The Cape Cod Rover

Discovering Seven Beans Coffee in West Dennis Tom, the Cape Rover
by Tom O'Connell, The Cape Cod Rover

I love the number seven. It's a mystical number with divine implications and it's also a “lucky number.” My own website is sanctuary777.com. And in West Dennis I found the number seven prominently utilized in the name of Seven Beans Coffee. It's “a traditional coffee house” where you may sip a delicious “truly fresh” cup of coffee or a variety of lattes and espressos or a quality tea that will prompt you to say, “Delicious. Just right. The best.”

My first impression when I walked up the front steps of the restored Victorian home and crossed the farmer's porch to enter the uncluttered establishment was tied to the word “elegant.” The moment you walk into the foyer you feel that you're in a special place. The words “elegant” and “warm” are well suited to describe this coffee house.

According to owners Denise Russell and Eric Garceau of Yarmouth, the name came from two sources: “seven birthdays for seven kids” and a serendipitous picture on the Internet showing “a hand with seven coffee beans resting in it.”

“It's the best coffee on Cape Cod,” says Eric without exaggeration. “It's grown just before we brew it. On site, our brewed coffee is never more than one hour old. To guarantee freshness our Caribou Coffee beans are ordered on Thursday, roasted on Friday, and shipped to us on Monday.”

Caribou Coffee, Denise points out, is “never bitter, and it's full-bodied.” I learned that in Minnesota there are hundreds of Caribou coffee houses, and it's also popular in Denver and Atlanta.

I enjoy Caribou's motto: “Life is short; stay awake for it.” Also, the Caribou napkins at the table where you add your cream and sweetener make you smile with messages like “This could be a long day; better grab a muffin.”

The Mocha Latte I sipped was smooth and perfectly mixed. Denise explained the intricacies of preparing lattes and the precise timing involved with the espresso, steamed milk, froth and whipped cream.She emphasized that even the way the latte is poured makes a difference.

The weight of the product to be served is also a factor. “The lightness is very important,“ she explained. “And when the half moon appears on top it's just right.” Denise can gauge the weight in much the same way my father, when he was a postal clerk, could tell if a letter was the right weight without even using the scale.

When the cup is served there is a chocolate covered coffee bean on the lid. Don't bite it. Just savor the chocolate coating. Along with the Mocha and Caramel Lattes, there are Smoothies and Juices.

Denise and Eric opened Seven Beans Coffee on Memorial Day 2007 in the delightfully restored Victorian dwelling next to Westies Shoes near the Christmas Tree Shop on Route 28 in West Dennis. It's easy to find. The signs are very visible and parking is plentiful.

As the coffee house has become more popular it has attracted a whole range of people from all walks of life, and groups of bankers and realtors even have small meetings there.

Along with their desire to offer the best coffee, whether light or dark roast or decaffeinated, Seven Beans provides delicious muffins such as Berry Blast and Chocolate Chocolate Chip. Other snacks include cookies, Ghirardelli Chocolate bars, Blueberry Crumb Cake, and “Mississippi Mud Pie.” Soups were added recently, and scones are coming soon.

Seven Beans Coffee provides a comfortable quiet atmosphere “with a retro feel” in its spacious area for relaxing, sipping and munching. There are small tables and comfortable leather chairs where you may sprawl near one of the two fireplaces. Also, you will find tables for checkers, chess, backgammon, or scrabble. Free wi-fi is there for your convenience too. And nobody's pushing you out the door. Some folks stay for hours.

Caribou packaged coffee is also featured: Sumatra, Colombia, Daybreak, French, Espresso, Organic. Teas for all tastes include Earl Grey, Vanilla Bean, Bombay Chai, Chamomile Citrus, Green Tea, Breakfast, Organic.

“We try to make Seven Beans inviting and relaxing,” says Denise. “Our visitors become regulars fast.” I will personally attest to the warm feeling that was instrumental in adding me to that growing number of regulars.

After you browse around the Christmas Tree Shop across the street you may want to drive a short distance to West Dennis Beach or cross Bass River Bridge and turn left to one of the Proprietor Denise Russell is shown preparing a latte. most overlooked scenic places in the area.

Parallel to Bass River on the South Yarmouth side you will find Historic homes. Some were transported from places such as Nantucket many years ago.And you will think you are in dreamland when you discover the little Windmill Beach at the end of Willow Street. It's a perfect spot to relax and sip on the coffee you brought with you from Seven Beans Coffee.

The address for Seven Beans Coffee is 416 Main Street, West Dennis (Route 28). The phone number is 508-394-1711. It's open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week year-round. Stop by. Remember: “Life is short; stay awake for it.”

That's it for now from The Cape Cod Rover.

Till next time,
Tom

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Note: Tom O'Connell is a Cape Cod Writer and Lecturer.Take a look at his www.sanctuary777.com website where you will find many essays as well as excerpts from his books. His new memoir is Bugging Out: An Army Memoir (1954). He is also the author of The O'Connell Boy:Educating The Wolf Child~An Irish-American Memoir (1932-1950).See chapters www.sanctuary777.com