Espresso Elevado Brings New Coffee Concept to Plymouth

While it's easy to find a good cup of joe in downtown Plymouth, a new business on the corner of Main and Wing Streets is banking on bringing something different to the city's coffee sector.

, which is holding a special this weekend, hoping to gain customers with its unique combination of in-house roasted coffee beans and specialty brewed drinks.

"I think the key is letting people know that we roast all our own coffee on site, which is something you don't see everywhere," said owner Teresa Pilarz, referring to the fact that most coffee shops buy their beans already roasted.

Barista Richard Newnan, who just met Pilarz when she hired him last month, said he is excited about the way Espresso Elevado brews its coffee, one cup at a time with ceramic drip cones.

"I'm really picky about how I brew my coffee," Newnan said. "This is the same method I use at home and I'm really excited to see Teresa using it here in the store."

According to Pilarz, the ceramic cone method allows the coffee flavor to develop more fully and the fact that it is brewed one cup at a time ensures that the cup you drink is as fresh as possible.

Pilarz prides herself in using fair trade beans, which means they are purchased directly from coffee growers instead of through a corporation, and organic beans. In addition to brewed coffee, there are several specialty drinks on the menu, including the Caramelo, which is a latte flavored with house-made dulce de leche and the coconut lemongrass latte, which Pilarz said she created by accident.

"I was trying to do something with coconut milk and curry, but it wasn't turning out," she said. "Then I remembered I had some lemongrass I had just bought and thought the combination would be something you'd get in a Thai restaurant. It's really great and unique."

Rachel White, a manager at Comerica Bank, came to the ribbon cutting ceremony sponsored by the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce at Espresso Elevado Friday afternoon and ordered the cinnamon latte.

"It's delicious," she said. "This could become an addiction."

In addition to coffee beans and drinks, Espresso Elevado sells pastries from Plymouth's Biscotti Bar and uses milk from Guernsey Dairy in Northville.

Pilarz, a Northville resident, said she has plans in the works to sell coffee at the Plymouth and Northville farmers markets this summer.

The grand opening celebration continues through Sunday and customers can buy a bag of fresh roasted coffee beans (12-16 oz.) and get $1 off any pastry in the bakery case.

Customers this weekend will also receive a complimentary mini biscotti or cookie
with any bar beverage purchase.