Photos: Lightcast Creative
A new, full-service coffee spot features local roasts and fresh pastries.
Restaurant by night turned café by day, Raag has opened The Corner Café which is—as the name implies—nestled in a sunlit corner by the bar and the picturesque windows near Raag’s main entrance.. Featuring coffee from Spyhouse Coffee Roasters and pastries from Rustica Bakery, the café is bringing an artisanal touch to the 50th & France drink scene.
We asked owner Sohil Goorha for more details about The Corner Café, which opened on October 4 and serves up delicious bites and specialty roasts from 8:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. seven days a week.
How does the ambiance of The Corner Café differ from Raag’s?
The Corner Café and Raag are designed to complement each other while offering different experiences. During the day, the space transforms into an artisan café environment with the smell of Spyhouse coffee and Rustica pastries. It’s a place to meet a friend, grab a latte or linger with a book. At night, the energy shifts back into Raag’s identity as a fine dining restaurant and lounge. The focus is on chef-driven cuisine, curated cocktails and elevated hospitality. The two brands share one roof but serve the neighborhood in different ways.
How did the Spyhouse Coffee Roasters partnership come about?
We’ve built a partnership around [Spyhouse Coffee Roasters’] Orion blend, which is roasted specifically for us. The relationship grew from a shared belief in quality and community and [the] time I personally spent at the Spyhouse Roastery, learning from its team. Spyhouse’s help has been invaluable. The Corner Café came to life with its beans at the heart of our menu.
Will there be any specialty drinks, pastries from Rustica or menu items inspired by Raag’s cuisine?
On the pastry side, we work with Rustica to bring in their pastries fresh every morning. Alongside that, we’ve created signature drinks that go beyond the usual café offerings. Our team has developed specialties like a tiramisu-in-a-cup espresso, authentic matcha, turmeric-ginger lattes and seasonal favorites like pumpkin or brown sugar maple lattes. To reflect Raag’s culinary roots, we’ve added a few savory items that pair perfectly with chai, from samosas to minced lamb turnovers.
What kind of service model will you offer?
The Corner Café is designed as a full-service café experience, not just a grab-and-go counter. There are booths, a corner reading table with books and board games, and an inviting atmosphere where you can spend time with a laptop, a friend or a cup of coffee.
What do you hope The Corner Café brings to Raag’s overall identity and to the community?
For 50th & France, our goal is to fill a real gap as there wasn’t a true artisan full-service café here. By partnering with Spyhouse and Rustica and adding our own creative menu, we’ve built something local and personal. It’s about strengthening neighborhood connections, supporting small business culture and giving people a space they can call their own.
Raag
Instagram: @cornercafeon50th
