March 25th, 2010
Notting Hill Coffee Roastery and Lewes Bake Shoppe, Review, A Coffee & Bake Shoppe, Lewes at the Delaware Beaches
Once again, I will have to repeat that some say passion is your key to success and others say that if you love what you do then you will never work a day in your life.
It was late in the afternoon, and you know how pretty it was. I felt like I wanted a cup of coffee. Since I was near Lewes I ventured into Notting Hill, which is a coffee roastery. But it is more than a coffee shoppe, read on…
Nobody was in the shoppe when I came in and it was around 4:15 p.m. They were closing at 5 p.m.
In a few of my past posts I have mentioned the winning dispositions of some business owners. You know from the moment they look at you that they are friendly; a smile says it all. And, that is just what happened when I met Amy Felker who is the owner and roaster of Notting Hill. I only met her briefly but that is all it took.
She has been known to say “Most people don’t like what they do, but I love what I do”. That is her passion!
Notting Hill is located in the center of Lewes, Delaware, right on 124 Second Street. Tel. toll free 888-99-Latte or 302-645-0733. Website is www.nottinghillcoffee.com. E-mail address is amy@nottinghillcoffee.com.
Notting Hill started with a partnership but since 2003 she has been the sole owner and roaster.
She roasts herself every single bean. You know, coffee roasting is a chemical process by which flavor components are either created, balanced, or altered in a way that augments the flavor, acidity, aftertaste and body of the coffee.
A lot of Amy’s flavors and all of her blends are owned by her; they are unique and you will not find them anywhere else.
So, after Amy roasts her beans then they are bagged. All bags are stamped by her and her staff. Notting Hill distributes wholesale, as well. Amy can make thousands of different beverages at the shop and more than 135 different types of coffee are on the shelf. She really runs the day to day operation of the shoppe.
Depending on the year, she can sell 25,000-40,000 lbs. of coffee.
Coffee has been enjoyed for hundreds of years. Business and coffee go hand in hand. It is a favorite around the world and has been for a long time regardless of how or where it is served.
That tiny bean is responsible for the employment of thousands of people.
Notting Hill is a very warm and cozy coffee shop. But there are so many other delectables sold here. You should know that just like the coffees, all baked goods and soups and sandwiches are baked or cooked in the shoppe.
The shoppe opens at 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. During the summer season there will be extended hours.
Some customers come for specific baked goods like the Blueberry Puffing Muffin, which is like a blueberry muffin inside a pastry. Just check the picture yourself.
Another favorite is the Ooey Gooey which is a long twisted cinnamon pastry with cinnamon and sugar. I did not see one, but I can see it being similar to a Spanish churro, if you have ever had one, except this one is twisted.
You can find cookies, muffins, scones; everything that goes well with coffee. But, coffee is not the only beverage served here; there are smoothies and blended iced teas, as well.
There is a great assortment for the tea drinker. Loose teas to be bought to take home or just to be enjoyed sitting in one of the tables inside the shoppe, while you read one of the newspapers available for the customers.
On the Board you will find an Espresso Menu, as well as a Menu consisting of the daily offerings. Another small board will announce the Organic Java of the Day. And a third board will be a Cocoa Menu with all kinds of cocoa drinks, even sugar free ones.
The whole time I was there, Linda, who also works at Notting Hill was busy getting ready to close for the day, but customers started to come in and she graciously took care of them.
As I was sitting sipping my coffe I started to remember the Puerto Rican coffee that was always so well known, and all the coffee plantations around the island, now Paradores or Inns. Some of the coffees from Puerto Rico are Cafe Yaucono, Cafe Crema, Cafe Rico, Cafe Pilon, Yauco Selecto and Cafe Alto Grande. Puerto Rican coffee is rich and full-bodied.
A few things worth mentioning are: Some of the coffees available at Notting Hill are bird friendly, Smithsonian certified and Rainforest Alliance certified.
You should really visit the website above mentioned. You can place orders, check what they have besides coffee and most of all get a sense of what Amy is all about.
If you are visiting our Delaware Beaches check this shoppe out. Their new omelette in a muffin will be making its debut soon.
As Notting Hill gets into the month of April they are so excited since April 30th will be their 20th anniversary. Congratulations!!
That’s all for tonight…See you and talk to you later….
Tags: Bake Shop, Bake Shoppe, Blended Iced Teas, breakfast and lunch, Carryout, coffee house, Coffee Shoppe, Delaware Beaches, Lewes, Loose teas, Restaurant, review, Smoothies
I wish that you had called me for a cup of coffee could of walked down and met you. The coffee is great just like the aroma that fills the town when they roast!
It was an unexpected stop. I should have called you. Just came back from the Milton Theater. What a treat! That blog will be on Sunday. Thanks for the comments on the blog.
What a wonderful site to stumble on!!! Thank you so very much for the kind words and great pictures! xxoo – amy
Hi Amy: I thought you had seen it. I believe I sent you an e-mail when I put the post up. I usually do that but if I did not, I apologize. I have gone to Notting Hill plenty of times and will go again. That’s the good thing about writing a blog, you get to visit again and again and write about your experience. Thanks.
Beautiful pictures, a real treat
Illy Coffee Maker…
Notting Hill Coffee Roastery and Lewes Bake Shoppe, Review, A Coffee & Bake Shoppe, Lewes at the Delaware Beaches – About My Beaches…
I could not agree more that it is a lovely coffee shop, and has delicious products. However, I have been verbally abused by staff every time I have visited! This shop is lucky they are the only game in town, besides WaWa, or they would never get a cent of my money!
Wow I don’t know what to say, except to say that I will visit them again. Thanks for your comments and so sorry for your experience.
I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest but your blogs really nice, keep it up!
I’ll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back in the future. Cheers