Cafe Red

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Cafe Red
Location: Seattle, WA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

I had never before visited Seattle in the winter, but for a trip in February it was quite beautiful, especially compared to a NJ winter. Aside from the general warmer weather, the green evergreens of the area wonderfully offset the dreary skies, but the likely silver lining to Seattle that had the most effect is the plethora of coffee options.

Doubles Cafe and Bar

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Doubles Cafe and Bar (formerly Colony Club)
Location: Washington DC
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

I can usually count on at least one trip to DC a year, and each year I try to give a new coffee shop a chance. This past visit I went out of my way to sample a place called the Colony Club. Named for the owners grandparents' flower shop called Colony Flowers, it was a popular and beautiful cafe that had both spacious back patio seating and a cozy interior.

Amity Coffee Co.

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Amity Coffee Co.
Location: Penn Yan, NY
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]

For the three long years my wife and I spent in Syracuse, we tried to make the most of our geography and visit all of the nifty towns in the area. Looking back, we failed quite deplorably, as we only went for the crowd favorites like Ithaca and Watkins Glen. Now I look at the map of New York and see so many intriguing spots we've had to make up since we moved south.

Montago Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Montago Coffee
Location: Helena, MT
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

State capitals and their administrative complexes usually aren't much to look at, but sometimes excellent gems sit next to their concrete walls.

Denim Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Denim Coffee
Location: Carlisle, PA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]

The older I get, the more I enjoy the journey versus the destination. That could largely result from the fact that my endpoints don't vary as much as they use to, and now detours have become the only concrete way I see new scenery, not to mention new coffee.

Public Espresso

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Public Espresso
Location Visited: Downtown Buffalo, NY
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

The first time I went through Buffalo, it was cold, dreary and I could not find a good cup of coffee. The last time I was in Buffalo, it was sunny, mild and I found numerous coffee stops. One of my favorites as of late is a place called Public Espresso.

Hivolt

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

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.

Overwinter Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Overwinter Coffee
Location: Buffalo, NY
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Buffalo failed to make a solid impression when I first visited back in 2007. Maybe it was because I expected a better Anchor Bar experience, or the fact that I visited in winter may have had a role to play, but the real disappointment really lay rooted in the lackluster coffee adventures that turned up few good cups of coffee.

French Truck Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

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.

Mojo Coffee Roasters

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

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.

Treeline Coffee Roasters

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Treeline Coffee Roasters
Location: Bozeman, MT
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

There are a few states that hold a special place in my heart, and the hardest one to physically get to has been Montana. After a decade of foiled attempts, I finally found myself back in Bozeman just a few months ago. North of Yellowstone and full of old memories, I was delighted to find so many good coffee options, some from yore but many new to me.

Second Wind Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Second Wind Coffee
Location: Johnstown, NY
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]

Driving south out of the Adirondacks truly jolts you back to reality. One minute there abounds mountain majesty as far as the eye can travel, and the next it's nothing but rolling farmland and less majestic vistas (though it is still pretty of course by Jersey standards).

Cherry Coffee Roasters

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

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.

Evans Brothers Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Evans Brothers Coffee
Location Visited: Coeur d'Alene, ID
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

My first trip through Idaho's northern landscape found jaw-dropping vistas and alluring small towns, especially the fair city of Coeur d'Alene. Situated on a huge lake, the city of Coeur d'Alene stared at me from the highway as I passed through, but sadly I had to refuse its siren call due to a tight time table that had no room for detours. Nonetheless, that day I determined that the next time I was in the area, I would give myself plenty of time to look around Coeur d'Alene.