Delores L.
Yelp
Neon Belly Coffee, a bright and inviting space, is located on Burnet Road in a strip mall shopping center. I got the opportunity to meet Tony Latto, one of the owners. His wife is a co-owner. He told me the coffee shop reflects he and his wife's interests. Kathleen Wainwright, his wife, is represented by the cat theme, a take on Kat's name. Tony is reflected in the coffee shop's name. According to Tony, the literal definition of neon belly is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu move where you place your knee across your opponent's torso to apply pressure, control, and set up submissions. They liked that name and their interpretation is that it means happy belly, which you will receive after dining in their coffee shop.
When you walk into Neon Belly Coffee you are immediately captivated by a colorful abstract wall mural, which evokes a 70's vibe. They also had cool, mellow tunes playing. Floor to ceiling windows allows for natural sunlight creating a bright and airy feel. Since his wife is a yoga enthusiast, this likely is one of her contributions to the space.
Now for the coffee... Neon Coffee uses locally roasted brews. For example, they serve espresso from Creature Coffee. You will also find blends from Armadillo and Flora Coffee in addition to a full matcha bar. Their menu is rather extensive with assortment of coffee and teas. I always inquire about the most popular menu items. Tony said the baklava latte was most popular. So, I said give me that one. I did express concern about it being too sweet and I was told not to worry. OMG the baklava latte was delicious - robust, flavorful and not your typical tasting latte. In addition, I bought an orange muffin, which was good and not too sweet. They serve pastries and a variety cookies with the molasses cookie being the most popular.
Additional specifics...Parking is plentiful and free. They also have designated parking spots for pickup. It is important to note that Neon Belly Coffee is dog-friendly allowing your fur babies refuge on the outdoor patio. They also have free WIFI. Importantly, they open at 6 am, so can have a leisurely cup coffee before you start your day.
According to Tony, he and his wife wanted to create a space where folks come together as a community and enjoy great coffee and teas. The entire coffee shop is aesthetically pleasing with a Zen persona from the lighting and colors to the wall mural. It is not your typical coffee shop, in a very good way!
P.S. I did have a molasses cookie today and it was fabulous.