I’ve never been a huge fan of Starbucks, although I certainly credit them for single-handedly upping our collective appreciation for a breadth of coffee drinks, personalized to one’s particular (albeit, even peculiar) tastes. No, when it comes to coffee I really dig the homegrown, yet slightly more upscale joints where equal thought is given to ambiance, food (particularly baked goods) and, of course, a well-made shot of espresso.

Café Rosé (as in the blush wine) is Alex Brennan-Martin’s small, casual counterpart to the new Bistro Alex upstairs, as well as adjacent to the new Hotel Sorella in City Centre. I slipped in recently and caught up with Alex, his new chefs and management team there and was impressed by the quick and tasty breakfast, lunch and light dinner fare, but was positively wowed by the baristas behind the coffee bar.  

Serving up Illy coffee drinks, you can tell this gang is having fun steaming, frothing and layering coffee concoctions that taste as good as they look. (How many places can brag they can do that?) Slip in any day of the week and sip a vanilla or mocha frappe, a delicate balance of volumes from milk to cream to coffee and flavor-spiked syrups served in a conical glass. 

If you’re still taking baby steps towards downing a straight shot of espresso, why not nurse a marroccino caldo instead? (A shot glass of Illy espresso atop a ring of chocolate sauce topped with foamed milk that’s been dusted with a cocoa design.) No sugar needed, look, stir, and then appreciatively savor. Wander in after dark and try a shot of Patron tequila mixed with coffee liqueur–heated–and topped with a frothy topping of whole milk. Mexican Irish coffee? They promise me its really good. Who knows? Of course, as the name suggested Café Rosé serves a lot more than just great coffee drinks, but stocks a respectable array of wines by the glass too.   Café Rose, 800 W. Sam Houston Parkway, 713.827.3545, www.bistroalex.com