Mugged: 1804

Subject: 1804 Coffee Co.
Coffees Mugged: Pine Fore

Rating [see key]: 4+

For as long as I have been drinking coffee, Haiti has not been a country renown for its great coffee. While the country has a history of cultivation, it seems that only now has Haitian coffee spilled into the realm of quality coffee. Still, much of the coffee beans I have had from Haiti have been too dark to discern any positive flavor, a trend that still persists among many coffee entities. But fortunately there does exist a coffee roaster that offers Haitian coffee that does not get lost in second crack.

City of Saints Coffee Roasters

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: City of Saints Coffee Roasters
Location: Hoboken, NJ
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]

While the Hudson River is an easily traversed body of water, it amazes me how few businesses drift across from NYC into NJ. Take for example the coffee situation: New York City literally has hundreds of decent coffee stops, many with multiple locations. Yet, across the river in cities like Jersey City and Hoboken, only a smattering of shops with similar quality have reared their heads, and rarely will a NYC coffee entity open a shop in the lands of Jersey. Sure there's lots of reasons for why this happens, but I'm more interested in the few exceptions to this phenomenon, such as City of Saints Coffee Roasters.

Cure

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Cure
Location: Norfolk, VA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

It's my habit often when visiting with friends on the weekend to seek out a good brunch and then a good coffeehouse. While the landscape is still improving, sadly few places know how to do brunch and great coffee, so to keep it simple I usually keep my coffee stops separate from my brunches.

Slipstream

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Slipstream
Location: Washington DC
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Many coffee beverages share a lot in common with cocktails. Like a good cocktail, the ingredients and methodology will carry or crash the beverage. Also, much like a skilled bartender should know how to make an old fashioned or martini, a good barista will easily know the difference between a traditional cappuccino, a flat white and a latte. Add to the mix the growing overlap between cocktails and coffee beverages, and it's no wonder that places like DC's Slipstream have grown in popularity.

Mugged: Reunion Island Coffee Roasters

Subject: Reunion Island Coffee Roasters

Coffees Mugged and Rating [see key]:
- Fazenda Ambiental Fortaleza Brazil Obata 6+
- Finca Buenos Aires Colombia Gesha 6+

Great coffee rarely sticks around for a long time, especially microlots. Sure the name all but spells out "limited availability" but not all smaller offerings are created equal. Two that barely got to my door before selling out were two fantastic selections from Reunion Island Coffee Roasters.

Spiller Park Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Spiller Park Coffee
Location: Atlanta, GA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Baseball and coffee rarely seem to overlap. When people take in a baseball game, their appetites usually feast upon sodas, fermented beverages or even iced tea. Too infrequently have I seen coffee, hot or cold, break through the barriers of tradition to be found at a major league stadium, never mind a little league snack bar.

Gypsy Donut and Espresso Bar

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Gypsy Donut and Espresso Bar
Location: Nyack, NY
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Back some ten years, Nyack first appeared on my radar when a good cousin and chum decided to attend Nyack College, a small Christian institution of higher education on the Hudson. Having never actually been in the town of Nyack, I recall being delighted to discover its charm and array of local shops, but somewhat disappointed that for many a year there existed not a drop of worthwhile coffee.

Vintage Tea and Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Vintage Tea and Coffee
Location: Cleveland, OH
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Whenever I peak in, Cleveland's coffee landscape seems to be improving quite nicely. Whether LeBron is the one to thank or it's just a mix of local talent meeting a growing need for excellent beverages, the city provides new caffeinated delight every time I visit.

Boxo

Subject: Boxo
Coffees Mugged and Rating [see key]:
- Joe Van Gogh: Nicaragua Selva Negra 5

- Larry's Coffee: Colombia Fonco Paez 5

Sleuthing out great coffee is something I really enjoy. Much like Indiana Jones thrives on risking his life to unearth forgotten or really-hard-to-find artifacts, I love seeking out great coffees from great roasters. And while much of my social circle does not share this passion, it seems I have a few kindred spirits in the folks behind the subscription coffee service Boxo.

Alchemy Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Alchemy Coffee
Location: Richmond, VA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

The density difference in quality coffeehouses between west coast cities and east coast cities still surprises me. While the gaps grow smaller, places like Portland and Seattle still boast the greater amount of great coffee establishments per square mile, with the only real exception being New York City (though you could argue that due to the irregular density and infrastructure of NYC, it really should be put it in a class of its own). Thus it's no wonder that several years ago, when Portlander Erik Spivack transplanted to Richmond, he found a woeful lack of great coffee in this Virginia city. Fortunately, his response was not to complain on social media or give snarky remarks to friends and relatives, but instead to start up Alchemy Coffee.