Already a welcoming Bucktown neighborhood coffee shop, an expanded, redesigned space and new ownership make Ipsento feel more like a rustic cottage than a place of business.

The shop has taken over the adjacent apartment, turning a portion of it into a relaxing seating area. The walls are painted turquoise and mustard, and wood furniture, mostly vintage pieces or tables and benches made out of old doors, is arranged in a snug but not cramped fashion. Given the design, and helped in no small part by the fireplace and dining room table, you'd swear you're visiting your friend's parents' countryside home.

Complete the back-to-childhood experience by ordering one of the sandwiches ($4.25-$7.85), made simply with unadorned bread and a few good sliced ingredients. These are responsible parents: The bread is whole wheat and side choices include carrots and sliced apples in addition to chips.

You may also notice a few vegetarian and vegan options, including a couple that boast hummus and naan. That's because the home this reminds you of is that of your friend's hippie parents. And that's where new owner, Coffee Ambassadors, comes in. Ipsento now gets raw, direct trade beans and roasts them in house. (The roaster, along with several burlap bags, takes up a substantial portion of the small, original front room.) The resulting coffee is delicious. Espresso drinks are made well, and you should try the signature drink, a latte made with honey and coconut milk.

Ipsento adds reasons to stop by, throwing in free wifi, bean roasting on Tuesdays and open mics, readings and music performances on Thursdays. And on Friday mornings, the coffee is free, so you can use the money you save to buy one of the five breakfast sandwiches or a pastry from Bleeding Heart Bakery.

Average cost: <$10

Centerstage Reviewer: Alexander Hough