Cheap Eats: Tempting teas and treats at Claro Coffee Bar

11/30/2017

Brewing fresh tea at Claro Coffee Bar.

THE BLADE/MARY BILYEU
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In a bright, modern space in the colorful, charismatic Uptown neighborhood, you’ll find lots of inexpensive treats at Claro Coffee Bar. It’s our Cheap Eats feature today, in the latest installment of our search for food and drinks under $5.

Coffee drinks range from $2.45 to $3.50, and the offerings include espressos, cappuccinos, lattes, and even the hip, trendy, cool Nitro Coffee. This substantial menu is just what you’d expect for a self-proclaimed coffee bar, but Claro offers so much more within our $5 per person budget.

Unique offerings, such as tea lattes for $3.75 and tea frappés for $4.75 are available. But the simple elegance of a freshly brewed cup of tea for $2.50 to $3 is hard to resist. 

Coffee, tea, and other treats await at Claro Coffee Bar.

The barista presents a carafe of hot water to your table accompanied by two glasses, one of which contains fragrant tea leaves. Pour water over the leaves and let it steep a bit, then transfer the strainer and tea to the other glass to steep when ready, rather than letting your tea continue to get stronger and more bitter as it sits waiting for you.

To go with our green tea and really lovely lemon ginger tea, we ordered a toasted bagel with cream cheese for $2. Cookies also cost $2, while scones — that oh, so traditional tea time treat — are offered for $3.

Shortbread cookies also cost $3, and come in Earl Grey, honey pollen, sea salt lavender, and bourbon vanilla varieties.

For a refreshing and relaxing break from the hustle and bustle of the day, Claro Coffee Bar is inviting both for its atmosphere and for the array of frugal food finds to enjoy while there.

Claro Coffee Bar, 1801 Adams St., 419-241-4799, clarocoffeebar.com.

Contact Mary Bilyeu at mbilyeu@theblade.com, and follow her at facebook.com/thebladefoodpage.