Chrome plated Stritch

3/17/2013

We’re celebrating the grand opening of downtown San Jose’s latest gem: Café Stritch. Owned and operated by the Borkenhagen family, this is our first exclusive account, and naturally we wouldn't have it anywhere else but in the SoFA district of downtown San Jose and run by some of our closest friends.

The Borkenhagens infront of their impressive mural of Rashaan Roland Kirk painted by Erin Salazar

This beautiful workhorse of a machine is the instrument that will be flowing shots of our coffee amongst all of you that find yourselves in Downtown San Jose.

La Marzocco Linea 1990 with many custom Modifications

Brought out of disrepair and featuring a custom remodel and a swell powder coat, this little lady is the star of the newly conceptualized coffee bar; the brain child of Max Borgenhagen, and Chromatic’s crew; James, Patrick and Hiver.

James working on some final touches on the La Marzocco Linea

And let us not forget James' spiffy custom hot water delivery system. This machine is built right into the table and retrofitted with a PID controller, a couple of ridiculously accurate flow-meters, and has adjustable flow rate. That means water delivered at a constant temperature for a set period of time with an accurate dose.

James testing the rate of flow and the electronics board

It has been a personal mission of ours, in conjunction with Stritch, to create a thriving locals scene in downtown that focuses on quality and accessibility. Our coffees are roasted and hand bagged in downtown, and we are happy to be a part of this new establishment's growth and determination to creating most things in-house and thinking locally. Although we will be bouncing around this weekend for the South Western regional Barista Competition, we are sure to see you here any time, any day of the week.

Cheers!