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| - It's a slow, cool morning on the front patio of Bicycle Nomad Café. Sluggish Sunday travelers drive, or bike, or walk past - sometimes holding hands. An airplane passes, far overhead. A lone bird entertains itself, chatters sporadically.
Inside, The Velo staff holds playful conversation while Erick quietly mans his post behind the Bicycle Nomad bar. When you enter, you are likely to be greeted by them all. Walking up to the small coffee bar, Erick is cheerful and attentive.
(Bicycle Nomad Café shares space with The Velo, a relatively new bike shop with an outstanding selection, especially considering the size of their space.)
THE MENU.
The menu is impressive for such a small shop, featuring everything from locally-roasted coffee to loose leaf tea to fresh smoothies to kombucha! The coffee is sourced from Press Coffee Roasters, one of my very favorite roasters in the Valley.
Your coffee options are pleasantly vast, too, considering the size of this bar. You can even order a pour-over here, if you wish (a personal indicator of a shop's quality), or grab a bottle of Press's invigorating cold brew to go.
Erick is also in the process of implementing a food menu, with made-from-scratch sandwiches / paninis. Like everything else on his menu, these options will feature all-natural, fresh ingredients (and I expect they'll be delicious, too!).
THE COCOSPRESSO
A HUGE shout-out to the Cocospresso, a mouthwatering option combining the natural electrolytes and hydration benefits of pure Thai coconut water with two shots of espresso! I promise: you have never had anything like this.
Erick personally prepares each of these delectable drinks by hand, first hacking open the coconut itself (no small feat!), then pulling your two shots of espresso, then polishing it all off with a hand-stamped Bicycle Nomad logo! Truly amazing.
THE KOMBUCHA.
The kombucha is Wild Tonic, fresh out of Sedona. It is made using green tea and honey as a base (differing from typical kombucha, which uses black tea), with all natural and all organic ingredients, creatively and tantalizingly paired.
Two types of kombucha are served off tap: the alarmingly refreshing staple, Rosemary Lemon, and a rotating option to its left (today it featured Raspberry Goji Rose, and you could taste every subtlety of each individual ingredient).
Unlike any kombucha I've yet tasted, Wild Tonic lacks the characteristic vinegary tartness of its black tea variants, likely owing to its unique and careful blend of the less astringent green tea and sweet organic honey.
It's delightfully flavorful with the slightest hint of fizz. The Rosemary Lemon, in particular, is THE perfect summer drink. If you're uncertain about whether or not you'll like it, Erick will be happy to offer you samples off tap.
NOTE: To the best of my knowledge, Bicycle Nomad Café is the only local spot serving kombucha in this way and you have your pick of ordering it by the 12oz. pour, by the 16oz. bottle, or by the 32oz. growler! So cool.
INTERIOR & SEATING.
The interior walls are tastefully decorated with the simulating art of a local painter. Most of the art is for sale and the artist's business cards are readily available, too. Even the hallway leading to the bathroom is rich with local art!
Speaking of the bathrooms, The Velo and Bicycle Nomad Café share TWO full-sized bathrooms, fully-stocked with soap, shampoo, towels, lotion, first-aid kits, even Listerine! They're super clean, too. So impressive! (So appreciated!)
Indoor seating is limited, but the front patio is well-shaded by the building façade and, from the sounds of it, will soon feature other shade fixtures as well. Seating out here is plentiful, set in a circle, implying a gentle sense of community.
CONCLUSION
Bicycle Nomad Café is quite unlike any other coffee spot I've yet visited. It has it all - and then some! An intentional focus on local sources, a healthy and diverse menu selection, a unique sense of place, outstanding service - you simply can't go wrong.
Put it on your list to: 1) try the Cocospresso, 2) try the kombucha, 3) try a fresh smoothie, 4) try the food off Erick's new food menu, and 5) come back for more (with friends)!
And don't forget to peruse the shirt selection, too. Bicycle Nomad shirts are super-comfy tri-blends with really great graphics. I own two of them myself, and proudly wear them all the time.
EASILY one of the most interesting coffee spots in the Valley, if you've never been to Bicycle Nomad, you need to make a point of coming by for a visit. I can't recommend it highly enough. Maybe I'll even see you there. ;)
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