It’s named for its coffee, but remembered for its tasty fare. 

 

By Jon Craig

 

It’s named for its coffee, but remembered for its tasty fare.

 

Loco Latte, a 3-month-old coffee shop on the ground level at Highland Hall on north Purchase Street, appears to be attracting as many patrons for its food as its coffee. It continues to be a welcome addition for commuters, Indian Village and downtown residents, office workers, and the Rye Country Day community.

 

“I’m not a baker,’’ Lev Rauchman admits, but he sells wonderful croissants and muffins.

 

The best-kept secret is that Rauchman is a daring cook who loves to experiment with new recipes. One day last week, he whipped up a plateful of salads, sauces, and dips that went marvelously with hummus and pita bread. The colorful array of food included tabbouleh, baba ganoush, potato salad, eggplant, tuna, and harissa, a pasty treat made with honey and red peppers.

 

“I’m very picky about my tuna,’’ he said of his steamed and shredded fare, spiced up with pepper, lemon, tarragon, and oregano.

 

“We try to go healthy,’’ he said. “It’s important that the food is good, satisfying and also energetic so it doesn’t make you want to go to sleep in the middle of the day.’’

 

So far, his top-selling sandwiches are turkey, tuna, and fresh goat cheese.

 

Loco Latte is convenient, spacious enough for family gatherings, but cozy enough for someone seeking a quiet spot to work on their laptop. (Rauchman offers free Wi-Fi.)

 

His coffee, all organic, may be the best in town. Several patrons lined up to wait for chai tea latte and Turkish coffee during our last stop. His signature brew, loco latte, includes a triple shot of espresso with dark and white chocolate and frothy milk.

 

So, next time you’re at Loco Latte, drink and eat up.