Brewing Romance
Exploring The Connectivity of Coffee with Marissa and Zak
For Marissa and Zak, coffee isn’t just part of their daily routine; it’s where their love story began. Marissa, a barista at our Libertyville cafe, and Zak, a member of our production team, have spent countless hours together in cafes, both at work and in their free time. From early morning lattes before a shift to slow weekend afternoons exploring new coffee spots, their relationship has been fueled by a shared love for great coffee. So, what makes Tala the ultimate date spot for them? I spent the day with Marissa and Zak to ask a few questions and hear more about their love story, their take on coffee, and why there’s no better place for a date than a cozy cafe.
Q: How did you meet?
M: We actually met at a coffee shop! Our tiny college town had one coffee shop, Zak was a barista and I was a frequent customer!
Q: How long have you been married?
Z: Almost 4 ½ years!
Q: How did you both get into coffee/start working at Tala?
M: I’ve always been a coffee drinker and love hanging out at local coffee shops! While in my graduate program, I was looking for work on the side and Zak encouraged me to apply at one of our favorite hangouts - Tala!
Z: I also have been into coffee for quite a while. I got super into specialty coffee as a college student and loved seeking out local coffee shops and trying different types of coffee. After Marissa became a barista at Tala, I heard about an open neighborly position and thought it sounded fun!
Q: What do you love about working at Tala, and how does it connect with your passion for coffee?
M: I love being able to create something for someone, helping make their day just a little bit brighter! I love all the friends I’ve made at Tala, something I didn’t quite expect from this job. Being a barista has allowed me to see how special and connective coffee can be amongst people, definitely making me more passionate about brewing it!
Z: There’s almost nothing I enjoy more than getting a new bag of coffee at my door step! I love that I get to be an integral part of that experience for our customers. It’s awesome knowing that I’m helping make someone’s day special! I also enjoy getting to know the baristas at all the cafe locations, being able to chat with them while delivering their supplies, coffee, and syrups.
Q: Do you have any fun stories about working together or overlapping in your roles?
Z: Since Marissa works in the cafe and I work in production, there isn’t much overlap. But every once in a while I can convince her to join me for neighborly deliveries! It’s not your typical ‘date night’ but filled with a fun playlist, quality conversation, and the occasional bickering about directions from the GPS.
Q: What’s one memory at Tala—either working or visiting—that feels extra special to you both?
M: Prior to working at Tala, Zak and I used to be regulars at the Highwood location. We always joke about being obsessed with the leather armchairs by the windows (iykyk)! We always felt so lucky when we’d arrive on a Friday and they were available! We had so much fun hanging out together in those chairs, reading or talking, and enjoying miels.
Q: How has sharing a love for coffee shaped your relationship?
Z: Over the years, we’ve really grown in our passions for coffee and it’s definitely molded our relationship. We love our morning ritual of preparing coffee for each other or getting excited over a new piece of coffee gear for our at-home set-up!
Q: Do you ever brew coffee together at home?
M: YES! We love to make coffee at home. From espresso to pour overs to lattes, we make it all. Zak’s current favorite brew method is the origami dripper, while mine is a latte with our Breville espresso machine.
Q: Do you have any special coffee rituals as a couple?
Z: I usually try to make Marissa’s coffee for her every morning. She absolutely loves matcha, so I’ve really grown in my whisking and matcha-making abilities.
Q: I know that you love going on coffee dates/exploring new coffee cafes together. What is your favorite part about trying new places together and going on coffee dates in general? How often do you go?
M: We love to try new coffee shops together! We joke that vacation for us is just a tour of local coffee shops in a new city. When we aren’t at Tala, you will usually find us at a local coffee shop in the city! We try to go on a coffee date once every couple weeks (or more, if we’re able!)
Q: Describe your ideal coffee shop date.
Z: It would start with a pour over for me and most likely a matcha for Marissa. We’d definitely be splitting a pastry and chatting about things going on in our worlds. We’d conclude with a few rounds of SkipBo or Phase 10.
Q: What do you think makes a coffee shop the perfect setting for a date?
M: Coffee shops are the perfect setting for almost anything because they’re such a great hub in the community. But for dates specifically, nothing beats a delicious beverage and space for quality conversation and connection!
Q: What makes Tala different from other coffee shops when it comes to a good date atmosphere?
Z: When you’re on a date you want to be comfortable and have fun. Tala is the perfect place for that! You aren’t just a customer at Tala, the staff is so intentional and knows you, making you feel comfortable in the space.
Q: Generally, what is special about Tala compared to other cafés you’ve visited together?
M: Tala is special because it’s our go-to place. It holds a lot of sentimental value for us, and holds a place in our hearts. When we first moved to the North Shore, finding Tala was so fun and a sweet memory. Other cafes we frequent are exciting and new but Tala is consistent and means so much.
Q: Do you have a go-to drink order or a “must try” drink?
Z: My go-to drink is a single origin espresso (or the Main Squeeze when it’s in season!).
M: My “must try” drink is definitely the Unit B, the Libertyville specialty drink! I helped create this one and am so proud of it! If you haven’t tried it, you have to!
Q: Do you have any “hidden gem” menu items or drink pairings that couples should try on a date?
Z: When the new seasonal drink menus launch Marissa and I love to order each new drink and share them, ranking them to find our new favorite! I’d definitely recommend this pseudo drink flight!
Q: If you could create a signature “Marissa & Zak” drink for Tala, what would it be?
M: Hmm. We love to experiment with syrup making at home, and came up with our own recipe for what we call, “Banana Bread Syrup”. We love putting this in matcha! So I’d say a signature drink that best represents us in this season of life would be a Banana Bread Matcha (iced, of course!).
Z: The drink that best embodies our dating years is a miel, hands down. We both used to order a miel all the time! But as our own special drink, it would have to be served in a yellow mug! When we were dating, we would frequent a coffee shop that used yellow mugs. We reminisce on it so much, we bought yellow mugs to make coffee in at home! Nothing says “Marissa & Zak” like a yellow mug.
Rachel Severyns
Meet Rachel, a friendly face at the Libertyville cafe. Passionate about wearing stripes and her daily cappuccino, she brings her whimsical spirit to the cafe every day. When she’s not behind the bar chatting with customers, you can often find her planning her next European excursion or looking for treasures at a local thrift store.