Event planners looking for something different in catering can look to new Astoria business Café Breve.
Owner Karen Murray said her services are a good fit for events where organizers might like a pleasing alternative to alcohol.
“I bring my commercial espresso machine and set up,” said Murray. “It’s perfect for weddings, conventions, birthday parties, office parties and employee appreciation.”
Café Breve’s espresso catering opened this spring.
“It’s a new thing for here,” she said of the coffee catering idea, which is popular in Portland and Seattle. Murray will also be a regular at the Astoria Sunday Market.
“I’m hoping [the market] will be my introduction into the community so they know I’m here.”
Murray offers a full spectrum of espresso drinks, hot chocolate, chai, and steamers. Café Breve’s java beans come from local purveyor, the Astoria Coffee Company. She’ll also provide pastries, quiche and fruit salad by request.
“I love people,” she said. “And this is much more realistic for me than opening a restaurant.”
Murray said she’ll stay with the mobile catering idea for her business, because the Astoria area already has plenty of brick and mortar coffee shops.
She chose the name Breve (pronounced ‘breh-vay”) because it’s the name of an espresso drink, and it also means “brief” in Italian) - a good name for a business that caters to busy people.
Opening a business in Astoria is something of a homecoming for Murray - the city is her hometown.
“I was gone for 38 years and moved back two-and-a-half years ago,” she said. “I love it here.”
Café Breve
Address: Mobile — no fixed address
Phone: (503) 298-1044
Hours: As per your request
Web site: Not available at this time