BEAR hosted a series of soft launches this week, pushing its stellar wait-staff to the max in preparation for the big day. BEAR is due to open its doors to the wider public on Friday 1 December.
I had the pleasure of attending Monday’s soft launch. There was palpable excitement in the air at the notion of a new coffee shop in Derby. I was Tigger excited (come on, it’s COFFEE), and to those of you who don’t know me, yes, I have an unhealthy fixation with this ambrosial elixir.
First and foremost, the coffee is delicious. Congratulations BEAR for making it onto my Top 5 places for coffee in Derby. I had the latte (extra hot, extra wet if you’re asking) and I loved it. I will dedicate a standalone post to BEAR coffee very soon, so do keep your eyes peeled for that.
I was in coffee heaven, firmly engrossed in drinking my coffee, making copious notes on the flavour profile. What caught my eye was this glorious beast of a coffee machine. Ladies and gents, fellow caffeine-heads, I present to you the Sanremo Café Racer. Isn’t it a beauty? Call this the Christian Dior of coffee machines (who just happens to be my favourite designer). This has to be the crème de la crème of coffee machines. Sanremo is a high-end creator of advanced espresso technology, taking inspiration from motorcycles. I couldn’t stop gawking at the machine, and when taking this close-up shot, I had to remind myself to press the button (yes this machine really is that beautiful).
And so continues my love affair with coffee. I have undertaken coffee training in the past because I love coffee, wanted to learn more about it, and although my latte art needs work (currently I have the finesse of an over-active two year old finger-painting art), they say practice makes perfect. I hear BEAR coffee will be giving lessons (where do I sign up?), and I cannot wait to know more about BEAR coffee, its origins and what makes it so special.
I love how there is café paraphernalia to buy. I spy a coffee grinder on that shelf that would go very nicely with my Aeropress (it’s feeling a little lonely at the moment, so I guess I must oblige).
The place itself has a buzzy, zippy vibe. Exposed metal frames softened with hanging shrubbery and gloriously golden wood makes BEAR a warm, inviting place to be. Hattie (the lovely PR lady at BEAR) was right – BEAR isn’t just another coffee shop. It is so much more, a place to meet, eat, and be merry. Coffee’s involved, how could you not be merry?
I’d like to say thank you to Callum, Dan, Louise Cook (Cookie), Jon Killett and the wonderful team at BEAR, for the warm welcome and time you took to talk about coffee.
I will most certainly be back. In the meantime, fellow Derbians and coffee-heads – I urge you to hop skip and jump to BEAR. Their coffee is freaking amazing.