Check out some 'Bad Ass' coffee

Date AddedOctober 02, 2009 08:28:09 AM

Author

"Beach time" is an interesting phenomenon. Clocks are unimportant, no one's in a hurry and chill is the name of the game. It's not too late to hone your internal beach-time clock by enjoying long lunches with friends, aimlessly wandering on the Internet while sipping java and soaking up the sun's rays while petting your pooch on the porch. You'll find an endless summer of beach time at Bad Ass Coffee.

On 18th Street a block from the Virginia Beach Convention Center, BAC is part of the Hawaiian franchise now based out of Salt Lake City. Owned by sisters Milene Gengler and Mimi Elliott since 2006, the Beach BAC is housed in a quaint beach cottage decorated in color-washed hues of orange, yellow and turquoise. It feels like home.

There is a bar with seating for six or so. There are slouchy couches for taking advantage of free Web access. There are a few tables for two, but this is a place to congregate in intimate numbers, order to go or enjoy the outdoor deck area.

The staff greets everyone warmly. They seems to know many by name and know the way they take their drinks.

My group was not impressed with the coffee. My three cohorts had all spent time in Hawaii and loved the rich, flavorful javas. They ordered the strongest and most expensive Kona brew ($2.25 for 12 ounces) black and described it as weak and mild. I had a sugar-free Vanilla Nut Latte (16 ounces, $3.50) and was pleased with the richness and flavor. We also had a Strawberry Mango Fruit Smoothie (24 ounces, $4.70), which was tart and naturally sweet. It is made from a red tea base with pureed fruit and is a trademark creation.

From the daily specials, we ordered the RBQ chicken quesadilla on a pesto tortilla ($4.50) and found it hot off the grill, adequately full of cheddar cheese and moist, sweet chicken served with ranch sauce, thus the "R" in RBQ.

We also shared the three-cheese caprese sandwich ($3.95), which was everyone's favorite. It offered rich provolone, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses with ripe slices of tomato, served on a toasted whole wheat sub roll. These come with choice of chips, but our order takers forgot to mention this, so we didn't get them. The Bad Ass salad ($5.75) included fresh field greens, roasted pineapple, macadamia nuts, Maui onions and a maple vinaigrette. The tasty juice from the roasted pineapple and nuts was enough to dress the delicate salad.

I like the casual vibe of this place. I didn't like the sticky table surface. The owners said there is a problem with the finish that a contractor was supposed to have corrected. It would be fixed this week, they said.

If not, I'm sitting at the bar next time to try some of the breakfast yummies.

Judy Cowling, flavor@pilotonline.com