Buffalo Rising Online

Jun 1st 2007, 9:30am By Adam Fix

Madame Mocha’s Espresso Pub & Tea Room recently opened for business, and has immediately distinguished itself by bringing a unique mixture of drinks, light fare, music, and magic to Lovejoy Street.

The décor mixes the casual atmosphere of a café with some nice accents that play along with the mystical feel of the shop- crystal balls, drums, mirrors, and tarot cards (they even offer readings, if you’re brave enough!). The fresh flowers which line the walls and tables demonstrate the owner’s eye for detail.

The drink selection is varied and interesting, ranging from standard coffee shop offerings to smoothies and (coming soon) wine and wine slushies. All teas and coffees are certified fair trade and organic.

Currently, Madame Mocha’s offers a house blend as well as single-origin coffees from East Timor, Ethiopia and Sumatra, imported by Café Campesino (http://www.cafecampesino.com). The prices are reasonable- between $1.25 and $1.75 a cup, depending on size. I tried the house blend with cream, and was pleased with its richness and flavor.

A variety of soups, salads, panini and wraps are also offered. The Gadjo Panini (roasted turkey breast, romaine lettuce, seasoned roma tomato, havarti cheese and mayonnaise) was served grilled on thick, seasoned focaccia bread. The melted havarti served as a great complement to the turkey. The seasoning on the tomatoes, while subtle, added a layer of complexity to the overall taste of the sandwich.

The panini and wraps come with a side (choices include Italian-style potato salad, macaroni salad, warm seasoned potatoes, fried cardoon patties, and a garden mix salad). The Italian-style potato salad is a mayonnaise-free family recipe with prominent spices. It was flavorful and worked well with the panini. The meal, priced at $6.95, was big enough that I had to take half of it with me. There is a lower priced menu for kids, and a 10% discount for seniors. Monica and Paul, the proprietors of Madame Mocha’s, have been developing their business plan for the last four years, and are thrilled to have finally opened. As Lovejoy area residents, these self-professed “coffee shop addicts” wanted to bring something new to the street they love. Their excitement is palpable- and well-founded, because the quality of food and drink offered at the establishment should ensure its success.

Their passion for positive change is evident not only when talking about the business and the area, but also when speaking about their choice to serve only fair trade-certified drinks. Certainly, this is a business with a conscience that stretches beyond the local level, and that can never be a bad thing.

In addition to the food, drinks, and tarot card readings, Madame Mocha’s offers live acoustic music every Thursday evening from 7 PM-9 PM and Saturday evening from 8 PM-11 PM.

Madame Mocha's, 1190 Lovejoy, 14206, 894.8544, call for hours

Photo by Adam Fix