
Subject: Heritage Outpost
Location visited: West Wilson Ave, Chicago, IL
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]
Early in my adult life I found an apartment across the street from what looked like a decent coffeehouse. The place hadn't opened yet but due to strange designs, it was set to open its doors about the same time as my move-in date. Unfortunately, rampant delay and poor decisions foiled my dream of living mere steps from a decent coffeehouse, as the shop turned out to be a dud and the business closed down a shortly after I moved out. To this day I am leery to let local amenities influence my real estate decisions.
But there are lucky souls who do live a hop, skip and a jump from great coffee, such as the fortunate residents living above the Heritage Outpost in Chicago. The second location of Heritage Bicycles, this cafe shares the lobby of a small apartment building on West Wilson Ave, several blocks west of Montrose Beach. The exterior, complete with walk-up window, beautifully heralds the presence of the shop, with glass doors leading inside to a cozy yet versatile lobby full of seating. The coffee bar itself is to the right upon entering, concealed partly behind a giant pillar that bears the menu.
Utilizing private-labeled bags with local Intelligentsia coffee, I ordered an espresso of their Legacy blend and a pourover of an Ethiopian. The espresso, pulled short/medium with brown crema, tasted of sweet sugar cookie, caramel, lemon and some roasted brussel sprout, making for a tasty and robust infusion. The pourover created even more fireworks, with notes of honeycake, black currant, nougat, cream, toasted almond and sugared berries in a light/medium body.
While I try not one to let glorious features such as having a coffeehouse a floor or two below my flat influence my desire to live somewhere, I don't see how residences above the Heritage Outpost could ever have long vacancies. Whether you're hunting for a home or just some great coffee, definitely stop by one of Heritage Bicycle's locations posthaste.
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