Meet Me for Coffee in Ballantyne at Rush Espresso, Mate!

Owner Paul McConachy

Upon entering Rush Espresso  located in Ballantyne Village, you feel the vibe of owners Jenny and Paul McConachy’s roots in Australia and their love of professional bike racing.  The space is sleek and modern with white leather benches mixed in with cozy tables and retro, white chairs.  Lots of chrome with splashes of red add to the decor with touches of bike racing memorabilia.

Retro Decor in Rush Espresso

Rush Espresso serves Illy Coffee  which is described on their website as a “blending of nine varieties of 100% sustainably-grown Arabica beans,  meticulously selected from different growing regions around the world to create a consistent, distinctive and  perfectly balanced flavor cup after

Rush Espresso proudly serves Illy Coffee

cup.”  The Buzz ordered a cup and it was smooth with no bitter after-taste.

But espresso is not all Rush Espresso serves: Cappuccino, Lattes, Mocha’s, Teas and Iced Beverages, including  a drink called Affogato described as vanilla ice cream with espresso and whipped cream – perfect for a hot summer day in Ballantyne!  Plus Rush Espresso serves breakfast  and has a lunch / dinner menu including paninis, salads, pasta & chili.  Paul explained all items are made from scratch in their kitchen; and,  he is especially proud of the Australian Meat Pie – a

Delectables from Rush Espresso

must try!

The walls in Rush Espresso have pictures of bikers in the past with one in particular catching my eye portraying a biker passing a cigarette to another biker.  According to Paul McConach back in the 1930′s when this picture was taken, it was believed that smoking a cigarette opened up your lungs for better performance…can you imagine?

What are they doing?

You will quickly realize there are lots of regulars as they were called “Darling” and “Mate” with Paul’s charming Austrailian accent.  Ironically, Cadel Evans, won the Tour De France when the Buzz was there on Sunday and he is the first Australian to ever win.  I think there was at least one coffee barrister in Ballantyne doing a little celebrating !