At Press, we believe that simple ingredients become extraordinary
when treated with integrity and care.
At Press, we believe that simple ingredients become extraordinary when treated with integrity and care. That good food and drink are inspirational when our customers learn what makes an ingredient special or why things are done a certain way. That locally-sourced, quality food should be accessible to all and that exceptional coffee and cocktails, when prepared with skill and focus, create an inviting, educational experience.
We don’t think ‘hand-crafted’ and ‘high-quality’ should be code words for expensive. We know that small, local businesses that support other small, local businesses are essential to fostering a thriving and sustainable community. We wear our hearts on our sleeves a little bit. And we think that’s OK. Oh, we’re also kinda (really) obsessed with coffee, cocktails and crepes.
Coffee
At Press, coffee is all about craft without ego.
We take quality and care seriously and believe this adds another layer to the customer experience. Press baristas have passion for the products and a reflex for hospitality. They care not just about quality, but about educating people about the “why” of various methods and helping people expand their experiences and tastes. We continually take advantage of educational and training opportunities for new and experienced baristas alike to keep learning and discovering.
We proudly serve Counter Culture Coffee, roasted in Durham and known worldwide, and utilize their training programs. Counter Culture was our first partner and have since become the gold standard for how we partner with vendors. Counter Culture approaches every decision around how it impacts the industry and its participants and partners through that lens.
Crepes
Don’t coffee and crepes just sound great together?
The idea of a creperie in a small downtown was hatched in France and initially laughed at between our founders. After multiple European crepe-tasting adventures, Brett and Jason stopped laughing and saw an opportunity to create a space for people to gather with coffee and food, with crepes as the cornerstone.
We don’t attempt to copy or duplicate the French ideal of a crepe. Instead, we approach crepes as both an experiment and as the foundation — serving as a vessel for a variety of options inside the shell, both sweet and savory. Avoiding the attempt of being “faux-French”, we felt a sense of freedom fusing European cuisine and Southern influences and the unexpected (and delicious) flavors that created. On our menu you’ll find a crepe filled with a Carolina-centric combination of country ham, hoop cheese, and mustard. And, a hashbrown waffle, a combination of two All-American staples, is topped with smoked salmon, capers, and crème fraiche…which is not so American.
Creativity requires discipline. We maintain a familiar and core menu with long-time favorites and add specials and new additions every season. We ask questions such as “What are some interesting combinations or ingredients you’ve seen or that you want to try?” or “Is there some ingredient of European dish that you think can be given the ‘Press twist’?” Some of these unique combinations are immediate successes. Others are epic disasters we rework, refine, retaste, and repeat. The successful creations are put through a series of staff tastings to ultimately determine which dish makes it on the menu. The dishes that do not get approved are further refined to come back for another try later.
Cocktails
A great cocktail should be an experience that exceeds the sum of its individual parts.
The way it is explained, in person and on the menu…how it is served, with intention about the glassware and the garnish…and of course, the drink itself – that it’s balanced, consistent and if possible a bit surprising at first.
As a brunch-heavy concept, we offer a a variety of rum-forward brunch drinks and some classics that your grandparents might have enjoyed, but with modern twists. We also serve a curated list of beers and wine that meet our European Inspired concept. As with coffee, the focus is on quality, consistency, and accessibility. We strive to be a premier spot for day-drinking in the Triangle – the boozy brunch spot on weekends or the place to meet a friend or colleague after work.