Restaurant Review : Balancero Coffee

Probably the most nifty and cozy coffeeshop in Astoria, Balancero really optimizes their space.  It's full of "heart".  Bookshelves are adorned with houseplants.  Rightfully so, the focal point is their powerful Slayer espresso machine, a $20k masterpiece of curvy metal and wood handles.  

     In addition to a partitioned sink and "food prep" area, a cup/pitcher washer is sunk into the countertop, near the barista.

     Facing the customers, a trough holds sugar, simple syrup, stirrers, and glass carafes of water.  Also along the counter, 3 complimentary NORDMÄRKE wireless charging pads make your stay more enjoyable.  

     Discretely tiny speakers pump out an upbeat soundtrack.  Incandescent bulbs dangle overhead, and the color palate blends warmly with blonde wood.  They even have a sleek restroom, tucked in the corner.  Understanding that good service requires a "connection", they elevated their work area to see eye-to-eye with customers seated on their row of 6 height-adjustable stools.  

     Born in the Balkan nation of Serbia, Zoran and Shone (pronounced Sho-né) are co-owners with careers in Hospitality.  Wearing his chef's jacket, Zoran, expertly pulled my $4.25 latte, while describing his new at-home pizza oven from Europe.  

He's the mastermind behind their flavorful sandwiches on freshly-made bread from Long Island City, Nutella "bombs", viennoiserie, and pistachio or chocolate croissants (crispy/flaky as a proper croissant should be).  



For $8.00, I got delectable bread stuffed with Prosciutto-de-Parma (the real stuff from Emilia-Romagna, Italy, which earned  Protected Designation of Origin status), pickles, greens, and thick slices of Manchego cheese.  It was wonderful.

     Assisting them is Maya, a cheery blonde barista who is truly a "people-person".  Speaking of which, the people who come here are amazing!  Such a diverse and jubilant crowd.  Always laughter, the sharing of stories (that tend to encompass strangers), and comradely... like European coffeeshops.  Each time I'm there, a new person (or couple) comes in to check it out.  One time, a husband paused his car, so the wife could run in and look around.  Each time, Zoran or Shone greeted them with handshakes and proper introductions... and offered a complimentary coffee so they could taste the quality!  That is heartfelt hospitality.  

     Another time, I was leaving as Zoran arrived to relieve Maya's shift.  He was carrying a bag of oranges, to use as pastry garnish.  After thanking me for coming, he gifted me an orange.  Such a lovely gesture.  Months ago, I finished my Saturday morning latte and overheard that it had been Zoran's birthday.  I walked 5 blocks to Leli's Bakery, had them inscribe "Happy Birthday" and brought back a small carrot cake for him.  With his full heart, he immediately sliced it up and generously offered it to all the customers--even a slice to a new couple that pushed through the door for their first visit.  Everyone was strangers, but we all sang Happy Birthday (in multiple accents) to him!  (video below)

Each night, Shone (seen below) roasts their coffee beans in their basement's roaster.  It makes the neighborhood by 31st Avenue and 37th Street smell wonderful.  



Currently, he uses Kiambu Windrush beans from Kenya: a nation in Africa that straddles the Equator and is a member of the Commonwealth.  It's famous for coffee.  He loves his $800 Mazzer machine, the "gold standard" of grinders!

$3 espresso is served in small porcelain cups/saucers, which are kept warm atop the big espresso machine.  Cortado is served in a shot glass/saucer.  Larger cups and spoons accompany larger menu items.  

Customers sit outside on a bench and two chairs (plans for a solar-powered charging station are in the works), while the floor-to-ceiling windows have a cushioned bench inside and two stools (one wood, the other is an elephant)!  Elephants are a theme in their décor.   

     Their cold-brew is delightful.  The owner of OK Café, a competitor on Ditmars Boulevard, comes there for coffee and encourages them to install a Japanese apparatus for Kyoto-cold-brew, like he has.  The chef from Gaijin, the trendy Japanese restaurant nearby, is also a "regular"... as is my hair stylist, Dragan, who works next-door.  In fact, Balancero delivers coffee orders to most of Dragan's customers.  I hope you'll become one of their "regulars", too--taking advantage of their Customers Loyalty cards (which Astoria Coffee sadly stopped doing).

Good vibes attract good vibes.  

Soon after composing this, I gave them the contact information for the Park Director of Socrates Sculpture Park. I knew that the park was in need of a new coffee purveyor.  As it turned out, the owners encountered the Director at a party in Astoria and recognized her name!  After a dialogue, they were chosen to supply parkgoers with refreshments on Saturdays (see the sign below).  It was meant to be!








I'm also thrilled to announced that this blog post attracted a social media company who began handling Balancero's marketing.  They began by interviewing me for a video, which was an honor.  Moral of the story: help your neighbors because you never know how your actions might benefit!