Showing posts with label George Howell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label George Howell. Show all posts

Friday, May 13, 2016

The Coffee Pedaler



Subject: The Coffee Pedaler
Location: New Haven, CT
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

It's official: cycling and coffee are best buds.

Sure, no truly notarized decree has been made from either the SCAA or the International Olympic Committee, but if you know people whom take one seriously, chances are they are deeply enamored about the other. And unlike other communities that overlap with great coffee (like whittling or medieval anachronism), cycling and coffee have often combined forces for some epic tag teams. You can find coffee bars in bike shops, coffee served off the back of cycles (though to my disappointment, no one has debuted the coffee unicylce yet) and you can even find mobile coffee operations partially powered by pedal-power.

Thursday, March 24, 2016

Astro Coffee




Subject: Astro Coffee
Location: Detroit, MI
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

The multi-roaster coffeehouse is one of my favorite iterations of a coffee-serving establishment. Poised to introduce its consumers to different coffee purveyors and offerings, it's much like the local taproom with an ever-rotating selection for the fanatical beer enthusiasts. And while not every city possesses a ton of such venues, I am fairly certain most possess at least one.

Tuesday, March 08, 2016

No. 7311




Subject: No. 7311
Location: Ventnor, NJ
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 4+ [see key]

*Update 2.26.19*
They stopped offering light roasts and George Howell. Coffee has become a tad more lackluster (though the baked goods are still amazing).

One of the things I don't enjoy about the Jersey shore is the seasonal nature of many communities. Naturally summer boasts huge crowds, merriment and thriving beach islands full of life. Yet the fun ends in autumn when most shore businesses close up and the once-thriving towns become a place for polar bear plunges and boardwalk exercise. I do not deny that this might be the natural order of the universe, but I find no greater disappointment than knowing that I must wait until May for the next funnel cake or block of fudge.

Monday, February 15, 2016

Comet Coffee



Subject: Comet Coffee
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

When I used to work in higher education, it seemed that about a quarter of my colleagues either studied or worked at the University of Michigan. At the time I had never been, so I listened to their stories of a stately campus, the great town and cold winters. Though I had intention of making my way there sooner, it wasn't until recently that I was finally able to visit. And despite my interest in seeing the campus, my sights were first set on an Ann Arbor coffee establishment called Comet Coffee.

Friday, May 28, 2010

CC: Velouria Espresso

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What's does "CC" mean? Location visited: Jamaica Plain, MA
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating:
4+ [
see key]


If I were to have a second middle name, it would be Ambition (my current middle name is Persistence). Sometimes ambition is good but sometimes ambition leaks optimism where realism is needed (especially in bleak circumstance). Mostly, such times usually speak of me trying to get from point A to point B quicker then the law would allow (fortunately, enough speeding tickets as a teenager have whittled my ambition to functioning within the limits of Uncle Sam).

It was this last second ambition that twice drove me to Velouria Espresso, a cute cafe in the Jamaica Hill area of Boston, right as they closed (I hate that feeling of just missing something). So the third time I had the chance, I gave myself a little more time and lo and behold, my ambition and persisitence paid off.

The cafe externally does not hold much except big windows and a nice awning, but inside, the small space is utilized well to hold several pieces of seating and a welcoming tan and black ambiance. In my research of Velouria, I had noted the existence of a Clover but sadly, it was down the day I arrived; so I went with a cup of George Howell's Vasenda Colombian (their house coffee) and an espresso.

The Colombian, filtered, had flavors of minestrone, a nice earthiness, some sunflower, cherry and an overall smoothness. The coffee sampled well but it failed to blow me away (hard to say if it was the coffee or the brewer that lacked). The espresso, George Howell's Daterra Espresso blend according to the barista, was pulled medium/short and topped with blond crema. The flavors included a bit of cardboard, dark bitter chocolate, some lime, hints of cinnamon and a dark aftertaste. I would guess some of the negative aspects were due to barista style and in the end, it was a fair espresso. The tea is free leaf.

As I wrapped up my visit, I was already (ambitiously) thinking of making another trip as I don't feel I showed up on a good day. Velouria had a lot of the makings for a great experience but little things seemed to get in the way. Alas, such is the nature of first impressions.

If you happen to be in the area, I'd be curious your thoughts on Velouria Espresso.



Thursday, May 06, 2010

CC: Crema Cafe

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What's does "CC" mean?

Subject:
Crema Cafe
Location visited: Boston, MA
Free WiFi ? : no

Rating:
6+ [
see key]



Regardless of all the hype, Cambridge is one happening scene. I've been to the area several times and each time I find something interesting.

This trip, it was specifically Harvard Square and a very conveniently-located coffeehouse called Crema Cafe. Positioned right off the T stop in a simple concrete building, this teaming cafe seemed to be quite the local hotspot (especially with the warm weather). Walking through the open front, the cafe opens into a skinny but tall space with the counter to much of the left, a loft in the back and despite an abundance of quality furniture, a pretty packed joint.

Crema serves up George Howell's various brews, of which I had a cup of the Costa Rican La Minata (drip) and their house espresso. The La Minata had characteristics of a bright, juicy apple and a little guava complimented by dark chocolate, roasted tomato and a light oregano. A smooth coffee with a beautiful combination of flavors. The espresso, pulled splendidly short with a nice head (aka crema) and velvety body, held deep chocolate, raspberry, sugar cookie, rum and a tinge of tobacco on the back. Both coffees really represented not only great coffee but good mastery of methods. The tea is free leaf.

Given the delightful experience at Crema, Cambridge remains a favorite haunt when I hit old Boston town, with Crema now on the list of reasons to return. Thus, if you happen to be in the area, give Crema a stir.

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

CC: 2nd Cup Cafe

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What's does "CC" mean?


Subject:
2nd Cup Cafe
Location visited: Allston, MA
Free WiFi ? : yes

Rating:
4+ [
see key]


In another trip to the lovely city of Boston, I found myself one day en route to a lunch meeting almost an hour early with still no breakfast ingested. Given that I am not one to skip breakfast or to waste idle time, I queried of my party (we were four that day) of stopping at a local coffee spot with untold promise.

I say untold because 2nd Cup Cafe came up as a place that serves George Howell's coffee but not as a place any one coffee nerd has raved of. Therefore, I stayed on my toes in the initial approach of 2nd Cup's orange awning-ed shop with one of their large windows wide open to take in the warm breeze. Inside, I noticed the cafe had a variation of comfortable furniture all surrounded by warm orange and yellow decor.

Stepping up to the counter to order, I observed the coffee choices (also posted on the website) were a House or French Roast, both from George Howell. Since I've had very few positive experiences with a french roast, I opted for the House. Said drip demonstrated a smooth coffee smacking of grain, subtle honey (that's what my wife calls me), a bit of green tea and some chocolate, not to mention a little grape as it cooled. The espresso, pulled short/medium, had a white foamy head with flavors of cherry buried under bitterness, a little cocoa and bits of cardboard all amidst a piping hot (a little too hot) temperature and milky texture. The tea is free leaf.

I credit 2nd Cup with being a good breakfast stop and having decent coffee, but if they took their espresso to the next level and maybe added a little coffee variety, I could see this little cafe jumping to new heights. We shall see.

If you're in Allston, give 2nd Cup a heave-ho.