Stay Golden

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Stay Golden Restaurant and Roastery
Location visited: Nashville, TN
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

A solid breakfast with a good cup of coffee is one of the greatest joys of life, and yet so often hard to find. Good breakfast joints still rarely do a great job with their coffee, and coffee shops usually can't/don't offer solid breakfast options like eggs benedict and huevos rancheros. But every now and then such a rare delight emerges, such as Stay Golden.

K Brew

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: K Brew
Location visited: Ebenezer Rd, Knoxville, TN
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

I have been to Tennessee a dozen times in my younger days, but in that count, for some reason I never stopped in Knoxville. This mostly resulted from a ridiculous time table and compatriots that did not enjoy multiple stops, but fortunately those days sit largely in the past. Thus on my most recent trek from east to west through the Volunteer State, I made a point to hit Knoxville.

8th and Roast

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: 8th and Roast
Location visited: Charlotte Ave, Nashville, TN
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Great coffee can be found in many places in Nashville, but in my opinion, there seems to be plenty of room for more. While visiting the western portion of the city, I managed to visit a shop that's been on my list, a place called 8th and Roast.

Headquarters

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Headquarters
Location: Nashville, TN
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Nashville has definitely become a city known for its great coffee options. As many shops decide on their look, most bank on a modern or minimalist decor, but a few go for vintage. One spot that nails the feel of an old saloon is a cozy shop on the west side of Nashville called Headquarters. 

East Park Donuts & Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: East Park Donuts & Coffee
Location: Nashville, TN
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

If you get your donuts exclusively from a national chain, you have likely wasted many years on mediocre pastries accompanied by unremarkable coffee. But if you like to seek out local places that do wondrous things with donuts and coffee, then you should head on down to Nashville to try out East Park.

Honeybee Coffee Co.

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Honeybee Coffee Co.
Location visited: 700 Sevier Ave, Knoxville, TN
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Knoxville is another city that I've seen from the highway several times but have never really visited until recently. This summer finally offered a great opportunity to see the city and check out the coffee. 

Tamp and Tap

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Tamp and Tap
Location: Memphis, TN
WiFi?: Yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]

One of my first major road trips back when I was first in college was a whirlwind 32-hour road trip to and from Memphis. Two friends and I decided one weekend we wanted to visit some other friends going to school down yonder, so we alternated shifts and arrived lickety-split to spend one day roaming Memphis, only to turn around and head back to Philadelphia the next morning. Ironically, not having learned from the first trip, we did practically the same trip a year later, spending only one day at our west Tennessee destination.

Crema Coffee Roasters

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Crema Coffee Roasters
Location: Nashville, TN
WiFi?: Yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

One thing I really love to find in a coffeehouse is a feeling of camaraderie. A simple atmosphere of common bonds and good vibrations really makes the difference. Whether it exists as tight bonds between staff, customers or simply everyone who walks in, it is that unified harmony that makes the experience better ten fold.

Dose Coffee and Tea

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Dose Coffee and Tea
Location: Nashville, TN
WiFi?: Yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]


For all of Nashville's sprawl, the area offers a healthy array of things to do across the city. One site I recently was able to visit was Nashville's Parthenon by Vanderbilt. Sadly time was not on my side and this Greek replica only got a fraction of its deserved time, as there was not enough minutes in the day to accommodate a full helping of classical architecture and still have ample time for a coffee stop.

Barista Parlor

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Barista Parlor
Location: Nashville, TN
WiFi?: Yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]


It's been some time since I have been able to get on down to Nashville, and since my last visit, several great coffee establishments have sprung high into the atmosphere. Possibly the most recognizable, due to the giant orange garage doors, mammoth footprint and wondrous array of coffee is Barista Parlor. Frequently ranked as a must visit amongst locals and tourists alike, Barista Parlor possesses a giant garage on the side of a building (aka don't look for it's blue and orange frontage on the road) in East Nashville. 

Mugged: Hope Blend [Bonlife]

Subject: Bonlife Coffee
Mugged: Hope Blend
Rating: 4+ [see key]


Tennessee is a great southern state, home to superb bbq, gorgeous hiking and legal adoption for folks over 18. It's a state I can say I've traversed numerous times and each time, found something new. 

But having been away from the honky-tonk state for some years, I've been unable to sample the developing coffee scene that has been gaining steam in the years past. One such coffee entity to set down roots is Bonlife Coffee, an international company that opened its doors in Tennessee this past summer. They asked if they could send out some coffee for my opinion, and after some quick communication they sent me out a pound of their Hope Blend. I sampled the coffee via pourover, french press and siphon.

The drip produced vanilla followed by sweet cocoa, along with notes of butter, grass, caraway seed and some toasted almond, all within a mild body. A delicious brew with a nutty sweetness. 

The french press proved mellower, with vanilla, cocoa,wheat, caramel and toasted almond amidst a light, buttery body. A sweet and smooth cup.

The siphon came third in order and in favor. The cup held more of a bittersweet cocoa, along with fig, flemish sour ale and strong nut notes, coupled with some wheaty undertones. A little heavier but still a good cup. 

To sum it up, I would definitely order the Hope Blend again, as it proved to have a nice profile of nuts and sweet cocoa with some other varying positive characters. If you happen to be in Cleveland, TN or an internet purchase away, give Bonlife a whirl.    


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