Tucked near Zippy’s on Perkins Road, an organic sanctuary has opened its doors to the caffeine-addicted masses. Magpie Cafe, which opened on May 21, isn’t a coffee shop, according to James Jacobs, co-owner of Magpie Cafe, it is an espresso bar with roots in the traditional Italian espresso and the third-wave coffee movement, a movement to produce artisan coffee. While that description may seem a little heavy for the average person, fear not. Magpie Cafe doesn’t cater to the obscure. The espresso bar serves basic teas and coffees. The food at Magpie Cafe is all organic, local and seasonal, and the menu changes every day based on what owners James and Lina Jacobs can get from the market. On the way to Magpie Cafe, I wasn’t sure what I would find. Was it an espresso bar or a cafe? I realized on the way out that it was a mixture of both. The espresso bar is adjacent to the front counter, and customers can order coffee with their sandwich. The menu at Magpie Cafe is all organic and depends on what local products are in season. Owners James and Lina offer a different homemade soup, salad and panini every day. They also have organic pastries and other organic goodies. While the menu may seem limited, the three main lunch items offer a variety. I ordered a turkey, bacon, cheddar panini on nine grain bread and an iced coffee. Coffee and a sandwich don’t usually go together, but it’s an espresso bar and cafe. I had to try both. The coffee costs $3, and the sandwich was about $9. The sandwich was a little pricey in relation to the amount of food and taste. Before it was grilled, the sandwich seemed a lot larger. The sandwich also tasted plain, except for a faint Dijon mustard kick. If I could go back, I would spend my $9 on something more adventurous. Jacobs’ spiel about the quality of Magpie’s coffee isn’t just talk, it’s legitimate. I don’t consider myself a coffee connoisseur, but I’ve had enough to appreciate a good cup. My iced coffee was flavorful without being too harsh. Magpie Cafe has the atmosphere of a coffee shop (or espresso bar) without the clutter and traffic. The cafe seems open and fresh; there are no messy magazine racks or spinning kiosks, just a counter, shelves and tables. The cafe is also very eclectic with paintings by local artists on the wall and vases with fresh sunflowers. I could see myself studying for a test or reading at one of the many mismatched tables. The service at Magpie was attentive but casual. There is no pressure to order quickly, and customers can usually loiter for as long as they like. Jacobs said he takes care to ensure every person gets the best cup of coffee. “The service may not be fast,” he said, “but our goal is the best cup of coffee in this region.” My overall experience at Magpie Cafe was good. I enjoyed the atmosphere and coffee, but the turkey, bacon, cheddar panini wasn’t quite a bang for my buck. I prefer to think of Magpie as an espresso bar, but other customers may see it as a cafe. It is all about what you take away from it.
Grade: B
 
____ Contact Marylee Williams at [email protected]