“We are the epitome of 'grind' and we understand the grind,” Fields says of herself and husband Rarkimm Fields.
Inspired by that ethos, The Grind will also be a hub for folks to study, work or take one of many entrepreneurial workshops that the Fields' have planned.
“We’re all about the community and giving people a place to get together,” she says.
The Grind is anticipated to open downtown in the Luhrs Tower, located on Jefferson Street near First Avenue, in December.
It replaces Serafina Coffee Roasters, which closed after more than six years in the space. Serafina fans can still find the cafe downtown at its new space in the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at the Arizona State University Phoenix campus.
That location is open to the public as well as students, and Serafina's Moon Valley location on Seventh Street near Coral Gables Drive remains open.
“We’re all about the community and giving people a place to get together,” Fields says. The coffee shop is located on Jefferson Street near First Avenue in the Luhrs Tower.
Nik Fields
Creating ‘a strong community’ with The Grind
The Grind is Fields’ third concept under her moniker Chic Chef. It started with infused olive oils, spices and other pantry goods at Chic Chef Co., followed by Chic Chef Cafe in midtown and wine bar Chic Chef 77 in Tempe. Fields closed the wine bar in May and is relocating it to a downtown location near Roosevelt Row. That project is slated to open late this year, with a soft-opening event on Dec. 28.Fields says cafes and wine bars have a similar appeal and hopes both of her soon-to-arrive downtown locations will be “an experience that brings people together.”
The Grind will serve coffee made with beans from Cafe Feminino, which works with women coffee farmers around the world. And the menu will also put an emphasis on tea, Fields’ preferred drink.
“My husband’s the coffee drinker. I am the tea person,” she says.
Fields has crafted tea blends for the cafe, including vegan chocolate mint tea, cinnamon tea and citrus-rose tea. The chef describes crafting the blends as something that’s been on her “bucket list.”
“I’m drying out all of the herbs and the flowers to make my own teas,” she says. “There's nothing wrong with Earl Grey but I wanted an elevated experience.”
Fields will also incorporate house sugars infused with flavors such as lavender into the teas, which will be available iced or hot, or as the cafe will refer to them, "polar" or "cozy." As a reference to Fields’ New York roots, she’s changing the names of sizes from small, medium and large to downtown, midtown and uptown.
The Grind will also serve locally made pastries, such as cookies and croissants from Cookie Bar Queen. Items made in-house will include breakfast sandwiches, doughnuts and New York-style cheesecake.
Fields hopes to encourage sustainability with a unique offer. Guests who bring their own coffee mug will get a pour for 75 cents.
The cafe will be open on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. To create a space for people to “grind,” Fields has ensured there’s an outlet to charge phones or laptops at every table and will make the space available for hosting meetings.
“We’re not going to charge people for that,” she says. “We just want to build a strong community.”
The Grind by Chic Chef
Opening in December45 W. Jefferson St., Suite J
