Colors
Coffee and cardamom buns on weekends
August Saturday. The chemung sun sometimes peeps out from behind the light clouds and hides back. The warm wind pleasantly rubs the hem of my multicoloured flannel shirt and, overtaking me, runs away down the Maly Prospect.
I pull the steel handle of the transparent door, which still smells a little of glass cleaner. Or maybe it's just my imagination. I see one of the employees in a black apron rubbing it to shine as I approach the coffee shop.
I pull the steel handle of the transparent door, which still smells a little of glass cleaner. Or maybe it's just my imagination. I see one of the employees in a black apron rubbing it to shine as I approach the coffee shop.
August Saturday. The chemung sun sometimes peeps out from behind the light clouds and hides back. The warm wind pleasantly rubs the hem of my multicoloured flannel shirt and, overtaking me, runs away down the Maly Prospect.
I pull the steel handle of the transparent door, which still smells a little of glass cleaner. Or maybe it's just my imagination. I see one of the employees in a black apron rubbing it to shine as I approach the coffee shop.
I pull the steel handle of the transparent door, which still smells a little of glass cleaner. Or maybe it's just my imagination. I see one of the employees in a black apron rubbing it to shine as I approach the coffee shop.
To the left of the entrance are two low metal chairs the colour of too sweet dessert or strawberry margaritas.
Above them are two, at first glance round mirrors of different sizes, but on closer inspection I see their slightly distorted shape.
The coffee table between the armchairs, which could well serve not only for breakfast but also for storing books and magazines, echoes this imperfection.
Above them are two, at first glance round mirrors of different sizes, but on closer inspection I see their slightly distorted shape.
The coffee table between the armchairs, which could well serve not only for breakfast but also for storing books and magazines, echoes this imperfection.
To the left of the entrance are two low metal chairs the colour of too sweet dessert or strawberry margaritas.
Above them are two, at first glance round mirrors of different sizes, but on closer inspection I see their slightly distorted shape.
The coffee table between the armchairs, which could well serve not only for breakfast but also for storing books and magazines, echoes this imperfection.
Above them are two, at first glance round mirrors of different sizes, but on closer inspection I see their slightly distorted shape.
The coffee table between the armchairs, which could well serve not only for breakfast but also for storing books and magazines, echoes this imperfection.
The aroma of freshly ground coffee pleasantly tickles your nose from the very doorstep. The wide L-shaped bar counter is paved with white matt square tiles with bright pink grout.
Ceramic cups with colourful geometric shapes sleep on a massive black coffee machine.
To the left is everything a person might need for a takeaway coffee. A potted ficus stands by the cash register, and underneath it are several packs of coffee from Moscow roasters Submarine.
A transparent niche to the right of the cash desk proudly displays cupcakes with white cream caps and fresh pies.
On the counter next to the glasses is a metal tray full of cardamom scones — a weekend special. Brings back fond memories of Stockholm.
Ceramic cups with colourful geometric shapes sleep on a massive black coffee machine.
To the left is everything a person might need for a takeaway coffee. A potted ficus stands by the cash register, and underneath it are several packs of coffee from Moscow roasters Submarine.
A transparent niche to the right of the cash desk proudly displays cupcakes with white cream caps and fresh pies.
On the counter next to the glasses is a metal tray full of cardamom scones — a weekend special. Brings back fond memories of Stockholm.
The aroma of freshly ground coffee pleasantly tickles your nose from the very doorstep. The wide L-shaped bar counter is paved with white matt square tiles with bright pink grout.
Ceramic cups with colourful geometric shapes sleep on a massive black coffee machine.
To the left is everything a person might need for a takeaway coffee. A potted ficus stands by the cash register, and underneath it are several packs of coffee from Moscow roasters Submarine.
A transparent niche to the right of the cash desk proudly displays cupcakes with white cream caps and fresh pies.
On the counter next to the glasses is a metal tray full of cardamom scones — a weekend special. Brings back fond memories of Stockholm.
Ceramic cups with colourful geometric shapes sleep on a massive black coffee machine.
To the left is everything a person might need for a takeaway coffee. A potted ficus stands by the cash register, and underneath it are several packs of coffee from Moscow roasters Submarine.
A transparent niche to the right of the cash desk proudly displays cupcakes with white cream caps and fresh pies.
On the counter next to the glasses is a metal tray full of cardamom scones — a weekend special. Brings back fond memories of Stockholm.
On the corner of the bar is a massive clear vase with scattered dry branches that snake their way through the pendant's narrow lamp with a warm glow that echoes the shape of the counter beneath it.
The blue curved drinking water tap to the left of the vase is unashamedly a bright spot in this symmetrical pattern.
Coffee shop's naming is reflected here in literally every detail.
The blue curved drinking water tap to the left of the vase is unashamedly a bright spot in this symmetrical pattern.
Coffee shop's naming is reflected here in literally every detail.
On the corner of the bar is a massive clear vase with scattered dry branches that snake their way through the pendant's narrow lamp with a warm glow that echoes the shape of the counter beneath it.
The blue curved drinking water tap to the left of the vase is unashamedly a bright spot in this symmetrical pattern.
Coffee shop's naming is reflected here in literally every detail.
The blue curved drinking water tap to the left of the vase is unashamedly a bright spot in this symmetrical pattern.
Coffee shop's naming is reflected here in literally every detail.
Opposite the counter along the windows, tables await their first visitors. A seating area with blue mattresses under miniature pale green metal tables that seem to grow right out of the bench.
Further on, the grassy colour gets bigger. It stretches along the rest of the row of round tables for 3-4 people, rests in a corner and turns right, taking in a few more tables with round-backed metal chairs nestled around them.
Further on, the grassy colour gets bigger. It stretches along the rest of the row of round tables for 3-4 people, rests in a corner and turns right, taking in a few more tables with round-backed metal chairs nestled around them.
Opposite the counter along the windows, tables await their first visitors. A seating area with blue mattresses under miniature pale green metal tables that seem to grow right out of the bench.
Further on, the grassy colour gets bigger. It stretches along the rest of the row of round tables for 3-4 people, rests in a corner and turns right, taking in a few more tables with round-backed metal chairs nestled around them.
Further on, the grassy colour gets bigger. It stretches along the rest of the row of round tables for 3-4 people, rests in a corner and turns right, taking in a few more tables with round-backed metal chairs nestled around them.
I take a table by the window with a monstera on the windowsill. I retire to the lavatory, which is paved with the same square tiles as the bar.
When I return, there's a Flat White on the table, with an even cap of foam in that ceramic mug, the sides of which each element echoing a colour from the palette of the place.
When I return, there's a Flat White on the table, with an even cap of foam in that ceramic mug, the sides of which each element echoing a colour from the palette of the place.
I take a table by the window with a monstera on the windowsill. I retire to the lavatory, which is paved with the same square tiles as the bar.
When I return, there's a Flat White on the table, with an even cap of foam in that ceramic mug, the sides of which each element echoing a colour from the palette of the place.
When I return, there's a Flat White on the table, with an even cap of foam in that ceramic mug, the sides of which each element echoing a colour from the palette of the place.
Blue, green, pink, and even an orange that is hidden in the inner corner of the archway leading to the area with the shells.
I open the book and don't notice the hour fly by. Almost every table around is already occupied.
I open the book and don't notice the hour fly by. Almost every table around is already occupied.
Blue, green, pink, and even an orange that is hidden in the inner corner of the archway leading to the area with the shells.
I open the book and don't notice the hour fly by. Almost every table around is already occupied.
I open the book and don't notice the hour fly by. Almost every table around is already occupied.
For breakfast, they serve the usual coffee shop fare—all sorts of variations of hearty toast, prefabricated scrambles, sweet breakfasts and porridge.
I remember that last summer they served a perfect semolina porridge with raspberry jam, violet flowers and cashews.
Part of the menu is updated from season to season, so if you want to enjoy your new favourite item a couple more times, it's best not to delay.
I remember that last summer they served a perfect semolina porridge with raspberry jam, violet flowers and cashews.
Part of the menu is updated from season to season, so if you want to enjoy your new favourite item a couple more times, it's best not to delay.
For breakfast, they serve the usual coffee shop fare—all sorts of variations of hearty toast, prefabricated scrambles, sweet breakfasts and porridge.
I remember that last summer they served a perfect semolina porridge with raspberry jam, violet flowers and cashews.
Part of the menu is updated from season to season, so if you want to enjoy your new favourite item a couple more times, it's best not to delay.
I remember that last summer they served a perfect semolina porridge with raspberry jam, violet flowers and cashews.
Part of the menu is updated from season to season, so if you want to enjoy your new favourite item a couple more times, it's best not to delay.
The only unoccupied table in the centre of the room is pink and oddly shaped, resembling a liquid spreading on the surface.
There are low wooden stools around it, and underneath the table top there are hidden sockets and hooks for bags.
There are bowls with water for dogs carefully placed against the wall next to it.
There are low wooden stools around it, and underneath the table top there are hidden sockets and hooks for bags.
There are bowls with water for dogs carefully placed against the wall next to it.
The only unoccupied table in the centre of the room is pink and oddly shaped, resembling a liquid spreading on the surface.
There are low wooden stools around it, and underneath the table top there are hidden sockets and hooks for bags.
There are bowls with water for dogs carefully placed against the wall next to it.
There are low wooden stools around it, and underneath the table top there are hidden sockets and hooks for bags.
There are bowls with water for dogs carefully placed against the wall next to it.
For me, it's about a place where you can read a book in a measured way, with the occasional sip of a strong flat white. The concept of slow-living in its usual Millennial incarnation.
As I walk out, I look back at the illuminated "coffee. people. food" sign. A warm feeling spills in my chest, like after a conversation with a friend. I know for sure that I will definitely come back to Colors again, when my way will lie through Petrograd side.
As I walk out, I look back at the illuminated "coffee. people. food" sign. A warm feeling spills in my chest, like after a conversation with a friend. I know for sure that I will definitely come back to Colors again, when my way will lie through Petrograd side.
For me, it's about a place where you can read a book in a measured way, with the occasional sip of a strong flat. The concept of slow-living in its usual Millennial incarnation.
As I walk out, I look back at the illuminated "coffee. people. food" sign. A warm feeling spills in my chest, like after a conversation with a friend. I know for sure that I will definitely come back to Colors again, when my way will lie through Petrograd side.
As I walk out, I look back at the illuminated "coffee. people. food" sign. A warm feeling spills in my chest, like after a conversation with a friend. I know for sure that I will definitely come back to Colors again, when my way will lie through Petrograd side.
Your place worth a story
And I'd love to tell it