Filling Station

A bell sounds when you drive over the air hose at the back of the Filling Station. The sound isn’t a signal that you’ve wheeled in looking for service; it lets the barista inside know that you need a high-octane boost from the drive-through to navigate the cluster mug that is the intersection of Westport Road and Southwest Trafficway. Owner Robin Krause gave new life in 2004 to a former Standard Oil station in Union Hill, so it’s not a surprising development that she’s been able to transform the old Fox Photo kiosk in Westport with warm wood paneling and an oversized stainless-steel counter. Likewise, the coffee is anything but instant. Each cup is strong and balanced. That’s because the drip coffee and espresso are made with beans from local favorites Oddly Correct and Broadway Roasting Company. The only thing that should stop you from also buying a salad-plate-sized snickerdoodle or apple-bacon muffin with maple glaze: if early risers have already emptied the pastry case. So pull up, ask the barista for a top-off, and wait for the day when the Filling Station sells its black gold by the gallon.

Thu., Oct. 7; Fri., Oct. 7, 2010