New Coffee Shop Brings Authentic Italian Flavor To Greenwich

GREENWICH, CT — The moment a customer steps through the door at Coffee Luca, they are immediately met with a symphony of sensations: the smell of espresso and fresh baked biscottis; the immediate feeling of warmth; the sounds of Dean Martin or Andrea Bocelli set to the tune of brewing coffee.

According to co-owner Luca Morabito, it is all these senses working in tandem that create an appealing atmosphere for his new coffee shop and espresso bar.

Tucked away inside the Something Natural sandwich shop at 189 Greenwich Avenue, Coffee Luca is somewhat of a hidden gem. Having moved to Greenwich from Italy nearly five years ago, Morabito knows authentic Italian coffee and was eager to bring that unique taste to the area.

Working with his partner, Lukas Pupillo, who lives in Italy but is in contact with Morabito every day, the two were able to secure the shared space inside Something Natural and opened the shop in April.

"We found the owner of Something Natural was looking for someone to take care of their coffee area," Morabito said. "Sharing this space with them was, I think, the best idea. It’s very helpful for both of us."

When he first moved to the area, Morabito noticed a lot of the coffee he would get had a tendency to be too strong or bitter, as opposed to the smooth and balanced flavor he had loved in Italy. He also had trouble finding anyone who made espresso macchiato, something he likes to start every morning with.

The coffee at Coffee Luca is made from Morabito's own recipe and roasted by BonJo Coffee Roasters in Stamford. The menu offers a wide variety of drinks, including cappuccinos, Americanos, latte macchiatos and of course the aforementioned espresso macchiato.

When paired with one of their many unique flavors of homemade biscottis, such as rum and marshmallow, the coffee evokes the feeling of dining in a cafe in Italy.

"We put a lot of heart and emotion into everything we do," barista Courtney Nordholm said. "Luca is from Italy, and he knows that Italian flavor of coffee and pastries. Not many coffee places have pastries that they make in-house."

Nordholm helped get things set up at Coffee Luca before their April opening. Her favorite menu item is the mocaccino nutella, which features nutela with espresso, some steamed milk, whipped cream and more nutella on top.

"Luca has put a lot of thought and a lot of work into making the perfect coffee bean for our espresso and regular drip coffee," Nordholm said.

Morabito's devotion is evident in his schedule, as he arrives to work every morning around 4:30 a.m. to prepare the baked goods. He then opens the shop at 6 a.m. and is there until closing.

"It’s beautiful because I like to wake up early," Morabito said. "The best things in your day happen in the morning...it’s beautiful to see the sunrise here."

He is also frequently seen talking with customers, aiming to make them feel welcome, and often seeks out their opinions on various menu items.

"The coffee here is really good," Greenwich resident Rob said as he enjoyed a cappuccino Tuesday. "I've worked in a couple coffee shops and this is really good coffee. I like the decor and the atmosphere."

Morabito said he initially dreamed of moving to New York City when he decided to leave Italy, however he soon fell in love with Greenwich, as did his wife and three children. He and Pupillo also found the area was an ideal location for Coffee Luca as many in the area had traveled to and sampled food and coffee in Italy. As a result, many come in seeking an authentic Italian coffee shop experience.

Morabito is careful not to credit himself solely for the success of Coffee Luca. He uses the fingers on his hand to demonstrate the fact that the shop is the result of the dedication and support he receives from his partner, his employees, his family, his customers and the Greenwich community.

"I love this town," Morabito said. "The people understand coffee and food very well."