When you think of a cafe atmosphere, dancing and DJ music may not be top of mind, but Cafe Ava has proven that it’s never too early to party. The Cafecito Social Club debuted earlier this spring with Gibran PVD curating the beats, latte specials on tap, and a full house of coffee-goers grooving with their morning brews.
For Andrea Cabrera, who owns the Cranston cafe with her husband Derek, this upbeat programming plays into their mission of curating good vibes in an inclusive space. Of the social club, she says, “I think it’s definitely a movement because many people are looking for ways to entertain without alcohol. Fewer people are drinking, and alternatives are becoming more popular.”
The couple opened Cafe Ava, named after their daughter, in 2022. Andrea, a Johnson & Wales grad, found herself navigating the next chapter of her life as a mother seeking community in Rhode Island, where Derek grew up, and both were driven by a desire “to create a space for Latinos that represents diverse cultures and who we are,” says Andrea.
The interior aesthetic and food represent each of their cultures – Andrea’s Guatemalan heritage and Derek’s Dominican roots – but she emphasizes, “I like to say that we’re a Latin cafe because our influence goes beyond our own countries. There are flavors from Mexico, Peru, and Cuba, as well. I love that because it makes so many people feel welcome.”
Cafe Ava has grown a following for their specialty coffees, including favorites like the Flan and Tres Leche lattes and others with Latin-inspired flavors. “All of those specials stick around because they connect with who we are,” says Andrea. And the baked goods, including arepas, not only channel her upbringing; they’re also baked from scratch by her mother, head pastry chef Marivel Villavicencio, using family recipes.
On the breakfast and lunch menu, El Ranchero is a popular sandwich choice, combining scrambled eggs, chorizo, diced tomatoes, green onions, and mozzarella cheese. The Tres Golpes Wrap is a twist on a traditional Dominican breakfast, featuring fried eggs, fried Spanish cheese, salami, sweet plantains, pickled red onions, and avocado cilantro crema.
Cafecito Social Club embodies the Cabreras’ effort to create a movement around the morning coffee ritual. The dry day drinking vibe is all about positivity, upbeat music, culture, and, of course, coffee. Andrea marked the first occasion with limited-release menu items exclusively available at Cafecito, including the Dulce de Flor Latte, an elevated offering made with hibiscus syrup distilled from the rosa de jamaica flower, torched sugar, vanilla cold foam, and drizzled honey
Another coffee beverage incorporates clove and cinnamon to mimic a rum drink. “While we don’t serve alcohol, rum is a big part of our cultures – Zacapa in Guatemala and Brugal in the Dominican Republic. We created a syrup using those flavors for a unique twist. We’re always experimenting with new ideas, but everything we create ties back to our roots, which is what matters most to us.”
The Rolfe Square community has been the perfect place for Andrea and her family to lay the groundwork for the vision of their cafe. “I see all backgrounds at Cafe Ava, and that makes me so happy because it shows everyone feels welcome. That was the whole point of opening it,” she says, emphasizing the importance of exposing patrons to different cultures, especially within the Latino community. “By being in this area, we’re able to showcase who we are.”
48B Rolfe Square, Cranston
Follow @cafeavari for future Cafecito Social Club dates.
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