Quirky, Quenching, Quantites....Quintessential.
Black Bear is one of those places that anchors a Main Street or even an entire downtown. They've been doing just that on Hendersonville's Main Street for fifteen years now. Locals have come to depend on them and visitors are happily surprised to discover them.
Quirky:
This applies to the owner as well as the staff at Black Bear and is meant in the very best way.
Having trouble making a decision between scone or muffin - the Glorious Morning muffin to be exact, I asked the "girl" (I can call her that because I'm one) behind the counter what ingredients were in the muffin. Overhearing this, the owner - without one word - went into the "back" and came out with a slice of Glorious Morning, heated and plated saying, "here's a piece of the one I'm taking home with me." Then he walked away. This made me happy and appreciative of this guy who can, at times, be very quirky.
During another visit, one of the girls was stressing out loud about a script she had to memorize for that night's acting class at Flat Rock Playhouse. She may have glanced at the script once, but that was it and she was asking if anyone knew if there was a "Dummies Guide" for the play she could read on-line during her break. Drama, drama, drama. I felt for her, but recognizing what teen daughter goes through with these scripts, this actress was pretty funny pacing around ruminating about it.
Quenching:
You know how some coffee shops have a great selection of hot drinks, but are a bit lacking in the cold drink category? Black Bear has a nice selection of iced/blended drinks and smoothies as well as just about any hot drink you can imagine. On a hot day recently, my sister raved about their Iced Lemonade Slushie.
Quantites:
Not only quantity, but variety in quantity! Black Bear sells bulk coffee beans (they'll grind them for you, if you like), Torani flavored syrups ($3.48 for 12oz bottle), Hedley's and Yugi Teas, a wide variety of pastries (some made in-house, some not), breakfast quiches and lunch paninis and sandwiches.
Most recently for lunch at Black Bear, I had an Egg Salad on Croissant ($3.95). They toast the croissant, which gives it some added body for holding the egg salad. It was okay, as far as egg salad goes, but the egg whites had a texture that was a bit rubbery. Six grapes came with the sandwich. Nice, but a few more would have made a better impression.
Still a bit hungry, I had a Dried Cherry Scone ($1.75). This is one of my Black Bear favorites. The "Dried" part of the Dried Cherry name is a bit misleading. These cherries are moist and chewy.
If you order your pastry "for here", it will be warmed up. Scones are sliced in half and toasted - Yum! The butter is not rock-hard-just-try-and-spread-me butter, either.
Sometimes I wait for PIC at Black Bear while he takes piano lessons downtown on Monday mornings. After that sample I told you about, I was convinced to order a Glorious Morning muffin ($2.95). Mmmmmmm. (I cut this in half for the photo)
This muffin was gloriously full of walnuts, carrots and ginger, among other things. Keeping the muffin company was a 16oz latte ($3.45).
In your honor, Katie, I popped in one morning last week and got a 12oz Mocha ($3.25). Katie and her husband are Hendersonville Mocha experts, comparing Mochas from one coffee shop to another. I'm happy to report, Black Bear's version was exceptionally tasty!
Quintessential:
Black Bear Coffee Co is an example of a quintessential coffee shop.
There's lots of seating in different areas offering different "feels". I wanted to show you the two sofa areas (four sofas), but my photos made Black Bear's interior look like a furniture store.
There can be a line, especially at times you'd expect one, but the wait isn't usually very long because the staff does a good job keeping things moving. Be sure to ask for the key before heading out of the coffee shop, if you want to use the rest room at the back of the "mall". Wi-Fi is offered with a $5 purchase.
Black Bear Coffee Company
318 N Main St
Hendersonville, NC 28792
828) 692-6333
6 comments:
Great review! I almost feel like a celebrity now... I need a Black Bear fix after reading that one. It's such a nice, cozy place to relax and drink a nice hot drink, especially in colder weather. I do wish the bathroom issue could be remedied, but it won't keep me away. Nice pictures, by the way!
Thanks for making Katie and I famous - We do love Black Bear's coffee! If they had a drive through, I would be impoverished!
No problem Katie and Dr. David. Maybe someday we'll run into each other at Black Bear. Not too hard, though, or I might need to see you professionally, David!
Agree with Katie on the bathroom situation! And that HUGE plastic grate for a key chain is just icky (yes, I know they are trying to keep people from stealing it).
But,that said, we love Black Bear. It's warm and friendly with a good assortment of food, drinks, and snacks.
The young red head guy behind the counter is very personable and an excellent barista! I have been there twice and tried the espresso drinks (different flavors each time) and not only did I enjoy them, but looking forward to trying a new one next time!
I met my boyfriend in that coffee shop when he worked there 7 or 8 years ago... Then I stole him away and we moved to Portland, Oregon. He was such a fixture at Black Bear that he was actually recognized once here by a former BB customer. Must've been those long red dreads! ;)
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