Rituals Coffee House

Whether you're looking for a fresh place to grab a stylish lunch with your co-workers or a new excuse to get out on a random Thursday evening, Saturday Life gives you a breakdown on the city's hot spots.

This week's spot is Rituals Coffee House.

Kimberly Salmon, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica may be a former colony of the tea drinkers across the pond, but the country's young and old alike have finally caught on to the home-grown brewed bean.

Rituals Coffee House is one such establishment that has tapped into this 'hurry-come-up' drink frenzy that does much more than offer a late-night buzz for students.

The franchise, which started out in Trinidad and moved swiftly across the Eastern Caribbean, has landed in one of the bustling business districts of Kingston, much to the delight of operations manager and coffee enthusiast, Samantha Phillipson.

"Anyone and everyone is welcome. Our location is really the middle of the road in every aspect," and with their casual, walk-in policy which caters to children and seniors, one can certainly see why.

Full-fledged coffee house

Phillipson is quick to point out that Rituals is not primarily a restaurant or bar - it serves no alcohol - but is a full-fledged coffee house with menu favourites like espressos, mochaccinos, hot chocolate and Rituals' take on the frappuccino, 'the chiller', which comes in 27 flavours all alongside classic combos like bagels and cream cheese.

Rituals Coffee House prides itself on making all their pastries fresh from brownies to cakes to croissants and believes this adds to the business' variety alongside the hot sandwiches like the club bistro, salads and their now-famous 'flatinis'.

Health-conscious eaters are also catered to at Rituals, which offers up soy, almond and skimmed milk - nothing deep-fried - and only adds mayonnaise to sandwiches and flatinis on request, as "everything is modifiable".

Rituals Coffee House may just be about seven months old, but with an intimate capacity of about 30 persons, an infectiously perked-up staff and coffee classics and creations that will ignite your taste buds, it's a must-try spot for you and yours.

The Spot

Quick Facts

Dress code: Off-the-street, work-ready wear

Music: Alternative, adult contemporary, jazz, Latin

Wireless Internet Available

Ratings

Parking: _{★★★★★}

Accessibility:★★★★

Ambience: Comfortable and creative. Ideal for casual first dates and workday pick-me-ups.

Highly recommended

Drink: Pralines 'n' cream chiller': This iced coffee creation is blended with the nut and sugary confection pralines, which offers up a sweet, cool-down treat, notwithstanding the zing caffeine provides.

Food: Spinach and feta cheese croissant: Spinach may not be the most popular green leafy vegetable on the block, but, accompanied with traditional Greek-inspired feta cheese and flaky hand-made pastry, it's a tongue-ticklers

General information

Rituals Coffee House is located at Shop 5, Village Plaza, 20C Constant Spring Road, Kingston 10.

Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday 7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; Fridays 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturdays 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sundays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Telephone: 754-1992

Rituals Coffee House is also located in Montego Bay, St James, at Shop B15, Fairview II Shopping Centre, Bogue Estate.

Telephone: 953- 6031