Brain Freeze offers something for everyone
By Jessica Tuggle
jtuggle@hometownnewsol.com
VERO BEACH - A delightful eatery in the Miracle Mile in Vero Beach may be known as Brain Freeze, but the friendly smiles and cheerful service will melt your heart.
If a caffeinated pick-me-up is just what the doctor ordered, Kristine "Cricket" Klose, the barista at Brain Freeze, can whip one up in a jiffy.
Hot, iced, espresso, cappuccino or frappe: no matter the size or style, the rich, freshly ground coffee proves that Brain Freeze respects the bean.
"All of our coffee ingredients are organic and we primarily use Batdorf and Bronson, a coffee brand based out of Atlanta," Ms. Klose said.
The coffee beans are not kept longer than one week.
"I always have the freshest product," Ms. Klose said.
Espressos are prepared in a separate machine to ensure excellent quality.
Ms. Klose was trained as a barista on the Italian-made La Marzocco espresso machines, the same machine Brain Freeze carries.
Behind the counter is a flurry of activity as Ms. Klose takes orders and prepares coffees for customers. Steaming milk, measuring beans, combining ingredients, all percolate into a beautiful aroma and a satisfying taste.
"My specialty, the Cricket Specialty, is an iced latte with caramel salted and chocolate milano," Ms. Klose said.
Soy milk is available at the same price as regular milk, she said.
Instead of throwing away the coffee grounds, Brain Freeze collects them and donates them to a local community garden for composting.
The Brain Freeze menu has a variety of enticing foods to go with their coffee and other beverage options.
Delectable baked muffins are available in various flavors, including banana nut, blueberry, lemon poppy and sometimes cranberry orange and morning glory.
For coffee fanatics, there is even a cappuccino muffin.
Bagels are another popular item on the menu.
The dough for the bagels is shipped from Brooklyn, N.Y., and the bagels are made on site at Brain Freeze, culminating into the best tasting New York bagel in town, Ms. Klose said.
The smell of fresh bread is quite intoxicating and the taste of the bagel, whether it is toasted or not, is like biting into bread heaven.
"You'll feel like you just stepped out of a bakery in Brooklyn," Ms. Klose said.
Brain Freeze is owned and operated by David, Joey and Lisa Bishop.
The small restaurant also offers hot and cold sandwiches, breakfast sandwiches, soups, salads, smoothies and frozen yogurt.
The wildberry smoothie is delicious, flooding the tongue with an explosion of fruit flavors.
"If you want to know everything on our menu, just come on in and see," Ms. Klose said with a laugh.
Hours of operation are Sunday through Thursday, 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday until 10 p.m.
Brain Freeze is located at 2217 Seventh Ave., Vero Beach. For more information, call (772) 492-9356 or visit www.facebook.com/brainfreezevero.