MCA Debuts New Metric Coffee Bar off Michigan Avenue

The new ground-level coffee bar inside the Museum of Contemporary Art opened this morning (Tuesday) to give locals and tourists near Michigan Avenue’s Mag Mile a major caffeine upgrade. The Counter at Marisol serves Metric Coffee beans roasted at their Fulton Market plant. It also serves Spirit Teas in Streeterville.

The cafe is a companion to the MCA’s new restaurant. Marisol opened up earlier this month, featuring food from Jason Hammel, the chef/owner of Lula Cafe in Logan Square. Marisol’s staff also runs the cafe. Metric partner Xavier Alexander noted that Lula pours his company’s coffee, and Metric’s beans are popular with many of Chicago chefs. They’ll focus on seasonal options. Right now they’re serving a Honduras Santa Barbara, an Ethiopia Banko Guiti, and a natural process Brazil Mogiana. They’ll eventually offer single-origin pour-overs. Other drinks include a smoked-date horchata.

Courtesy of Metric Coffee

For food, there’s pastries and breakfast selections like sunflower granola and a lox plate. There’s also salads and sandwiches, plus a children’s grilled cheese or a sunbutter and jelly sandwich.

British artist Chris Ofili was among those who help design the minimalist space. They didn’t use any input from Metric. Alexander said they only saw the space recently. There’s plenty of natural light and white Carra marble on the counters. There’s seating for about 40, with spaces at the counter or at communal tables.

Customers won’t need to pay admission to get in — the cafe is on the MCA’s ground floor. Check out the menu below, and folks around Streeterville can stop by starting today.

The Counter at Marisol inside the MCA, 205 E. Pearson St., open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Closes at 9 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.

• Metric Coffee At Chicago’s Museum Of Contemporary Art [Sprudge]