Vintage Tea and Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Vintage Tea and Coffee
Location: Cleveland, OH
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Whenever I peak in, Cleveland's coffee landscape seems to be improving quite nicely. Whether LeBron is the one to thank or it's just a mix of local talent meeting a growing need for excellent beverages, the city provides new caffeinated delight every time I visit.

Pour Cleveland

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Pour Cleveland
Location: Cleveland, OH
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Ohio and I did not begin on the best of terms. As a child, my only memories consist of a handful of weary suburbs and local landmarks from when we visited kin. As a young man, I saw the state as but a hurdle on my continental adventures to and fro. Finally in my 30s have I come to slowly appreciate and enjoy the overlooked treasures of the Buckeye State. 

Mugged: Hope Blend [Bonlife]

Subject: Bonlife Coffee
Mugged: Hope Blend
Rating: 4+ [see key]


Tennessee is a great southern state, home to superb bbq, gorgeous hiking and legal adoption for folks over 18. It's a state I can say I've traversed numerous times and each time, found something new. 

But having been away from the honky-tonk state for some years, I've been unable to sample the developing coffee scene that has been gaining steam in the years past. One such coffee entity to set down roots is Bonlife Coffee, an international company that opened its doors in Tennessee this past summer. They asked if they could send out some coffee for my opinion, and after some quick communication they sent me out a pound of their Hope Blend. I sampled the coffee via pourover, french press and siphon.

The drip produced vanilla followed by sweet cocoa, along with notes of butter, grass, caraway seed and some toasted almond, all within a mild body. A delicious brew with a nutty sweetness. 

The french press proved mellower, with vanilla, cocoa,wheat, caramel and toasted almond amidst a light, buttery body. A sweet and smooth cup.

The siphon came third in order and in favor. The cup held more of a bittersweet cocoa, along with fig, flemish sour ale and strong nut notes, coupled with some wheaty undertones. A little heavier but still a good cup. 

To sum it up, I would definitely order the Hope Blend again, as it proved to have a nice profile of nuts and sweet cocoa with some other varying positive characters. If you happen to be in Cleveland, TN or an internet purchase away, give Bonlife a whirl.    


note: coffee was provided free of charge and the above review is objective feedback.

CC: Phoenix Coffee

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Subject: Phoenix Coffee

Location visited: Cleveland, OH
[East 9th Location]
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 4+ [see key]


Driving on a massive road trip, you tend to make stops where you know people. I mean, why waste a perfectly good geographical anomaly when someone you actually enjoy spending time with is a stone's throw away?

Well, I can vouch that my one colleague knows how to capitalize on such opportunity. While driving through Cleveland, I mentioned the idea of a needed coffee stop and he countered with the prospect of his father making a stop into said coffeehouse to meet us for coffee. Not one to complain of such a heart string tug, we agreed upon a place called Phoenix Coffee for the rendezvous.

Now Phoenix Coffee was no blindfolded pick; of Cleveland's coffee scene, it seems that Phoenix was a well-respected place to grab decent coffee. The East 9th location we arrived at moments later after a little mapping; a nondescript brown brick building situated in the city proper of Cleveland, the coffee shop had little to separate it except some signage and a row of windows on one wall. Upon initial sighting of the interior, it struck me as a place that had been around for awhile as the decor was red and vintage, but not so much in the hip way (turns out they've been around since the early 90s).

With the father not arrived yet, I proceeded to order myself a cup of their self-roasted (Phoenix roasts their own coffee) Ethiopian Yirgacheffe and a double espresso. The Ethiopian was a bright coffee with a bit of a saucy flavor and a dark body; it seems that it was a little stale but beyond that, it didn't hold a whole lot of distinct flavors (maybe a bad infusion). The espresso fared little better, with a blond shot pulled short that held an initial bitterness, some sweet cocoa and vanilla with a bit of peach making a brief showing. The shots proved to have a little too much bite and while I can't say it was horrible, I would say it could stand to improve. The tea is free leaf.

After I had finished my drinks, I went outside to move the car as we had managed to earn a parking ticket (they are quick in Cleveland) and meanwhile, the father-of-the-colleague arrived. They talked and bonded and upon my arrival, I had missed the whole experience all together (*tear).

As for Phoenix Coffee, it was a decent coffeehouse that I feel may have been a poor experience that day based on micro factors (barista skill, time of day, etc) but nonetheless, tis no excuse. Hopefully my next visit will prove better.

If you're in Cleveland and in need of decent coffee, try out Phoenix.

CC: Moko Coffee & Tea

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Subject: Moko Coffee & Tea

Location visited: Cleveland, OH
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]


It's not every day that you spot an Amish man (at least he looked Amish) walking a baby giraffe down a city street, but it's not every day that I'm in Cleveland. This great lake-bordered city is one I rarely visit and in the precious minutes I had, I tried to make the best of it.

So of the few stops I did make, one of them was at a place called Moko Coffee & Tea. A coffeehouse slinging Intelligentsia located in Playhouse Square seemed like a fine stop and thus after my pet giraffe sighting, I made my pit stop.

Moko is a lobby cafe with nice high ceilings, a prominent counter/preparation area and a simple monochromatic color scheme. The coffee is a custom, Intelly-crafted Moko House Blend that despite having an off bitterness on the back and a little staleness, it held nice cocoa flavors, a fairly balanced body and some pear as it cooled. The espresso, pulled short with quality crema, was a good showing of Black Cat, with the usual lemon and cocoa flavors shadowed with sugar cane as well as some unique chai notes on the end. The tea is free leaf.

To put it plain, Moko added a sumptuous facet to my Cleveland adventure. Though it doesn't seem that Moko is using a lot of Intelly's other coffees, they seem to be doing a decent job with what they got. If you happen to be passing through, stop by Moko.