First Village Coffee — Restaurant in Town of Ossining

What a local coffee shop should (and can!) be. Will be even better when the expansion is completed! I may be biased since I’ve known the owner Luis since FVC was just an idea he had for the future. But watching how FVC has changed and stayed the same since it opened a couple of years ago, a few things are abundantly clear.

Since day 1, Luis has always focused on quality first. From the buildout to the coffee making equipment to the food items, non-coffee drinks and the coffee itself, everything is chosen thoughtfully and with the highest standards. He also scouted and researched other coffee shops for good ideas (and I imagine things to avoid).

He wanted to make sure he didn’t get ahead of himself early on, so he sourced great baked goods where he could find them. Now they make their own delicious baked goods, many of them vegan (which he doesn’t even really advertise), and have slowly expanded their range of products.

Luis uses different brands of coffee for different drinks, depending on which he finds to have the best flavor (and it’s a given that they have to be a sustainable company with great practices). He has some tried and true coffees but isn’t wedded to the past and is open to swapping them out if he finds something new and better.

The only downside with FVC is the size, but that is being taken care of as I write this with the expansion. The extra indoor space, porch and patios are going to be a major upgrade to an already fun and inviting atmosphere.

Yes, prices are not cheap. But then again, we’re in Westchester and Luis uses the best. So higher prices come with the territory.

I could really say a lot more, like how Luis was a pioneer on Main Street and helped jumpstart its current resurgence and renewed relevance for Ossining residents. And how I like the rotating artwork on the walls (and the huge painting honoring Ossining history that hangs on the wall on the right when you walk in). And how they have books and toys for kids. And how my wife is obsessed with FVC, as are many of her friends. But that might take this review over the...

As soon I walked through the front door of this mom and pop cafe, I felt a good vibe. There was a row of environmental-friendly, hipster-types waiting on line to give their coffee orders. The front half of this cafe had a few tables set up showcasing wares for sale made by local artisans. This showed me that it cares about the economic growth of it's customers. This place gets it and understands that in order to thrive as a coffee shop, they must support the local community. I ordered a small hot coffee and a cinnamon scone. The coffee was high-quality and strong, but not Starbucks strong. The cinnamon scone was not too cinnamony or dry and made with just the right amount of flavor and moisture if I had to enjoy it without a hot beverage. There was cafe-style seating in the back, which looked inviting. It looked like the kind of place that a writer like me can disappear at and type on my laptop a Google review about all the great things that this cafe had. And just maybe others will read this review and support this...

Google didnt let me down today! My search for "best coffee near me" led me to this cozy local shop in Ossining. You know when you walk into someplace new and you immediately get a good feeling? Yeah. That. I walked up to the counter and the owner, Luis, asked me what I wanted. "I'd like whatever will get rid of my headache." That's all I said. And he made me the most luscious cappuccino with "something extra in it." He wouldn't tell me what the extra was until after I drank it & let him know if I liked it. That "extra" wound up being a touch of homemade caramel syrup, it's light sweetness perfectly balanced with the rich roasted deliciousness of the espresso. Soooo good! And something I never would have opted for left to my own devices. This place is special. Luis cares about the community, he cares about coffee, he cares about you. If you live near, swing by. If you live near-ish, swing by. And if you live no where near here, find a reason to swing by, nonetheless.

PS: My...