cocktails, owned by Jarrett Sabatini, has been serving up specialty brews and mixed drinks since 2016. To make their roasts, the shop
works with both Kuma Coffee in Seattle and local brand Made. Espresso drinks, like cappuccinos, are always popular with customers, according to assistant general manager Katie Callihan. Cold brew and iced coffee, especially as temperatures rise, are also common orders. Other popular drinks include the alcohol-infused Caffe Mezzo and Espresso Martini. “The idea is to provide an intermission in the busy day, to encourage people to take five minutes to enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and recharge,” said Sabatini. “I wanted to design a place I would want to hang out, somewhere with a lounge sort
