Stephanie Hofmann
Salted Root, 11 N. Allen St., sits unobtrusively off Regent Street near West High School at the former home of the Froth House.
Owners Emily and Justin Beck opened Salted Root last December. The name indicates how they hope the shop will become rooted in the community, as well as bring some new flavor to the neighborhood.
Salted Root is warm and inviting. The soft red, yellow and green hues inside are calming, but the space is still vibrant with bright, mismatched upholstery on stools lined up along two bars. Local artists’ paintings, photography and other artwork are displayed; adult coloring books and Mason jars filled with colored pencils are stocked on shelves, begging for customer use. Salted Root offers breakfast sandwiches and pastries from area producers like Gotham Bagels and Batch Bakehouse.
And, of course, don’t forget about the coffee. Salted Root uses beans from Madison roaster Just Coffee, so its classic latte tastes fresh. A good latte has a prominent espresso flavor discernable through all the creamy steamed milk, and Salted Root’s fits the bill. Dairy-based drinks not your thing? There are plenty of other options — from Americanos to tea to hot cider — as well as three drip coffee varieties in airpots near the counter. The coffee shop’s proximity to West draws teenagers doing homework, but it’s a good hangout for anyone.