A New and Exciting Coffee Experience

It takes a village to raise a coffee lover. My own village included my Swedish grandmother, who poured her coffee into a saucer and drank from it. Visiting my aunt in her cabin along one of the great lakes, where she boiled the coffee on a wood stove. Coffee always had a chat attached around the metal red table. Of course, my friends, who love to meet and visit in new and familiar cafés.

Enter Today

There’s a new coffee shop (house) in town! Moka & Co. in Okemos, Michigan opened three days ago – such excitement as it’s fairly close to where my car wants to travel.

Packing up our computers, my husband and I went to check out Moka & Co.

First Impressions

·   Seating. A plentiful selection of chairs with padded seats situated around tables. Cafés with comfortable seating was all that was needed to make my day more enjoyable.

·      Drinks. Excellent selection. My husband had a traditional Saffron Adeni, which is tea with cream cloves and cardamom, and was delicious. I chose the brewed coffee – deep coffee bean aroma, was rich and smooth.

·      Pastries. A display case filled with delicacies, many new to us. We decided on a chocolate volcano "croissant" Danish, which radiated delicious chocolate with a crispy, delicate shell; and a pistachio basbousa, which was similar in shape to a cheese cake but definitely an entity of its own. The taste of the pistachio was evident and the crust soft yet substantial, melt-in-your mouth tasty.

·      Staff. As this café only opened three days ago, I expected some confusion with ordering with the new employees, which was true, but they were all very delightful, accommodating and friendly. They made our visit more an excursion to a friend’s shop than being a stranger in a foreign land.

·      Owner. Smiling greeting, helpful, and when I asked about the origins of Moka & Co. he explained that this was a Middle East, Yemen to be exact, based café with the coffee originating from the Yemeni mountains, which is picked by hand by the farmers. He also shared that they will be bringing in bagels soon for more savory options.

·      Music. The mood created by the music at Moka & Co. is relaxing yet upbeat. It’s not loud, which allows for easy chatting with others.

·      Decorations. I don’t know much about design but looking around the café brings me a sense of peace and comfort. The ceilings are almost industrial, the lights adequate, with beautiful graphic artwork on one wall. The colors are muted yet interesting.

    The main prerequisites to me for a café I would visit regularly - is a spacious table to set down my computer, music that sends me into a pleasant frame of mind for writing. Moka & Co fulfills my "strict" requirements. The smells and music alone are worthy of a sit-down visit. I will return.