I always like to bring a good friend along when I try a new coffee spot. Today, I brought James. Some might say Mr. Taylor has a gift for putting Carolina on my mind. 😉
I’m in a strip mall off of main street Falls Church and it’s a quiet Sunday — Rare Bird Coffee Roasters is drawing its usual [more local] crowd.
Not the typical DC area coffee shop – you don’t need to stalk tables aggressively, or passively slide into an open seat while elbowing a stranger. There’s plenty of space/outlets for the mac users (tables for 4), a bar area with a nice view of roasting equipment, and there’s even a family-style table in the back with stools for ~8.
If you’re hungry, they’ve got you covered with a few quiche varieties and some classics: almond/chocolate croissants, scones, etc. Not much here, folks – still on that gluten-free kick and today is not a cheat day.
But let’s talk coffee. I couldn’t resist their seasonal pick – a vanilla, cardamom latte (with my preference for almond milk). Guys, it’s good. The cardamom really makes the fruity undertones pop. And the almond milk is frothed very well – not an easy feat! The flavor is full from first to last sip. If you’re getting anxious for spring, this drink will give you all the feels. Other seasonal pick is the raspberry mocha – and therein lies my excuse for coming back. 🙂
Unless you’re after a featured drink [above], the menu is simple. Nothing crazy and very minimal flavor options. They focus on their beans – processed organically to allow more of the natural aromas to surface.
Modern, textured art lines the walls. It kind of has an industrial, vintage vibe. Oh, and burlap – the back wall definitely has its fair share.
Flannel shirts, comfy sweaters, oversized glasses, and smiles are your window into their style and service. They focus on each drink so you may want to allot ~10 mins for your pick to be prepared.
Only negative (for me) is the unexpected scent of licorice that hits you when you walk in. After about an hour, it’s still recognizable but not too distracting.
Some essentials…I’m talking about a bathroom so clean that I’m motivated to go clean my own. And A+ for accessibility. There’s a good amount of parking in the back lot and if the metro’s more your speed (sorry, man) then it’s a mile walk from the East Falls Church Station (~21 mins).
That’s the Rare Bird – I recommend it for those small town days when you really just need a slower pace and a quiet place to work. If you can bring James along, do it. He’s the perfect companion.
nolkins 