It is always a joy when a friend calls me to meet at a new cafe in my neighborhood. I usually have guarded expectations of such an event, however, guessing that many cafes with the new business model with targeted customers (often tourists) and in fear of the financial success of the Starbucks formula that flourishes Downtown, that any cafe that opens its doors is taking considerable financial risk in the espresso slinging economy. As I have noted before, that despite one of my favorite cafes being a comfortable place to sit, its coffee is only average, and another place on Haight, not yet reviewed has great coffee but is still working on that important aspect of any cafe - atmosphere.
So, a walk down Page to the western edge of Golden Gate Park on Stanyan, just off of the parking lot of the minimart version of Whole Foods on Haight, and I arrived at this spacious, cement floored gallery of a cafe. It doesn't have a sign out front, nor is one displayed in the store. For the last couple of visits My friend and I referred to it as the Stanyan Cafe.
On a sunny day, the window bar stool counters are an excellent place to take in a Sunday afternoon, but as one ventures in, another barstool table that seats four, and five tables along one wall are lit by low wattage incandescent art bulbs. Facing these seats is the actual service area, with a gleaming new chrome espresso machine, a drip coffee bar, and an impressive chemistry rig for cold pressed iced coffee. This area has an industrial vibe, with soft electronica groove music is heard in the background, exuding the industrial art gallery feel that often follows the design of a cafe that has just opened its doors. There are a few Mission District cafes that have this same look, full of the cool hipsters of that neighborhood. But for this vibe to actually work, a few more tables seem essential. Maybe a fee more tables closer to the roaster after the next wave of building up the back area is complete is in the works. There is also an upper deck near the back, that is newly built. I am curious to see if that will actually become more seating as well. This place still has a few surprises as the owners are able to secure financing for future upgrades as this business takes off.
Coffee. As the name of the displayed business license indicates, there is also a state of the art coffee roaster in the back, that is currently experiencing a makeover, in an predictable attempt to highlight the machine, a statement of authenticity, that the artisanal roaster is pumping out beans that will fill every delicious cup. And I am not disappointed by the final product here. I have had the cold pressed ice coffee as well as several macchiatos and cappucinos. Each one has been made with a dark roasted bean that yield a chocolate aftertaste regardless of the drink.
Fly Wheel also offers Mighty Leaf Tea,which has become a mainstay of loose leaf tea drinkers at several cafes around town, as well as carrying baked goods by Ultimate Cookies, which always satisfy many cafe goers across town. Fly Wheel is a cafe in the truest sense of the word. They do not serve sandwiches or bagels or small salads. They serve coffee, tea, and a few baked items to go with your drink. I highly recommend it for an airy cafe experience, maybe as a precursor to a walk in the park or on the way to the de Young, Science Academy or the Band Shell.
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