Calla Cafe x Jebena Specialty Coffee

CafeBakeryRoastery

Aug 14

It’s very rare I get to tick two boxes in my coffee list in one visit. In this case, it was a combination of CALLA Cafe and Jebena Specialty Coffee. Last week, I chanced upon this cafe after finishing up with some work in Meydan. CALLA Cafe is still in its soft opening, they serve coffee roasted by Jebena, and pastries on display by KAYU Bakehouse. One of the co-founder is Karim Bourgi who I had a brief interaction with at the cafe, not knowing who it was. I think it had something to do with my name in connection to the politics in Lebanon. I am glad it didn’t offend anyone and I was left to enjoy my coffee at the end.

Karim probably doesn’t need any introduction to anyone involved in the art of pastry making, he is an Artisan Pastry Master, Ranked #3 in the "Patissier dans le monde" competition (2014), Member of Les Toques Blanches Du Monde and a Member of the International Cheese Guild. These are heavy titles to digest, and from hereforth, he will be addressed as Chef Karim. I’m not big on pastries and I have the slightest clue on the intricacies involved in baking and pastry making. All I know is that they were a treat for the eyes, too bad I didn’t get to try them. Next time.

The place is managed by Bazz, a very kind gentleman who has also been part of the Hospitality industry in the UK, and is new to Dubai. He was patient and took his time to answer my annoying questions directed towards the coffee they served. I was recommended to have the Yemeni Matari, after I indulged in a Brazilian flat white in less time than it took to prepare. This Yemeni is a direct trade, naturally processed micro-lot. This was brewed on the Mellita which I haven’t seen used much here. But I know a Yemeni will never disappoint and I opted for a bigger size, easily good for two. Beautiful complexity with every sip, and notes of berries, sherbet, and candy.