Kicked-Up Java

What is Teas and Javas all about?
It’s unlike any place in Providence. We offer a variety of items such as gelato, freshly baked pastries, sandwiches, soups, salads, alcohol-infused coffees and coffee drinks. We grind the beans for your cup of coffee only after you have placed your order. Alex and Ani’s designer and owner, Carolyn Rafaelian, envisioned this place. Each Teas and Javas will be located next to an Alex and Ani store. The Cranston Teas and Javas will be open this month.

How does Teas and Javas reflect Alex and Ani?
We offer world-class service and positive energy. Our mission here is to serve love in a cup by nourishing the body and soul with the best quality products made locally. Like the store, the coffee shop is inviting and welcoming.

How do you nourish your customers?

Our menu offers fresh and quality items; our deli meats are Boar’s Head. All of our vendors are local. The gelato is supplied by Cold Fusion out of Newport. My Sweet Indulgence supplies our cupcakes and Pawtucket-based J. Joy’s Cake Studio provides all of our cakes. This November, we’ll incorporate panini, soups and a full bar into our menu. We currently offer local beers including Sam Adams Seasonal, our alcohol-infused coffee drinks and wines by the glass. With the recent acquisition of Sakonnet Vineyards by Alex and Ani, we now offer their wines.

Which menu items jump out at you?
One of my favorite items is the Maqui Berry Parfait made with fresh local strawberries and blueberries, organic yogurt, organic granola and chia seeds, which are rich in omega-3. The parfait features the Maqui berry, a Chilean berry known to contain the highest amount of anti-aging antioxidants. Also, the Roast Beef & Focaccia sandwich is delicious. We pair freshly sliced roast beef with goat cheese, topped with arugula and layered with creamy horseradish sauce atop Onion Focaccia Bread.

What makes bartending here so unique?
The coffee drinks. No one else has thevariety of coffee drinks we offer - from frozen coffee drinks to alcohol-infused iced coffee. In addition to that, we offer your usual dark, medium, light and decaf roasts available hot or iced. Our current fall flavors include French Vanilla, Hazelnut, Caramel and Pumpkin.

What’s the challenge of creating cocktails with coffee?
Determining the perfect amount of the right ingredient. Figuring out how much of each ingredient you need to achieve the taste you are looking for. The coffee is strong; you need to know how much of each coffee to put in each drink so the coffee doesn’t overpower the alcohol.

What is “love in a cup” for you?
Café N Crème – I love caramel and it has just the right amount of sweet- ness. It’s created with freshly brewed coffee, Kahlua hazelnut and Amaretto Disaronno topped with whipped cream and sliced almonds.

What are some fun after dinner cocktails our readers should serve this Thankgiving?
For a coffee drink, recreate our Café Roma – coffee, Godiva chocolate liqueur and Frangelico topped with whipped cream and dark chocolate shavings. It’s easy and your guests will love it. If you want to wow your guests with a drink from our fall menu, make a Prosecco Float. You’ll need St. Germain liqueur, choice of fruit gelato (strawberry recommended) and prosecco. Scoop some gelato into a wine glass, add the liqueur and then slowly add prosecco. Serve with spoon.

What do you love about fall in Providence?
It’s my favorite season. I hate the heat and I hate the absolute bitter cold; I love the in between and the foliage. I love everything pumpkin from flavored coffee to beer and more.