Hillcrest just got a lot moodier. Manor Coffee Bar quietly opened its doors this week, swapping the neighborhood’s usual bright, minimalist cafe vibe for a Victorian Gothic den of caffeine. The compact counter and cozy seating nook are dressed in gilt frames, crimson walls, velvet and velour, plus a few chimera sculptures for good measure, all wrapped around a tight menu of espresso, layered specialty drinks and pastries.
As reported by What Now, the shop is the brainchild of owner Kaitlyn Green and her husband, Aric Archinal, who brought years of barista and cafe management experience into the project. The pair drew inspiration from Japanese coffee culture and teamed up with roasters including Torque Coffee, Slow Burn and Brooklyn-based Obscure Coffee Roasters. Aric told the outlet they were aiming for “a place that felt more welcoming to us” as they eased into their first days of service.
What To Order
According to Manor Coffee Bar’s website, the star of the menu is the Black Marble, a layered drink built from black sesame, activated charcoal and a black cocoa cold foam. It shares space with classics like cortados and flat whites, along with rotating drip options sourced from the cafe’s partner roasters. The site also lists the cafe’s address and phone number for anyone looking to call ahead for pickup or general questions.
Local Partnerships And Pastries
What Now notes that Manor is teaming up with downtown bakery Knead for its pastry lineup, giving the dark-toned drinks something flaky and fresh on the side. Knead’s online menu and local coverage highlight its focus on artisan breads and rotating pastries, which syncs neatly with Manor’s experimental, small-batch approach…