De Fer Coffee & Tea

Subject: De Fer Coffee & Tea
Location visited: Strip District, Pittsburgh, PA
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Pittsburgh in summer remains a favorite destination, especially if I have business/destinations to visit in the city that give the necessary motivation to seek out good coffee. 

Redhawk Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Redhawk Coffee
Location: Oakland location, Pittsburgh, PA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

After spending time in the wilderness, I like to balance it out with some time in the city. Thus, in a trip to western Pennylvania to take in some of the great outdoors, I was glad to swing into Pittsburgh for some good food and great coffee. 

Constellation

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Constellation
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Astronavigation is a skill severely lacking in our robot-dependent world. I recall many times as a child staring up at the night sky, trying to use the stars for directions. As a young adult, I remember my first unobstructed night sky while camping in the New Mexico desert, a sight that instilled a divine awe of the majesty and enormity of the universe. And thus, after lots of star gazing, I've learned that looking for dependable basics is key, like using the Big Dipper to find Polaris so one can head north. Similarly with coffee, a few key signs in a coffeehouse, like their roaster and reputation, can provide a directive beacon for some great coffee.

4121 Main

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: 4121 Main

Location: Pittsburgh, PA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Coffee is a lot like a flower: both are beautiful, regularly coveted and add a necessary spice to life. And like a great coffeehouse, one does not easily discover a great florist on every street corner. Fortunately for Pittsburgh, they can find both tremendous coffee and eye-catching floral arrangements in a small boutique called 4121 Main.

Espresso a Mano

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Espresso a Mano
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Despite its relatively close proximity, I don't make it to Pittsburgh as much as I would like. It's like an old college buddy that has a conflicting social schedule who lives too far away to visit without lodging. Fortunately, when the opportunity knocks to make a stop in the Iron City, I make sure to swoop in like an old chum (suddenly and without warning) for a brief respite.

CC: J'eet

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What's does "CC" mean?

Subject: J'eet

Location visited: Pittsburgh, PA
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]




Needing a decent coffee stop on my way out one morning, I checked my coffee list for nearby coffeehouses and an intriguing place called J'eet showed up. I had not heard much of them except that they splendidly purvey Commonplace Coffee, a roaster of nearby Indiana (that at the time, was in the midst of setting up their own Pburgh cafe in Squirrel Hill).

Always up for the adventure, I made my way through the AM congestion and found a parking spot right before the bright red-and-black, snack bar-esque front window of the cafe. Walking in, I was greeted by a cheerful barista sitting in a long shop that seems built for expediency (inside and outside serving windows) but also had a good amount of seating and a separate sandwich counter in the back.

Said chipper spro slinger served me up a cup of Ethiopian (drip) and an espresso. The Ethiopian lent some flavors of bright blueberry, tart hyacinth, sunflower, a little grass and a bit of molasses (pretty good). The espresso, pulled short with fair crema, held bitter cocoa, lemon, sugar, some pepper and a little whiskey with a dark bite on the end (also pretty good). The tea I did not catch.

To encapsulate my endeavor, I would remark that J'eet not only peddles Commonplace Coffee well, but exists as a fine establishment in the neighborhood. Do make a visit.

CC: Tazza D'Oro

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Subject: Tazza D'Oro

Location visited: Pittsburgh, PA
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]



So many times little things brighten my day. A small baby making a forceful rolling R sound, a tiger spraying a heckler at the zoo or a correctly-executed high five all tend to put a shimmy in my step.

One moment of late that really perked up my afternoon was a coffeehouse in Highland Park called Tazza D'Oro. I had not been sad or down prior to arriving that fine day but the day had proven rather warm and I was a little worn out.

Noting the shared name to the Roman cafe of fame (though, having just visited Rome, I wouldn't say I was impressed with it), this Pittsburgh cafe is no cheap knock-off. I had heard from many credible palates that the coffee and skill was truly great, and I could feel optimistic (metaphorical) dragonflies lifting my weariness as I walked past their charming outdoor area into their lovely innards.

Standing amidst the stone tile floor, exposed wood beams and nice lighting, I settled on a Costa Rican for my drip and an espresso of (what I was told was) a custom blend, both from Verve Coffee Roasters out of CA. My drip delivered a bright, earthy coffee with the presence of mango, paprika, nougat and a darker body (the last characteristic could be more from time in the pump pot, but I emphasize that it did not taste stale). The espresso, pulled short with beautiful crema, popped with a cocoa, almond, molasses, lemon candy and rum. Both coffee extractions were well-prepared and delicious. The tea is free leaf.

As you may have deduced, my day got another ray of sunshine from my coffee but not from the caffeine (ok...maybe a little), but for the excellent flavors showcased. If you happen to be in Pittsburgh, stop at one of Tazzo D'Oro's locations.

CC: Aldo Coffee Company

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Subject: Aldo Coffee Company

Location visited: Pittsburgh, PA
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]



Lackadaisical Saturday mornings go hand-in-hand with coffee at a fine establishment. I speak no great epiphany, but since my Saturdays are often lightning-paced (and when they are not, I sleep them by) I lament that I rarely get to enjoy the pleasantry of a Saturday morning brew out.

Yet vacation changes everything and being in Pittsburgh on a gorgeous Saturday, my entourage and I made our way to Aldo Coffee Company. A bit of a local coffee hero, Aldo has been in the lime light on more then one occasion with their quality barista skills and coffee practices.

Aldo sits on a main street south of downtown Pittsburgh in a brick building with an orange, red and black (Halloween!) awning. Inside, the structure reflects two small shops merged, with the bar on the right, seating throughout and an overall low-lit joint decked out in Italian decor.

The coffee hales from Stumptown, Intelligentsia and La Verdad (a coffee roasted by Aldo). That morning, they (oddly) had Stumptown's Hairbender and Intelly's Black Cat as filter coffees (waiting in pump pots); the prospect of either wasn't really appealing as both are great for espresso but not really other infusions. But since they were pulling shots of Black Cat that AM, I went with the Hairbender for my cup of drip. While I can't say my hair bent, the brew produced a little brightness similar to lemon, hint of pepper, some pear, oregano and a little nuttiness. The coffee also proved a little saucy (due to what seemed staleness) but overall, was fairly good.

As for the espresso, the Black Cat possessed notes of dark chocolate, lemon, nutmeg, a bit of hibiscus and some zesty vanilla. The shots were pulled short, had a good head of crema and proved pleasant. The tea is free leaf.

While I can't say I would agree with Aldo's drip selections that day (they had so many others to choose from!), I would say the experience overall gave my Saturday morning a nice bit of pep. When you're in the area, give Aldo a heave ho.

CC: Big Dog Coffee

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Subject: Big Dog Coffee

Location visited: Pittsburgh, PA
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]



I have a negative association with the product line of Big Dogs. Everyone is entitled to their own tastes and mine never favored the hackneyed phrases and witty(?) dog pictures. Yet sadly, every time I hear the phrase (or a variation) of "Big Dogs," I think of the clothing line.

Fast forward to a nice evening at Pittsburgh's Hofbrauhaus (try the Oktoberfest Schweinshaxe if you like good pig and have a herculean appetite) when a leisurely stroll and some nice coffee was needed to work off a Germanic food coma. Lo and behold my party stumbles on Big Dog Coffee. I had heard of it before but I hadn't expected to hit it in my trip to the city given that our travels during coffeehouse hours hadn't been in the area. And while my lack of plans had nothing to do with my aversion to the name (I am not so childish, I swear), I couldn't help but expect to find a large picture of a black-and-white canine over the mantle.

Thankfully, the associations were curbed right there. The cafe beams a sharp contrast of a tan building, black awnings and big windows, with the interior spinning 180 degrees to a color scheme of pink and kiwi as well as what felt like a real homey decor.

Big Dog serves Intelligentsia, of which I ordered a doubleshot of Black Cat and a cup of the Costa Rican Flecha Roja via pump-potted drip. The espresso, pulled short/medium and with a nice crema, displayed dark chocolate, lemon, a bit of ginger plus tinges of smokiness and tobacco; a pretty good display of Black Cat. The drip had notes of pear, cocoa, black cherry, nutmeg, grass and celery as well as a slightly old/stale character. Aside from the age, it was good coffee. I did not note the tea.

I would say my disdain for the word combination of Big Dog(s) has been lessened by this keen cafe. Sniff out Big Dog Coffee if you're nearby.

CC: 21st Street Coffee and Tea

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Subject: 21st Street Coffee and Tea

Location visited: Pittsburgh, PA
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]



Pittsburgh's Strip area was something that came up regularly on my "things to do" search for the town and hence, it didn't take long for me to wander down. To add some pep to my step, I had bookmarked local coffee entity 21st Street Coffee and Tea into the sights amidst the once-industrial, now retail-focused area.

21st Street sits in a two-story corner shop across from a huge church and adjacent to a mighty fine doughnut shop. The shop on the inside is narrow but the space is well utilized, with a long counter and limited seating on the first floor and a really nifty loft on the second story (on a side note, it is cafes like this one, where options are limited, that nifty results really shine).

They serve up Intelligentsia, offering a Clover as well as your other traditional infusion-ary options. I ordered a cup of the La Machete Panama via their Clover and the fancy machine (steered by the barista of course) presented a coffee containing some green apple, cloves, a tea-esque quality, carrot, earthiness, kettle chip and grass. I also got an espresso of the La Finca Pino pulled splendidly (the barista pulled two calibrating shots before I got my espresso), with flavors of chocolate chip cookie, salt, root beer, lemon and pineapple amidst a short/medium pull with good crema. Throughout, my coffee was glorious. The tea is free leaf.

Adding the original Primanti Brothers to the nearby neighbors, I really relished the 21st Street Coffee experience for both its coffee and location. When in town, give the Strip and 21st Street a stop.

CC: Blue Horse Coffee

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Subject: Blue Horse Coffee

Location visited: Pittsburgh, PA
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 4+ [see key]



Too often, coffeehouses seem locked into small retail spaces with no parking. Sure, the reasons can be rooted to lots of things like wanting to be trendy, needing cheaper rent or a fear of minivans. But in my simple observations, we exist as a country deeply in love with personal transportation and suburbia, thus it would seem to make sense for more quality cafes to move out of the city.

While I was in Pittsburgh, I was pleased to find the area had one such specimen right off Washington Rd/Route 19 in a cute shopping center mostly to itself. Blue Horse Coffee was its name, a venue that had lured me with news of superb coffee from Counter Culture as well as some skill with the portafilter. The building itself towered with high ceilings and was adorned inside with a Native American fashion (emphasis on horses) including lots of blues, tans and adobe.

This particular morning, the cafe was practically empty and so unimpeded, I ponied up to the counter and ordered a cup of their house, Crooks Corner House Blend, via drip, as well as a double espresso. The Crooks Corner backed in with notes of caramel, sunflower seed, cocoa, some almond (both in nutty and bitter characteristics) and some noticeable staleness. While the coffee had a good amount of positives, the bitterness and stale aspects definitely took away from it. The espresso, pulled small/medium with thin crema, proved a little too hot off the extraction and held flavors of bitter chocolate, lemon, sugar and a dark body. It seemed my espresso was average. The tea is Two Leaves and a Bud.

While I am happy to find another example of a well-respected suburban cafe, I was not floored with their coffee infusions (Counter Culture's product is usually up on their quality control). I either hit Blue Horse's baristas on a really bad day or they have a loyal following of over-hypers. I hope to make it back (relatively) soon to give it a second try.

If you happen to be in the area, give Blue Horse a ride; maybe you'll have better fortunes.

CC: Voluto Coffee

Subject: Voluto Coffee 

Location visited: Pittsburgh, PA
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]



UPDATED 04/29/14

Yet another city often bypassed in my history (mostly during family vacations when I was a wee tot) was the city of Pittsburgh. It's sad (and joyous) to say that my first actual trip just recently happened, as I had a long weekend to spend in town with friends, enjoying some baseball and local sights.

Of course, coffee stops made the list of attractions and there were quite a few. Much like Pittsburgh has been one of the few old industrial cities of the America to really bounce back, it seems their coffee scene has also been atypical in the number of acclaimed coffee places to have emerged.

My first stop was a relative newcomer to the scene called Voluto Coffee. Located in the Friendship area of Pittsburgh, the cafe is part of a residential building, with Voluto trumpeting huge windows and a nice array of modern-esque outside seating. On the other side of the glass, the cafe continues the modern look, with a gorgeous array of furniture in an 'honest architecture' space.

The coffee comes all the way from British Columbia via 49th Parallel. I had myself an espresso (49th's Epic) and a cup from their pump pot (I believe it was french pressed originally) of the 123 degree W Longitude blend. The espresso, pulled short with beautiful crema, displayed notes of vanilla, strawberry, cream, lemon and sugar. The barista did a great job with the extraction and the bright espresso was delightful to slurp. The 123 degree W Longitude blend produced a light, grassy, tart apple coffee with hints of tobacco, orange and honey; a great coffee throughout. The tea was free leaf.

As the first cafe on my expedition, I was greatly pleased with Voluto. Stop in.



UPDATED 04/29/14

Voluto is now a location for Commonplace Coffee. Still a win as for quality.