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LIFESTYLE

HALCYON, SAN ANTONIO, AUSTIN THE WANDER’N
CALF ESPRESSO
AUSTIN, 512.472.9637 • HALCYONCOFFEEBAR.COM BAR & BAKERY,
SAN ANTONIO, 210.277.7045 BOERNE
Photography by Kevin G. Saunders, Photography, Courtesy of Halcyon
830.331.9156 • WANDERNCALF.COM
A beverage hotspot in San Antonio’s Southtown, Halcyon is a coffee bar by
day and a cocktail bar by night, drawing sippers looking for high-end espressos A registered nurse by profession, owner
and specialty cocktails amid the creative ambience of the Blue Star Arts Com- Wendy Rigott started her pop-up coffee
plex. Open for three years, general manager Seth Williams says business is very shop in 2015 because “I love coffee and I’ve
good, thanks to a diverse crowd that ranges from teenagers to 50s and beyond always struggled to find good coffee.” Now
who enjoy a friendly, laid-back vibe with occasional live music. Their guest she makes great coffee for herself and her
roaster program is a popular draw, with barista manager John Lauber choosing fellow coffee lovers in Boerne, next to Ye
some of the best coffee in the country to showcase for six weeks at a stretch. Kendall Inn and Cibolo Creek. No brewed
Chef Alex Dayoc creates sandwiches and salads in an upscale comfort food coffee here. “We do Chemex, pourovers, or
vein, and also serves up weekend brunch from 10-2 (and you can toast your French press, and we grind the beans fresh
own s’mores at your table). The original location in Austin will be joined by a for each cup.” Originally from the Miami
new one set to open at the former Miller Airport this year. Halcyon shares the area, Rigott’s Cuban coffee—a shot of
building with Stella Public House, with craft beer and wine and farm-to-table espresso with abundant white sugar—has
small plates, salads and pizzas. Open daily. been a real hit. Pastries earn a rave, especially
decadent scones and their tasty spinoff, the
BLACK IVORY COFFEE, scookie—a thinly sliced scone, great for dip-
THE ELEPHANT STORY, COMFORT ping. Rigott’s special needs daughter also
pitches in (“we’d love to eventually reach out
830.995.3133 • THE-ELEPHANT-STORY.COM to more kids to help train”), and there’s a
Photography, Courtesy of The Elephant Story dog-friendly front porch where pooches
hang with their caffeinated humans. The
shop shares space with Sugar Belle’s Cake
Shop, known for their luscious cupcakes
and more. Closed Sundays.

What kind of coffee bean merits a feature on ABC’s Nightline? The kind that has been
on a wild ride, namely the digestive tract of an elephant, making it one of the most
exotic coffees in the world. The only place to find it in North America is at The Ele-
phant Story (TES) in Comfort, Texas. “[Black Ivory Coffee] founder Blake Dinkin
agreed to let us carry it because we are a not-for-profit organization,” says Bobby Dent,
co-owner with Ed Story and wife Joey, who founded TES to promote elephant con-
servation, primarily in Thailand. Up to 26 mostly rescued Asian elephants munch cof-
fee cherries along with their daily diet of fruits, vegetables and plants (“they are not
force-fed anything,” assures Dent). About 10 percent of the beans are recovered at the
other end, cleaned, roasted and shipped. The result is one smooth brew. “An enzyme
in the elephant’s system removes the protein, which is what makes coffee bitter,” explains Dent. For home use, one packet
makes one large mug or four demitasse cups, $40. For the complete in-store experience, up to five people enjoy table service, a
short presentation, fresh ground beans prepared in a copper and brass coffeemaker, and one demitasse serving each. Reservations
required, $50. Bottoms up! Closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

visit us at www.bcms.org 27