Coffee and tea still served in 4S Ranch, it's just local these days.

Though the pandemic continues to disrupt the restaurant industry, it hasn’t stopped the

community of 4S Ranch from receiving a significant upgrade at coffee shop. Reigning micro-roaster of the year Mostra Coffee delayed the debut of its newest north county location, due to coronavirus. However, the shop finally arrived just ahead of the 4th of July weekend, meaning just ahead of the re-closing of indoor dining.

However, Mostra had already decided to open its stylish café as a take-out only operation, for starters. Masked customers enter through the front door, then collect their beverages and exit out the side door, to a pleasant courtyard paved with bricks and featuring a small fountain.

Just before July 4th, Mostra Coffee opened a new cafe in 4S Ranch.

The business joins 4S Commons Town Center, taking over an end unit that previously housed a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. Not only is it heartening to see an independently owned shop replace a hum drum national chain here, but one owned by locals, with ties to 4S Ranch and the surrounding community.

This stylish coffeeshop interior will eventually host customers, but it's take-out only for now.

Pastries were quick to sell out in Mostra’s first days open, and apologies to those in line behind me but I got the last of the almond croissants. The drinks menu is what they really wanted anyway, Any 4S residents who lamented the loss of the Coffee Bean shop will quickly learn the quality of drinks poured at this location has improved considerably. Tea is brewed from rotating loose leaf varieties, while the usual espresso and coffee drinks are brewed from fresh beans straight from a roastery in nearby Carmel Mountain.

For your summer coffee needs, I’m going to recommend Mostra’s award winning cold brew concoctions. Boasting almost no noticeable acidity, the slow brewed Brazilian coffee helped establish the Mostra brand and a 16-ounce pour proves an easy $3 pick up every day.

The last almond croissant, sold mid-morning at Mostra coffee

Still, heading into the holiday weekend I looked to the more distinctive $4.75 flavored cold brew menu, which incorporates natural flavorings, such as a special Neapolitan flavor featuring banana milk and strawberry.

The signature drink here is the Brazillion Coconuts, brewed with coconut and vanilla. It’s smooth and sweet like a dairy coffee blend, but not so saccharine and far more refreshing. Every neighborhood deserves good coffee; 4S Ranch is especially fortunate to have it home grown.