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| Leyla Dam, owner of CAFE LORCA, Stamford CT |
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Leyla Dam at Cafe Lorca Making Coffee
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After many, sips of great coffee and bites of delicious food at Cafe Lorca, I invited owner Leyla Dam to Cablevision Studios to talk about how she built this cool Cafe and achieved her success as a small business. When her original career as an architect was derailed by a sudden unemployment, she took advantage of the opportunity to re-imagine her future. Having grown up in Spain and loving coffee and cortados and churros a new dream of owning a shop started to brew. She traveled to Sevilla to learn the art of making churros at a small local
shop and in 2011, she began working at an artisan coffee bar in Darien,
Connecticut and gained experience in the business and art of making a Cafe work. In the winter of 2012, Lorca
opened to deliver both coffee and a unique experience in heart of Stamford, Connecticut. She named the shop after the famous Spanish poet, Garcia Lorca.
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| Poet, Garcia Lorca |
The interview is broadcast on Tuesdays at 9pm and Thursday at 5:30pm from May 26
through June 4th at the above days and times.
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| Churros and dipping chocolate sauce |
During our delightful conversation Leyla talked about the importance of the quality of coffee and the importance of the way you brew it. She buys ARABICA coffee brands from all over the world including exotic Ethiopia one of her favorites. Leyla performed a demonstration, on the secret to making a single cup of great coffee at home. More than a coffee house, Cafe Lorca provides a varied menu, with breakfast, pastries, creative sandwichs, soups and other savory dishes in a sophisticated ambiance that blends well with
the scrumptuous food and drink.
What increases the special vibe of this Cafe are the events and clubs that Leyla created.
Her clubs include a book club and knitting club and once a mouth she has a cupping event.
Monthly Coffee Cupping
Meets every first Monday 2-2:30pm. Free to attend and open to all.
People are welcome to come taste the current offerings of single-origin coffees at Lorca.
All levels of coffee enthusiast are encouraged to take part, learn more
about coffee, or just to enjoy.
I have always been curious about the skill needed for Latte Art.I asked Leyla about how difficult was it to create the swirling designs instantaneously as the latte is poured into the cup. The heart, leaf and other delicate shapes appear out of nowhere when the steamed milk settles into the cup. Leyla explained that this art takes a bit of time to master.
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On The Menu
Leyla, influenced by her Spanish roots serves churros, pastries that are
freshly made with fried dough sprinkled with sugar served with a dippy
sauce. A Lorca favorite.
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| Alfajores |
Another
favorite, introduced by Leyla's mom is the cookie Alfajores, butter
cookies with dulce de lede, coconut and powdered sugar.
In addition to cookies and pastries, the menu includes various soups, quiches and sandwiches for breakfast lunch or anytime. Leyla's creativity keeps her changing the menu to keep things fresh while always serving the standard favorites that customers look for.
Another element that contributes to the Cafe's cool vibe is Leyla's choice of staff. She hires
young and interesting Barrista's who work at the Cafe while pursing other career goals.
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| Leyla Dam and her Barista staff |
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| Leyla Dam in her Cafe |
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| Detail of the colorful mural wall that brings sunny sense of fun to the space |
Cafe Lorca's architectural design adds to the attractiveness of the shop. A wonderful mural decorates a brick wall, created by her brother, while stylish stools and pastry case add to the unique interior design. . A charcoal colored wall is designated as the Art Wall that hangs local artists work and is curated by one of the baristas.
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Local Art featured regularly on the Cafe's Art Wall
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THE SHOP
