Finally, almost a year after I spotted their banner at the old Disco Display House on Central, Little Bear Coffee is open for business!
It’s been a long wait, leavened for a while by the double-decker Bristol Donut bus – I was so sad when they moved the bus to a different location. But now I can once again have their addictively delicious bomboloni. Bristol’s version boasts a delicious new filling flavor each month; this month’s flavor is egg nog cream. Very rich!
The coffee shop is airy and brightly lit, perfect for waking up in the morning with a beautiful latte. I worry that the high-ceilinged space may be loud when full of people, but today it was very quiet – word may not be out yet that they are open. [Update: Stopped in again on a Sunday afternoon, and word is definitely out! It was packed, and not as loud as I feared.]
There’s lots of seating – I counted more than 40 seats in the main room, mostly at 4- to 6-person tables. (The 4-person tables have four outlets each – bring your laptop!) There’s also a counter facing windows with a beautiful view of the Sandia mountains. A small side room has more seating, with a couple of couches and some high tables.
The coffee drinks are as delicious as at the original store; my Little Bear latte was smooth and rich and free of bitterness. I though it could have used a little more of the special pine-infused syrup, but I do like my drinks sweet.
Little Bear isn’t the only new business open in the old Disco; they’ve created a little retail center. I didn’t get to shop at any of the stores – we were there too early in the morning – but I look forward to checking out NEO Thread and Organ Mountain Outfitters.
It’s been a long wait, and I think it’s been worth it! I can’t wait to visit again, and I hope the place is full of happy coffee drinkers when I do.
Talk to me!