Carmel Valley Coffee Roasting Company's newest spot has some good values in store.

Score one for local joe.

Locally owned and self-described “micro chain” Carmel Valley Coffee Roasting Company (899-1996) has occupied the former Starbucks in the City Center at Fremont and Broadway (aka Obama Way) in Seaside. 

CVCRC has several locations throughout the Monterey Peninsula, including the East Village Coffee Lounge flagship spot in downtown Monterey, one nestled in Pacific Grove’s Lighthouse district, one at Mid Carmel Valley, two more in the Barnyard and Crossroads shopping centers, and one in Carmel-by-the-Sea on Ocean. 

Their newest addition to the family resides at 880 Broadway, filled with the elements that contribute to a solid coffee and community venue and speak to the experience owners Janet and Dean Macathy have gathered in developing their other locations.

Its decor evokes East Village, minus the old brick building, with a minimalist-meets-modernist feel.

Handwritten menus in colorful chalk appear on various boards, repurposed wood tables and succulent plants occupy an airy, clean and spacious layout.

Several tables appear outside for al fresco caffeine intake.

The coffee offerings mirror that of other outposts with an espresso and iced menus bringing things like cappuccino, white mocha, iced Americano or espresso frappe in 12-, 16-, or 20-ounce cups. (Iced options only available in 16 or 20 ounces.)

The prices aren’t bad. A 12-ounce cappuccino is $4 with a buck increase for bigger sizes and a 12-ounce classic iced coffee is $3.75 with a quarter increase for the 20. They also include a “coffee of the day” starting at $2.

Different daily specials include things like a breakfast option, an english muffin with egg, cheese or egg, cheese, and ham plus a 12-ounce drip to guzzle it all down ($3.95).

When I tried it the muffin was warm and cheesy, but not out of this world. But the coconut cream coffee was.

I was skeptical about the thought of blending the bold flavors of coffee with the subtle tastes of coconut, but it made for a heavenly match, strong enough for my liking (and I like my coffee strong) but holding onto a sweetness that ramped up at the end.

Lunch specials include a sandwich (turkey, chicken salad, and ham choices), a bag of chips and a 12-ounce drip or iced tea for $4.50.

A panini special comes with a bag of chips and a a 12 oz. drip or iced tea for $5.50.

Solid values. 

The turkey, tomato, and spinach sandwich on ciabatta bread for $5.95 offers freshness you can taste, with some melted Monterey jack cheese to top it off.

And yes, strong coffee is the best coffee. In trying the 12 oz. iced mocha I was able to again connect with the dark side with a mocha-dark chocolate blend with a pleasantly thick consistency.

I decided to lose my scone-virginity to their orange-cranberry scone ($3). It’s a citrus explosion, in a good way, with a top layer of orange spread and sweet chunks of cranberry. It makes for a great accompaniment with a cup of tea.

The interesting scone or the memorable cup of coconut coffee reflect the satisfying variety the menu has to offer. The coffee ranges widely too, from dark to light roast, with lots of herbal, black, and green teas available too.

The environment is quiet, cozy, and clean, perfect for a relaxing afternoon to bring your laptop, get some work done and have a tasty sandwich and cup of coffee.

A paltry amount of foot traffic will present a challenge, as will the Seaside demographic and less-than-ideal parking proximity. 

But here's hoping the savvy and experience of local business owners provide the tools to make this place stick.

Mark C. Anderson contributed to this report.