My name is maryana , and at 43 years old, I wake up every morning in the heart of Chicago, listening to the city’s early buzz with one hand on my French press. My friends like to joke that my blood type is probably espresso. From a young age, the comforting smell of roasted beans and the sound of milk frothing became as natural to me as breathing. I grew up on the South Side, where my grandmother made Turkish coffee thick enough to stand a spoon in, and my dad insisted on making cold brew even in the dead of winter.

I never planned to become obsessed with coffee, but as a teenager, I started sneaking into independent cafés after school, peppering baristas with questions until they either kicked me out or handed me a portafilter. I spent my college years pulling shots in Wicker Park and learning the art of balance—between caffeine and creativity, boldness and subtlety. Eventually, my curiosity pushed me to travel, from the third-wave coffee bars of Seattle to the old-school espresso counters of Rome. Every stop, every sip, and every conversation shaped my approach.

Back home, I opened a small café tucked between a bookstore and a flower shop, where I mix drinks with the same attention a chef brings to plating a dish. My menu changes with the seasons: maple lattes in the fall, rosemary-citrus cold brews in summer, and—for the adventurous—a smoky mezcal affogato that once made someone declare me a “mad genius.” I love experimenting with unexpected infusions and flavors, but I never lose sight of the basics. At the end of the day, nothing beats the perfect cappuccino shared over good conversation.

My passion isn’t just for coffee, but for the moments it creates. I believe every drink should tell a story—maybe it’s a spiked cocoa on a snowy day, or a simple pour-over that reminds you of home. I’m always open about my successes and my spectacular failures (ask me about the pumpkin-spice matcha that never made it past the first taste-test), because every flop just means there’s another great drink waiting to be discovered.

I love connecting with anyone who gets excited about what’s in their mug. Whether you’re a seasoned barista or someone just looking for a better morning routine, my door is open. Come say hi, ask me about my favorite single-origin bean this week, or challenge me with a wild new flavor idea. Around here, there’s always time for one more cup.