Customers Find A Full Cup Of Flavor And Service At demitasse

The name “demitasse” means “half cup” in French, but customers of the 3 Glen Road coffee shop are finding a full cup of flavor with coffee that regular customer Jack Ryan calls “Outstanding. That’s what brought me in to demitasse, and that’s what keeps me coming back. The product is far superior to other area coffee shops,” said Mr Ryan.

Home and business are the first two comfort zones where people gather and share ideas said Michael Landry, a 17-year veteran of the wholesale coffee business, who owns demitasse with partner Jerid O’Connell. The businessmen hope that demitasse — the name is purposely never capitalized, emphasizes Mr Landry — will become that “third place” for customers seeking a sophisticated and welcoming atmosphere in which to hang out and connect with friends and neighbors.

While the café offers much more than just a cup of Joe, the signature of demitasse is the coffee roasted by Willoughby’s. The coffee beans roasted by the pioneering Willoughby’s company all come from small farms.

“That’s what makes them unique, with a special flavor profile. You get a better product. You can taste the sweetness,” said Mr Landry.

Every day, in addition to the private house blend designed by Mr Landry and Willoughby’s owners, demitasse offers a special coffee of the day, plus a decaf. Espresso, cappuccino, and lattes, made with a grind from smoother tasting, light roasted South and Central American beans, and flavored drinks are also on the menu, as are several selections of teas. Pots of coffee are tossed and rebrewed every 45 minutes for the freshest flavor. The coffee bar is purposely “overstaffed” said Mr O’Connell, to avoid long waits in line. Coffee can be customized at the streamlined coffee station opposite the pickup counter, where all of the coffee condiments can be found, along with a small cooler stocked with flavored waters and specialty sodas for the noncoffee drinkers.

Working out of a kitchen expanded from the space’s previous incarnation, the selection of muffins such as the banana bran, cookies, bars, and oversized cupcakes made on premises by Mr Landry’s wife, Jennifer, are all available for takeout — not to mention an ultra-thin crust breakfast pizza topped with bacon, cheese, and a fried egg; bagels from Bruegger’s Bakery in Shelton; and baked-on-site scones from The Pantry, the award-winning bakery in Fairfield.

But the cozy faux suede banquette seating that lines one wall of the small dining area beckons many to put down their orders on the marble-topped tables (handcrafted by Mr O’Connell) and stay put. Two tastefully upholstered chairs also invite lingering over coffee and conversation. On walls painted chic colors of — what else? — coffee and cream, prints by graphic artist Milton Glaser add a colorful note. Other diners can choose window seating or make themselves comfortable at one of the tables on the deck, with scenic views of the Pootatuck River.

The shop is not just for a quick coffee stop or breakfast, though. Mr O’Connell, a photographer and digital photography retouch specialist who works weekdays in Manhattan, has been a huge fan of the Hale and Hearty Soup shops in Manhattan for years. The eatery is proud to carry the all-natural line of Hale and Hearty soups, which in the two months the café has been open, have proved a phenomenal success at lunchtime. Among the popular soups are sweet corn chowder; Senegalese chicken, a spicy tomato and peanut soup; carrot ginger; and broccoli mashed potato.

“A lot of the soups are gluten-free or vegan,” added Mr Landry.

Sandwich lovers will be head over heels for the Caprese sandwich, layers of vine-ripened tomatoes and Italian mozzarella, or the Italian, a selection of Italian salamis with roasted red bell peppers, both on ciabatta bread from Chabaso Bakery in New Haven. The demitasse tuna comes on rye bread, served with balsamic marinated tomatoes and lettuce. Chicken Waldorf salad sandwich, a chunky, flavorful blend of chicken breast, grapes, walnuts, and apples in a mayonnaise-based dressing is served on a buttery croissant. The Ovens of France, out of Mr Landry’s hometown of Woodbury, provides a ham and cheese croissant, so well received that the owners find it hard to keep in stock. A daily $6 special, consisting of a cup of soup and half a sandwich, has made the lunch crowd happy, said the owners.

The daily quiche is a product of the demitasse kitchen, and while a different variety is featured regularly, the fresh ingredients are always ensconced in an egg and cream base, with a savory tart crust holding it all together.

Finish off lunch, dinner, or a brunch with Italian cannolis selected and delivered by Mr O’Connell from Ferrara’s in Little Italy, or try one of ten flavors of gelati, a rich, Italian “ice cream,” made by Gelato Giuliana’s in New Haven, and served out of a specially calibrated cooler that maintains the perfect serving temperature that makes this frozen dessert stand out from others. Standard flavors like vanilla and hazelnut sell well, said the owners, but seasonal flavors like the fresh pumpkin and the dark chocolate “are insane!” Weight watchers are grateful for the satisfying 40-calorie, nondairy sorbet, also made by Giuliana’s.

Customers can always satisfy a sweet tooth with one of demitasse’s made-on-premises desserts like key lime pie or chocolate mousse, and pumpkin pies and apple tarts can be ordered for the holidays.

“The whole idea is to offer our customers stuff that we love, and that we hope they will love, too,” said Mr O’Connell. “We try to do as much on premises as we can ourselves, one of us is always here, and so far, we have gotten a positive response. Our customers are very loyal and appreciative.”

Catering services for office parties, breakfast meetings, or luncheons, for up to 25 people is also offered by demitasse. Every order can be customized to suit the client’s needs. Call 203-304-9600 for catering information, or for takeout.

Located at 3 Glen Road in Sandy Hook Center, demitasse is open from 6 am to 8 pm, Monday through Thursday; from 6 am to 10 pm, Friday; from 7 am to 10 pm, Saturday; and on Sunday, from 8 am to 2 pm. Call 203-304-9600 for daily specials or to place a takeout order, or for information on recurring art and media performances that take place at demitasse throughout the year.