‘Couture’ is used here in conjunction with Crema much as it is used by clothing designer Juicy Couture-though you’re technically just ordering off the rack(menu), you still feel like you’re getting something special. Visually, the atmosphere of this coffee house is charming with its broad patio in front offering shady tables for outdoor enjoyment of refreshments while inside designer teas are sold alongside premium coffee beans. The staff on the other hand appears harried and brooding when confronted with even light traffic, but the service tends to be speedy and they just manage to main a professional demeanor during interactions despite the miasma of haughty coffee culture stagnating near the counter and asserting that you are not worthy to partake of such luxury (but to be fair, maybe they could still smell the Starbucks on me). Upon sampling the wares however, that palpable smugness is arguably justified. The Mocha Borgia is rich and silky with hints of orange and, surprisingly, of ash. The Raspberry White Mocha is beautifully prepared such that coffee is still the prevailing flavor-like dropping a raspberry truffle into a latte to give it flavor and having the resulting concoction not be disappointing. Similarly, the pastries are otherworldly; chocolate croissants with hints of citrus and light buttery texture that aren’t overly flaky. The almond amaretto torte is magnificently constructed such that it delicately dances between being light and rich. More substantial menu items are available if you take your coffee with sandwiches and so forth. While you’d probably get friendlier service checking in late at a cheap hotel, the food and drink here is definitely five stars. If you can’t blend in with the coffee snobs, weather permitting, the San Jose Municipal Rose Garden is located conveniently nearby and is the perfect place to enjoy your beverages sans judgement.
Crema Coffee Roasting Company
950 The Alameda Hours: Mon-Thu 7am-10:30pm;
San Jose, CA 95126-3134 Fri-Sun 7am-9pm
(408) 295-5690
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