Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Pour Cleveland





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. 

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Folklore Coffee and Company




Subject: Folklore Coffee and Company
Location: Elizabethtown, PA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]

Dotted throughout the eastern Pennsylvania countryside exist many pleasant towns. Once places of industry, these villages exist now as centers of local culture and gathering hubs for lunch dates. Fortunately many such towns also have a rising occurrence of quality coffee, a fact that makes passing through small town PA a very pleasant journey.

Friday, December 18, 2015

Anthology Coffee




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

Ever since I watched Home Improvement as a lad of 10, I have held a subtle curiosity of Detroit and its surrounding settlement. Over the years that interest has been fed by news of bankruptcy, redevelopment and finally, a surging of great coffee.

Monday, December 14, 2015

Mugged: Petra Roasting Co.

Subject: Petra Roasting Co.
Coffees Mugged and Rating [see key]:
- Ethiopia Hunkute 6+
- Kenya Githiga AA 6+
- Acme Harman 5+

Nearly every part of the world has a customary way to prepare coffee. Naturally in Istanbul, many citizens still look to a piping hot cup of Turkish coffee using a method that has been honed over the centuries. Prepared in an cezve/ibrik using finely-ground coffee, it's something all coffee drinkers should try at one point. 

Wednesday, December 09, 2015

Java Rock



Subject: Java Rock
Location: Rock Hall, MD
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]

For growing up relatively close to the Delmarva peninsula, I have spent surprisingly few moments upon the landmass. Looking to rectify this delinquency, I have recently taken to wandering the Delmarva and have found it to be a place of gorgeous rural scenery, fishing villages and lots of local secrets.

Tuesday, December 01, 2015

Cafe Volan



Subject: Cafe Volan
Location: Asbury Park, NJ
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

There are two things all Jersey residents agree upon: a deep loathing for the NJ Turnpike and a noticeable respect for the musical heritage of Asbury Park. Once recognized only as a quiet beach resort, the town now tightly holds a landmark reputation for producing stellar rock acts. Today many triumphant musical acts still frequent its bars, and thankfully a similar thirst for excellence has finally spilled into the local coffee community, specifically at a joint called Cafe Volan.

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Rowster Coffee



Subject: Rowster Coffee
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Until recently, I did not know that Wealthy was a female first name. Yet it turns out that Wealthy Street in Grand Rapids is named for Wealthy Davis, a woman that was married to Kent County’s first probate judge. Fortunately for Ms. Davis, her namesake avenue is home to some great coffee from local coffee purveyor Rowster Coffee.

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

KitchenAid Pour Over Coffee Brewer

SPONSORED POST



No one wants a bad cup of coffee. Every bean drinker loves the euphoria of sipping upon a beautifully-crafted cup of coffee. One of the reasons so many folks end up with sludge or mediocre brew is most people hold that they don't have the time to make it the way a world-class barista would make it. KitchenAid is looking to solve this issue.

Friday, November 06, 2015

Mugged: Goshen Coffee's Secret Stash


Subject: Goshen Coffee
Coffees Mugged and Rating [see key]:
- Adame Gorbota, Ethiopian 6+
- Gedeb, Ethiopia 6+
- Kintamani, Bali 6+
- Pedro Melgar, Honduras 5+
- Toribo Vasquez, Honduras 5+

A lot of great things have come out of Illinois. Abraham Lincoln, Portillo's hot dogs and Home Alone (just the first movie) usually top my list. But over the years, I have found another contender amidst the regulars: Goshen Coffee.

Saturday, October 31, 2015

Bluebird Coffee Shop



Subject: Bluebird Coffee Shop
Location: Manhattan, NY
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

I never grow tired of discovering new coffee spots in New York. It's the one city that regardless of how often I stop by, there's always a new or rejuvenated shop to hit. It's a never-ceasing coffee adventure.

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Neat Coffee



Location: Darien, CT
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Like the gates of Mordor, so stands the George Washington Bridge guarding passage of Interstate 95. Every time I know I must cross, I literally set off in the wee morning hours like a hobbit trying to avoid orc-like traffic. Thus far, I've been fortunate with this method and aside from sacrificing precious sleep, it has had but one major detraction: it takes me past Neat Coffee in Connecticut long before they open up.

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Madcap Coffee


Subject: Madcap Coffee
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

These days, few coffee companies seem to have as many fans as Madcap Coffee. Whether it's their colorful designs or their excellently-roasted coffee, one usually hears many cheers of affirmation when Madcap is on the table (both topically and literally). 

Wednesday, October 07, 2015

Mugged: Peruvian [Dean's Beans]


Subject: Dean's Beans
Coffee Mugged: Peruvian
Rating [see key]: 4+

I remember vividly my first experience with Dean's Beans. The year was 1999 and a local, progressive coffeehouse began featuring their beans due to the fact that DB believes strongly in using coffee to drive positive change. Sadly despite the altruistic mission of this local cafe, they did not care much for coffee quality and as such they closed down after a few years.

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Espresso a Mano



Subject: Espresso a Mano
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Despite its relatively close proximity, I don't make it to Pittsburgh as much as I would like. It's like an old college buddy that has a conflicting social schedule who lives too far away to visit without lodging. Fortunately, when the opportunity knocks to make a stop in the Iron City, I make sure to swoop in like an old chum (suddenly and without warning) for a brief respite.

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Ugly Mug



Subject: Ugly Mug Cafe and Roastery
Location: Ypsilanti, MI
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

I first heard about the glory of Ypsilanti almost ten years ago. Naturally I speak of a time-tested coffee establishment called the Ugly Mug, a local coffeehouse and roastery that's been around as long as I've been writing this blog. Clearly I do not often travel to Michigan, as it took me almost a decade to get to the Ugly Mug, but when I finally arrived one warm afternoon I felt elated, like a pilgrim finishing a long journey.

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Mugged: Honduras La Gloria [Joffrey's]


Subject: Joffrey's
Coffee Mugged: Honduras La Gloria
Rating [see key]: 5+

It's quite natural to associate specific food and drink with good times. For years I associated sausage rolls with Christmas (that is until my mom decided she didn't like baking anymore, but that's another tale). Coconuts distinctly remind me of the beach in summertime, and thanks to my Irish grandparents, cashews draw me back to the Ocean City boardwalk.

Tuesday, September 08, 2015

Courier Coffee Roasters


Subject: Courier Coffee Roasters
Location: Portland, OR
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

There is an inexplicable vibe that comes from walking into a serious coffeehouse. Of course I do not mean "serious" in the sense of mood (though I've been in a few shops where the barista looks like we're about to sort through tax law), but more in the manner of how these pros work, in the dedication and skill they lend to their craft. Courier Coffee Roasters is definitely one of those places.

Wednesday, September 02, 2015

Filter



Subject: Filter Coffeehouse and Espresso Bar
Location: Washington DC [Dupont Circle shop]
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

There always exist a few coffeehouses that take me forever to reach. Whether it be a conflict of hours or simply an inflexibility in my travel plans, I sometimes wait years to get to some places. It's even more frustrating when such a cafe resides relatively close by amidst the crowded throngs of Washington DC. I speak of a multi-location shop called Filter Coffeehouse and Espresso Bar.

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Mugged: Screaming Beans





Subject: Screaming Beans
Coffee Mugged: Tanzania Kilamanjaro, Machare Estate
Rating [see key]: 5+

The Dutch have come up a lot in my year recently. In my travels around the USA, I've come across a lot of old Dutch colonies and monuments. In my readings of books and infrequent cinema perusal, the Netherlands (specifically Frisia) have come up noticeably often. And to top it off, a good friend of mine revealed to me that she is 100% Dutch (i.e. born from two 100% Dutch parents), which may not be all that remarkable for some, but in my neck of the woods it's rare to meet someone who comes from a mono-ethnic background. All together, I am cautiously holding my breath that this means that God has a trip to the Netherlands somewhere in my near future.

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Bluestone Lane



Subject: Bluestone Lane
Location: Manhattan, NY [Bryant Park shop]
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]


Update 11/14/17
In the past few years, Bluestone has started roasting their own coffee amidst their expansion, moving towards a darker roast as a default. 


If there's a continent that seems to burst so much with coffee love that it begins to take over other continents, it's Australia. Having been to both various Aussie operations in the UK as well as in the States, I stand amazed at how much their cup runneth over into foreign lands. And unlike the outposts of many other countries, Australians seems to sincerely love and produce high quality and delicious coffee.

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Case Study Coffee




Subject: Case Study Coffee Roasters
Location: Portland, OR [NE Sandy Blvd shop]
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Long, long ago in the pre-smart phone days, I would use the hunt-with-my-eyes method of locating coffeehouses. Essentially I would do minimal research when visiting a new place and wing it, hoping that in wandering the right neighborhoods, I would spot the diamonds in the rough. Clearly an inferior method, I rarely use the tactic primarily anymore, but still from time to time my eyes can't help but scan the horizon for an uncharted gem.

Thursday, August 06, 2015

Mugged: 3fe



Subject: 3fe Coffee
Coffee Mugged and Rating [see key]:
- Nicaragua Finca La Escondida: Perla Negra Red Catuai 5+
- Bolivia Finca David Vilca: Yellow Honey Caturra 6+

Long have I yearned to visit the ancient streets of Dublin. Possessing both rich Irish ancestry and an ardent love of European history, a visit to the Emerald Isle has remained out of my grasp. In the meantime while I plan my foray across the pond, I was recently able to experience the next best thing: fresh, whole bean coffee from one of Ireland's better roasters, 3fe Coffee.

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Endgrain Coffee Bar



Subject: Endgrain Coffee Bar
Location: Pitman, NJ
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]


Update 11/16/2022: Coffee roasting and bar skill is definitely worth a visit.

Update 11/14/17:
In the past two years, Engrain has started roasting their own coffee and offering a growing line of different coffees, ranging from light to dark. 


It's no secret that small towns on the east coast have a devastatingly small amount of great coffee. Chalk it up to the high cost of real estate, or to the low patronage from the give-me-drive-thru-or-give-me-death majority. Whatever the cause, it remains a daunting task to find a quality brew outside of major city limits.

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Lineage Coffee Roasting




Subject: Lineage Coffee Roasting
Location: Orlando, FL
WiFi?: the East End Market has it I believe
Rating: 6+ [see key]

In my early life, indoor markets were a constant presence. Always a deal seeker, my mother would drag my siblings and me to a local mart known for its lackluster decor and bottom dollar prices. Needless to say, this impressed upon me that such bazaars were doomed to be poorly lit, suspicious spots where cheap goods were peddled and greasy sandwiches were hocked. But the older I grew, the more I have come across a greater diversity of indoor markets that actually offer superb products in increasingly beautiful spaces.

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Torque Coffee



Subject: Torque Coffee
Location: Vancouver, WA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

No matter how long I'm in the area of Portland, I always make time for a stop in lovely Vancouver. Sitting pretty along the Columbia River, and but a pebbles skip from the expanses of Portland, this border city of Washington has a lot of gems definitely worth mining.