Ralph’s Coffee brings style to Stanford

Stanford Shopping Center has seen its fair share of openings in the past year, but the latest one has been drawing lines out the door since its opening. Ralph’s Coffee, the signature cafe brand from the famous clothing line Ralph Lauren, just opened its doors this spring and has quickly become the area’s go-to spot.

Ralph’s coffee first opened in 2014 inside Ralph Lauren’s flagship store on Madison Avenue in New York City, and since then expanded to cities like London and Tokyo. The Stanford Shopping Center location is its first Bay Area opening.

Brick walls, dark wooden beams, and framed black-and-white photos give it an authentic New York City neighborhood feel. Fresh flowers on marble tables and hunter green accents on the menu board, the cushions with the cups tie the whole place together, and create a space that feels intentional without being overdone. The small space combined with the large crowds brings a cozy and comfortable atmosphere you are destined to go back to.

While it is not everyday you see clothes so closely associated with food, it makes it all the more interesting. The menu was quite large and based on what we chose, here was our take on the cafe’s food and drinks:

Items

Lemon Olive Cake $7.00: The lemon olive cake had the perfect amount of sweetness while being enough to keep your stomach from growling for a while. The lemon frosting on top of the cake provided an intriguing amount of flavor, while the cake itself supplied a yet satisfying texture that makes you desperate for another bite. While the cake isn’t one of the main attractions on the menu, if you are looking for a small treat to go along with your drink, the lemon olive cake is a great option. Rating: 9/10

Iced Chai Tea $7.00: The iced chai tea was refreshing, but the spices kept a warm undertone to the drink. The first sip was the best, with the spice and sweetness coming through clearly. However, after a few sips, the flavor started to fade and became bland, making the drink less memorable than it first seemed. The iced chai tea was good at first, but not distinct enough to stand out. 6.8/10 

Pain au chocolat $6.50: The pain au chocolat, which in simpler terms is a chocolate croissant, was one of the highlights of the visit. The outside was light and crispy, giving it a satisfying crunch before opening up to a soft, fluffy inside that greeted the tongue with a warm and buttery flavor. The chocolate was the right sweetness, adding richness without making it feel heavy or overly sugary. Overall, it was well-balanced and flavourful, and definitely worth ordering again. 8.8/10

Matcha Lemonade  $7.00: The matcha lemonade was somewhat of a let-down compared to the other items on the menu. Coming in at the same price as many of the other drinks, you’d expect similar results, with an appealing flavor and quality. Unfortunately, this was not the case. You are greeted by a swampy green color that does not quite attract the eye. When going in, you are instantly welcomed by the weird combination of lemonade and matcha, a taste that may appeal to few, but definitely not to many. The sweetness paired poorly with the earthy taste of the matcha, leaving a bad tangy aftertaste in the mouth. Overall, while this drink may be somewhat refreshing on a hot day due to its cold temperature, it may be best to avoid this drink altogether. Rating: 4/10

Blueberry Muffin  $6.50: The blueberry muffin was one of the best baked goods within the cafe. The combination of the blueberries, sweet muffin bread, and the sugar coating reminds you of the high quality this cafe presents in its food. All together, you are presented with a sweetness that isn’t overwhelming nor too mild. While the flavor of the muffin met expectations, the most notable thing about the treat was its size. The blueberry muffin was larger than most muffins and could easily satisfy one’s stomach. If you are looking for a fulfilling, quick treat from the cafe, I suggest you consider the blueberry muffin. Rating: 8.5/10