Showing posts with label LA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label LA. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Hivolt



Subject: Hivolt
Location: New Orleans, LA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Getting a quality meal and a good cup of coffee at the same time used to be a rare occurrence. Fortunately the days have grown brighter and coffee is no longer an afterthought. Specifically in the past decade, things have greatly improved in the food world so that brunch spots and fine dinner establishments now purvey quality coffee from excellent roasters instead of capsuled espresso or cooked coffee from an urn long overdue for a cleaning.

Friday, June 12, 2020

French Truck Coffee



Subject: French Truck Coffee
Location Visited: Magazine St, New Orleans, LA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

When I use the word "french" in relation to coffee, my mind tends to wander to older times. When I think of french roasts, I think of bitter, charcoal-heavy brews that gained traction in the nineteenth century when over-roasted coffee hid the defects of the low quality beans. When I hear of french-style coffee, my mind zips to thoughts of chicory and cafe au laits, drinks made popular four score ago in the French Market of NOLA that, while appetizing in their own way, don't usually call to mind high-quality coffee.

Friday, May 29, 2020

Mojo Coffee Roasters



Subject: Mojo Coffee Roasters
Location Visited: Freret St, New Orleans, LA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Some of my favorite memories have happened on evening coffee dates. Sadly, over the years such opportunities have dwindled for many reasons (kids, quarantine and coffee shops with early hours to name a few), but when I can find a good coffee shop open late, I scribble down eminent plans to visit.

Thursday, May 07, 2020

Cherry Coffee Roasters



Subject: Cherry Coffee Roasters
Location Visited: Magazine St, New Orleans, LA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

The sun was hot and the streets were buzzing with activity as I made the most of my free time in New Orleans. Finding myself walking around Magazine Street, I wove in and out of the many businesses lining both sides, ranging from boutiques to fantastic eateries. Looking for a good cup of coffee, I set my sights on a location of Cherry Coffee Roasters, a local shop and roaster that had been gaining reputation for quality coffee. Since their second outpost proved convenient to my geography (their primary location is on Laurel), it made for a welcome treat to my morning adventure.

Friday, April 17, 2020

Arrow Cafe



Subject: Arrow Cafe
Location: New Orleans, LA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Riding a street car down N Rampart Street stands as one of my favorite memories of New Orleans. The car was relatively empty and the day was not yet a few hours old, but the car was a nice relief from the already stifling air of the city and the route had few passengers. Sadly the ride was not long, and the destination was the French Quarter, as my wife and I had a nice morning of sight-seeing and walking the old streets planned out. It was then as we made our way down N Rampart St that we first passed Arrow Cafe.

Wednesday, April 01, 2020

Coffee Science



Subject: Coffee Science
Location: New Orleans, LA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]

The more one radiates out from the French Quarter, the more facets New Orleans presents. Sure the bulk of tourism is right near the Quarter but there's a lot of gems off the beaten path that are worth seeking out. If coffee is high on that gem list, then one of them is Coffee Science.

Tuesday, February 25, 2020

HEY! Cafe / HEY Coffee Co



Subject: HEY Coffee Co / Hey! Cafe 
Location visited: New Orleans, LA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Were I to pick the most colorful city I have visited, it would likely be New Orleans. Full of vibrantly painted houses and Mardi Gras parades, NOLA sports a wide variety of palettes.

Monday, February 03, 2020

The Elysian Bar




Subject: The Elysian Bar, at Hotel Peter & Paul
Location: New Orleans, LA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

When I was looking for a good hotel in New Orleans for my wife and I to celebrate our ten year anniversary, it definitely proved difficult to narrow down my options. Half of my associates warned me to avoid the French Quarter, while the other half advised that the best spots aren't far from Bourbon Street. In the end, I went with a gut instinct as well as a great deal on one spot that seemed to attract a lot of interesting attention: the Hotel Peter and Paul.

Thursday, January 09, 2020

Mammoth Espresso



Subject: Mammoth Espresso
Location: New Orleans, LA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

In my humble opinion, the best-case office location is next to a great lunch counter and abutting a coffee shop of quality. Throughout my entire life, this has never been my lot but everytime I stumble upon a good downtown cafe, I often think of how lucky surrounding workers are to be so close.

Friday, December 06, 2019

Congregation Coffee



Subject: Congregation Coffee
Location visited: Algiers Point, New Orleans, LA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

While the French Quarter is great, exploring the greater NOLA area really rounded out and more fully illustrated the majesty of the crescent city. One such stop off the beaten path involved heading acrosst river to Algiers Point, a charming neighborhood full of colorful homes and a coffeehouse that has long been on my list to visit.

Thursday, November 07, 2019

Spitfire Coffee



Subject: Spitfire Coffee
Location visited: New Orleans, LA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

The French Quarter remains one of the most unique and iconic urban neighborhoods on the North American continent. For hundreds of years it has thrived, known for its jazz, flooding issues and its unique cuisine. Yet for all of its gastro-attractions, until recently the area stood fairly bereft of quality coffee. One place that helped change that is Spitfire.

Thursday, August 15, 2019

Solo Espresso




Subject: Solo Espresso
Location: New Orleans, LA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

When I first planned out a recent trip to New Orleans, one of the first Airbnb spots my wife spied sat adjacent to a coffeehouse. Never being too hopeful that such convenience can result in great coffee, I got my hopes appropriately low and googled the shop. Little did I know that said cafe would soon become one of my favorite coffee shops in the city.

Sunday, June 22, 2014

Mugged: Ethiopia Sidamo and Cat's Pajamas [Compelling and Rich]



Subject: Compelling and Rich Specialty Coffee
Coffees Mugged and Rating [see key]:
- Cat's Pajamas Blend 5+
- Ethiopia Sidamo Bokasso Coop 5+

It's refreshing to see folks with drive, passion AND delicious results. Some people throw around some great rhetoric, but unless it's paired with stellar outcomes (or at least some hardy efforts at those outcomes), it's hard to take a company seriously. 

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Mugged: Los Altos Micro-Lot, Fincas Mierisch [Handsome Coffee]



Subject: Handsome Coffee Roasters
Coffee Mugged: Los Altos Micro-Lot, Fincas Mierisch, Laguna Verde, Jinotega, Nicaragua
Rating [see key]: 6+

A great coffee is truly a work of art; there are a lot of steps in the process that need to be done well in order to get a great final product. And like any crop, the magic of a great coffee is partly thanks to the hard work of the farm that produced it. This large role is a credit that much of the world has only begun to concede to the coffee producers of the world. For many hundreds of years, the consumer looked at their coffee as just something simple and ubiquitous, like a caffeinated version of sugar cane. It wasn't until the past decade or so that people have started to understand that coffee farming is extremely complex and multifaceted.

With the growing appreciation of the craft that goes into growing and processing coffee crops, trips to origin have become increasingly popular. No longer just a business trip for coffee importers, a jaunt to coffee regions and farms has emerged as a new type of tourism.

One touring outfit set on socially-responsible and coffee-specific tours is a company called Detour. They have two trips to Nicaragua coming up and to raise some awareness of the region they're heading out to, they sent me out a bag of Handsome Coffee Roaster's Los Altos Micro-Lot Fincas Mierisch to take for an objective spin. I tried out the coffee via pourover, french press and siphon.

The pourover yielded some intense honey, caramel and molasses right off the bat, followed with some cumin, spiny melon and shredded wheat. A syrupy, sweet brew with a medium body.

The french press continued the trend, blasting out honey, heavy caramel, brown sugared oatmeal, spiny melon and some wheat in a medium body.

The siphon came through sweetly again, with notes of honey, caramel, shredded wheat and apple, proving slightly piquant with a luscious mellow sweetness.

I can say with confidence that if the coffee on this upcoming Nicaragua tour is going to be this tasty, I'd be happy with that alone. Fortunately, it seems like the trip Detour has arranged holds beaches, lots of sights and some time in the coffee fields during the height of their harvest. But if you can't get away for what looks like a great trip, seek out some coffee from Fincas Mierisch and/or Handsome Coffee Roasters.

note: coffee was provided free of charge and the above review is objective feedback.   

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Mugged: Colombia [Handsome, via Moustache]



Subject: Handsome Coffee Roasters
via Moustache Coffee Club
Coffees Mugged: La Plata, Huila Colombia
Rating [see key]: 5+

I remember back in the day about ten years ago when LA was a byword in the coffee world, with little as far as places offering great coffee. Now, the fortunate opposite is true with so many great shops and roasters swelling in numbers every day.

One newer coffee entity out of the fair land of So Cal is the Moustache Coffee Club, a coffee curator service that sends its customers coffee in 6 or 12 ounce quantities at various chosen frequencies. Recently, I had the fortune of trying out a great Moustached shipment from the LA coffee powerhouse Handsome Coffee Roasters, specifically their offering from La Plata, Huila, Colombia. Taking it to task, I sampled it via pourover, Espro Press and siphon.

The pourover doled a delicious array of raisin, unsweetened cocoa, rosemary, whipping cream, birch root, some gala apple and a pinch of habenero. A great tasting coffee with a medium body and a dry finish.

The Espro Press delivered an even richer infusion bordering on syrupy-sweet, with notes of raisin, dark chocolate, mead, lily florals, caramel, oatmeal w/ brown sugar and a little wheat, all within medium body.

The siphon I decided to brew a little lighter to see what it would do to the profile and I was tickled with the result. Tasty qualities of cornflakes, caramel, honey, oatmeal w/brown sugar and a little wheat emerged amidst a lighter-bodied coffee that would be a perfect addition to any breakfast table.

All together, if all of the Moustache Coffee Club's offerings are this delicious, I would give a hearty huzzah to any bloke looking for such a wonderful service. If you need beans, give Moustache, or Handsome for that matter, your money.


note: coffee was provided free of charge and the above review is objective feedback. 


Thursday, May 20, 2010

Mugged: Classic [Superba Coffee]

'
What does "Mugged" mean?


Subject:
Superba Coffee
Coffees Mugged:
Classic

Rating: 3+
[see key]




D
on't judge a book by its cover. Mom, grandmom, great grandmom and Thomas the Tank Engine all spouted that cliche in hopes of teaching me to not judge people by what they look like on the outside, but who they are inside. I would say their efforts plus years of humbling experiences panned out with my skill with people.

Yet I wonder if Thomas would let out a whistle of disappointment if he knew how I openly judge real books by their covers...and food...and drinks...and even coffee (I admit it!). Now before you regard me as shallow, allow me to elaborate. I still greatly value the content and product, it just blows my mind that someone can allow an ugly design to be placed on their product.

Thus in receiving Superba Coffee's Classic blend, I was very attracted to the snazzy box enclosing the pound of coffee. Despite my admiration of the exterior, I put it to the side and put their Classic blend to the classic tests of french press, siphon and drip.

The drip surfaced sweet cane sugar, a little bourbon, caramel, bits of cinnamon, chili powder and pretzel dough. A coffee with a lil bit of bite but all together good.

The french press presented sweet caramel and Coca Cola, bourbon, bits of cinnamon, lemon and graham cracker. This coffee had a little less bite and a lot more sweet notes.

The final brew a la siphon proved a tad tamer. It conveyed predominantly sweet cane sugar, caramel, lemon and Coca Cola; a fair brew.

In getting through the whole "book" I can say I was fairly pleased with the total package. If you enjoy a decent coffee with a nice package, try out Superba's Classic blend.


note: coffee was provided free of charge and the above review is objective feedback.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Mugged: 100% Colombian Supremo [Don Francisco]

'

What does "Mugged" mean?


Subject:
Don Francisco's Coffee
Coffees Mugged:
100% Colombian Supremo
Rating:
5+ [see key]




M
any people seem to mix up Juan Valdez and Conchita (his faithful donkey) with a certain coffee giants. I can hardly blame people for the mistake as I myself fell prey to the confusion that some coffee commercials display when they have a Valdez-ian figure promote their product. But the truth exists that Juan is the symbol for Colombian-produced coffee and has no ties (I believe) to certain companies.

Accordingly, I was happy to see Juan and Conchita on a bag of 100% Colombian from Don Francisco. This particular bag was one of their whole bean coffees that like their Kona, seemed to have promise of potential.

I broke the beans into the usual three types of brews (drip, french press and siphon) and here follows the results.

The french press displayed a bright Fiji apple, minestrone, a bit of cocoa powder, nuttiness, a little wheat and some sweetness. The coffee really displayed a light body and a tremendously smooth cup.

The drip had a similar result with lots of initial brightness, some sweet wheat, undertones of cocoa powder, a little lemon and nuttiness. Still a great, light-bodied coffee.

Keeping it consistent, the siphon held the same apply brightness, some light grass, cocoa and nuttiness. The body here was a little more tea-like but still had the same kick and delicious qualities.

While I'm sure Juan and Conchita will have their faces slapped on many other Colombian coffees, I think that they both would be proud to be featured on this bag. If you happen to be looking for a good Colombian, give this coffee from Don Francisco a sip.


note: coffee was provided free of charge and the above review is objective feedback.

Mugged: French Roast [Don Francisco]

'
What does "Mugged" mean?


Subject:
Don Francisco's Coffee
Coffees Mugged:
French Roast
Rating:
3+ [see key]



B
y and by, it seems that the hands that produce good coffee also can produce mediocre. I know that some people really prefer their coffee to be super bitter but how are we going to get away from this fad of over-roasted coffee if roasters of all types (I've seen it in most coffee roasters) continue to propitiate the habit?

One such recent situation I can point to would be Don Francisco's French Roast. In sampling their other whole bean coffees of Colombian and Kona, I felt both to be really tasty. Clearly they have no issue producing a decent quality coffee (one of the main reasons to darkly roast a coffee is to cover up defects) so my deduction came to that they're simply catering to a the niche of people that think themselves hardcore when they ask for the dark roast. Alas...

But all that aside, I still strove to evaluate this coffee objectively and so, I put it through the tests of french press, drip and siphon.

The french press produced a coffee with dark chocolate, pepper and some subdued cherry. The darkness of the coffee really cloaked a lot of the flavors here.

The drip delivered a more earthy cup with the subdued cherry still weighted beneath the dark, bitterness of the coffee.

The siphon came out with similar dark characteristics, more cherry, some broth and pepper. With this one you could see the potential of the coffee squirming against the roast level.

As you can deduce, the coffee gave what was predicted; a coffee with some possible potential buried beneath the bitter qualities of a dark roast. I will say that as far as dark roasts go, this one was by no means abhorrent as there were still other flavors present, so if you are looking for a darker coffee, try out Don Francisco's French Roast.

note: coffee was provided free of charge and the above review is objective feedback.

Thursday, May 06, 2010

Mugged: Various [Don Francisco]

'
What does "Mugged" mean?

Subject:
Don Francisco's Coffee
Coffees Mugged:
Sumatra, Breakfast Blend, Espresso and Decaf 100% Colombian
Rating:
Espresso is 1+, and 2+ for the rest [see key]

S
ometimes when people send coffee for a review, they include unexpected other coffees. Sometimes it's pleasantly welcomed and other times I scratch my head. This most recent shipment from Don Francisco's contained four bags I definitely wasn't expecting of pre-ground coffee that left me puzzled (why would you send pre-ground coffee for a review?). Were the coffees not completely bereft of freshness when they reached me, those coffees actually could have been tasty. Alas...

Thus, wanting to be transparent and a good steward of that which I agreed to do (review the coffee they sent), I made the task of reviewing the four coffees via drip and french press (as it was pre-ground to a finer setting than I would use with my siphon, I left these coffees out of the glass bulb) as fast as I could from the time I unsealed the packing...and here's the long and short of it.

The Sumatra, via french press, produced a dark cherried cup with a good bit of bitterness and a weak body. The drip produced less dark of a cherry, some walnut and less bitterness.

The Breakfast Blend drip held nutty notes, bits of apple, jasmine, a tinge of fig and lingering darkness. The french press held more of a darker taste, some cherry as well as the fig and jasmine.

The Espresso via drip was dark and bitter with but a little black currant showing some brightness. The french press was lighter, with less darkness and less currant. By far the least flavorful of these four coffees.

The 100% Colombian Decaf in drip form held some almond, bright apple and a smooth texture. The french press was a little darker, with the same apple and almond.

Overall, I would venture that for pre-ground coffee, three of the four weren't half bad (the Espresso was really lackluster) though I still don't understand why people still buy coffee chopped for them (it's like buying apples pre-sliced).

Thus, while I can't recommend these coffees, I would venture to try Don Francisco's whole bean offerings.

note: coffee was provided free of charge and the above review is objective feedback.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Mugged: Kona Blend [Don Francisco]

'

What does "Mugged" mean?


Subject:
Don Francisco's Coffee
Coffees Mugged:
Kona Blend
Rating:
5+ [see key]




T
ime and time again, I hear of friends and associates not being able to find a good Kona blend. Though in my opinion heinous, it seems that some roasters seek to use the Kona name for its brand possibilities rather than for its coffee quality.

But then there are some roasters that use Kona paired with other good coffee to make a great blend. Such is the case with Don Francisco's Coffee out of LA, a coffee roaster that seems more at home in a grocer's aisle then a local coffee house. I was offered the chance to try a few of their coffees and taking in the Kona first; whole bean, of a medium roast and smelling delicious.

I first infused this coffee via french press, with the ensuing brew embodying a cup of pecan pie with notes of cocoa, flowering grass and fig. The body was smooth, milky and overall delectable.

Next up, via drip, the pecan pie roared in again with more flowering grass and cocoa. Also with a nice smooth body, there were a lot of similarities to the french press.

The siphon gave the darkest potion of the three, with much more rich chocolate following the pecan pie. Fig was noticeable along with the presence of flowering grass. Another smooth, quality cup.

As my first experience with Don Francisco, I was delighted with this Kona Blend. If you are looking for a Kona blend at a decent price, give this one a try.


note: coffee was provided free of charge and the above review is objective feedback.