Welcome to Urth, an Interview with its Leaders
Last Sunday, Urth Caffe had its first unofficial open day to the public. Laguna Beach residents were invited by mail to come and enjoy food and beverage in party like atmosphere. Generous samples from their menu were given including amazing coffee drinks. The cafe opened, officially, on Sept. 21. Shallom Berkman and his wife, Jilla, launched Urth Caffé in 1989 as a mail order organic coffee business. They use “heirloom” Typica, Bourbon and Geisha trees grown in Africa or South America. The “purebred” beans are prized for their authenticity and intensity of flavor. The historic Craftsman-style bungalow was home to a real estate pioneer before becoming a cafe in the late 1930s. The structure dates back to 1917. It operated as The Cottage for nearly 50 years until it closed in late 2012. Urth gives nod to these roots. The full name is Urth Caffe at the Cottage.
Some Menu highlights for me were the pumpkin pie, ( your mom can’t make pumpkin pie this good) Turkey Burger and the Portobello Mushroom Panini. All were unique. The preservation of the building is superb and the inside seating area features handmade walnut tables, making the space cozy and paying homage to the living room of The Cottage. The caffe has a casual atmosphere and orders are placed at a walk up counter. There are no waiters. You can than find a seat inside the cottage or outside on the exceptionally large patio. Additionally exceptional was the owner. Shallom, rhyming with the Olympic event Slalom. Sporting a fuchsia colored Urth Caffe golf shirt, Shallom was on site greeting and chatting with diners with his daughter Golda. He is a humble, grateful man who feels fortunate to have the opportunity to be Laguna Beach. Shallum and Jilla his wife, live in the “here and now”. Living a very Zen life. Shallom points out that the Caffé is run by him and Jilla both and answered my 10 probing questions for both of them with a smile. A good way to get to know someone is to ask some personal questions so that you can really know Lagunas newest business and the people behind it.
What’s the best part about being in Laguna?
We love this unique city,it is filled with culture. People from Laguna are so friendly we have met so many nice people from the surrounding neighborhood.
Favorite country to visit?
We travel a lot in Africa, Middle East and Russia but the answer is Japan. The cuisine is “crazy good”
Favorite TV show of all time? Seinfeld
What do you like on your pizza? Burrata cheese, Prosciutto, Mushroom and Basil.
Who is the Last person you texted? Yesterday, one of the financial partners
Favorite Disney Character– Jiminy Cricket
2 things you always have in your pocket? Wallet, keys , my wife has lipstick.
Last book you read? A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain which he is reading with his daughter
What do you serve for dessert when you have someone over for dinner?
Caramelized apples on a pastry crust. The apples are sautéed in butter and sugar.
What’s your favorite holiday?
4th of July! Jilla is from Iran and had to escape after the revolution. We are grateful to be living the American Dream.
It is stirring to sit on the patio of this wonderful Laguna location. The prices average around 12 per plate. It’s possibly a place you could afford take your family to eat. There are not many places like that in Laguna anymore. Most of the year when there are not hordes of tourists who will pay any price and they rely on locals I am hoping they stay busy. It’s a mellifluous place, come for the coffee but stay for the food. Especially the pumpkin pie which is served year round.
Other locations are in Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, downtown Los Angeles and Pasadena.
Ciao for now
Roderick Reed owns REEDesign Interiors in Laguna Beach. He lives in town with his wife Kathy and two sons Mason and Jack. http://roderickreed.com/.
