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What's does "CC" mean? Location visited: Chicago, IL
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]
Of the many things I've seen in quality Chicago coffee, the one thing that impresses me is the loyalty to local roasters. I've been to a number of coffeehouses in the Windy City and thus far, I only see a dire love for the likes of Intelligentsia and Metropolis.
Adding to my repertoire of such establishments was a place in Humboldt Park called Knockbox Cafe. In my travels around the city, the streets leading me to Knockbox definitely didn't strike me as a place a random tourist would happen upon but more a space where locals enjoy their daily coffee (i.e. it was largely residential). Upon arriving, I also noticed the exterior of the cafe was under a bit of construction, with a big piece of plywood over one side of the corner, though the remainder of the exterior looked spiffy. Inside, the cafe trumpeted a huge counter area, a high brown metal ceiling and large colorful walls surrounding a spread out sea of seating.
Knockbox is a Metropolis Coffee purveyor, proudly toting the roaster not only in their cafe but quite visibly on their website (a refreshing sight, given the ridiculous trend amongst some cafes of either masquerading a roaster's coffee as the cafe's own or withholding the roaster because its a "trade secret").
I purchased a cup of medium roasted Peru as well as an espresso. The Peru displayed some asian pear, a bit of almond, some pepper, a molasses-like sweetness and a tingle of grain; a good, pretty balanced cup though I felt the brew was a bit off. The espresso, pulled short with a nice crema, held a strong dark peppery flavor as well as some nice notes of bright acidity, cocoa and a little bit of celery. A decent pull though I can't say I was in love with the blend (I believe it was Metropolis' Redline Espresso, a blend better marketed for its performance in milk). The tea is free leaf.
After ingesting my coffee and a quick boardgame with friends (they had a nice selection), I was on my way, pleased with my Knockbox interaction.
Whether you live local or you're passing close by, give Knockbox Cafe a visit.
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What does "Mugged" mean?
Subject: R Dalton Coffee
Coffees Mugged: Estate Blend
Rating: 3+ [see key]
Boy does spring really jump into summer! I've been running to and fro with work and life's transitions seemingly nonstop with no sign of it slowing.
Today, my task was to get back on schedule and do some blogging that I've been backed up on for some weeks. R Dalton Coffee, a coffee company that sells Guatemalan coffee exclusively it seems (in 6 pack quantities), sent me two of their coffees to try out and today was the day to get the reviews out. First up was their Estate Blend, a blend of coffees from various R Dalton estates.
Brewed in french press, it displayed dark flavors (a little overtly bitter) as well as a bit of lime, dough, cherry, grass and oregano. A decent showing but it didn't knock my socks off.
The drip was not as dark (though still dark with bitter notes) with the lime, dough and cherry as well as a little honey. A bit better of a coffee infusion.
The siphon was still dark (this time not in a detrimental way at all) with the lime, dough, cherry and grass all displayed well in concert. By far, the best cup.
Putting it all together, I enjoyed this Guatemalan blend but I feel that it was a little too dark for the coffee's beans though I also suspect that there could be other factors (such as lack of freshness). Give R Dalton's Estate Blend a try if you're looking for a decent six-pack of coffee.
note: coffee was provided free of charge and the above review is objective feedback.
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What does "Mugged" mean?
Subject: R Dalton Coffee
Coffees Mugged: Filadelfia Estate Genuine Antigua
Rating: 2+ [see key]
The tough part with crops seems to be that the quality can differ from year to year. A prize-winning harvest one year can produce a mediocre output another.
Such seems the case with the second coffee I got from R Dalton Coffee. Their Filadelfia Estate Genuine Antigua had won awards and has a self-proclaimed reputation for greatness. But the coffee I received didn't seem to do as well as the accolades had lead me to expect.
In brewing it via french press, the coffee had notes of cloves, honey, pepper and really bitter cocoa. A dark coffee that didn't hold a lot of flavor but wasn't bad.
The drip was darker, with more pepper, cloves, honey, bitter cocoa, a little caramel and some earthiness. Also not a bad cup.
The siphon produced a similarly dark coffee, with bitter cocoa, honey, pepper and a bit of sourdough. Once again, a dark cup with not too much else to it.
Given the hype, I really thought this coffee would do better. Sadly, it seemed the darker roast (plus maybe the crop itself) lent only to a fair coffee this round. If you're in the mood for a modest Guatemalan, try out this one.
note: coffee was provided free of charge and the above review is objective feedback.
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What's does "CC" mean? Location visited: Jamaica Plain, MA
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 4+ [see key]
If I were to have a second middle name, it would be Ambition (my current middle name is Persistence). Sometimes ambition is good but sometimes ambition leaks optimism where realism is needed (especially in bleak circumstance). Mostly, such times usually speak of me trying to get from point A to point B quicker then the law would allow (fortunately, enough speeding tickets as a teenager have whittled my ambition to functioning within the limits of Uncle Sam).
It was this last second ambition that twice drove me to Velouria Espresso, a cute cafe in the Jamaica Hill area of Boston, right as they closed (I hate that feeling of just missing something). So the third time I had the chance, I gave myself a little more time and lo and behold, my ambition and persisitence paid off.
The cafe externally does not hold much except big windows and a nice awning, but inside, the small space is utilized well to hold several pieces of seating and a welcoming tan and black ambiance. In my research of Velouria, I had noted the existence of a Clover but sadly, it was down the day I arrived; so I went with a cup of George Howell's Vasenda Colombian (their house coffee) and an espresso.
The Colombian, filtered, had flavors of minestrone, a nice earthiness, some sunflower, cherry and an overall smoothness. The coffee sampled well but it failed to blow me away (hard to say if it was the coffee or the brewer that lacked). The espresso, George Howell's Daterra Espresso blend according to the barista, was pulled medium/short and topped with blond crema. The flavors included a bit of cardboard, dark bitter chocolate, some lime, hints of cinnamon and a dark aftertaste. I would guess some of the negative aspects were due to barista style and in the end, it was a fair espresso. The tea is free leaf.
As I wrapped up my visit, I was already (ambitiously) thinking of making another trip as I don't feel I showed up on a good day. Velouria had a lot of the makings for a great experience but little things seemed to get in the way. Alas, such is the nature of first impressions.
If you happen to be in the area, I'd be curious your thoughts on Velouria Espresso.
What's does "CC" mean?
Location visited: Milwaukee, WI
(Kinnickinnic Ave location)
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]
Having little experience with Wisconsin, I was somewhat surprised when I drove into Milwaukee and found nothing alluding to cheese or Pabst Blue Ribbon. What I did find was what seemed to be a pretty happening city right on gorgeous Lake Michigan.
Driving on a beautiful spring day, I had my sights first on some morning coffee and a little bit of work in a local establishment called Anodyne Coffee Roasting Company. Having heard rumor of their dedication to quality coffee, I blazed a hasty route to their South Kinnickinnic Avenue location which sits proudly on a street corner in what looked like a cute neighborhood.
Inside, the counter and roasting area sit as a peninsula in the center of the shop with seating on both sides, all very aesthetically complimented by local art and knickknacks. To bring it to the next level on this particular day, a pair of older gentlemen were jamming on an accordion and trumpet off to the side (an AMAZING addition to the atmosphere).
After sizing up a spot to work, I ordered myself a cup of Rwandan and an espresso. It could have been the blazing rays of exterior light streaming in, but the Rwandan hit me with a little sunshine (yeah, I know it's not a flavor) as well as bright pomegranate, butter, grass, sunflower seed and a tinge of habanero (a splendid light roast). The espresso, pulled short with marbled crema, held notes of lemon, cinnamon, chocolate, apricot and sugar with only a mild bitterness; a great beverage pulled by skilled hands. The tea is Rishi.
After a productive morning and some delicious coffee, I left with a much stronger appreciation of Milwaukee and of their coffee. When in the area, pop into Anodyne.
What's does "CC" mean? Location visited: Chicago, IL
