A Quick personal note:
Hello & a good evening to you coffee addicts. If you haven’t heard yet I’ve been going through a bit of a lull period with transitioning to a new position as well as moving out of the cities, these last few weeks have been pretty tough for myself, but I’m adjusting. I appreciate the patience and I hope you all enjoy this week’s post!
A Little Background
(Arise back side in front side)
Okie doke let’s get down to it. Today we’ve got a shop that’s about 25-30 minutes out from the Twin Cities depending where you are. “Why are you branching out to the suburbs already Dil?”. Because you goomba, this is my hometown shop. Arise is the best coffee shop in Burnsville and is located conveniently in the heart of the city, in short it’s the top pick around here.
I’ve been going to this location since it was still called Jojo’s back when I was still attending Burnsville High School. We’d come here for chill evenings after school and also support our local friends performing live on the weekends. Something about the ambiance and surrounding area really gives that cozy feel like you’re tucked into a shop that resembles the city.
The sad part of this story is that that Jojo’s had to close down during COVID and unfortunately they weren’t coming back. The hearts of many locals were crushed due to the loss of their comfort spot. COVID did a lot, but don’t you worry, this story doesn’t have a bitter ending. On June 24th of 2021, Colette & her mother Janet revitalized the spot, bringing life back to the location.
What it’s like & why it’s unique
(Little sign on the side of Arise, they’ve got options)
The full name of this location is Arise Nicolette Coffee Company. It has all of the energy of our previous beloved Jojo’s Coffee with a modernized & more updated look while at the same time bringing a relaxed and comfortable space.
The space itself is very long having over a variety of seating choices from tables to high tops, a few couches by their fireplaces, outdoor patio seating and evening a meeting room in the back, in other words you have many options.
Meals
(Colette & Janet’s Homemade Spinach & Artichoke Dip + Vietnamese Coffee)
They’ve got a few specialty meals on the menu and guess what? They’re all homemade. Sometimes the meals can take a little bit longer opposed to your average shop, but understand that this means they are putting more time & love into your meal. Not only does the food taste amazing, the dishes look just as good.
The first time I was here I tried their spinach artichoke dip. I was skeptical at first because like most of us, I don’t enjoy most things that involve artichoke-yeah the plate was spotless after. When I came back early this summer with my mother (Mama Dong) we tried the flatbread & sweet potato fries.
I was to draw a quick foundation for you all, my family is a family of cooks. Everyone knows how to cook, we’ve had chefs, servers, & restaurants in the past. Mama Dong is THE HEAD COOK, she’s in charge of the family gathering meals. During Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, I wouldn’t get in her way in the kitchen. Relaying back to our meal she commented they were the best sweet potato fries & aioli she’s had-ever.
Drinks
They source their coffee from Peace Coffee & their milk from Autumn Wood Farms. Every time I’ve been here I’ve had the Vietnamese coffee. As a Vietnamese guy, though it was sweeter than your average ca phe sua da (Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk) I can confidently say it is very similar to that of what we make back home.
Who You’d Run Into
(Some outdoor patio seating options!)
Being that it is out in the suburbs, you’re going to run into a lot of people from the Burnsville/Eagan/Savage district, but Arise does not focus on a single demographic. You’ll see everyone from students, to parents with their kiddos, to the elderly. This is just the spot to be in the heart of the city. It’s a space where people can casually meet, use as their office for the day, and even just hangout.
Colette (owner) mentioned that Arise has been the toughest thing she has ever undertaken, but this has always been her dream. She wants this to continue to be a space for the community to gather through good times and bad. “All are welcome here, the never focus on just one demographic here”.
Useful Things
Their Instagram: @arisenicolette.cc
The Coffee Club Info: https://16ozdays.com/16ozdays-coffee-club/
The Coffee Club Signup: https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLGS3KYY5Q73T/checkout/KAMMCVAJV23YDLTB5BTNMNHG?src=embed
Our Team: @16ozDays
Final Words
(Some cozy living room style seating + meeting room in the back)
Colette & her mother Janet are very cute. They work together and provide great service to all customers and to the community. They have collaborated with the heart of the city a few times and continue thinking of ways to further the menu & the shop.
Arise is a jack of all trades. The uniqueness comes from a part of everything from the homemade meals, delectable coffee, the personable service, along with the space itself. I mentioned it already earlier in the post, but I really want to emphasize that Arise Nicollete Coffee Company is a warm & welcoming space that is a strong & accurate representation of Burnsville’s Heart of the City.
As always thank you all for taking the time to read this. Have a wonderful rest of your weekend Coffee Addicts!
With Gratitude,
Dil
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