My Favorite Foods: At The Coffee Boutique

Published 3:00 pm Thursday, February 1, 2024

I get very, very excited when a new eating establishment opens in my neck of the woods. I’ve always lived out in the country, and back in the day we had to drive miles to go to a grocery store or a restaurant.

My mom only went to the grocery store on Saturday, so if we ran out of needed items, we’d have to wait until the next Saturday to purchase more. I am living high on the hog now that more local businesses are coming to my area. I don’t have to wait until Saturday to shop. All I can say is “Woo Hoo.”

The newest place I’m loving is The Coffee Boutique, located off Cleveland Highway in the Varnell/Cohutta area. They opened two weeks ago, and I’ve already been twice. The location is easy to find, there’s plenty of parking, and the store is the most relaxing and inviting place that I’ve been to lately.

There’s a comfy sofa, great seating areas of tables and chairs, and a place to enjoy great food and drinks with friends or a spot to enjoy some relaxing alone time. You may also pick up your food and enjoy the treats in the comfort of your home. Hours of operation are Monday-Saturday, 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day.

The owners are a husband-and-wife duo who have lived in the community for 23 years. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting the wife, and what a jewel she is. Our community is lucky to have such a lovely, kind soul creating such a special place for people in our area. She is a coffee lover, lives in the Cohutta/Varnell area, and had to drive miles to get fresh, hot coffee she enjoyed. She had prior business experience and was looking for a new adventure when she drove by the location one day and saw it was available for rent.

The rest is history — it was close to her home, it was a perfect location, and it was just meant to be for her to begin this great coffee shop for customers. She offers great appreciation to her daughter and son-in-law for their help in getting things up and running and with daily help in the shop. (Her son-in-law was one of my former students, so I’m sure he could be called her son-in-love because he’s a super nice young man!)

The food and drinks I’ve enjoyed there are very wonderful. Any selection you make will be a good one. You will need to visit many times to sample all the delicious offerings. The owner will be glad to make suggestions or explain the menu.

On the owner’s suggestion, I had a caramel macchiato. The macchiato is one of their best sellers. (I’m a little hesitant to try new things when I know there are things I love at a coffee shop, but be like me and venture out.) The macchiato was so great. What have I been missing?

The drink is an espresso with milk, and caramel syrup is added. I enjoyed mine iced, but they do offer a hot macchiato. They also offer decaffeinated coffee, and several options of milk — fat-free, 2%, almond and more. I like having options, and so do most customers.

Other bestsellers are Cuban coffee, boas and a pina colada, a Puerto Rican fruit drink that is non-alcoholic.

Also on my visit, I had a strawberry and banana fruit smoothie, which was awesome. The drink contains all-natural fruit with no extra added sugar, and it tastes so fresh and satisfying. I will definitely be getting this again on my return visits.

On my first visit I had to try a caramel frappe. I am sort of a frappe snob, and I am picky about my choices. Their frappe was so perfect, so smooth and creamy, and the flavor was a gentle mix of all the ingredients. Nothing was overpowering. It was just a heavenly mix of the flavors in one amazing drink. You know I will be getting this again. (They offer sugar-free, fat-free and decaffeinated options.)

Let’s talk about some of the freshest and most delicious pastries I think I’ve ever eaten. The desserts are from an area bakery, and let me tell you, they taste like they just came out of the oven. My suggestion is the Danish, which is so tender, tasty and moist. It’s probably one of my favorite desserts now in our area. I brought extra home, and each time I passed by the container I had to have a bite. I think I still have one bite left. I think. The owner says that many customers select the Danish to pair with a coffee. Boy, I can understand why.

My other dessert choice was cheesecake, and you know that I just love cheesecake. This one did not disappoint. It was a creamy, sinful, delicate piece of rich goodness. They will add toppings of your choice if you wish. Go ahead and ask for their yummy toppings. They also offer muffins, croissants, cookies and more. I took my hubby home some of the most delicious-looking oatmeal cookies. He ate them quickly and said they were wonderful. My hubby knows great-tasting cookies well.

Their menu is large, and it will offer something I know everyone will enjoy. They may be adding soup soon, so check them out to see what delicious types are featured.

The owners love their community so much that they offer complimentary drinks to uniformed officers. This is their way of saying thanks for their help and service. I think that’s pretty wonderful.

As you can see, I really enjoyed my visits to The Coffee Boutique. I know I’ll be going back very soon. Coffee has changed so much since my memories of my mamma and daddy drinking black coffee at suppertime at our house.

My dad always poured his coffee from the cup in the saucer and drank it straight from the saucer, I guess to cool it off. I always thought that was pretty amazing. I read somewhere this was an Appalachian tradition. My dad’s family was from North Carolina, so I’m guessing his elders taught him this manner of drinking coffee. Very cool!

I really encourage you to make a visit to this most amazing location in our area. You will feel so much energy and calmness when you leave, not only from the food and drinks but from the fellowship with the sweet owner and her daughter. The owner has a positive way of seeing things happen. She says, “Your faith is enough to make your dreams come true.” We all need to be more like her — to have faith and to be strong in our faith. I just love our community!

(My hubby recently had bypass surgery, so I’ve been his caregiver for the past few weeks. My visits to our local restaurants had to be put on hold for a while during his recuperation. I hope to be back full force visiting amazing places in a few more months. My hubby is doing well and recovering nicely. Thanks to our awesome daughter for visiting and taking care of both her dad and me!)

Sandra Derrick, a lifelong Daltonian, is a retired educator who taught home economics for 30 years in Whitfield County Schools.