Philip Ashby
Like a good haircut, a good cup of coffee is all about attention to detail.
Sí Café, which opened around Thanksgiving, shares a space at 117 S. Pinckney St. with Ritual Barbers, a hip gentleman’s groomery. The pairing may seem unlikely, but the businesses share a similar philosophy: precision and quality with a personal touch.
The cafe menu is minimalist: espresso and pour-overs. Yes Coffee Roasters provides the beans as well as the baristas, who work Tuesday through Saturday, 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
At the moment, Sí Café brews Colombia Huila Oporapa, which is sourced from several small farms in the same micro-region. The versatile roast is used throughout the menu, but it’s exceptional as an espresso: thick and heavy with bright acidity and sharp, pleasing citrus notes.
Yes co-owner Daniel Finkelstein pulled four shots before getting one that met his standards — the ideal grind texture, exact weight, precise ratio of dissolved solids. The whole process must be timed exactly and can even be influenced by the weather.
And while some cafes run like assembly lines, the pace here is slower, and patrons are encouraged to linger and chat — whether they’re in the barber’s chair or at the coffee bar.
