Friday, June 23, 2017

Cafein



Location: Chantilly, VA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

While strip malls are typically not the most coveted locations to drop a coffeehouse, they tend to be the only affordable/realistic place to host one in the midst of suburbia. Fortunately, not all strip malls are created identical, so some offer space far better suited to hosting a third space brimming with excellent coffee.


One such shop can be found outside of Dulles Airport in Chantilly, a nifty establishment called Cafein. Located in the Metrotech Plaza, this coffeehouse sits amongst many stores, offering plenty of parking to their eager customers. Inside, the place was packed with a Sunday afternoon crowd, full of patrons sipping leisurely on their post-brunch coffee. The shop decor held a nice balance between minimalistic and creative, with little nuances peaking out like a curious lemming popping its head out of a burrow.


For coffee, Cafein utilizes Stumptown, of which I ordered an espresso of Hairbender and a pourover of a Burundi. The espresso, pulled short with brown crema, bequeathed notes of chocolate, lemon, sugar cookie, light romaine and vanilla, proving sweet, balanced and delicious. Also proving excellent was the pourover, singing bright, potent notes of elderberry, honey cake, fig cookies, Kashi twigs and a little carrot in a light/medium body.


Finding a seat amongst some others at a large circular table, I took a little time to thoroughly enjoy my coffee. After about twenty minutes, not wanting to occupy coveted space too long, I took the rest of my coffee to go in order to pay a brief visit to the Air and Space Museum nearby (free parking after 4 PM!).

Thus all in all, whether you're flying out of Dulles or live close by, stop in for some coffee at Cafein.



These wonderful folks made this visit possible in part. Make sure to check them out!







3 comments:

Luigi said...

It seems like an odd combination with Korean Baristas, but exceeded my expectations. So far I have tried the excellent Rose Latte and the thrilling De Vant Coffee. It is very convenient as it gives me a boost before my weekly shopping at the mall. Their cakes are yummy too!

Juliette W. Armstead said...

NATURAL HANDCRAFTED SOAP said...

I like this one