Delicious Dining Duo
The Delicious Dining Duo (DDD), ZONA’s restaurant review team, recently visited Arcadia’s newest, independent coffee and specialty drink store, the Black Cat Coffee House, and discovered a blossoming business with some of the most savory and melt-in-your-mouth drinks in Phoenix. From sweet pumpkin lattes to Thai tea, to quiches to Triple-Chocolate Biscotti, the Black Cat Coffee House has something scrumptious to satisfy everyone’s taste.
At black Cat Coffee House, Not only are the menu items delicious, but the shop also encompasses a comfortable style, with perpetually open doors and artwork from local artists on display. Come on in and experience the cat’s meow. As the weather cools down with chilly winds and darker nights making their way to Phoenix, what better way to keep warm and enjoy the season than by treating yourself to a soothing cup of coffee, hot chocolate, or tea? If you’re not in the mood for a hot drink a fruit smoothie or season-appropriate eggnog latte might please your wanting. Your craving will be satisfied at the Black Cat Coffee House. Located at 4730 East Indian School Road the Black Cat Coffee House is a quaint specialty coffee shop that is rapidly gaining popularity amongst Arcadia residents. The shop, which has only been open for about a month, sits comfortably within the Arcadia Shopping Center near Safeway and Arcadia Urgent Care. With a luminous interior that can be described as “contemporary cozy” offering a conglomeration of caffeinated and de-caffeinated beverages as well as other tasty treats the Black Cat Coffee House is enjoying much success in the neighborhood. “We had never really planned to open a coffee shop in Arizona,” says Don, the owner of Black Cat Coffee House, as he explains the original plan was to open a shop with his wife in Thailand. “Things changed and we found this location here and if we wouldn’t have opened in the Arcadia area we would not have opened a coffee shop in Arizona.” According to Don the community has responded very positively to the new business opening its doors in October. “People say, ‘We’re really glad you’re here; we’ve been waiting for you to open.’” The store, whose menu consists of coffee (blended and hot), pastries, parfaits, cookies, and pecan bars, offers products from local companies, including Shamrock Farms, Bad Boy Biscotti from Gilbert, and Coffee Roasters of Arizona. “We’re really big local people,” Don explains. The paintings that decorate the walls of the shop are all from local artists, and the art rotates monthly. The name of the establishment arises from Don and his wife, Tima’s, love for animals; they’re the owners of five dogs and the lack of owning a cat sparked the name of the coffeehouse. Once they found their ideal location, the coffee shop was ready to begin its construction. “We think our interior is something that’s really nice, that’s colorful and we think it’s relaxing. We like our open front doors- we think it invites people inside,” he says. “We think we have some really good baristas, they’re top-notch. We provide really good service and make quality drinks.” In the future, sandwiches and salads are planned to be added to the menu, and for the approaching holiday season, Don shares that the shop will be open 365 days a year. “We will be open on Thanksgiving and Christmas.” As they stock up on the hot chocolate and holiday cookies “there are a couple of other things that we are doing” for the holidays. “We really appreciate your business and your support,” says Don as he thanks the customers for their warm welcome. “We’ll do our best to give you a quality product and quality service,” he says to those who have yet to try the Black Cat Coffee House. With cooling temperatures settling into the Valley it would come as no surprise that mixing warm drinks, appetizing pastries, soothing lights and music with a welcoming team would create a cheerful and convivial atmosphere.
Q & A: Amanda Byler
If you think you have a hectic schedule, you probably haven’t met Amanda Byler. Amanda is a junior at Arcadia High School, and between school, playing for Arcadia’s softball varsity team, playing softball for Desert Thunder in Tucson (one of the nation’s top leagues) and volunteering at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, it’s a wonder she has any time to sleep!
Rebecca: What does a typical day look like?
Amanda: During the week, I go to school where I have honors and AP classes. On Monday nights, I head to my hitting lesson with Kaitlin Cochran in Peoria. On Wednesday nights I rush to get as much homework done as I can and head down to Tucson for team practice with Desert Thunder. The rest of the week I work on hitting and fielding with my dad, and then on Sunday I am back in Tucson in the morning for another team practice.
Rebecca: When did you start playing softball and how did you get on Desert Thunder?
Amanda: I started playing club softball in the seventh grade. This summer I played for a team in San Diego, but that wasn’t possible during the school year, so I searched for a new team. I had worked out with head coach Kelly Fowler once before and was determined to become a part of her amazing program. I was then invited to try out and made the team!
Rebecca: How do you balance school with your busy schedule?
Amanda: I have to make sure I am on top of every due date, every project, and at times, I work ahead in some classes. The weekends are filled with lots of homework, especially APUSH. I have to make sure that if I do go and hang out with my friends that I will still be able to finish everything that needs to be done.
Obviously for Amanda, balancing such a schedule is not easy, but luckily she is able to do what she loves, and without letting it get in the way of her academic success. She is definitely one of Arcadia’s star students!
Q & A: Monica McCrane
Monica McCrane is a Freshman @ Tesseract
zona: Where do you get your inspiration for your artwork?
monica: My mom because growing up in an environment surrounded by art inspired me to pursue it.
zona: How would you describe your artwork? Does art run in your family?
monica: I like to do still lifes of random things that inspire me. My mom is a professional artist. She does mosaic tile designs and paintings.
zona: How did you get started in art? When did you realize you were good?
monica: I’ve been drawing since before I could walk. My favorite early memory was in second grade when I illustrated a book that I had written and drew the perfect bear.
zona: Has your artwork ever been displayed in a gallery or for the public to view?
monica: Yes, several times: at Paradise Valley Community College, and twice at the Phoenix Art Museum
zona: Who are some of your favorite artists? If you could own any original piece of art and hang it in your bedroom, who would it be and what painting?
monica: I have studied both Marc Chagall and Keith Haring, I would love to have an original piece by Keith Haring.
zona: What else do you like to do when you aren’t painting? How do you relax? Or is that what your artwork is for?
monica: I love any sport. I have been playing softball for nine years. I play piano and I love music.
zona: Why do you love art?
monica: Art is what separates me from others. It’s how I escape from the stresses of the world and how I express myself.
zona: Favorite brush? Favorite color? Favorite Dessert? Favorite TV show? Best book you’ve ever read?
monica: A sharpie. I couldn’t pick one if I tried. Anything with Dark Chocolate. Sponge Bob will forever and always be my favorite. Where the Red Fern Grows.
zona: What sets your artwork apart from other artists?
monica: I put in almost too much time and detail.
zona: If you could invite any two people to your house for dinner, dead or alive, make believe or real, who would they be and what would you serve?
monica: Britney Spears. And a dinosaur. I would serve them pumpkin pie.
zona: Would you like to give a “shout out” to any of your friends or family members?
monica: My art teacher Ms. Perez has provided me with the tools, knowledge, and encouragement that I need to succeed. Thank you and I am excited to see what the next few years will hold.
