When Cafe Eclectic closed in early December, its ubiquitous barista, Anthony Brinton, hinted that he would be starting a cafe of his own. Yesterday, when I bumped into him at Trend Coffee & Tea House, Brinton’s plan had progressed enough for him to share it with me.
Brinton plans to open a new coffee shop, the Red Eye Cafe, at 94 Walnut St., the space recently vacated by The Chocolate Path. He emphasized that he needs to get all kinds of permits from the town, and that he’s shooting for a mid-March opening.
The soft-spoken Brinton, who looks as much like a movie cowboy as anybody in Baristaville, was a favorite of many Baristanet readers — including Scientific American editor Fred Guterl — when he helmed the cappuccino machine at Cafe Eclectic. Eclectic’s owner, Julio Valentin, made a gift of it to him.
Can’t wait.
Glad to hear it. Not sure what a “movie cowboy” is, however.
It depends if she means Brokeback Mountain, City Slickers, or True Grit (and then it’s between John Wayne and Jeff Bridges). They’re all pretty cool characters.
I must really be living under a log — how did I not know Eclectic closed?! I went back and read the original posting about the closing from December and find even more reason to dislike that Cuban Pete’s guy. I swore never to eat at that restaurant again after asking the waiter and manager to lower (not turn off) the volume of the music and being met with the rudest refusals I’d ever experienced in a supposed service industry venue. I believe the attitude trickles down from the top where apparently there’s little belief in treating clients with respect. Best of luck to Mr. Brinton on his new endeavor where I trust his service will not be tainted by such bad vibes!
Real Cubans don’t boil wine ! Try Plato Cubano, good ropa vieja.
YES.
Trend cafe is the new cafe eclectic. They shouldnt waste your time. Location, location, location.
I know what a crappy location I don’t know how Egans scrapes by!!! I for one am thrilled by the new location it works very well for me but I’m not sure Jesus will approve. This of course means Jenn will be there even more.
Walleroo – This is what a real movie cowboy looks like . . .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWSvo0eMK7E
Hold me closer, Holly Korus.
Trend cafe is the new cafe eclectic.
Nope.
I love Jeff Bridges in True Grit. Oh, man, I want to be Jeff Bridges in True Grit, more than I’ve ever wanted to be anything in the whole world.
“The trail is cold, if ever there was one! I am a foolish old man who has been drawn into a wild goose chase by a harpy in trousers — and a nincompoop!”
Trend cafe is the new cafe eclectic.
Nope.
Still, Walleroo, that’s where Anthony went to meet someone for coffee!
He’s also been seen at the QuickCheck and the DMV in Newark and the dentist’s office.
i really liked going to eclectic and it was definately a landmark on the avenue. I knew it was closing in december but I thought that meant the end of, so i was surprised when i drove past one day in early december and the sign said that it closed! I didn’t get to go one last time. I have moved on to Trend though. Actually, I used to be one of their first regular customers when they opened. They were never that busy but i used to use their wifi when I was writing papers in grad school in the spring. My fiancee’s artwork is hanging in there too. Elliot, the owner, was always in the front, very nice and talked like he cared about my day. Now whenever I tell people where it is located, I say it’s across from Eclectic! They recently expanded and have a back room and I always see groups of people in there and more staff (and less Elliot). I hope it lasts as long as Eclectic did. As for a new coffee place on Walnut, we already have the bread company’s yummy organic fair trade coffee on that street but I think a nice cafe will be convenient for those waiting for the train, especially on a cold winter day.
In the olden days of yore we had a gin mill on every corner….Now it’s coffee mills. Next, oxygen bars?
Trend is the new Trend, not Eclectic.
I enjoy Trend but LOVED eclectic.
I look forweard to catching the Red Eye!
Strange location-considering there is a french cafe of sorts opening in the old Kawayan space. Coffee truck on Walnut train station every morning. Rays accross from 94 has coffee. Oh and bread company. OH and Ginas! And the little convenience store on Walnut has coffee too.
But everyone in this town thinks they can “open a business” if they have a few bucks and fancies themselves an expert. All it takes in town is $$, not business sense as we all should know by now…zzzzzzz
“Anthony Brinton plans a new cafe on Walnut Street,” (but that photo of him was taken at Trend Cafe.