This week in San Diego, a unique coffee shop has been launched by a couple in El Cajon, incorporating their Mexican and Armenian cultures into their menu. Valerie Urrutia and Christopher Yerikian, the founders of Surje Coffee, initially met through a dating app and shared a love for coffee. They have established a physical location at the East County Art Association’s gallery in El Cajon with the aim of providing a distinctive experience for their customers, blending coffee and art in a communal setting. Their objective is to foster community through coffee, and they trust that their patrons will appreciate the surrounding art while savouring their coffee.
The influence of Urrutia’s Mexican and Yerikian’s Armenian cultures is evident in Surje Coffee’s offerings. The name of their shop, Surje, which means coffee in Armenian, and the logo colours pay tribute to the Armenian and Mexican flags. The menu features Mexican ingredients such as Oaxacan chocolate and mole bitters, as well as Armenian specialties like pistachios and rose. One of Urrutia’s recommended drinks is the lavender latte, prepared with espresso, oat milk, and homemade lavender syrup. A noteworthy feature of their menu is the ‘coffee cocktails,’ alcohol-free beverages inspired by classic cocktails like the old fashioned. Among their must-try concoctions is a Mediterranean coffee with pistachio syrup.
In addition, Old Town Urban Market has introduced a coffee and crepe shop named Hola Paris, offering a fusion of Mexican and French flavours. The owners, Gabriela “Gabby” Gonzalez and Benjamin Clement, have integrated their cultural influences into their menu, presenting a blend of Mexican and French ingredients in their crepes and coffee, such as the ‘suiza’ crepe, prepared with homemade green tomatillo salsa and an authentic French recipe. For coffee enthusiasts, they offer speciality brews with a Mexican twist, including the Mexican mocha and the dulce de leche latte.
Furthermore, the Lakehouse Resort in San Marcos will host its third annual Food and Wine Festival on Sunday, March 3. Attendees will have the chance to indulge in unlimited tastings from local restaurants, breweries, and wineries. Additionally, tickets will include the “Brandt Beef Experience,” featuring five chefs who will create beef-centric dishes paired with local spirits.
These new culinary ventures and events in San Diego are a testament to the city’s flourishing food scene. Whether you are a resident or a visitor, San Diego continues to offer a diverse range of dining experiences. If you have any new San Diego restaurant news, stories, or tips on the city’s food scene, please do not hesitate to send your pitches to [email protected]
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