Join the Journey: A Ride to Tusk & Cup Fine Coffee
The Ride
This trip was a quick ride to a Connecticut coffee shop just across the state border with NY. Beeline was 8.6 miles, but the compass mode is made for exploring. See our article on discovering new roads with Beeline.
Leaving Cross River, the gentle curves of 35 lead the 1972 BMW R75/5 motorcycle through South Salem before crossing the border into Connecticut. Here, Route 35 becomes more winding as it climbs a small hill and intersects with Main Street, which leads to downtown Ridgefield.
I turn toward downtown, passing the Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center. This 4-acre site features the main house, a 1713 white colonial visible on the road. Exploring the property, you’ll find a garden house from 1915 and a red barn from 1907.
The history tour will have to wait as I head for coffee, so I take the first right turn just past the museum onto Route 102 (Branchville Road). The road passes a school and then bends to the right, so I turn onto Ivy Hill Road. The road becomes Florida Hill Road as Ivy Hill breaks off to the left a bit further along and provides tighter winding roads traveling up and down several hills as it winds around to connect with Route 7. Along the way, the twin carburetors of the 750cc boxer engine are entirely at home in this kind of riding. At the same time, the 50HP effortlessly climbs the hills and accelerates out of the corners on the 50-year-old motorcycle.
A right turn onto Route 7 is due as the compass points to the right. Route 7 is a valley road following along the Norwalk River, carving between hills on either side between Danbury to the north and terminating at Norwalk in the south. While sections are in more densely built-up areas, it’s a popular route for motorcyclists. The section I am on is one of the more pleasant ones as I head south. I arrive at Tusk & Cup Fine Coffee at the intersection with 102. Route 102 would have been more direct as I was on the road after I passed the Keeler Tavern Museum, but Ivy Hill & Florida Hill are more exciting roads.
REVER is a mobile app designed to help you track, plan, or navigate your ride. With the app, you can easily plan your route, view maps and directions, and track your distance using GPS technology. The app is an excellent tool for anyone who loves to ride and wants to keep track of their progress and distance. Check out our full review of Rever.
Across from the coffee shop is the Branchville train station, part of the Danbury branch of the Metro-North Railroad’s New Haven Line. This station serves as the commuter rail station for Ridgefield as the branch that led directly to downtown Ridgefield has been turned into a rail trail.
According to Rever's recorded track, the route extends the ride to 11.4 miles. See the route below.
The Coffee Shop
Arriving at Tusk & Cup Fine Coffee in Ridgefield, CT, I find a brick exterior with a white sign with dark lettering reading out Tusk & Cup Fine Coffee. Between the words Cup & Fine is the logo: an elephant balancing a large cup and saucer on its head, steadied by its trunk, the gleaming white tusks visible with the colors of the Italian flag in the background. A large window the entire width of the sign allows natural light into the coffee shop. Several tall stools are inside the window facing out if you prefer that view. There are parking spaces right in front and several more around the corner. I pull the /5 into a spot right in front.
The interior has a modern cafe style when you enter. The walls have several paintings by local artists. A family begged the staff to buy one of the pieces, a bright blue background with three yellow animals whose eyes don't appear to fit their bodies. The staff member shared that they are always asked about buying that piece, but it's not for sale. They did suggest they could reach out to the artist to make another like it.
The counter is on your left as you enter and has plenty of food options, including bagged chips to join your beverage. Above are modern-looking menus highlighting what is on offer.
The coffee menu features espresso, macchiato, cappuccino (Italian & American versions), and americano. There are also some variations like Espresso con Panna (espresso with a homemade whipped cream dollop), Marrocchino (a dollop of Nutella, cocoa & foam), Shakerato (espresso shaken over ice with a touch of sugar), and Shot in the Dark, which from their description sounds like a red eye.
If coffee isn't enough for you, Tusk & Cup has a selection of 12 homemade gelato flavors plus pastry options. Smoothies and frappes are also offered. You can even “drown” your gelato with an espresso.
WiFi and Apple Pay ensure all modern amenities are available. There was plenty of seating when I came in, with only a few people seated. Further back, the space opens to the right with more seating, including couches in front of a fireplace mantle with brown tilework. Above the mantle, a large dark elephant statue with its trunk stretching upward mirrors the design in the logo. A couple of windows bring in some natural light. This is where people sit if dining in, while the front space is mainly for the takeout crowd.
Several people came in for takeout coffee and food while I explored the space early on the weekend, so takeout was the norm. It indicated good coffee, even if people don't stick around for the ambiance.
The Refreshments
The welcoming staff were quick to take my order. I was disappointed that my americano was served in a paper cup, but it had a good-looking sleeve featuring the color logo with the elephant and Italian flag colors. Given the volume of takeout I’d seen on my arrival, I’m not surprised that a paper cup is the default.
Despite the paper cup, my americano had a smooth flavor, with no hints of bitterness or sourness apparent, making for an appealing drink. As I drank the coffee, more people continued to come in and grab their takeout coffee, even on a weekend morning, so it should indicate how much people love the coffee served here with the sleeves on the paper cups reminding them to return.
It was too early for me to try the gelato, but the creamy texture on display looked terrific as they brought out new trays to fill the display counter. This is why exploring is worthwhile… you may find a spot you want to return to and see more.
