Alchemy Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Alchemy Coffee and Bake House
Location: Lawrence, KS
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Thanks to the great work of several professionals and a handful of coffee establishments, I have come to hold Kansas in high esteem when it comes to specialty coffee. Sure it might be a less-populated state, but through the past decade it seems that Kansas has been continually blessed with a good sampling of excellent coffee. 

McLain's Market

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: McLain's Market
Location visited: Lawrence, KS
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Gorgeous, local markets and quality coffee shops bordering universities are two of my favorite things to visit, so when they're combined into one establishment, my ears perk up and a small pilgrimage usually ensues. Fortunately, my latest encounter with such a rare mash-up found me while traversing the University of Kansas in Lawrence. Having not known about this gem prior to my arrival in town, I stumbled upon a place called McLain's Market one early morning, housed in resplendent glory within the old KU bookstore.

PT's Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: PT's Coffee Roasting Co
Location Reviewed: Topeka, KS
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

I remember when I first got into quality coffee around 2006 that there were a few names well-known across the nation. One of those roasters of renown was PT's Coffee out of Kansas, a roaster I first sipped (and later reviewed) all the way back in 2008. Through the past decade, PT's has continuously impressed me with their excellent coffees yet a visit to Kansas to try them out on their home turf continuously eluded me.

Philter

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Philter
Location: Kennett Square, PA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

The Philadelphia area possesses quite a few great holiday attractions. Yet if I had to distill them down, the two must-see stops are definitely the Christmas Light Show in Philadelphia's Old Wanamaker Building and nearby Longwood Gardens. Both have been a long-standing fixture in my life and if the mobs are any indication, their popularity has done nothing but grow over the years.