The arrival of Loco Latte, a great new coffee shop in the retail space of the Highland Hall complex on Purchase Street, is a welcome addition for commuters, nearby residents and office workers, and the Rye Country Day community.

By Robin Jovanovich

 

The arrival of Loco Latte, a great new coffee shop in the retail space of the Highland Hall complex on Purchase Street, is a welcome addition for commuters, nearby residents and office workers, and the Rye Country Day community. And many have already hopped aboard.

 

Lev Rauchman opened the business July 1. He chose the name because of the location. It has a great industrial design feel, Wi-Fi, and lots of seating away from the counter. The space is sleek and clean, unlike chain coffee watering holes.

 

Not only does Rauchman offer a quality cup of Joe, he makes Turkish coffee, and the best chai latte in memory. All his coffees are organic. His signature concoction, loco latte, a triple shot of espresso with dark and white chocolate and frothy milk, is a great way to start the day. Just ask Highland Hall residents.

 

Rauchman, an amateur chef, also cooks up a variety of dishes: an energy breakfast of eggs with hummus and Edam cheese, Mediterranean salad, a grilled helium (hard goat cheese) sandwich, and tabbouleh, which is out of this world.

 

“I’m the cook at home,” he informed us. “And Thanksgiving is my favorite meal to prepare,” added the Israeli native who emigrated in 1996 and lives in the Bronx with his family. His wife, Jamina, a student at the New York School of Interior Design, helped him design the space. Lev, who used to own a security systems company, did a great deal of the renovation himself.

 

“After Hurricane Irene hit last summer, I was hired by the Highland Hall management company to rewire the complex,” said Rauchman. “I fell in love with the town, especially its charm and old character, and I decided to strike out in a new venture.” He added, “It’s always been my dream to open a restaurant. Food is in my blood, thanks to my mother. I don’t work off recipes, I just start creating.”

 

One of his best creations is tuna tartare with cucumbers and soy sauce, which he entered in a recent food competition. He got such great reviews that the food networks soon started calling. He said he wouldn’t be adverse to a star turn in the kitchen.

 

Loco Latte hours are Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m.-8 p.m., and Sunday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. “We’re here for coffee lovers when you leave in the morning and

when you get back at night. I may want to change my schedule once I get the business on track, so I can spend a little more time with my beautiful wife and our 5 and 3 year olds.”