SLC FLAKE: Three Pines Coffee :: Gallivan Avenue, SLC

THREE PINES COFFEE :: website :: instagram :: twitter

I first heard about Three Pines Coffee on their last day at their cart, hosted at Liberty Heights Fresh and I was just shy of enough time to stop by. Fortunately, excitement trumped disappointment when I heard they were soon opening a brick and mortar location.

Now open for just two weeks and located at the epicenter of downtown Salt Lake City, Three Pines is a nook of a spot not to be missed. Tucked away in a shared corner of From Scratch, Meg Frampton and Nick Price capitalize on their small bit of soon-to-be bustling L-shaped Gallivan Avenue. With 2014's opening of From Scratch (whose ingredients are local and from scratch in a very literal and delicious way!) and recently Pulp Lifestyle Kitchen, It is so exciting to see some development finally taking hold between State St and the Wells Fargo Building.

4oz espresso + milk

Much like their space and logo, the menu at Three Pines is clean and simple, unadulterated with hyper-saccharine, blended novelties. Instead you'll find a series of espresso and milk sizes [featuring beans from Portland favorite, Heart Roasters,] house-made almond milk, match lightly sweetened with vanilla syrup, and chai. Every drink I've had so far has been poured skill and attention to detail. Super delicious. I'm excited to buy a bag of Heart's beans to play with at home. Keep an eye out for drink specials in the future. The bitters and floral-inspired coffee and tea beverages that have been popping up recently are some of my favorites and I'm eager to see what Three Pines brings on that front.

Three Pines menu via threepinescoffee.com

Don't be put off by the small square footage Three Pines inhabits. While it's a great location to grab a cup to go and be on your way, seating is available at From Scratch outside of From Scratch's own business hours [From Scratch is open M-F 11:30-3:00. M-Th 5:00-9:30, Fri-Sat 5:00-10:30.] Though the area will need to be cleared half an hour before From Scratch opens, it's perfect for cozying up with a book or cards or catching up with a good friend over a few pastries while the light pours in from the giant windows - one of the more urban views in the city! And those pastries!! Made by From Scratch's bakery, their blueberry muffin was the stuff dreams are made of and the scone I tried was just as delicious. Dense crumb, but not heavy; tender, and flavorful; substantial enough to seem like a reasonable breakfast choice, but decadent enough to feel like a total treat - I talked about that muffin for days until my husband brought me another from his visit during lunch. I haven't have the chance to try their coconut crumb donut, but I have it on good authority that it's a damn fine treat.