FAIRFAX COFFEE HOUSE
23 Fairfax Street
Berkeley Springs, WV  25411

Phone: 258-8019
www.mtn-laurel.com/fairfax.htm
 

OWNER: Chuck Wheeler

ESTABLISHED: 1999

HOURS: Daily 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday and Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Carry Out available.  Call ahead

MENU: Gourmet Coffees, Gourmet Teas, Natural Brew Sodas, Panini, Sandwiches, Salads, Soups

PRICE RANGE: Moderate

More than just mocha blends

Fairfax Coffee House has tasty treats to go along with that cup of joe.

BERKELEY SPRINGS -
Tucked away in a row of quaint shops on Fairfax Street in Berkeley Springs is the Fairfax Coffee House.  Facing the town square of Berkeley Springs State Park, this little restaurant looks unassuming.  It is rather small.  Inside are booths lining two walls, with a narrow aisle between.
     However, upon further observation, one might notice its rich, dark hues of color on the walls, or its ornate gold ceiling befitting a palace of an Arabian knight.  One might also notice the heavenly aroma of freshly roasted coffee.
     After all, this coffee house could be found on metropolitan streets given the choices on its menu.  The coffee bar opened in 1999 with the intention of offering high quality fresh roasted coffee from top worldwide growing regions.
     The Secret Gourmet decided to stop in for a sandwich and brew.  Two blends signature to Fairfax Coffee House are the Fairfax Dark and Berkeley Blend.  Also found is a Swiss water decaffeinated coffee.
     The perfect espresso is the goal - smooth, heavy-bodied and bittersweet, according to owner Chuck Wheeler.  That espresso is the base for a wide range of specialty drinks like lattes, cappuccinos and mochas.
     The Gourmet soon found out that just about any flavor imaginable is available, from vanilla or Irish cream to the unusual maple, strawberry, macadamia, cinnamon or even blueberry.  Or why not try butterscotch?
     The Gourmet perused the sandwich and soup menu, which includes quiche of the day, salads, croissants and Maryland crab.  Homemade tuna and chicken salad available daily.  For those vegetarians out there, a Mediterranean humus tortilla wrap may suit the bill.  Multi-grain bread is available.
     A specialty of the house is grilled and pressed Italian Panini on ciabatta bread. It comes in several varieties such as roasted veggie, turkey reuben, ham and swiss or tomato basil mozzarella.
    Deciding to go all out Italian, the latter
was ordered.  While waiting a short 10

 minutes or so for the panini and strawberry cappuccino, the Gourmet enjoyed the ultimate setting for quiet conversation.  Or one might browse the gift shop next door with a connecting doorway.  Yet another good choice of passing the time is looking over the baked goods arranged in the display case.  Tempting treats include large cookies, scones, muffins and cinnamon rolls.
     When the food came, it was in a large sandwich portion, with the chosen red skin potato salad.  Sides include potato chips, fruit, or salads like potato or cole slaw.
     The grilled Italian bread was somewhat like a cross between a pita bread and Italian roll.  The Gourmet found the new item to the taste buds very satisfying.  It was the perfect complement to the melted tomato and mozzarella, which combined to make a fresh Italian garden taste.  The cheese was gooey and full bodied, fused with the juice of the warm tomato.  To give it a more decidedly Italian flavor, the basil was loaded on top, covered by the other half of panini.
     A strawberry cappuccino seemed unusual and a little on the wild side for the Gourmet, who is usually a plain coffee person.  However, the fresh fruity taste was a nice addition to the full-bodied bean.
     For dessert, the Gourmet could only find room for a taste of something sweeter, so a large chocolate chip cookie was chosen.
     For those non-coffee drinkers, don't shy away from Fairfax Coffee House.  Although its name states a large portion of the menu is coffee, other gourmet teas and juices are available.  Perhaps Earl Grey, lavender or Southern mint is more to the liking.
     Other drink offerings include hot chocolate, chai tea lattes and coffee and tea-based frozen granites.
     The Fairfax Coffee House also offers gifts like funky T-shirts, Berkeley Springs postcards, coffee mugs with attitude and West Virginia food products.

Weekender -
Thursday, September 15, 2005