Showing posts with label Intelligentsia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Intelligentsia. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 28, 2021

On What Grounds?


Subject: On What Grounds? Coffee House
Location visited: Berlin, MD
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

For me, driving the Delmarva Peninsula for coffee purposes can be a bit of gamble depending on the time of year and the road I take. Often times I have plenty of time to seek one out but it's late Friday evening or Sunday afternoon, while other times I will be near the shore and a seasonal shop will be shuttered.

Thursday, April 09, 2020

The Shop



Subject: The Shop
Location: Binghamton, NY
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]

Back when I lived in Syracuse, I used to go back and forth from Philly all the time, passing quite often through the city of Binghamton, New York. Circa 2008, the area held few places to stop for good coffee, so rarely did I visit the city of Binghamton during my travels.

Monday, March 25, 2019

Mea Cuppa Coffeebar




Subject: Mea Cuppa Coffeebar
Location visited: Capitol Market, Charleston, WV
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]

Every city needs a good local market. Philly has the Reading Terminal, Seattle has Pike Place and Charleston, West Virginia has the Capitol Market. Located in an old railroad terminal, the Capitol Market has been providing excellent food, produce and general good stuff to West Virginia since the late 1990s.

Friday, October 15, 2010

CC: Saint's Cafe

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What's does "CC" mean?

Subject:
Saint's Cafe
Location visited: State College, PA
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating:
5+ [
see key]




Central Pennsylvania has always been greatly overlooked in my travels. I have driven across it many times but aside from the scenery along the turnpike, there was little else I managed to see.

That sad trend met its end when I found my way to State College. The quintessential college town, State College surpassed my meager expectations with its bustling streets full of alluring stores and eateries (unlike some other college towns that shan't be named).

But what put my delight into hyperdrive was the presence of Saint's Cafe. Serving up Intelligentsia, Metropolis and Counter Culture, this coffeehouse was the first cafe I had heard of between Philly and Pittsburgh that knew about good coffee (never mind served it).

Parking in the metered lot across the street, I walked over, into their busy yet open cafe full of whites, greens and tans (all influenced by complimentary lighting). The space had an overall warm environment as well as plenty of seating.

I ordered an espresso of (Intelly's) Black Cat and a Clover-brewed Rwandan (also from Intelly). The espresso was pulled pretty well, appearing with a great crema and the flavors of creamy chocolate milk, lemon rind, clove and a bit of pepper. The shots seemed a bit off from normal Black Cat but the quality still proved splendid. The Rwandan displayed mild hops, caramel, wheat grass, raspberry yogurt, a tinge of tobacco and a small measure of fig (i.e. a delicious coffee). The tea is free leaf and Republic of Tea.

My experience with the cafe left me pleased, as the service and product both boded well. Along with Penn State's world-famous creamery (which was practically bursting with fervent customers that day), Saint's Cafe easily produces a good reason for making State College a place to hit soon.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

CC: Coffee Studio

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What's does "CC" mean? Location visited: Chicago, IL
Free WiFi ? : yes

Rating:
6+ [
see key]



A relaxing afternoon amidst a delightful cafe does not often happen. Most of the time, my coffeehouse visits are brief but once in a while, relaxation can weave its way into my coffee experience.

Such was the occurrence one brisk day in Chicago. I had finished my work for the day and so a colleague and I made our way to a place called the Coffee Studio for a respite. Having reviewed some press from Bon Appetit that toted the Coffee Studio as a top boutique coffee establishment, I had a piqued interest to take it in.

The setting is that of a warm, invigorating interior with a chic, modern design and a beautiful mixture of wood and exposed brick. An Intelligentsia-toting establishment, I moved to the counter and ordered myself a Black Cat espresso and a cup of their Brazil freshly-brewed via filter. The Black Cat modeled deep chocolate and sugary lemon with a milkiness towards the end, all embodied in a short pull with beautiful crema. The Brazil demonstrated what I would equivocate to a nice Belgian ale with a squeeze of citrus as well as a chunk of caramel. Together, a great showing of coffee. The tea is free leaf.

After chill-axing for a good part of the afternoon, I had to end the pleasant trip to the Coffee Studio. Without a doubt, yet another great shop to add to Chicago's north. Go.


Sunday, March 07, 2010

CC: Xpresso

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What's does "CC" mean?

Subject:
Xpresso
Location visited: Ottawa, ON
Free WiFi ? : yes

Rating:
4+ [
see key]



Hitting a local spot for a meal doesn't always work out when visiting a city on a cold winter evening. The weather on a recent trip to Ottawa became a hurdle for my wife and I as we braved the raving winds for dinner. But determined to eat a good meal, our fortitude paid off, as we found mighty fine Mexican fare at Ahora Mexican Cuisine.

Next on the list (for me at least) was a decent cup of coffee. We ventured out into the cold on a shaky lead to a place nearby called Xpresso, apparently owned by the same people who own a local Indian restaurant called Shafali. We found the place soon after, with black signs (
somewhat hard-to-see-in-the-night) and open windows. Inside there was lots of Indian art amidst a red modern decor and a cozy furniture.

The coffee comes from Reunion Island Coffee, a roaster out of Oakville, Ontario (though Xpresso's website claims they use Intelligentsia). I had the Ethiopian via drip, a light roast with blueberry, chianti and lemon throughout; a tremendously good, fruity cup of coffee with a medium body. The espresso, pulled medium/long despite asking for it short, had chocolate notes followed by a strong bitterness that had a developing salty facet as well as a milk-ish body (i.e. fair shots). The tea was free leaf and Xpresso also had beer and wine options.

Though the experience satisified my desire for some evening coffee, I felt the place had a lot of potential to be even greater. Never the less, if you're in town, give Xpresso a go go.


Wednesday, March 18, 2009

CC: Blue Spoon

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What's does "CC" mean?


Subject: Blue Spoon Coffee Co.
Location visited: Manhattan, NY

Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]


I've always been curious what kind of coffee Wall Street traders would drink as they get ready for their crazy days. Fortunately for at least the NYC Financial District, there are a few coffee places relatively close by to grab a quality cup of joe.

One that seems outfitted for the working Manhattan-ite on the go is a place called the Blue Spoon Coffee Company, a small coffeehouse located right on Chambers Street open only during the traditional M-F work week. I had made a few attempts to stop by over the years but since I rarely went up to New York City during the week, stopping in proved difficult.

Finally, I had an excuse one day to stop by early during the rush hour commute of a Monday (which might I add, navigating the subway with that much chaos is no fun) and hence, I wandered over to their shop. The venue sits in a cute cafe with a metal exterior with decent windows and a quaint inside with a good deal of spacious seating for the space.

The coffee comes from Intelligentsia, and from what I understand Blue Spoon stands as one of the first in NYC to peddle the Chicago coffee. I had the Blue Spoon Blend, a coffee that purveyed a fiery spice on the front that ended subtly in rice pudding. The espresso, pulled short and by practiced hands, had sweet notes of strawberries and cream as well strong hints of cocoa. I didn't spot the tea.

As I had been waiting to go to Blue Spoon for a while, I was glad that it delivered on my hopes of it being worth the trip. If you happen to be south in Manhattan during the work week, make a detour to the Blue Spoon Coffee Co.