By Hope Dobkowski, Photography by Grace Chuy
The fall weather has begun as the mornings transition from warm to cool, with a crisp breeze filling the air. Walking around town, I’ve noticed leaves starting to fall and pedestrians bundled up in cozy sweaters. So, what better way to get into the seasonal spirit than a get-together with friends at a community coffee shop? In our local seaside town, there are countless cafes to choose from, but who doesn’t love something new? A branch of Pressed Cafe has now opened in Beverly at the Cummings Center. This cafe chain has locations all across the North Shore, even reaching some parts of New Hampshire. Curious to check it out, I gathered a group of friends and decided to visit one September weekend.
We arrived at 10 o’clock, and as I walked in, I immediately noticed the warm lighting and well-decorated space. My friends and I found a table to fit six and ordered our food. There were two places to order: the digital menu board and the in-person counter. Since it was closest, I used the digital option and ordered an Iced Cider Donut Latte. About five minutes later, I received my drink from a waitress. It was stunningly pretty and tasted even better than it looked. The latte was a perfect balance of coffee and sweet cold foam. The donut that came on the side was very rich and only slightly dry. It was the perfect comforting seasonal breakfast to start the day.
Throughout our meal, I interviewed my friends to get their opinions. Grace Chuy (photographer for this piece) ordered an acai bowl and a strawberry lemonade. When asked how she liked her food, she said, “It’s actually so good. To be honest, I want another one. I can see why this is one of their most popular items on the menu.” I then went on to interview three of my other friends about their experiences with the food and drinks they ordered and their overall impressions of Pressed Cafe. Julia Ouellette got a bacon, egg and cheese breakfast sandwich on a bagel with avocado and expressed how it had become her go-to order. She then went on to say, “I also got the House Chai Latte, which I really liked.” When discussing the overall space, Julia noted, “I think that everyone should come here. It’s especially a good place to study after school … it’s a great spot to focus or to socialize with your friends.” Everyone in my group made a point to say how good the service was. Everything took approximately five to 10 minutes at most to arrive, and the wait staff was very friendly and helpful. I talked to the host at the front of the cafe and asked him what the most popular dishes were. He replied with the Shakshuka, Hummus Bowl, Acai Bowl and one of his favorites, the Chicken Caesar Wrap.
After visiting Pressed Cafe, I would definitely recommend it to others. Not only was the food amazing, but the experience was just as satisfying. It is an ideal spot to meet up with a friend, spend time working on assignments or have a nice meal with family. Their menu has a wide selection and is very diverse, serving multiple styles of food. It is also a lively space with many customers and a welcoming atmosphere provided by the staff. So, as the leaves start to fall, make your way to a coffee shop, maybe try something new and check out an unfamiliar cafe.
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