Local musical and artistic talent can really enhance or destroy a coffeehouse. I've been to great coffeehouses with horrific musical acts that sent my ears pulsating and my coffeehouse experience lacking. Yet a good musical act can sometimes make the worst coffeehouse seem like a gem (though sometimes that isn't good, especially when a coffeehouse abandons their coffee passion only to be a music venue).
Anyway, I recently made a stop with my bride in a small upstate NY town called Baldwinsville and lo and behold, there happened to be a coffeehouse called Shamballa Cafe and Coffee Roastery open with some live music inside. At the time, we didn't have many other ideas of things to do so we parked and sauntered over.
The exterior of Shamballa consists of a small front with a few outside tables, with a front and back entrance (the back entrance leading to a parking lot). Walking in, the shop unveils as a long space with lots of tans, greens, and salmon colors as well as a curtain wallpaper (while a bit 3D-ish, also a bit tacky). The shop also has a moderate amount of tables, a couch area in the back, and the live music to the left as you walk in the front.
According to their website, Shamballa actually sprouted out of a home-roasting habit of the owners and apparently blossomed into the coffee roastery and cafe. I purchased a cup of the Ethiopian Standard, which provided a decent cup of coffee with a slight brightness but an underlying char.
The espresso operation seemed to be fair at best. While I watched the barista pour a fairly poor latte, the espresso accordingly was pulled not so badly (they had quite an interesting tamper) though a little long for my tongue. The espresso came off brightly with a smooth acidity, though also a bit sharp in taste. The tea is Republic of Tea.
Going back to the live music, the artist on stage while I was there was actually very conducive to the environment and proved to really enhance my experience.
In regards to Shamballa itself, I would have to say the coffeehouse shows some promise but at the same time, a bit of lack in a few arenas. Nonetheless, the coffeehouse definitely provides a welcome watering hole amidst the town so if you're ever in the area, make sure to pop in.
Growing up in South Jersey/Philadelphia in a sea of steadfast drip (filtered) coffee drinkers, espresso always appeared to be a foreign concoction that only super coffee addicts and Europeans with a strong palate imbibed. Coffee made in a hot plate coffee pot was the people's brew and that's what normal people drank.
But even though things have changed in my life as well as somewhat in the Philadelphia area (most people still seem to see coffee served off a hot plate as superior), I still doubt that a no-drip-but-espresso-only establishment would ever survive. In fact, I had my doubts as to whether I would see a quality example outside of Seattle.
But on my recent trip to Montreal, I was surprised to stumble upon a popular local coffeehouse called Caffe in Gamba that served only espresso beverages. The venue was located right near Mount Royal (Montreal's big park) on a cute street lined with cafes and other little shops. The exterior displays a large outside patio covered by a lovely awning and large store front windows. The interior emanates a bright red interior accented by a few large chandeliers, with the left wall displaying a range of stellar espresso options from all over the continent.
The espresso being pulled that day was from Intelligentsia, a coffeehouse rooted in Chicago that is slowly becoming more of a household name. The barista, who happened to be very personable, pulled an amazing doubleshot with a beautiful sweetness and nice acidity. The place also serves a variety of food options such as paninis and desserts.
A traditional European-esque establishment like Caffe in Gamba has opportunities in North America but I can't say I have my hopes up to see such places popping up in great numbers. With that knowledge, I would have to say Montreal is lucky to have such a spot. If you're in town, make sure to make a stop.
' What's a Coffee Commentary? Subject: Brew Ha Ha Location visited: Watertown, NY (468 Coffeen St) Free WiFi ? : no Rating: 3+ [see key] Free 411 services sure sound convenient, but aside from the million sales pitches you have to endure to get the information, sometimes the information isn't exactly categorized correctly.
Recently, going through Watertown, I was in dire need of a cup of coffee so I called one of the Free 411 numbers and searched coffeehouses. I was presented with two establishments: Different Drummer and Brew Ha Ha. Different Drummer sounded intriguing (plus only they answered their phone) but it turned out to be a hangout for those in the service that doesn't actually serve beverages (guess it's more a B.Y.O everything). Dejected and with no one picking up at Brew Ha Ha, I decided to just head back on my route.
But what do you know, on my way back to the Interstate I actually run right across Brew Ha Ha. It turned out to be a drive-thru coffee hut resembling a little fairy tale cottage on the corner of a bustling intersection. Naturally, I pulled into the driveway and up to the window.
The coffee served is out of Corning from a place called Soul Full Cup Coffeehouse. The coffee served was the House blend, a very earthy and smooth cup of coffee that really hit the spot at the time. Though I wasn't sure what to expect from the espresso as I've not had the best of luck with drive-thru coffee and espresso, it actually turned out to be fairly decent though a bit overpulled. I did not catch the tea.
While I think Brew Ha Ha could make a few improvements, it was a welcome stop that day. I'd have to say for a drive-thru cafe, it proved decent. So if you happen to be in Watertown and not looking to leave your vehicle to grab your java, give Brew Ha Ha a whirl.
All too often in our fast-paced world, coffee becomes something we grab and not something we take the time to truly enjoy. Sure some coffeehouses have a relaxed lounge area where people can set up their laptops and camp for hours, but few really encourage people to sit back and enjoy their coffee.
One such cafe that seemed to do a splendid job of coaxing their customers to sit and sip was a little place in Montreal called Caffe Art Java. Though a coffeehouse by name and renown, the business seems to operate more like a restaurant as they offer full table service for customers dining in, whether they get a doubleshot of espresso or a full meal. The cafe itself is quite beautiful, with a large open store front that allows customers to take advantage of the nice weather as well as ample varieties of table seating extending throughout.
The coffee comes from Gimme Coffee, a welcome and familiar brew. The drip (or filtered) sampled was a Sumatran, which sampled earthy and full though it tasted a bit stale. The espresso I had on two very different accounts: my first visit produced a very messy doubleshot that was sweet but a bit cardboard-y, but my second visit extended a wonderfully pulled doubleshot that had such a nice velvety texture and a flowery chocolate-y tang to it. In the end, I went with the former experience as the fluke to give them the benefit of the doubt. The tea is Harney and Sons.
Overall, despite a few minor glitches, I had a very relaxed and quality experience with Caffe Art Java. If you happen to be in town, I would suggest taking a good chunk of time to plop down at the cafe and enjoy a decent cup of coffee.
One of these days when I settle down, I would love to move into a nice house with at least two full bathrooms, a nice spacious backyard, in a good neighborhood, and two or three doors down from a quality coffeehouse. I also would like an nice arboretum close by, but I know you can't have everything so I'm willing to let that one go.
So when I first drove by the Recess Coffee House and Roastery in Syracuse, I thought maybe I'd found a good neighborhood. The coffeehouse sits nestled right off the main drag of Westcott St amidst a series of houses, an old converted house itself. The exterior looks sharp albeit a little run down (though it has definitely been improved in the few times I've visited), complete with a nice wood front porch with a nice access ramp and garden. Walking inside, the coffeehouse is decked in various eclectic decor and plenty of random seating all throughout, almost all of it full of local patrons.
The coffee is roasted in-house, all Fair Trade and Organic. The coffee has been of differentiating quality in my visits, all brewed on a hot plate brewer. My latest coffee was a Tanzanian that tasted pretty decent; very smooth despite a bit of char. The espresso has been a steady improvement, though still no climax yet. Most recently, my doubleshot had a nice sweetness but was overshadowed by darkness. I failed to note the tea.
So when it comes time to buy that house, I could see myself considering the area around Recess as I do think the place has a good deal of potential to rise (and if they added an arboretum in their backyard, that could close the deal). In the meantime, if you're looking to try some local java amidst some serious bohemian influence, make sure to give a stop at Recess.
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