Another Coffee Shop In JP Opens: Espresso Yourself

JAMAICA PLAIN, MA — It wasn't long ago that the only place to get a cup of coffee and sit and work on Centre Street was City Feed or Fiorre's. Now it seems you can't go a block without having a cup of joe available. This Spring, another coffee shop joined the crew on Centre Street: Espresso Yourself.

Owner Feruz Tairov came to the states about a decade ago from Central Asia and always had a love of preparing food and a good cup of coffee. Although this is his first restaurant, he's got a little something that helps his coffee shop stand out.

Like the other spots in JP that serve coffee, the sandwiches are made in house (with bread from When Pigs Fly), but the menu also offers a variety of toasts. Espresso Yourself also has wifi and plugs making it an especially convenient spot to come and work and - at least right now - there's space to do that. But what really sets this spot apart from the other coffee shops, is the imported halva — a Middle Eastern confection generally made of pulverized sesame seeds and honey.

Tairov has a variety of special halva from Amsterdam-based SumSum and it's a whole different experience from the types of halva normally available in the US, he said.

"Every country has a different take on halva, and you'll be able to taste the difference," he said on a recent Thursday evening in between ringing up customers coming in just before he closed up shop.

He's toying with the idea of giving new customers a little sample of the halva along with their coffee when they order to stay. And thus far, experiments there have been successful.

"Once they sample it, they want to buy it," he said.

He'll slice off a 7 oz bit of the rich sesame-based sweet treat and sell it for about $12. He's still considering selling half sizes for folks who just want a taste, as well. Look for every kind of flavor from vanilla to whisky or nutella coming soon.

His baked goods, from muffins to cookies, come from the Danish Bakery in Watertown. And the fanciful small cakes on display next to the register come from the Lynn-based pastry chef who supplies pastries to the Top of The Hub restaurant in the Back Bay.

Esspresso Yourself's coffee - Kohve Koffee comes from a Newton distributor. Saturdays, he's had a live band play from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and he hopes to keep that up. Though the space opened quietly in late May, once the halva shipment arrives he plans to host a grand opening in the next week or two.

"We've just been trying to make sure everything is set up," he said, adding he's hoping to get some seating outside.

As for the story behind the name?

"It was just a cute name my girlfriend and I thought of," he says simply, as Taylor Swift plays in the background.

Espresso Yourself is located near the Monument right next to Salmagundi. They're open til 6 p.m.

Photos of the shop on Thursday, July 5 just before closing by Jenna Fisher/ Patch