Why: Though a cup of coffee may be enjoyed at any of La Center’s casino restaurants or at various eateries on the two main streets that contain most of its commerce, La Center can now claim its very own coffee house. The personal residence of Eric and Trudy Stenberg, which not too long ago housed a day care and pre-school, is now home to Stonehill Coffee House — owned and operated by the Stenbergs.
Atmosphere: Trudy Stenberg’s keen sense of style and comfort infuses every aspect of the coffee house. The soothing green exterior carries over to the inside, where a refreshing shade blankets the walls. Trimmed and accented mostly in white, just the right mix of light and dark wood tones adds warmth and sophistication while avoiding trendiness. Cleverly used everyday items bring interest to the uncluttered space. Vintage finds are for sale.
What I tried: I decided on a Latte; my dining companions tried a Cherry Chocolate Mocha with an extra shot of espresso and a straight-up Coffee Mocha. We also sampled the lemon pound cake, supplied through La Center’s Sadie and Josie’s Bakery, which made a fine accompaniment to our steamy beverages.
I was impressed with the latte. I concluded that it was by far the best I’ve had. It made an impressive statement right from the start with its smooth bold flavor. Where other lattes have disappointed me by being too watery, this one was flavorful and brought satisfaction with every sip. The only downside was that I would have enjoyed drinking it out of a mug so I could have better savored the foam. Presently, Stonehill serves all drinks in paper cups, except to visitors who bring their own mugs.
