Thanks to Starbucks, the Hillsdale community had a spot in town to grab coffee and work remotely. But when the cafe closed, local needed something to fill the void. That why Anthony Bellifemine, owner of The Barista’s Touch, opened his business. The coffee shop and cafe serves both European style and traditional coffee.
The Barista’s Touch has a dual menu that mixes familiar and unfamiliar coffee options. First, there are traditional coffees like Americanos, lattes, cortados, in-house cold brew, and house-dripped coffee. Then there are an assortmant of teas, as well as back iced tea. In fact, nearly all these drinks can be made iced.
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A Different Style of Coffee
Anthony says many patrons are unfamiliar with the menu’s European style beverages. But he enjoys introducing them to these new flavors. Popular drinks include the shaken espresso. “It’s a nice way to drink espresso that’s not too bitter or acidic,” he says. Likewise, the Cappuccino freddo – which resembles an Irish coffee – is a hit. “It’s a fun way to have your espresso with different temperatures in one drink.”
But Anthony’s favorite menu item is the espresso tonic. “It’s sweet and acidic,” he says. “It’s a good way to stay hydrated, and refreshing when the weather is warm.”
The Barista’s Touch also collaborates with Despina’s Cream Bakery in River Vale. This allows the cafe to offer the bakery’s bars, crumb cakes, cookies, and focaccia.
About The Barista’s Touch
Anthony was hands-on with the space’s design and layout. “I’m a barista, so I knew how I wanted the coffee bar to flow most efficiently,” he says. He gave the space – which seats 14 patrons – a “rustic European vibe” thanks to furniture sourced from Facebook Marketplace. The cafe also features teal ceiling tiles, wood from a barn in Pennsylvania, and equipment from Greece.
Prior to opening The Barista’s Touch, Anthony grew up in Elmwood Park. He currently lives in Waldwick. “I have been in the hospitality industry for as long as I can remember,” he says. He worked at a pizzeria as a child, then went on to attend culinary school in New York City. He was most recently at Erie Coffeeshop & Bakery in Rutherford. “Ownership has always been a dream of mine,” he says. “When the location came up, it was meant to be.”
Visit The Barista’s Touch at 66A Park Ave in Hillsdale. Look for them online to learn more.
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All Photos: © The Barista’s Touch