Discover the Charm of Espresso 59 in Litchfield, CT
The Ride
The BMW S1000R has no wind protection, and the limited charging system means heated gear isn’t viable for it. It does have heated grips, though, which can extend the temperatures in which it can be ridden. Having sat several months during the winter when it was too cold for that bike, a mid-40s F day was perfect for its first spring outing.
We sometimes use affiliate links in our content. This won’t cost you anything extra, but if you purchase something from one of the links, we may earn some money for coffee. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
With the Beeline Moto compass pointing to Espresso 59 in Litchfield, CT, there were 39.3 miles indicated when I departed Cross River, NY. See our article on discovering new roads with Beeline. I headed north on Route 121 until it terminated at Route 6, where I turned right, heading east. A left onto Aunt Hack Road immediately had me climbing one of the many hills in the area with some switchbacks. I passed the golf course overseeing the West Lake Reservoir and continued to the end of the road.
Making a right onto W King Street, I headed east again until I could reach Route 39, which would curve back toward where the road ended and head north again. I turned onto Gillotti Road, which was pointed northeast. Route 39 eventually curved back onto it and rejoined as the road turned north alongside the west coast of Candlewood Lake.
Candlewood Lake is the largest lake in Connecticut. It is artificial, initially to help generate electrical power from the flows of the Housatonic River. Now, it is a popular recreational lake, and some of the most expensive real estate in the area sits on its shores. At nearly 11 miles long in a north/south orientation, it is a natural barrier in progressing east/west in the area, forcing you to circumnavigate it. This forced my path a bit further north while I needed to go northeast toward Litchfield. It’s still a wonderfully scenic view of the lake, and the roads alongside it make for some good riding.
Route 39 leads to the village of Sherman, CT, where it connects with Route 37. I stay on 37 when they split just after the village, as that heads northeast, aligned with the compass heading. The road ends at Route 7, where I turn left to head north alongside the Housatonic River. Route 7 is a very popular motorcycle road in the area, and the curves do not disappoint.
Alongside the road is a tall dam creating Cedar Hill Pond. I turn onto the road just before the dam called Grove Road right after passing the former grounds of the Balmoral Pet Cemetary. While the road initially was aligned with the compass, it started to turn southeast till it ended at South Kent Road.
I headed north east on South Kent Road and was blessed with some outstanding scenic roads through winding farmland. These roads were not the main drags, so it was a perfect spot to enjoy the turns on the S1000R. I eventually passed through the New Preston Hill Historic District which is a collection of about 12 buildings many of which are mostly stone.
The road ends at E Shore Road (Route 45), which passes by Lake Waramaug. I turn off onto Tanner Hill Road, which becomes Rabbit Hill Road before it descends back down south to connect with Route 202 (Litchfield Turnpike). I take that road heading northeast into the town of Litchfield, finding Espresso 59 right in the heart of the Litchfield Historic District. Rever recorded 64.2 miles for the trip today. You can see the scenic roads we followed on the route below.
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.
The Coffee Shop
Litchfield was originally the county seat of Litchfield County in Connecticut. It was home to the first law school in the country, attracting such names as Aaron Burr Jr & Horace Mann during the 50 years it operated in the early 1800s.
Espresso 59 is housed in a country-style building with plenty of parking right in front. Entering the shop, you are met with a bright palette of pastel yellows with stripes on the walls. As you enter, a gelato case with a sign of the various flavors is on the right. An old National cash register is at the checkout location.
The barista greeted me warmly with a country “How are you?” Espresso, cappuccino, americano, latte, and cold brew were available for coffee drinkers, along with several chai options for tea lovers. The barista offered some of the small pizzas and quiche that had just come out of the oven, but my eye was on the pastries. My favorite part was being asked if I wanted a paper cup or a mug, to which I gladly shared that I’d prefer a mug.
I grabbed a table with a view out the front window. The table was filled with coffee beans sealed in Lucite or other transparent hard material, along with several coins, including buffalo and Indian quarters. A stenciled Espresso 59 was written in the center, along with several mugs. I could see the Main Street of Litchfield with a strip of shops on either side mixed in with private homes.
The Refreshments
I spied a Key Lime Pie in the display case and had to pair it with my coffee, as it is one of my favorite desserts. The barista, with a smile, delivered my order to the table by the window. The Americano, in a tall, elegant mug, was accompanied by a slice of Key Lime Pie, its creamy filling peeking through the graham cracker crust.
The coffee had a strong coffee smell and was served at a perfect temperature, not as hot as most Americanos are presented. I found the flavors to be ideal. The key lime pie had a lovely tart flavor on top. The cake beneath was creamy smooth, and a graham cracker crust made a perfect key lime. I found the pairing of the two excellent and would encourage anyone to try them next time in Litchfield.
