What’s Brewin’: Veskolini Cafe
Owners Vesko and Olena Hristov.
The concept for Veskolini Café comes from the husband-and-wife owners, Vesko and Olena Hristov. Located at 461 Grant St. in Dunedin, they are just one block off Main Street and so worth the extra few steps to get there. They opened just last December with the goal to be a lounge as well as a place for coffee and dessert. Having enough space was very important as they wanted a place where folks could work, read and spend quality time with friends and family while enjoying conversation, an aromatic cup of coffee and a great pastry. Indeed, there are plenty of tables and seating areas with outlets and wi-fi for working and lounging. They also want to be the destination you go to after dinner to relax and have dessert. Hosting more live music, like they did for Valentine’s Day, and serving beer and wine is also in their plans. They have applied for a beer and wine license, but because of COVID it has been delayed.
Both Vesko and Olena are from Europe, Bulgaria and Ukraine respectively. They do quite a bit of traveling throughout Europe. They enjoy exploring and picking up the vibes of each new location. Where do they end up most often? Coffee shops! In fact, last summer they were in Paris, enjoying the simple pleasure of coffee and a piece of cake, when the thought occurred to them, why not do this back home in Florida? Olena explains that at first they thought, “Maybe we’re the only ones who like to do this.” But they soon realized that there are others who also want this type of coffee shop. The pair would often bake for their friends, who encouraged them, pushed them actually, to open their own coffee shop.
Vesko likes to make traditional Bulgarian foods like cheese pie, chocolate cakes and crepes. Ah, the crepes. There has been quite a demand for them, and soon they will be a regular item on the menu, but not yet. “Please be patient,” Olena said with a smile. “We are waiting for the right moment.”
With only the two of them, they’ve been quite busy. There is certainly no shortage of deliciously decadent options. Some of their signature items include: tiramisu, carrot cake, Irish cream cheesecake, chocolate temptation, Parisian macaron (gluten free), lemon mascarpone, Belgian chocolate mousse, Italian rainbow cake, flourless walnut cookies, sfogliatelle and butter croissants with jam. They also serve sandwiches, like the delicious caprese panini and the Atlantic Ocean on gluten-free bagel. And, let’s not forget the beverages. They have an impressive array of coffee choices as well as hand-crafted drinks, such as their ginger lemonade, iced Greek frappe or Italian cream soda. Scrolling through their Facebook feed you’re sure to start drooling: https://www.facebook.com/veskolinicafe/
Their menu items do change often so you should probably visit often to try it all!
Top left: Vesko presenting butter croissants. Top right and bottom left: delicious, decadent cakes. Bottom right, Olena holding a mug of coffee.
They consider themselves lucky to have found the perfect building in Dunedin for their coffee shop. They wanted a big space “for sitting and chilling,” and enjoying the company of their friends and family. Olena wanted the space to feel like “little Europe,” to be comfortable as if you were in your family room at your house. Indeed, it does. With the high ceilings, tall columns, abundant light and soft music, one does feel transformed to a calmer place. Personally, this writer feels like she’s back in Oma and Opa’s house with the smell of fresh pastries warming in the oven. Located on a quiet, tree-lined street, you can enjoy outdoor as well as indoor seating.
“The space at Veskolini Café is very light and creamy, like milk and coffee. And chocolate!”
“All people need is to feel comfort and good energy combined with nature,” Olena said. That, coupled with the smell of something delicious baking, is a wonderful way to spend some time. Because of COVID, folks have been spending much less time socializing. Now that things are starting to open back up, spending time reconnecting is so important. Vesko said, “In Bulgaria, we sit for hours having coffee and socializing with friends and family and enjoying time together. Coffee shops are usually the best place to do that.”
Veskolini Café | European Coffee Shop & Lounge Café | 461 Grant St Dunedin | 727.270.6548
Hours: Mon 10a-4p | Tue 8:30a-7p | Wed CLOSED | Thu 8:30a-7p | Fri 8:30a-8p | Sat 10a-8p | Sun 10a-7p