When two people become a couple and move in together, there are always decisions to be made about just how far to take their union. Are they getting married or merely cohabiting? Will they merge their finances or maintain separate accounts? The same can be true for businesses under the same roof. Two local favorites, Peixoto Coffee and Chacónne Patisserie, have recently moved in together on the ground floor of one of Arizona State University’s buildings in downtown Phoenix, creating a joint operation known sometimes as CP Coffee and Patisserie.
To be clear, the CP name is a convenient shorthand. Legally and financially, Peixoto and Chacónne remain two separate entities, sort of like a newly formed couple testing the waters by living together without sharing a bank account or filing taxes jointly. The two maintain separate signs outside their shared space at Fourth Street and Garfield, just five blocks from Roosevelt/Central station on the B Line. Because the building is a newly constructed academic research facility, there are abundant bike racks facing fourth street next to a patio dining area.
While the modernity of this particular ASU health sciences research building, which is officially known as ISTB8, might suggest sterility, the two food service tenants have created an atmosphere of warmth with both their products and their service. At each of the two counters, greetings are prompt and explanations as detailed as needed. That’s fortunate because each member of the duo offers an elevated and nuanced version of its particular specialties, whether single origin coffee and espresso drinks or buttery, flaky viennoiserie and crusty loaves of bread.
The Peixoto half of the operation comes to downtown Phoenix from Brazil via Chandler. In that suburb’s small but walkable core, Peixoto has been a presence for over a decade with its vertically integrated approach to coffee. By roasting beans from its own family farm in Brazil, as well as offering some other brews from elsewhere, Peixoto has pursued a sophisticated approach to coffee best first sampled through its pour-over experience, which allows the customer to benefit from meticulous preparation and to enjoy the beverage on its own terms.
From there, Peixoto uses its Familia roast as the basis for espresso drinks, including not only the usual classic lattes and cappuccinos, but also seasonal drinks with added flavors and flourishes. A fall butter pumpkin latte is restrained and balanced, with a little layer of sweetness in its top layer and a more mellow, creamy base below. Cold brew is available on its own or with accentuations such as cold foam and pistachio flavoring. Teas, including traditional black, green, and caffeine-free rooibos varieties, are brewed to order and can be served hot or iced.
While Peixoto provides the drinks, Chacónne Patisserie, a favorite at the Uptown Farmers Market with a retail bakery in southern Scottsdale, furnishes the food. That begins with all sorts of baked goods in the French viennoiserie tradition, including of course croissants and pain au chocolat. Original creations include cardamon cinnamon buns, a smaller and less messy alternative to the traditional cinnamon bun with just a hint of spice. A cream cheese tart has seasonal fillings, including a recent one with tart cranberries within its pastry enclosure.
On the savory side, Chacónne offers croissants with ham and cheese and tomato tarts, but it departs entirely from pastry with crusty loaves of bread that are well suited to sandwiches. In fact, in extending itself beyond snacks and dessert to serve as a place for a meal of sorts, the bakery offers pre-made sandwiches with fillings such as ham and cheese, tomato and cucumber, and smoked salmon. The last choice is particularly fulfilling with the slices of fish accessorized with cream cheese, onions, lemon oil, and fresh dill within a seeded baguette.
There are also toasts with toppings such as avocado, almond butter, and a spiced jam made with stone fruit. These combined with a hearty coffee or tea drink can serve either as a substantial snack or a light breakfast. Like a couple that enjoys a happy partnership while allowing both persons the space to be themselves, CP seems to be working as a harmonious marriage of coffee and pastry sanctioned by the university that hosts both within its research building. It’s not a full merger or marriage, but a healthy relationship that we could use more of.
821 N. 4th St., Phoenix AZ 85004
https://peixotocoffee.square.site
https://www.chaconnepatisserie.com
PHX Rail Food 