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| - Great variation of a local coffee and tea bar that roasts their own beans. This review is mostly about the tea + pastries -- I'm growing more sensitive to coffee as I get older. Sigh. I've been coming here for a few weeks and forming my opinion.
Phoenix is located on floor 1.5/2 of the old West Side Community House, which has since moved further west. It's three blocks from W 25th, 2 from the library/Momocho/Le Petit. The building itself is great stock but has been fallow for several years. A developer recently invested in it and the WSCH is currently being transformed into rental units! So great to see these great buildings be rehabbed.
About the space... they have two patios - one out front that is on a raised platform via stair (must be from the 70s, ha) and another in the back. Great for summer and fall days. The inside is pretty clean/trendy/modern. They have a few outlets if you want to stay and bring your portable electronics.
About the tea... This is definitely different than the Phoenix I'm used to, which is the location on Coventry. That location has your $1.75-2 teas and coffees and mixed drinks. This definitely has more tailored and refined preparation techniques ("third wave coffee") with single cup pour over and brewed tea (Cleveland Tea Revival leaves.) Expect to pay $3.50-4 per cup. I went when it first opened and I got a green tea in a single small cup, but it wasn't quite brewed strongly enough (gotta have my Asian teas strong! that almost bitter taste. No sugar/honey/cream either), so the next time I went I asked for a stronger brew. The barista offered to save my leaves for a 2nd cup brew, which is definitely much better value.
Unique finds... They also have some unique teas like the hops infused iced tea. Got it once to treat myself.
As for the pastries... pretty good, all local bakeries. They also carry the local hemp coconut bars that are ubiquitous to all Phoenix locations. After many years of wondering, I finally tried it and it was pretty good.
As for the overall atmosphere, the baristas are friendly, and it's a place you can go to stay for a while.
There's something about it that makes me feel uncomfortable. Ohio City has been on the gentrification train for many decades now, and that train is not stopping. I have a few more thoughts on this but I will spare the social commentary. I have to say that as a consumer, I'm happy that Phoenix is here - totally walkable for Ohio City residents and a great option, and they do a great job at coffee/tea.
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