Tag: coffee

Posted in News and Features

Get Caffeinated at Riverbend Coffee in St. Clair

Posted on by Amanda

Whether you live in or nearby St. Clair, or you’re just passing through, and you find, as I often do, that you’re jonesing for some caffeine, stop into Riverbend Coffee, located on Main Street. Although I’m partial to coffee, which is offered in traditional drip, as a latte hot or iced and cold brew at the shop, they also serve lotus drinks in a number of flavors and teas for those non-coffee drinkers.

I typically stick to ordering an iced latte (salted caramel + white chocolate), but when I like to switch up my flavors because of the season (white chocolate + peppermint in winter, obvi) or I’m just feeling adventurous, the shop has a great selection of syrups to choose from. And, if I want to watch my sugar intake, I can still have my little treat, because there’s also a number of sugar-free flavors available.

I’m a sucker for an iced latte, and I love that Riverbend has a lot of flavors to choose from. Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz

Many of the food selections rotate, since most items are made fresh in house. The options range from pastries and smaller bites, like sweet or savory scones, yummy cakes like gooey butter or carrot cake, and the unique gravy-stuffed biscuits, which are not available all the time, but are delicious and served warm, filled with a rich, creamy sausage gravy. There’s also breakfast sandwiches, and lunch offerings like sandwiches, salads, and soups.

There’s plenty of seating inside and strong wifi if you want to get some work done after you enjoy your beverage or food. The seating is a mix of tables and soft seating. And, if you choose to take your item to go, take note of the interior decor while you wait for your order. The decor centers around nature and life near the water, with landscape photography throughout the space of the Meramec River.

The Socialite recommends Riverbend Coffee!

The details:
35 North Main Street, St. Clair
Find on Facebook
Follow on Instagram
Visit the website

Posted in News and Features

Find Coffee, Treats, and More at Strike Axe Coffee & Tasting Room in Rosebud

Posted on by Amanda

A couple of weeks ago my husband and I spent a Saturday exploring the cute town of Rosebud. The goal for the trip was to try a new coffee shop I’d seen on Facebook, do some antiquing, and grab a bite to eat.

Over the next few weeks I’ll be sharing more details about all the spots we visited on that Saturday, but the focus of this post will be on my experience at the town’s coffee shop. A few months back, I’d heard some buzz online about Strike Axe Coffee & Tasting Room coming to Rosebud and since my love of coffee knows no bounds, I am always down to drive great distances to try out a new place.

In terms of ambiance, I love that Strike Axe is in a historical building that once housed the town’s bank.

The outside of Strike Axe Coffee & Tasting Room. Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz

The inside is quite cozy and features exposed brick on some of the walls, vintage furniture like a mustard hued couch, cozy chairs, a bank of old post office boxes, and a few tables. There’s also a vault inside, a carryover from the days when the building was a bank, that has been repurposed into a small room that houses apparel.

The inside of the coffee shop features vintage furniture, exposed brick, and a number of tables. Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz

We ordered iced lattes, size large, because go big or go home. And we split a cinnamon roll. There were other pastry selections, but if I’m going to indulge in something sweet for breakfast I love a cinnamon roll, and the one we had at Strike Axe was delightfully soft, with creamy icing, and it was served slightly warm.

In addition to the coffee and pastries, the establishment also has a refrigerated section where they sell take and bake meals like lasagna and meatloaf. And since the owners raise their own beef, the shop also carries a variety of cuts of locally raised beef, featuring everything from ground beef to steaks, roasts, and brisket. I wanted to purchase some meat, but I didn’t have a cooler and I knew it would be hours before I got home to my fridge.

It was really busy when we arrived, which is expected for mid-morning on a Saturday, so I didn’t get a chance to chat with the owner about the concept as well as their meat selections. Hopefully I can arrange some time to chat with them on my next visit, as well as purchase some meat to take home.

The Socialite recommends Strike Axe Coffee & Tasting Room!

The details:
215 Highway 50 , Rosebud
Find Strike Axe on Facebook

Posted in News and Features

Find Something Tasty to Sip On at Country Grounds Coffee Shop in Marthasville

Posted on by Amanda

If you’ve followed my dining reviews for any amount of time, then you already know how much I love coffee! While I have my tried and true favorite establishments to order from, I am also always down to broaden my horizons. When I found out there was a new coffee shop with cute, country vibes in Marthasville, I knew I had to try it out.

An iced cinnamon roll latte and guitar mounted to the wall. Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz

Located on Depot Street, just steps from the Katy Trail’s Marthasville Trailhead, Country Grounds Coffee Shop serves coffee, tea, refreshers, soft drinks, and house-made baked goods. The coffee shop opened in March, but its food menu is expanding and will also include breakfast sandwiches and lunch selections in the near future.

Focusing on a cozy and welcoming farmhouse theme, the interior is white with touches of rustic elements throughout, like the cowhide throw pillows, wood tables and chairs, and, a few nods to Dolly Parton as well as a mounted guitar on the wall, adds another element to the “country” in the establishment’s name.

Now is a good time to tell you that in just a few days time, I made two trips to Country Grounds 😀

On my first visit I ordered from the specialty drink menu and chose an iced cinnamon roll latte, which combines salted caramel and cinnamon flavored syrups. The taste is sweet, slightly rich and creamy, and is very reminiscent of the flavor of the decadent pastry its named after.

A strawberry coconut refresher made with water and yet another iced cinnamon roll latte. Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz

I made my second visit when I was having one of those days. You know the kind? Those days when there’s just one debacle after another, and yeah, I needed a comforting drink on that day, so, I went back and ordered another yummy iced cinnamon roll latte. On the second trip, my husband was with me. He opted not to drink caffeine on that visit, so he ordered a strawberry coconut refresher made with water instead of a caffeinated base. The deep pink drink was as delightful and thirst-quenching as it was lovely to look at.

With its proximity to the trail, drinks, and the pastries that I really want to try soon, I can’t wait to make more trips to the coffee shop this spring and summer.

The Socialite recommends Country Grounds Coffee Shop!

The details:
201 Depot St., Marthasville
Follow Country Grounds Coffee Shop on Facebook

Posted in News and Features

Work, Dine, Or Just Hang Out at BB Coffee Lab in St. Clair

Posted on by Amanda

As a writer, I’m always looking for places to work. I typically do my writing from home, but from time to time, getting out and working somewhere else can really help get the creativity flowing. Although I love my public libraries, as a coffeeholic, when I find a place with good wifi, spacious tables with lots of electrical outlets, and good coffee? I’m all about it.

BB Coffee Lab in St. Clair offers a spacious interior with a blend of table styles, two-and-four top tables perfect for meeting a friend or two, or for setting up your laptop to squeeze in a little work. For groups, there’s a long table in the main dining area and a couple of nooks with couches and chairs that make for a slightly cozier experience. And, there’s also a drive-thru so guests can get their breakfast and drink orders quickly.

Although there’s ample space for gathering, the caffeinated beverage selections are likely the real reason many people visit a coffee shop. You’ll find a number of different ways to enjoy your java here, with offerings ranging from the classic drip style, to cold brew and hot or iced lattes.

In terms of lattes, there’s several standard syrup flavors, think caramel and vanilla, along with sugar-free options, and BB Coffee Lab typically features a weekly drink special often made with seasonal flavors. Depending on the time of year, and my mood, I usually opt for an iced caramel latte (sugar-free when I’m being good) or a drip coffee, which I find has a pleasantly robust flavor, and I add cream and stevia. Can I just add how much I LOVE that they offer stevia packets, since many places stick with those pink and blue packets that we all know aren’t the best for us.

Non-coffee drinkers rejoice! The drink menu is extensive and features hot and cold options including matcha and chai, along with smoothies and energy drinks.

On the food side, my favorite breakfast order is the Mediterranean breakfast burrito, filled with eggs, spinach, feta, red onion and a delicious aioli, that comes with a side of fruit. There’s also other breakfast options, including bagels, pastries, avocado toast, a loaded breakfast burrito, and breakfast sandwiches.

Breakfast burrito, iced coffee, and jar of fruit on a metal tray
Mediterranean breakfast burrito. Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz

For lunch, there’s salads, my favorite is the chicken Caesar, there’s also sandwiches and wraps, plus a rotating soup option. I personally love the loaded baked potato soup during soup season.

The Socialite recommends BB Coffee Lab!

The details:
335 N. Commercial Ave., St. Clair
Find BB Coffee Lab on Facebook
Follow BB Coffee Lab on Instagram