Every downtown needs a coffeehouse, especially in a purportedly countercultural green town like Sebastopol. While the city does have a few worthy java joints like Hardcore Espresso, Coffee Catz, My Friend Joe and Ninja Star, there hasn't been a proper cafe in the downtown core. But now there's Holy Cow on South Main Street, a light and bright cafe with great coffee, whole leaf tea and locally made pastries.

Holy Cow opened about a month ago, serving pastries from Sebastopol's Village Bakery and Petaluma's Bovine Bakery. Keeping with Sebastopol's green theme, the milk and cream are organic and all cups are compostable. Like the coffee, the free wi-fi connection is fresh and strong, too.

Co-owners Michael Welch and Penny Winett say they opened the cafe to give locals and visitors alike a place to slow down and hang out. "Our idea was to make this a community gathering place," says Welch. In time, don't be surprised to see a "happy hour" featuring local wines and small bites of food. A beer and wine license is still in the works.

Holy Cow hosts an official grand opening—featuring a representative of Temple Coffee (the cafe's primary coffee purveyor) and a "shoot out" between different styles of roasted coffee—on Saturday, Aug. 6. 130 S. Main St., Sebastopol. Noon-4pm. 707.861.9050.

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