The Caffè — a new coffee bar in the heart of Downtown Oakland
We are very proud to announce the Spring 2023 opening of The Caffè by Mr. Espresso. The Caffè will be located just blocks away from our roastery, in downtown Oakland at 1120 Broadway in The Key at 12th.
For my family, espresso is woven into the fabric of our everyday lives and always has been. Our father carried his passion for caffè culture when he immigrated to America in the ’70s. It was a love that began in his own childhood with the simple indulgence of residual sweet and bitter drops from the bottom of his elders’ coffee cups. Coffee and conversation provided a comforting ritual, a foil against the troubled times in the Italy of the early ’40s.
It continued into Carlo’s young adulthood, as he learned the craft of wood roasting from a master roaster in Salerno — an art built on a century of refining and mastering blends for the Italian palette. It’s with this lineage, and with our mother by his side, that our father established Mr. Espresso 45 years ago, and has been dedicated ever since.
Over these four-plus decades, we have evolved with our industry, embracing the values that have resonated. Traceability. Sustainability. Integrity across the supply chain. It’s allowed us to offer the most consistent and delicious coffees possible while celebrating everyone who has had a hand in it. Seed to cup.
John (my brother), Laura (my sister), and I are humbled to be at this nexus: one that embraces the future with care while maintaining reverence for the past, all the while being rooted in the here and now. If there’s one thing we have learned from the past two years, it is the simple pleasures in life, the value of ritual, and the richness of everyday things that keep us grounded. We believe that’s a perspective worth preserving. And it’s one we look forward to sharing with you in a cup at The Caffè by Mr. Espresso.
Saluti!
Luigi Di Ruocco
Mr. Espresso Ranked Among The Bay Area’s Best Coffee
The Caffè by Mr. Espresso has been recognized by the San Francisco Chronicle as serving some of the “Best Coffee in the Bay Area.” Thank you to the Chronicle for including us [...]
The Sprudge Twenty Class of 2024 Welcomes John Di Ruocco
We are thrilled that our own VP of Coffee, John Di Ruocco, was chosen as a member of the 2024 Sprudge Twenty. The annual initiative by leading industry publication Sprudge honors and amplifies extraordinary individuals in the global specialty coffee community [...]
The Caffè Is Architizer’s Best Restaurant Design Finalist
We are proud to announce The Caffè by Mr. Espresso has been recognized as a finalist in the annual ArchitizerA+ Awards for Restaurants <1,000 sq. ft. Architizer celebrates the world’s best architecture and design through projects, competitions, awards, and stories, offering inspiration and tools for architects. We are thrilled that the care and intention that went into the design of The Caffè were recognized by Archetizer in this global list [...]
Mr. Espresso Opens The Caffè in Downtown Oakland | Barista Magazine
With the recent opening of The Caffè by Mr. Espresso, we were delighted with a two-part feature in Barista Magazine Online. First, a quick look back at our 45-year history: "The Di Ruoccos’ foundational role in establishing espresso cuisine [...]
Kick the time change | KTVU Mornings on 2
Click play, above, to see Sal Castaneda get a "wakeup call" from latte art champ Mehdi Chung. You can find Mehdi at The [...]
You’ll never wait in line at this new Oakland coffee shop | Nosh Oaklandside/Berkeleyside
“We know the industry well and have a unique vision and approach to specialty coffee,” he said, reminding Nosh that Mr. Espresso has been [...]
A Perfect Neapolitan Coffee in San Francisco? Yes, Thanks to Mr. Espresso | L’Italo Americano
"Carlo Di Ruocco, originally from Salerno, saw his dream of roasting and selling Italian-style coffee come true in America, in San Francisco, where he [...]
Organic Neapolitan Makes Best Espresso Beans List | Saveur
"...made in the Italian tradition — bittersweet, chocolaty — and is also certified both organic and fair trade, making it a good choice for [...]
The Caffè by Mr. Espresso • Coming SPRING 2023!
We are very proud to announce the Spring 2023 opening of The Caffè by Mr. Espresso. The Caffè will be located just blocks from our roastery, in the heart of Downtown Oakland at 1120 Broadway in The Key at 12th.
Our Organic Ethiopia Shantawene is a winner!
Mr. Espresso's Organic Ethiopia Shantawene, Natural Process is a 2022 Good Food Awards Winner. "Winners are the exceptional food crafters who top the [...]
Two Mr. Espresso Coffees Named Good Food Awards Finalists
We are proud to announce that two Mr. Espresso coffees were named Good Food Awards Finalists 2022 by the Good Food Foundation. Our Organic/Fair Trade Certified Guatemala CODECH - Women’s Lot (medium-light roast) and Organic Ethiopia Shantawene Natural (light roast) are among the 25 coffee division finalists from across the country.
Mr. Espresso named Roaster of the Year Finalist
“Mr. Espresso has a mission is to keep Italy’s espresso tradition relevant within America’s evolving coffee culture, and to improve upon it through a focus on quality, sustainability, [...]
Mr. Espresso Single Serve is “Steeped in Sustainability” | Packaging World
Order now! Our thanks to Packaging World for the recent feature on Mr. Espresso’s Steeped Coffee. Adding a single-serve coffee to our product line has been [...]
Coffee Can Spell Higher Profits for Restaurants | BarandRestaurant.com
Luigi Di Ruocco Shares Pro Tips with Bar & Restaurant. Coffee can be the last thought in restaurant menu development. We see this as a [...]
Luigi Di Ruocco on “Making Better Espresso at Home” | CoffeeCon March 6th
The CoffeeCon's one-day event will be hosted by two coffee legends: renowned inventor Alan Adler, creator of the world-famous AeroPress coffeemaker, along with friend of Mr. Espresso [...]