BY ALYSSON AREDAS
209 Living
After opening earlier this year, Cafe Rome in downtown Turlock not only provides the community with a place to get a taste of middle eastern culture, but a “second home” for people to hang out and get work done.
“When we did all the design and planning for Cafe Rome, we wanted it to be a space for relaxation and a place for people to come together with their friends,” said manager Brandy Spencer. “A lot of us are students, so a good study place is really important and sometimes hard to find.”
Opened by owner Ramio Esho in March, Cafe Rome features Turkish coffee, Persian tea, pastries, sweet and savory crepes and protein shakes.
“We opened it up because we wanted to have something that brought the community together to highlight Middle Eastern culture and really complete the downtown scene,” said Spencer.
Spencer said Turkish coffee is different than traditional coffee because the coffee bean goes through a special imported grinder that produces a fine powder. Customers actually drink the grounds instead of filtering them out.
“The grounds are a nice, powdered texture and they have a rich taste,” said Spencer. “It’s more intensely caffeinated as well. A little goes a long way because we serve it in a shot glass.”
In addition to drinks and pastries, Cafe Rome also offers free wifi for customers looking to hangout and get some work done. Spencer said some customers and regulars come into the cafe and essentially set up a mobile office for a few hours while they sip on their coffee.
Cafe Rome also has plenty of space for students to gather, including a group project table–and if that wasn’t enough, the cafe also offers a 10 percent discount for Stanislaus State students with a valid student ID.
“Cafe Rome is a great choice to relax, lounge or study. Everyone who comes here has a really relaxed mindset,” said Spencer. “We offer a friendly staff and warm, cozy place. This is a second home for people.”
Cafe Rome is located at 122 W. Main Street in Turlock. They are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. They are closed Mondays.
