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What's does "CC" mean? Location visited: Huntington, NY
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]
While I know traveling through Long Island is never easy, I still can't figure out how such a large land mass has so few attractions. Sure you have the beaches and west Long Island contributes to New York City, but otherwise I have tried to find tourism fodder and every time, I seem to come up empty.
Much like my search for things to see, my hopes of finding good coffee east of Brooklyn is usually nil. For all of the amazing things happening in NYC and the surrounding areas, Long Island has not really developed many quality coffee destinations. But as my fortune would have it, while I was driving through the island on business, a quick internet search for a coffee gamble turned up Georgio's Coffee, an operation that was featured in Roast Magazine's July/August edition.
Needless to say, I stopped by on my way home to find the place in a small strip mall right on the corner. The exterior's no frills mirrors the inside: a shop that has little as far as seating or ambiance but dedicates much more focus to the coffee and 1on1 customer interaction.
Upon my arrival, Georgio and his wife welcomed me and instantly began talking coffee with me. After they went through the many coffees to try, I settled on a Kenyan (a coffee that was no longer available via whole bean due to demand) brewed via siphon (aka vac pot) and an espresso of their 4 bean blend. The Kenyan proved as delicious as it was popular, holding notes of bright citrus, sage, caramel apple (complete with a tinge of apple skin on the end), grapenut, a little grass and a fine dusting of tobacco at the very end. The espresso, pulled short with thick crema, smacked of lemon, rock candy, a tickle of bitter cocoa, an intense darkness and bits of cinnamon and cranberry all served in a paper cup. Given the recommendation for a macchiato or for sugar in my espresso, it would seem their espresso was not designed to stand alone and the philosophy seemed to fit more of an Italian's model of preparing espresso (all in all, a decent espresso). I did not note tea.
Thus I wouldn't really recommend Georgio's if you're looking for a place to study or a place to chill. But if you are on Long Island and looking for a great cup of coffee, stop by Georgio's and experience some of the finest customer service in the state of New York as a bonus.
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What's does "CC" mean? Location visited: Philadelphia, PA
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]
South Street Philadelphia, while overrated in some ways and unbeknown in others, holds a lot of great memories for me. I remember late nights walking the streets of Philadelphia, getting a slice of pizza and hanging out in a late night cafe talking theology with good friends.
Alas, it's been many a year since I've been able to stay out past midnight but fortunately, South St is picking up some great establishments that are wondrous at any time of the day. One is a German place called Brauhaus Schmitz (amazing roll mops, wursts and pork) which I highly recommend on a nice day for lunch or dinner. The other place of recent existence is a coffeehouse called Bodhi Coffee.
Technically, Bodhi exists closer to Pine St on South 2nd but it's clearly connected to the South St foot traffic. The shop is a narrow venue with but a few spots to plop down (in and outside) but since they use the space wisely, its more cozy than cramped. Bodhi kicks out Stumptown Coffee, serving coffee via pourover and standard drip as well as espresso in a no nonsense fashion. I ordered a cup of Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Adado and an espresso of Hairbender. The Adado offered notes of bright blueberry, wheat, little blackberry tart and cocoa amidst a light but potent brew. The espresso, pulled short with a marbled crema, delivered ginger, dark cocoa, sea salt, bell pepper, black pepper and a nice sweetness. The tea is House of Tea.
I have to say that Bodhi fills a niche that has long been vacant in the vicinity and to top it off, they do it quite well. Whether South Street is a regular hang out or an occasional stop, swing by Bodhi for some delicious coffee.
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What does "Mugged" mean?
Subject: Coffee Labs Roasters
Coffee Mugged: Sumatra Mandheling
Rating: 4+ [see key]
*updated 4.19.11
When the topic of favorite coffee comes up, many people seem to throw out Sumatra as their top pick. Granted I am sure some of them actually have carefully weighed out that designation but for most, I think people just like the idea of getting their coffee from an exotic Pacific Island.
Regardless of how much research goes into it, Sumatra does produce some decent coffee. Recently, Roaste offered a chance to review one of the many coffees they purvey and looking to try out a decent Sumatran (Africa and America have been dominating my cup as of late), I set my sights on Coffee Labs Roasters' Sumatra Mandheling. Having store credit, I glided quite quickly through Roaste's checkout process and awaited my coffee directly from Coffee Labs.
Upon first inspection, the beans were plump and medium-dark. I sampled the coffee via drip, french press and siphon.
The drip threw notes of pound cake, pepper, dark cocoa, a little molasses, some cinnamon, graham cracker and a little smokiness. The overall flavor was a little dark but with pungent sweetness amidst a medium to full body.
The french press held honey, rye, pepper, a little lemon, tobacco, vanilla and cinnamon. A slightly different cup but still a sweet, dark cup.
The siphon proved sweeter, with facets of honey and caramel, a little cashew, some sweet wine, black pepper, tobacco throughout, some apple and a olive oil. The brew had a medium body and a mellow profile.
All in all, Coffee Labs put together a decent Sumatran though the smoky and dark flavors seemed to detract from the other parts of the coffee in my opinion (maybe a lighter roast would have done it). If you are on the lookout for medium/dark Sumatran, give Coffee Labs' Sumatra Mandheling a whirl.
note: coffee was provided free of charge and the above review is objective feedback.
Update 4.19.11
In reading back through this, I realized that I breezed over the impact Roaste had on my experience unfairly. Roaste provided a very simple shopping experience that made purchasing coffee a breeze, from decision to check out to delivery straight from the roaster. The only facet that could improve is that some coffee roasters led to empty pages (such as Kickapoo).
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What's does "CC" mean? Location visited: Lancaster, PA
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]
I love the glorious simplicity of a sunny, pleasant day where a cool breeze amidst sunny rays refreshes the senses with the noxious delights of creation. It's days like this that cause me to sneeze a lot the following day from all of the emphatic inhaling.
In such climatic splendor I found myself in one day within Lancaster, PA. En route with a moderate entourage, we were basking in the euphoric atmosphere and had our sights on what was foretold as a grand coffeehouse to patronize. This aforementioned establishment was knighted Chestnut Hill Cafe, a coffeehouse said to be serving Counter Culture Coffee and pulling splendid shots of espresso.
Taking advantage of the free street parking, we sauntered over to their corner brick building, complete with a full patio of seating amidst a lovely array of trees. Within, the coffeehouse is outlined with copper, blacks and grays in a swanky arrangement of furniture and surrounded by numerous, beautiful windows.
I stepped up to their sizable bar and ordered an espresso (they used Counter Culture's Toscana) and a drip of their 21st de Septiembre from Mexico. The drip imbued notes of honey, strawberry candy, cherries, granola, daffodil greens and a little chicken broth; a pleasant coffee with a light-to-medium body. The espresso,pulled short with a marbled crema, was also delectable, holding facets of bitter cocoa, nutmeg, sweet lemon, a touch of honey and cinnamon. The tea was free leaf.
Finishing our beverages, we walked out into the toasty afternoon sun pleased with our experience. If you happen to be in Lancaster, make a stop at Chestnut Hill Cafe.
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What does "Mugged" mean?
Subject: Coffee Foundry
Coffee Mugged: Bolivian Fair Trade
Rating: 4+ [see key]
Local businesses working together makes a whole heap of sense. Take NYC clothing company 3sixteen that put together a video series about what people who wear their clothes are passionate about. The videos document tattoo studio Invisible NYC and the drummer of the Death Set, but the one that caught my eye was the one about the Coffee Foundry, a local coffeehouse and roaster in NYC's West Village.
Long story short, the video enticed my curiosity and the Coffee Foundry (in cooperation with 3sixteen) sent me out some of their Bolivian Fair Trade to take for an objective spin. I received a medium roasted coffee in the classic brown bag which I prepared in three different infusions: drip (filtered), french press and siphon. All three infusions produced light-to-medium bodied brews with mellifluous results.
The drip presented a wheat-like brew with the flavors of cream, cooking cocoa, graham cracker, croissant, raisin, fig and kettle popcorn.
The french press brought out more notes similar to rum and oatmeal but still produced popcorn, raisin and fig along with a little tingle of dandelion green.
The siphon dealt out a cup similar to the drip, with a noticeable wheat presence followed by a little cream, honey, cooking cocoa, nuttiness, croissant and a bit of cinnamon.
While I wouldn't say Coffee Foundry's Bolivian was one of the best I've had, I will say that it produced a good cup of joe. If you're in the market for good south american coffee, grab a bag from the Coffee Foundry.
note: coffee was provided free of charge and the above review is objective feedback.
What's does "CC" mean?
