Meet our Baristas

Q: What’s your favorite thing about being behind the coffee bar?
A: Steaming milk and chatting with our regulars! I adore those 30-second conversations we have between the coffee mugs and the tulips at the end of the bar.

Q: How did you learn your craft?
A: Every barista at Tatte Belmont has helped me in some way to learn my craft, from steaming milk to whisking matcha. I would not be here without them!

Q: Tell us about your favorite regular. First name(s) only!
A: Kevan (cappuccino), Matt (mocha), Crystal (cappuccino), Greg (small latte), Connie (London Fog with oat) and Ginny and Joe. They are real life superheroes and they are the reason I love my job!

Q: Do you have thoughts on decaf?
A: Decaf is coffee and it’s delicious! I wish more people knew about our decaf espresso and how good it is. I drink it every day. Everyone should try it!

Q: What’s your go-to coffee drink?
A: It’s always a cortado.

Q: Do you think there’s an especially perfect pairing at Tatte: coffee drink + an item from our bakery?
A: I love a cappuccino with a pistachio croissant.

Q: Tell us about your favorite regular.
A: My favorite regular is Janet! I’ve seen her for the last 3 years and when she walks in I’ve already got her non-fat hot chocolate in the works. She is incredibly kind and takes the time to get to know us all!

Q: What’s your go-to coffee drink?
A: Usually a double shot! When I’m feeling a sweet tooth, it’s the House Latte, iced of course. It just tastes so “Tatte.”

Q: Tell us about your favorite regular.
A: Marco! He loves to introduce me to every single friend he brings to Tatte, and always unabashedly embarrasses me by telling them I’ve got “the best latte art” he’s ever seen! He usually demands a seahorse, unicorn/pegasus, or bunny.

Q: When you travel or visit friends or family out of town, what’s your coffee strategy? (For instance, do you bring your own set-up? Stake out coffee shops?)
A: I scope out any coffe shops, especially roasters or unique local brands, on all of my trips, domestic and international! My guilty pleasure, after spoiling myself trying new crazy drink creations at these places, is bringing my own pour over set-up as well.

Q: Do you have thoughts on decaf?
A: Breaking stigmas and setting new expectations for guests is one of the many fun privileges of working in coffee. I love that our decaf shows our commitment to those who cannot drink regular caf typically or even for folks who simply want or prefer it. I enjoy the flavor profile so much because it never tastes like we are skimping on quality just because it’s “decaf”!

Q: What’s your go-to coffee drink?
A: I’m a cortado drinker through and through. I think it’s the perfect balance of espresso with just a touch of sweetness from the milk. There’s nothing like a warm cortado on a slow, cold morning!

Q: Do you think there’s an especially perfect pairing at Tatte: coffee drink + an item from our bakery?
A: I know I’m definitely biased, but nothing beats a warmed-up pain au chocolat with a delicious cortado. A touch of sweetness with the warm coffee is the perfect start to a morning.

Q: How much would you have to be given to even consider giving up coffee? Like, is there a dollar amount?
A: Give up coffee forever? A million dollars. Or buy me a house. Or pay off my college debt! Then maybe we’ll talk about my coffee consumption. It’d have to be pretty drastic.

Q: How do you describe our No. 4 Espresso Blend to guests?
A: Our No. 4 blend was hand picked by our coffee team to be a perfect, classic balance of bright citrus notes with a warm, dark-chocolatey bitter-sweetness. I always tell people that our espresso will ruin other coffees for them because no other coffee shop can compare.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about being behind the coffee bar?
A: I love working with my hands. I get to balance an intense work day with a warm and delicate craft. I know my hard days have been improved by a wonderful visit to a local coffee shop, so it makes me happy knowing I could have provided that for someone else. Being a barista is hard work, especially in a high-volume cafe, but providing that experience for a guest and getting to represent the coffee farmers’ and roasters’ product is such an unmatched honor.

Q: What’s your go-to coffee drink?
A: A cortado with 1 Sugar in the Raw

Q: Do you think there’s an especially perfect pairing at Tatte: coffee drink + an item from our bakery?
A: I think enjoying our drip coffee, black, with a chocolate rose is the best way one could start their morning.

Q: What makes you feel most proud about your work and our coffee program?
A: I am proud of the time and thought put into our trade. It may be as small as providing the perfect cup of coffee but it can really make someone’s day! At Tatte, it is something the company really strives for.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about being behind the coffee bar?
A: My favorite part of working behind the bar is the creativity that goes into it. During the slower point of the days, we try different coffee sodas, mixing our syrups, finding atypical ingredients around the cafe to see if it would taste good with coffee!

Q: Tell us about your favorite regular.
A: I have two, Rachid and Jess. Rachid is a professor nearby our cafe and always stops in for a cappuccino throughout the day. He’s been coming to our cafe since before I started working here, which was 3 years ago. He shows us pictures of his cats and is a true pleasure to be around. Jess was new to the area about a year ago and started coming to our shop to meet people. She’s a very outgoing person and will talk to anyone! She first complimented my tattoos which we bonded over as she drank her hot almond milk matcha. Since then, she’s made an effort to know all of the baristas along with the other staff! A true gem.

Q: Got any insider tips about our exclusive Tatte Coffee blends?
A: The No. 1 Drip Blend is smooth and sweet. It’s best enjoyed in a pour over, the brewing method that really brings out the sweetness of the blueberry jam notes. If you prefer citrus flavor, try out T4 Espresso Blend.

Q: What’s your go-to coffee drink?
A: I’m a Plain Jane. My go-to is a small iced oat vanilla latte with two and a half pumps and extra ice. Can never go wrong!

Q: What makes you feel most proud about your work and our coffee program?
A: I love when people come up to me at the bar and tell me how delicious their latte was. It just verifies that I’m good at what I do and all the work I put into being to growing as a barista paid off. Especially since everything we do is in house from the syrups down to crafting our own coffee beans it makes it feel good that people appreciate the direction we’re taking Tatte.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about being behind the coffee bar?
A: Being able to add to someone’s experience at Tatte. Whether they’re meeting with family, studying in the cafe, or just stopping by for their “usual,” knowing my latte made their time at Tatte a little better makes the job fulfilling. Knowing the passion and pride I put into being at the bar has paid off and my customers left with a smile on their face and anticipation for their next visit.

Q: When you travel or visit friends or family out of town, what’s your coffee strategy? (For instance, do you bring your own set-up? Stake out coffee shops?)
A: I always try to find a coffee shop out of town just to compare and see if anyone can match how good our coffee is. I’m still on the hunt. Tatte is hard to beat.

Q: How much would you have to be given to even consider giving up coffee? Like, is there a dollar amount?
A: I’d give it up for free but if you’re offering I guess we can settle for 10K.

Q: What’s your go-to coffee drink?
A: Cortado. Keep it classy.

Q: Do you think there’s an especially perfect pairing at Tatte: coffee drink + an item from our bakery?
A: Dip your cheese bourekas into any hot espresso beverage. Trust me.

Q: At Tatte, coffee is art. What does that mean to you?
A: Coffee is a form of expression. I love seeing the joy on people’s faces when their drinks hit the table and their faces lights up. Coffee means inspiring others through your art and self-expression.

Q: What makes you feel most proud about your work and our coffee program?
A: Being a part of a community of like-minded coffee enthusiasts who constantly push themselves further with knowledge and craftsmanship has inspired me to grow my own craft.

Q: How much would you have to be given to even consider giving up coffee? Like, is there a dollar amount?
A: Hahaaaaa. You’re hilarious.

Q: What’s your go-to coffee drink?
A: Sparkling iced americano

Q: Do you think there’s an especially perfect pairing at Tatte: coffee drink + an item from our bakery?
A: Our drip coffee goes great with a cherry almond scone.

Q: How would you describe our T1 Drip Blend?
A: Rich and decadent without being too robust! Nice toasty chocolate and toffee, and as it cools you can taste more of the fruity notes.

Q: Do you ever drink your mistakes (i.e. you accidentally used a milk in a latte that wasn’t the one the guest requested)?
A: Nope! That sounds like a recipe to get overcaffeinated!