Aidann Gia, Pace University
When my friends and family are unable to find me in my apartment or on-campus, there is a common third place I will tend to frequent in between my LinkedIn meetings or club events: coffee shops. There is nothing more necessary for a college student than an open, safe space to study and send emails with easy access to caffeine. Though, this can be pricier when students need to cafe crawl. I recently ventured to Red Beard Coffee with my friend Paolo for an affordable brunch and experience. We were pleasantly surprised with our time there.
Friends and families took up the seats within the cafe, rambling about inane drama from their high school days or the latest gossip about their sister’s brother in law. It was a social cafe, where individuals joined a collective conversation while consuming Turkish delights and assorted pastries.

Paolo and I started with drinks: an oat milk mocha and a Pineapple Paradise juice for him, then an iced oat milk hazelnut latte and a Green Antioxidant Fusion juice for me. The freshly blended beverages were made in-house and bottled for customers when they needed a refreshing sip. My latte was far from bitter, and semi-sweet, perfected by its nutty undertones and espresso kick. The mocha was foamy, with simple latte art and subtle notes of chocolate. The contrast of the juices were evident, as the natural-tasting flavors of kale, spinach, celery, and lemon seeped through. The pineapple, cucumber, apple blend was light in sweetness and washed down the heavy flavors of our meal.
Cihan Cakmak, the kind bearded man from behind the counter, offered us Turkish delights and Turkish coffee. Him and his colleague were both from the beautiful country of unique pottery and inexplicable landscapes. He served the dessert and steaming espresso on petite ceramic platters. The bitterness of the Turkish coffee was something we eventually came to like, though it may be an acquired taste. We broke up our sips with bites of the delight for a pinch of sweetness. Paolo finished his quickly, clearly in favor of the sugary treat.

We shared an avocado toast, adorned with sprinkled pomegranate seeds and topped with fresh greens and halved cherry tomatoes. I appreciated the avocado’s mashed and spread form, rather than left in sliced chunks that would make it a rather difficult experience for the consumer. Our main courses for the early afternoon were served on pastel-pink dishes: a stunning lox and cream cheese bagel and a prosciutto-arugula sandwich. The crunchiness of the bread with fresh mozzarella, cornichons, olive oil, and delicately sweet balsamic glaze harmonized in a singular bite. It was an utterly delicious prosciutto sandwich. Paolo claimed his lox resembled sushi-grade salmon, with the dill pairing nicely. The onions and capers emphasized the other tangy and citrusy flavors. Underneath, a bed of plain cream cheese served as a smooth base to balance the eccentric tastes within the doughy, chewy bagel.

With the buttons on my jeans barely hanging on, we ordered several desserts. Placed on speckled platters were a slice of torta caprese bianca cake, a pecan bar, and a classic layered brookie. The lemon-flavored bianca cake, a gluten free menu item, was tart and dense. The pecan bar oozed with caramel and broke easily, necessary when sharing with friends. The brookie was more of a tougher brownie with a thin layer of cookie dough resting on top. None of the desserts were sickly sweet and quite enjoyable with our coffees.
For students looking for a chatty, lively atmosphere with affordable brunch options and a wide selection of beverages to quench their thirst, Red Beard Coffee is a smart choice. Partnered with Campus Clipper, the establishment is offering 20% off to students who show their valid ID and the coupon below.
