Rochambo Coffee & Tea House — Restaurant in Milwaukee

A great discovery in Milwaukee - somewhere in the top 20 coffeeshops I've been in. Two level coffeeshop, linear on the first floor and bit more rambly on the second. A half dozenish tables and a small bar on the first floor and 15 tables of various size on the second floor. Many outlets. Free wifi (two networks) with publicly posted password. Local art and community event posters abound on the walls. Eclectic music on the audio - something Euro and mysterious, a bit loud. Cute, geeky, friendly barristas, one who was showing off her tattoos to a customer when I got there. One false note is single TV on the first floor, but it's easy to ignore from some first floor tables and all second floor one. I was there on a Saturday night, and on second floor it was mostly students chatting, working, playing chess. First floor was a couple of slightly older men watching sports and a somewhat louder set of young people have alcohol-boosted coffee drinks. Volume increased toward midnight, as a group of ethnic compatriots (Mideastern?) accumulated around the two guys. Normally I would ding a coffee shop one star for serving booze, but with the second floor quieter I'll let it go. Open until midnight (yay!) though only until 1130-ish on the second floor. Huge selection of loose leaf teas, some of quite good quality. Tea heaven! (No loose leaf chai, though, and I didn't ask about how they make their chai lattes.) Small selection of high quality chocolate bars, cookies. My hot chocolate was not chocolately enough, but I had a good dark...

Rochambo has been my preferred coffee house for some time. When I first came to Milwaukee, I had been looking for a place with good espresso. The first shot given to me at Ro was so good, that I decided to keep coming back. That the Irish coffees have hand-whipped cream, the dry cappuccinos are excellent, and the beers offered are excellent, has only reinforced my decision to return. I've been told that they have a tea for everyone, and given the diversity of the one's I've tried, I can believe this.

The quality of the product is only one aspect that keeps me returning; the ambiance and the people are just as important if one is to keep returning. Fortunately, Rochambo is excellent in both categories. The owner, Melissa, has applied an eclectic design sense that has created a unique and enjoyable experience. From the Art Nuevo tables to the Buddha shrine, all of the accents and pieces come together to form a relaxed environment that cultivates deep thoughts. The staff are skilled and approachable. Having discussions on life, fashion, art, etc. with them is always rewarding and enlightening. Many of the patrons are just as open to discussion where aspects of the latest Batman story arc, trends in investment strategies, or the works of Hemmingway are prone to rise at any moment.

If one merely wishes to burry their nose into their briefcase and pretend that they are better than the outside world, then Ro would be a poor fit. However, if one enjoys quality drinks, interesting art, and fine human interaction, then you should go...

Came to meet a friend. 3 guys smoking on the steps in front of the door. Not a big deal, said excuse me, went inside. Saw friend. Hello friend. Said "shall we order coffees?" friend said "why yes that's a great idea." Stand by register. Look through a menu. Wair. 5 minutes go by. "Where's an employee?" I ask a fellow customer. She points to the glass door where the 3 gentleman are smoking, who can clearly see there's a customer. Alright then... I step outside. "Hey do you work here?" I ask as friendly as possible. I'm a hip millennial too, after all, making sure not to seem confrontional as after all, I JUST WANT SOME F*G COFFEE. Tall blonde "employee dude" says "what's up?" ..... I say "... uhh I'd really.like a coffee, you know, one of those ones you guys make with alcohol sounds good." Tall blonde beanie wearing dude-bro-hipster says "...right now?" ...I can now feel the rage demons in my brain clawing to get out. But, I take the high road, try and reason with dude-bro, as he is probably not used to having to work for a living like me, I'm just privileged like that to understand what it's like to be a productive member of society I GUESS. "...yes umm... that'd be nice..." I say. I go back inside. Tell me why cool-dude-guy-beanie-bro finishes his cigarette, conversation, and me ever spending my money at this place. He comes inside, doesn't apologize, or even ask me what I wanted to order. It's fine hip-guy-mcnonconformist-face, we're good, no order necessary, please return to being an entirely useless...