Collective Espresso Opens Second Location in Cincinnati

Collective EspressoFor two years now Collective Espresso has been raising the bar in Cincinnati for specialty coffee. Given the popularity of their Over-the-Rhine café, perhaps it shouldn’t come as a surprise owners Dustin Miller and Dave Hart wanted to take their multi-roaster model to more parts of the city. The newly opened Collective Espresso Northside is the first of a couple of planned 2015 expansions. 

Collective Espresso The street side entrance to Collective Northside takes you through an ominous alley which turns into an unexpected garden. The café resides inside a greenhouse-like space with large glass windows and ceiling. The resulting natural light creates a space that feels simultaneously warm and elegant. It’s the sort of coffee shop I could spend hours nursing a cup in the corner with a good book, or knock back a quick shot at the bar while chatting with the baristas. It’s the quintessential neighborhood shop, where the barista knows your name and your order.

DSC_0915

The space is subtlety different from Collective’s original OTR location. The La Marzocco Strada was exchanged for an American-made Synesso Hydra. Chemexes and Hario V60s are still the brew method of choice in OTR, but Northside is riding the Kalita Wave. Both shops feature a minimalist menu, grass-grazed milk, and high standards for beverage preparation.

DSC_0900

Collective works with a rotating cast of nationally known roasters, but regional favorites Deeper Roots and Quills Coffee remain a constant on the menu. I drink quite a bit of Quills at my other job, so I ordered a shot of La Palma, Colombia from Deeper Roots. The beautifully presented espresso featured a bright acidity, rich sweetness, and creamy body. An excellent shot that reflects a bright future for coffee in the Queen City.

DSC_0903Collective Northside is the sort of shop every city would be lucky to have: a quiet neighborhood getaway, one step removed from the bustle of the city. From the maple countertops to carefully crafted beverages, we wouldn’t change a thing.

2 thoughts on “Collective Espresso Opens Second Location in Cincinnati

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.