The Koffee Kat's meow

Whisker licking good.

Story and photos by Gabrielle Bilik

The Koffee Kat is a small coffee shop snuggled next to the used bookstore on Margaret Street in downtown Plattsburgh. The awning is yellow with “Koffee Kat” scribbled in crooked purple writing.  There are customers sitting on turquoise fold out chairs outside, sipping coffee and enjoying the nice September weather. Upon entering the Koffee Kat a visitor is greeted by the warm aroma of fresh brewed coffee. The smells of espresso, chi, and rich chocolate mingle together in the air beckoning to come in further.

Showcased around the brightly colored walls of the café are local artists. The work of many local photographers, painters and jewelry makers, is displayed throughout the Koffee Kat, offering you visual stimulation while you enjoy your drink.

The downtown area is filled with many kitschy shops and restaurants, so the Koffee Kat’s trendy vibe is appropriate for the area. The Koffee Kat is cozy and welcoming. The vibrant paint colors create sunny atmosphere no matter how grey or cold the weather outside may be. There are no straight lines in the Koffee Kat, everything is curvy.It is a place where you can go on a date, go with a group of friends or sit by yourself. At any given time there is an eclectic mix of people there, from students to townspeople, artists to businessmen.  

The man working behind the counter is clad in a flannel button up and a wool beanie cap. He is very friendly and helpful. His presence adds to the cozy nature of the shop.

I order slice of coconut cake, and a mocha to drink.  All together, it cost me seven dollars even. At first the presentation was lackluster; the cake was served on a paper plate and the mocha in a paper cup. After the man behind the counter added swirls of whipped cream and drizzles of caramel and chocolate, however, the plates no longer had any negative effect, because the food looked like it had come out of the kitchen of a five star restaurant. Adding one final touch to the show, he dropped a big chocolate bean into the drink and slid it over to me.

The mocha, was hands down the best mocha I have ever had. It was creamy and chocolately, with just a tinge of espresso flavor.  By the time I was halfway finished, the chocolate bean that he dropped in had melted, and a new layer of chocolate flavor was swirling around in the delicious beverage.

The cake was frosted in coconut icing and a beautiful coating of shredded coconut. There was also a thick layer of frosting in the middle. I did not regret spending my money, because the serving of cake that he gave me was huge. Even with myself and my two guests devouring the cake, there was still a third of it left at the end of our visit.

While you’re enjoying your delicious drink, you can also take advantage of the free entertainment that the  Koffee Kat provides for free. The stereo is always playing something good, and it’s not likely that you’ll hear the same songs every time you come in, because the music is always the employees’ choice. If you peek behind the counter you can see the stack of CD’s sitting beside the stereo. There is a small stage set up in the corner of the store for the live performers that come in. There are books for sale, and magazines and newspapers on a little table by the door. Psychic readings by Margarite are also available at the Koffee Kat when she comes to visit. The store also offers free Wifi to its customers, so it’s no wonder that college students collect here to do homework, or just hang out.

Aside from what I ordered, the menu has a wide selection of many coffees, teas, as well as many frozen treats. The drinks are served in regular to go coffee cups, and there is always extra leftover in a separate cup, so the few dollars spent are well worth it.  There is an array of fresh baked goods to choose from on the counter tops. If you should decide to stop into the Koffee Kat, make sure you have cash, or that your ATM card is handy, since they do not accept credit or debit cards as methods of payment. There is an ATM provided in the store, for customers’ convenience.  I highly recommend visiting the Koffee Kat the next time you’re wandering the downtown Plattsburgh area.

Are you a coffee drinker or a tea drinker?