CC: Tryst

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What's does "CC" mean?

Subject: Tryst

Location visited: Washington DC
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 4+ [see key]



Everyone loves a fun, trendy hangout. Whether it's a brunch location, a swanky pub or occasionally a pleasant coffeehouse, such places provide the venue for social construction.

Yet rarely do such places also provide good coffee (if they provide it at all) so news of a hopping place called Tryst that serves Counter Culture Coffee made my ears perk up. It didn't take much to see that the place was popular as the open cafe front displayed wall-to-wall people. Tryst offers table service (with a healthy line out the front that day) as well as the usual full coffee bar where people on the run can order their coffee and jet.

The coffee I had was the Tryst House 4 Bean blend, a dark grape-ish coffee with a buttery texture and a really dark essence (a decent drip). I got two trys at the espresso, as when the barista saw me wince at the first (involuntarily, as it was sour), to her credit she offered me another pull (the second was much better). The second pair of shots were pulled short and were sweet, chocolatey, with hints of cashew and a nice creaminess; overall not bad espresso. The tea is free leaf and they also have a full bar including beer on tap.

While I didn't get to hang out at Tryst (the line persisted the whole time), the place really seemed like a nice place to socialize and enjoy some fair coffee. If you're in need of such a place in DC, give Tryst a try.

Mugged: Ethiopian Harrar [Flat Black Coffee Co]

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What does "Mugged" mean?


Subject: Flat Black Coffee Company
Coffee Mugged: Ethiopian Harrar
Rating: 4+ [see key]



Coffee, like most food, has an optimal window of consumption. Many gadgets and techniques have been created to keep it fresh, but time is a fierce foe.

So when I get coffee from a roaster, I look for signs of age. I look for roast dates (uber handy), I look for CO2 valves, I look for good packaging and a good smell off the beans. But sometimes, even when all of the above don't happen, the coffee can still turn out well.

When I got a package from Roaste, it had an Ethiopian Harrar from Flat Black Coffee Company in a simple paper bag and not much of a dry aroma. Usually this tells me this coffee is going to be rough, but compelled to not judge a coffee too harshly before I tasted it, I pressed on.

And press I did. I french pressed my first batch and was delighted to have a small explosion of berry off the start, followed with deep chocolate notes and a light, tea-like body. The vacuum press had a little less luster, with similar berry effects and a hints of pineapple and an oolong-ish taste on the back. The drip was very similar to the first two, but even more subdued.

In my final deductions, it seems this coffee was a little older than optimal but nonetheless a great coffee despite it. I'd be curious to try this coffee three days fresh out of the Flat Black roaster to compare.

If ye happen to order with Roaste or straight from Flat Black, give the Ethiopian Harrar a try.

CC: Harbour Coffee

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What's does "CC" mean?

Subject: Harbour Coffee

Location visited: Williamsburg, VA
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 4+ [see key]



Colonial Williamsburg has been a fond source of pleasant memories. Growing up in a family of history gurus and roller coaster afficianados, the area had something for almost everyone in my clan (except my one brother who didn't like stuff more than 5 miles away from our house; he was hard to please).

After about a decade of absence, I was delighted to return and discover that much of my favorite spots still existed and a few new things had popped up. One such new thing was a place called Harbour Coffee in New Town Williamsburg, a random coffee place turned up on a regular internet search that seemed to hold some promise of quality.

The place sits in the back on New Town, in a rather huge stand-alone building with some nice outside seating around the well-gardened perimeter. The inside opens into a tropical, super shanty theme with a really nice decor that makes you feel like your in a beautiful South American warehouse with plenty of seats amidst the nice air conditioning.

Harbour roasts their own coffee, with several choices available via pump pot. I decided on the Guatemalan, a brew that came off saucy with notes of pear and coriander, and sadly was a little stale. The espresso, a medium/long pull, had decent crema and a slight oily mouthfeel with the flavor of an almond croissant. An all together decent coffee experience just in need of a little refinement. The tea is free leaf.

Thus, it seems that Williamsburg now has even more for me to come back to. If you're in the area, give Harbour Coffee a stop.

CC: Hyperion Espresso

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What's does "CC" mean?

Subject: Hyperion Espresso

Location visited: Fredericksburg, VA
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]



Virginia trips tend to produce long stretches of distance between good coffee stops. Many years ago, before I really got into coffee, I remember going the whole stretch of Interstate 81 through Virginia without one drop of coffee. Ever since, I've tried to make the gaps between coffee places (especially on such huge states as Virginia) a little smaller.

One surprising find was in the city of Fredericksburg, a place called Hyperion Espresso. The area has a lot of history and I had to go right through it on a small road trip, so the prospect of good coffee seemed too good to be true.

Strapped with hope, I careened into Fredericksburg looking for lunch and good coffee. I decided upon Castiglia's for a good meal and than made my way to the large red awning of Hyperion. Along the large paned windows sat a couple metal tables and wood benches with several patrons merrily drinking their coffee. The merriment extended inside to Hyperion's two-level cafe; the top portion mostly seating and the bottom, an oval-shaped room with a non-functioning balcony around the perimeter and a hopping counter.

The coffee comes from Batdorf and Bronson, a skilled roaster out of Atlanta and Olympia. I had their Costa Rican that fine afternoon, a coffee with a little bit of a wheaty taste, hints of pear and croissant as well as a small flare of a spicy jalepeno on the end. The espresso, pulled fairly well, was sweet and bright, with touches of caramel and choc milk and a bit of blood orange on the front. The espresso did seem a little dark but overall both the drip and the espresso were good. The tea I failed to note.

Having found joy in another good coffee find, the road between Washington DC and Richmond seems much more enticing. Whether Fredericksburg is a destination (good stuff to see by the way) or a detour, give Hyperion Espresso a stop.

CC: Big Bear Cafe

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What's does "CC" mean?

Subject: Big Bear Cafe

Location visited: Washington, DC
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 6+ [see key



*Update 6/22/11

Large crowds have a power that few other mediums can harness. Many books have been written on mob mentality, the power of large third party movements (like blogging!) and even the fickle nature of popular opinion. The crowd always demands at least an inspection of what it lends its attention to.

Hence when I came upon the small mob congregating at the Big Bear Cafe in Bloomingdale, I could not help but be a bit more intrigued by the apparent popularity (a local cafe with bustle usually means they do something right). The cafe sits in a nice tan brick corner space off R Street with a beautiful garden, a spacious patio as well as beautiful doors and windows. The crowd as well as the asthetic appeal continued inside, with a nice wood floor, plenty of tables (all packed) and a nice stream of natural light.

The coffee comes from Counter Culture, a common staple of the DC area these days. I had the Ethiopian Shakisso via drip, a nice grassy coffee with hints of granny apple and a smooth light body. The espresso had a nice tang of raspberry, the sweetness of chocolate milk, a pleasant acidity and a nice finish of honey. Overall, a great pull of espresso and splendid drip. The tea is Rishi.

While the crowd might have been there for a host of reasons, I would like to believe that many of them were there for the superb coffee (but since I didn't do any qualitative collection, I can only guess). If you're around DC, lumber into Big Bear Cafe.


Update 6/22/11

After looking over this review again, I realized I underscored this place as a 5+. It was definitely a 6+ visit (i.e. I had no real hang-ups with it).

Mugged: Costa Rican Peaberry [Apres Coffee]

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What does "Mugged" mean?


Subject: Apres Cafe
Coffee Mugged: Costa Rican Peaberry
Rating: 3+ [see key]



As many of you may have noticed, July and August are the craziest time of year for me (overtime!). And while that results in a few less blog posts and less time to hunt out good coffee, it really makes the coffee I ingest really hold more of a morale boost than its usual luxury status.

One such coffee that helped push me through such tumultuous times was Apres Cafe's Costa Rican Peaberry. I had good fortunes with their La Esmeralda prior, so I had a good feeling about this coffee as well. Visually, the Costa Rican had a darker look than the La Esmeralda but not too dark to be written off on first glance.

I brewed it via french press first. The brew had a dark and nutty earthiness, with a tinge of cocoa and noticeable bitterness in the back. Via drip, the coffee produced a buttery, smooth taste with much more darkness pronounced along with the hints of cocoa as well as some mild apple. Overall, the Costa Rican managed to spell out a decent coffee roasted a little too long.

Thus, while I felt that the Costa Rican could have proved better, it still held me up amidst my crazy weeks. Give the peaberry a whirl if you're looking for a dark, sweet and earthy Central American coffee.

CC: Amherst Coffee

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What's does "CC" mean?

Subject: Amherst Coffee

Location visited: Amherst, MA
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]



Early morning coffee stops can be a wondrous experience if planned well. Too often, people grab their coffee like a falcon snatching up an unfortunate rodent. But a nice slow stop at a grand cafe really starts the day off right.

Yet sadly, good coffee always seems to elude me in the morning. Thus, when I was last on a business excursion in Massachusetts, I decided to put the morning coffee stop at the forefront and going on a tip, I drove over 45 minutes to a place called Amherst Coffee.

The coffeehouse sits in the main stretch of town in a gorgeous large-windowed building next to a theater. Inside the cafe has a spacious bar on the right, a nice array of wood furniture and an overall inviting ambiance.

Amherst Coffee uses Barrington Coffee Roasting Company, a lovely roaster that produces quite a grand cup of coffee. I ordered the Sumatran (a very bright Sumatran) that had flecks of cranberry and oolong with an overall bold yet smooth taste. The espresso was pulled short and had a sweet whiskey-ish tang, a decent crema and a hint of semi-sweet chocolate. The tea is free leaf and they also exhibit an extensive wine bar.

After grabbing a seat, I managed to take some time to enjoy my morning brew and then, drove quite quickly (yet legally) to my work destination. If you happen to be close or in Amherst, definitely give Amherst Coffee a sampling.

Mugged: Los Milagros [Crescent Moon]

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What does "Mugged" mean?


Subject: Crescent Moon Coffee & Tea
Coffee Mugged: El Salvador Los Milagros
Rating: 5+ [see key]




Good coffee produced from a quality farm always hits jolly on the spot. Many times, the desire to do right for the coffee producers and harvesters falls under the tires of horrific roasting (so many coffee companies dedicated to social justice never seem to roast well) and hence, so often the hunt for quality taste overwhelms the quest for coffee traded fairly.

But coffees such as Crescent Moon Coffee & Tea's El Salvador Los Milagros restore my hope that just coffee can be roasted just right. The coffee comes from a woman-owned cooperative that is also USDA organic and bird friendly. I first took notice of it on an Independent Coffee Cooperative flier and made a point to try it out.

Fortunately, I landed a pound and excitedly made my way home to try it out. I had it via french press, vacuum press and drip, each one a bit different but all of them similarly wonderful. The french press proved the most luminous, with a strong taste of honey and hints of flowering grass and apple with a subtle earthiness. The vacuum press and drip also produced similar results, both equally refreshing and lovely.

Overall, I savored every cup of Los Milagros and am glad to see such a tremendous coffee offered all over Philadelphia. If you're looking for a good sustainable Central American coffee, give Crescent Moon's Los Milagros a try.

CC: Sova Espresso & Wine

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What's does "CC" mean?

Subject: Sova Espresso & Wine

Location visited: Washington, DC
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]



How far would you walk for amazing coffee? I would bank that on my daily routine, I would be ok with a ten block walk (with a block equaling on average of 271 ft) out of the way to grab good coffee and a 2 mile hike every once in a while.

In my past visit to DC, my one friend lamented that he found a truly excellent coffeehouse that was not only way out of his normal travels but was also a bit of a hike from the nearest metro stop (Union Station). This distant gem he called Sova and on on my latest visit, he insisted a stop.

Trusting my wise friend, we made our way to the Sova, a modest tan, brick store front accented with maroon. Inside, the place really opens up into an extremely gorgeous two-story cafe, complete with various arrays of really splendid furniture and decor (seriously one of the nicest layouts I've seen).

The coffee comes from Intelligentsia (not as common in DC, but still familiar). First on my order was an espresso that displayed condensed milk, hints of pear and lemonade as well as a speckling of nutmeg. As for their drip/pressed coffee, they were out of Intelly that day, but they served me up a delightful organic Ethiopian from Counter Culture that had a tart blueberry smash up front, with a balanced tea-like body and a beautiful smoothness. The tea is free leaf and they also have an extensive wine bar on the second floor.

After soaking the Sova experience in fully, I would definitely walk out of my way to stop in. If you're looking for an amazing coffeehouse and possibly a little exercise, than go to Sova.

Tokyo Aged Coffee

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Got a heads up from thinkmore on this interesting coffeehouse in Tokyo that serves coffee aged as long as thirty years (seems to be a trend gaining momentum, like aged liquor once did).

One Stellar Coffee Trip

In one of my blog readings, I stumbled across this website called the Cafe Circuit that is dedicated to a couple of baristas' western coffee pilgrimage via motorcycle posse.

The website is quite well-done and the reading well worth it. I have to say I wish I could fit a trip like that in while the weather is fine.

CC: Sidamo Coffee and Tea

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What's does "CC" mean?

Subject: Sidamo Coffee and Tea

Location visited: Washington, DC
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 4+ [see key]



Ethiopia has always been a country that has interested me. One of the few African countries that never really endured colonial rule, Ethiopia has stood the test of time with thousands of years of rich history. Of that history, one topic of great interest to me is that Ethiopia is the championed birth place of coffee.

But alas, my low funds have kept me from a trip to Africa and so when I decided to make a stop in DC to visit a friend, I was intrigued when he suggested we visit an Ethiopian coffeehouse called Sidamo.

Located east of Union Station on H Street, Sidamo stands out with a huge ceramic pot jutting out over their open storefront windows. Inside, the cafe has a long layout with nice exposed brick, beautiful pieces of art and a gorgeous garden patio in the back.

The coffee is roasted in-house and all sourced from Ethiopia (at least that's what I interpreted). I had a decent cup of their Ethiopian Sidamo that demonstrated a bright cinnamon, cherry-esque coffee that was just a tad too dark and had minor hints of cardboard. The espresso faired decently as well, with a short pull producing hints of white chocolate, a buttery texture, fair crema and a bit of a bitter bite on the end. The tea is free leaf.

While I wasn't blown away, I really savored my experience at Sidamo. It's rare to find a coffeehouse based on one country's coffee and plus, the people there were super nice. Hopefully, the place keeps getting better as it seems to have a lot of potential.

If you happen to be around, give Sidamo a swirl.

CC: Caffe Pronto

Subject: Caffe Pronto
aka Ceremony Coffee's last vestige of it's old name
Location visited: Annapolis, MD
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]


*UPDATED 02.10.14, at bottom*

While I've always wanted to visit the city of Annapolis to see the rich Chesapeake Bay history and Naval wonderment, time unfortunately held me to a short pit stop.

Wanting to utilize my time and cup of coffee wisely, I chose amongst several locations of a popular coffeehouse and roaster called Caffe Pronto. Having had several of their batches before at a couple different other coffee establishments, I have actually been aching to make a stop at one of their own stores to see how they wield their beans.

Based purely on geographical proximity to the highway, I made a beeline for their spot amidst the humongous Festival at Riva shopping megalopolis. Wading through the immense mall traffic, I finally landed outside the corner shop with its beautiful huge windows and bright brick shell.

In I walked into Caffe Pronto's open cafe, a very nice space with plenty of furniture and an overall very luminous atmosphere. As mentioned, they roast a mean batch of coffee and they brew their coffee by the cup via a pourover (aka manual drip). I ordered their Brazil Cerrado, a smooth earthy coffee with the sweetness of a pear, a touch of earl grey and a nice body; a pleasant coffee in totality. The espresso made for a pretty good cup, as the short/medium pull possessed decent crema and displayed a little like a chocolate-covered cherry with hints of dark bitterness. The tea is Revolution Tea.

Including a pleasant interchange with both baristas, I really found my stop at Caffe Pronto to be a gust of refreshment. If you happen to be near a Caffe Pronto or one of their purveyors, give them a slurp.

*Update 02/10/14*

Despite the image change to Ceremony Coffee Roasters, this lone vestige of Caffe Pronto remains. The shop has been updated (I love the birch trunks behind the wood booths) and the coffee has improved categorically (hence the update in rating). 

Mugged: La Esmeralda [Apres Coffee]

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What does "Mugged" mean?


Subject: Apres Cafe
Coffee Mugged: Hacienda La Esmeralda Diamond Mountain
Rating: 4+ [see key]



Aside from Kona and Jamaican Blue Mountain, coffees dubbed La Esmeralda have been all the rage ever since the Cup of Excellence auction a few years back when the Geisha bean made a rising success. Now, coffees coming from Hacienda La Esmeralda seem to ride the wave of that special bean but unless you've shelled out a good chunk of cash, it's probably not the famed bean of great worth.

Nonetheless, the farm still tends to put out good coffee even if you don't pay an excessive load. My most recent encounter with the La Esmeralda was with Apres Cafe's Hacienda La Esmeralda Diamond Mountain, a coffee that arrived in a gorgeous sleek box. The coffee itself was roasted fairly dark (not dark enough to have oil but close), a new roast profile for me as most Esmeraldas I've had tend to be a lighter roast.

I tried out the coffee in french press, vacuum press and drip (aka filtered). The french press produced a deep, succulent coffee with strong chocolate and cherry flavors and a hang of bittersweet cocoa. The vacuum press gave out a lighter, more even-keeled coffee with more of a grape flavor and a smoother chocolaty taste. The drip displayed a bright brew as well with the same grape flavors as the vac press, though it produced a bit more of the bitterness on the back end.

In a nutshell, Apres' La Esmeralda made for a good cup of coffee. If you're looking for a good coffee from a well-known farm in Panama, give Apres' Hacienda La Esmeralda Diamond Mountain a go.

CC: Rao's Coffee

What's does "CC" mean?

Subject: Rao's Coffee

Location visited: Amherst, MA
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 4+ [see key]



For a good part of my life, I've only really looked at the coast of Massachusets as a place worth visiting, such as Boston and Martha's Vineyard. Then recently, I've had the distinct pleasure of traveling through the other 90% of the state for various reasons and have found many groovy locales.

Though an obvious pick, Amherst still towers as one of my favorite spots mid-state (though a colleague of my contends Northampton as superior). Aside from nearby U Mass, the town boasts a pretty cool spread with decent parking and seemingly plenty to do.

One such happening destination proved to be the decade-old coffeehouse, Rao's Coffee. The place sits a little off the center streets which gives it a nice secluded ambiance with more than plenty of outside seating amidst a beautiful courtyard and patio. Once you walk inside, the place grabs a lot of natural light from its windows as well as their huge globe lights and has two rooms with more than enough seating.

Rao's roasts their coffee at a seperate location in nearby Hadley and had a good variety available at their cafe. That fine morning of my visist, I had the Tanzanian Peaberry, roasted a little dark for drip, which had a flare of char that added a little spice as well as nice grape presence (not endemic of the roast). The espresso was pulled in two medium shots, had decent crema, a little lime up front, a nice chocolate milk flavor and a tinge of pretzel on the caboose. The tea I noted but right now, I cannot read what I wrote.

Given the cool location and the fair coffee, I would say that Rao's adds a nice facet to the town. If nearby, give Rao's a try.

CC: Legal Beans

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What's does "CC" mean?

Subject: Legal Beans

Location visited: Hoboken, NJ

Free WiFi ? : yes

Rating: 3+ [see key]




When looking for coffeehouses, I really do depend greatly on tips (the information kind though money is always appreciated). But like all things, most tips come heavily laden with circumstantial and subjective information. For example, a local Mexican place cannot be the bomb diggity simply for wonderful salsa and chips, nor can (should) a coffeehoue pride itself on its extensive selection of flavored coffees.

Hence, when my brother recommended a place called Legal Beans in Hoboken because they had good breakfast, I felt a little hesitant to try it as a morning coffee stop (not to mention, my hermano also doesn't drink coffee). But since we were walking together right by it, I figured I might as well stop and worst case scenario, I could get my morning brew elsewhere.

Legal Beans sits in a nice brick building with nice open windows reflecting on the bustling streets. The interior has a fairly small counter with a huge Manhattan-diner style seating where people were studying (and of course dining) at the many tables around the room.

According to the man working, they roast their own coffee. Intrigued and further interested, I ordered a cup of drip (aka filtered) coffee. Although I forgot at the time to note the origin/blend, it was probably for the best as the coffee was nearly cold and had little flavor aside from a very subtle orange tang in the middle. Served in a paper cup, the espresso was pulled only so-so and had notes of cardboard and slight tinges of vanilla. They serve tea (though I didn't retrieve the type) and true to my brother's recommendation, a full food menu.

To reiterate, in defense of my brother's recommendation, I did not try a single thing he praised. But afterward, I further lamented to him that it's no good for a place to serve decent breakfast food but boring coffee (albeit, thousands upon thousands of breakfast counters STILL serve mediocre coffee).

Therefore, if you're in Hoboken looking for decent breakfast food (according to my brother and some others out there), try Legal Beans.

CC: Taste Coffee House

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What's does "CC" mean?

Subject: Taste Coffee House

Location visited: Newton, MA

Free WiFi ? : yes

Rating: 5+ [see key]



Since I wanted to avoid some needless morning traffic in a recent stay in Boston, I made sure to make my hotel stay right outside the city. Knowing that I had to head west on 90, I found (what turned out to be) a Super 8 not too far from a reputable establishment called Taste Coffee House.

After checking out of the hotel, I made a quick five minute drive to Taste Coffee House, located on a nice open street accompanied by many other small businesses. Taste has a basic tan exterior with a black and yellow sign and a few tables below it. Inside, the shop proved long and cozy, possessing a fair amount of table and bar seating.

The coffee comes from Massachusetts' favorite coffee roaster (or at least what seems to be), Terroir Coffee. From Taste's assortment of pump pots I chose the Taste Coffee House Light blend, a drip that had the taste of sweet tea, bread dough, and hints of almond. The brew all together made for a nice light coffee, though the batch I sampled proved a bit stale (I guess more people picked the dark blend that morning). I also ordered a double espresso, also from Terroir that day (though they do switch up their espresso offerings from other places). The barista pulled two good shots that held delicious complexity; a tang of lemon, tinges of fig, a smooth body and an overall bright oral presence. As for other drinks, the tea is free leaf and they also serve beer and wine.

Quite pleased with my fortunes of both a good hotel and the nearby Taste, I left the coffee house in a most amiable mood. And to make the morning even better, I found a great whoopie pie at the nearby Bread and Chocolate Bakery (not breakfast food, but oh so delicious).

Whether you're driving on a commute out or into Boston, make a stop at Taste Coffee House.

CC: Think Coffee

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What's does "CC" mean?

Subject: Think Coffee

Location visited: Manhattan, NY
1 Bleeker St

Free WiFi ? : yes

Rating: 5+ [see key]



What really ensures a student's success? Is it wise counsel? Do the academic courses really mean that much? Realistically, I feel that all of those have importance but on the other hand, a college student really needs good coffee and a nice place to study.

Yeah, I know that's probably not totally true (though I needed those two things). But nonetheless thousands of students sip gallons of mediocre joe and study in boring drab rooms, and many of them still fall short of amazing.

If only more amazing coffeehouses would come to the aid of the students! With that cry deep in my heart, I embarked to examine a coffeehouse known to supply NYU students with decent nectar and beautiful ambiance, a place called Think Coffee. Sure I had heard not as glamorous feedback as well, but the place had some merit for at least a look.

Think possesses quite the unusual look for a Manhattan business (at least in my experience) in that it had a large stoop with plants placed on either side and a snazzy awning to boot. Inside, I fell in love with their high ceilings (with tremendous lighting), various environments of space and their fantastic array of furniture.

Most of the coffee hails from Porto Rico Importing Company, a coffee company that's been around for some time in the area but has not made any significant waves recently. But to my delight, Think Coffee also brews two self-roasted Cup of Excellence coffees on drip. Not in a gambling mood, I went for the Nicaraguan COE via drip. The brew presented light floral notes, tastes of strawberries and an overall nice somberness to it that made for a nice afternoon cup (wouldn't really pack the punch necessary for a morning pot). The espresso, pulled short, smacked of bittersweet cocoa, some nutmeg and a very full taste; good overall shots. The tea is free leaf of various kinds and Think also serves wine and beer (on tap!).

Meandering off afterwards, I greatly envied the many students cuddled up with their Calculus and their Aristotle in the warm embrace of Think Coffee. Not only do they have many great coffeehouses around Manhattan to choose from, but they also have a great one on their doorsetp.

In my opinion, a stop below Washington Square Park deserves a stop at Think Coffee.

From the Ground Up

Recently had the chance to check out the documentary From the Ground Up, a coffee documentary that does exactly what the title says; takes the viewer on a journey from cherry to peddled beverage.

As coffee documentaries go, it was decent. It had great footage of coffee picking, the wet process, drying, sorting, bagging, exporting and importing. If you've never seen it done, I imagine it would be somewhat confusing as much of the film had no narration and thus, one unfamiliar with what was going down could get lost. But even if you didn't know the lingo, the film made it all pretty easy to follow. Also, the film really makes one aware of the hard work the farmers go through for so little and thus indirectly pushes better conditions (the film is also directly dedicated for more than fair trade).

The only stabbing annoyance in the film stemmed from the soundtrack, which consisted of a singular old-timey song called the Java Jive (here it is performed by the Manhattan Transfer) played in spurts throughout the whole film. If you're one easily annoyed by such a song beaten to death, I would recommend putting the film on mute unless you see someone talking.

Overall, grab From the Ground Up if you're curious to how coffee gets to your local purveyor or you really wish to raise your awareness on what people go through so you can enjoy your morning cup.

CC: Simon's Coffee Shop

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What's does "CC" mean?

Subject: Simon's Coffee Shop

Location visited: Cambridge, MA

Free WiFi ? : yes

Rating: 6+ [see key]


As much as I love Boston, I've never been good at navigating it. On my first trip there as "captain," I led my party of ten travelers quickly astray and ended up parking a good 20 minute walk away from our destination. Subsequent trips have proven better as I've gotten the layout down a bit more but ever still, I rely on my internal compass and divine intervention.

On my most recent trip, I had plans to make it up to Cambridge to give a hot coffee spot called Simon's Coffee Shop a try. But due to a little lack of reconnaissance on my part, I only gave myself 30 minutes to get from Brookline to Simon's before they closed, amidst a bustling Friday night with not a parking spot in sight. Fortunately, I made it (thank God, as my natural direction did not work as well as I'd hope) and I practically stampeded through their front doors with 20 minutes to spare.

The shop holds nice red walls, worn wood floors and a great deal of furniture (a few pieces outside and many pieces in). Simon's gets their coffee from Terroir Coffee, a company powered by the famed George Howell, as well as from Barismo. For drip I tried Terroir's Matalapa, a coffee that displayed the sweet flavors reminiscent of an apple and the subtle spiciness of tobacco, along with a smooth brightness that made for a grand cup. For the espresso, I had Barismo's Soma. The shots were pulled short with the a Sweet Tart-ish cherry up front and subsequent notes of unsweetened cocoa and black tea. The tea itself is free leaf.

With 1 minute left to closing, I hurried out the door happy for the fortune of making it in time. I would recommend stopping in, but for those not familiar with the construct of Boston, make sure to give yourself some extra time to navigate without pressure.

All in all, a nice gem to the area of Cambridge.

CC: Gorilla Coffee

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What's does "CC" mean?

Subject: Gorilla Coffee

Location visited: Brooklyn, NY

Free WiFi ? : yes

Rating: 5+ [see key]




Brooklyn is yet another part of the greater New York City area I've long neglected (oddly enough), but I finally made a visit on a recent Saturday. The conditions could not have been better, as the wind blew just enough to offset the warm rays of the sun and the streets were only mildly populated. Amidst it all, my three companions and I meandered down Flatbush on our way to fantastic fare at the Burrito Bar (great burritos!) and then on to Gorilla Coffee a few blocks over.

Gorilla has long been a place on my list of spots to dock at, so when we finally arrived I was not surprised that there was a line out the door (though I thought many of these people had been before). My compatriots plopped down on their bright red benches out front and I passed into their medium-sized cafe with a busy bar (at least four Gorilla-ians scurrying about) and bright red tables full of patrons.

Gorilla roasts their coffee and as somewhat of a testament to the popularity, half the people in line in front of me grabbed a bag or three of coffee with their order (I'd never seen such volume purchased in 15 minutes!). I ordered their deep roasted Brazilian via drip, a coffee that had been roasted a little too dark for me but had lots of redeeming aspects, such as some pound cake on the front, a bit of noticeable spice like that of a fine cigar and a nice acidity throughout. The espresso fared well, as the shots were pulled short and had a sugary and tart cranberry taste with some decent flecks of vanilla and a decent texture. The tea is Choice Organic Tea.

Satiated, I retrieved my friends outside and we left to go to Junior's Cheesecakes (a place according to my Brookyln-born boss is unparalleled anywhere else and now, after eating their strawberry shortcake cheesecake, I would have to agree). I would say that despite my dark drip, I went pretty ape for Gorilla.

When you're in the Park Slope area of Brooklyn, drag your knuckles down to Gorilla Coffee.

Mugged: 100 Kona Coffee [Kona]

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What does "Mugged" mean?


Subject:100 Kona Coffee
Coffee Mugged: 100% Kona
Rating: 5+ [see key]


All of my short life, I've heard all sorts of things about Kona coffee. I've heard that "it's simply the best coffee...ever" and that no matter what the price, it's worth it for a pure Kona (i.e. certified to have no other kinds of coffee). And yet, I've also heard that it is the most over-hyped coffee and that similarly wonderful coffees can be found from other origins at a much cheaper premium.

But for what it's all worth, I never really gathered the appropriate impetus to push me to seek out a quality 100% Kona to put to the test. Then fortunately out of the blue, I recently received an offer from 100% Hawaiian Kona Coffee (part of C&C Specialty Coffee) to try out their 100% Kona, to which I heartily agreed to sample.

The coffee came in it's bright red bag with a golden seal of certification. The roast was of a light to medium roast and when I ground it up, the Kona produced the lovely aroma of bright floral notes and berries. When I first brewed it via french press, the aromas played out quite delectably in the cup, along with some watermelon and some massive brightness. The vacuum pot produced a deeper cup accompanied by a little more watermelon. The drip also produced a smooth beverage, with a pleasant brightness and delightful acidity.

While I felt that the coffee held up to the substantial hype of pure Kona coffees, I can't say I would make it an every week purchase (little pricey). So if/when you're looking to try out a good pure Kona, give 100% Hawaiian Kona Coffee a run for your money.

CC: The Ground House

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What's does "CC" mean?

*Closed
Subject: The Ground House

Location visited: Pitman, NJ

Free WiFi ? : yes

Rating: 3+ [see key]



*Closed*

Often when I wander the streets of large cities, I relish the fact that by simple probability, a good coffeehouse could be nearby. Granted, my luck has not led to many random finds but the numbers still tell me that hope still exists.

Yet when I'm in small towns where I've already pegged two or three coffeehouses, I'm not really on the lookout for another (the probability does not exactly thrive). And on those exact moments where you look not for something, you often find it (such as in love and in suffering). So was the case in my most recent trip to Pitman, a small town in NJ that already sports two coffeehouses (one decent, one fair) where I was pointed to a third coffeehouse called The Ground House.

Naturally, I ventured over. The exterior is but a tan and maroon flat face with a window having the appearance of what I would deem a jazz club. The interior is a two room venue that reflected quite the dichotomy; the main room (the one with the food) holds a reddish decor with nice mood lighting while the adjoining room with their substantial stage is bright white and green with rather bleh fluorescent lighting.

As per the barista's heavy discretion, the coffee comes from "Millville," which from my basic powers of deduction means either they get their coffee from Kaffe Magnum Opus or a secret roaster untold (Millville isn't that big either). Either way, their house coffee (an Ethiopian) was concocted on a hot plate brewer and had some bright notes with some smoothness, but overall it proved boring and not too savory. The espresso lent similar effects, as it held some enjoyable elements of acidity though overall it lent more heavy char and made for only a fair cup. The tea comes from David Rio.

To say the least, I was happy to find the place even though some of the facets of their coffee seem to warrant small improvement. No matter, give the Ground House a try if you happen to wander the streets of Pitman looking for coffee.

CC: Dames Coffee Espresso Bar

Subject: Dames Coffee Espresso Bar
Location visited: Jersey City, NJ
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]


*Update 3/23/2015*

Changed location to new Jersey City
location. Different ambiance but still Counter Culture and still great coffee.


Until recently, most of my trips to the New York City vicinity involved simply a hike to Manhattan and not much else. But then my brother decided to move to Jersey City and then again to Hoboken, so the next time my whole family decided to visit I made sure to make use of the opportunity to also check out the local coffee.

After a look on cyberspace, I set my aim on what looked like a cute place called Dames Coffee Espresso Bar. The location fortunately proved convenient to a lunch stop in downtown Hoboken and thus, after a nice lunch we all marched down to grab some coffee.

Dames possesses a bright, blue brick exterior with an attractive custom awning that reminds me of a Greek restaurant (probably the font stylings). The interior is cozy; a nice white and blue decor scheme complete with nice chandelier light fixtures and few pieces of seating.

The coffee comes from Counter Culture Coffee, usually a good sign of quality in at least the drip. I purchased a cup of Ethiopian (not sure whether it was the Yirg or the Idido), which embodied a sweet rum taste with a nice acidity, though also a tid bit stale; a decent cup of drip. The espresso, pulled magnificently and short, had a nice white chocolaty taste up front and finished with a pleasant sour note reminiscent of rhubarb. I didn't note the tea.

Thus, the trip to Dames has provided yet another reason to visit the lovely area of Hoboken (as well as me brother). If you're in town, give Dames Coffee Espresso Bar a shot or two.

CC: South Jersey Java

What's does "CC" mean?

Subject: South Jersey Java

Location visited: Voorhees, NJ

Free WiFi ? : yes

Rating: 3+ [see key]



Not too long ago, when looking to kill some time while my wife attended a bridal shower, I made a mad dash to find any place to sit and read while I waited for the event to be over. Not expecting to find much new (I feel all too familiar with South Jersey), I was surprised in my research to find a new-to-me coffeehouse in Voorhees called South Jersey Java.

In looking for the location, I passed it four times before I finally saw it, as using my peepers to spot an address on a road that changes names three times in less than a mile proved ineffective. South Jersey Java sits in a small shopping plaza with a fair amount of parking. Walking through the front doors I first noticed the place had a unique arrangement, with an array of sharp furniture, a fire place and quality collection of local art. The second thing I noticed was the TV that blared all too distractingly in the front corner...

The coffee is roasted in-house on a countertop roaster in the back of the shop. The coffee available that morning was the Lighthouse Blend, a coffee that displayed low acidity but also some cardboard and overall held nothing distinct. The automatic espresso machine was actually down that day, but since 99% of all automatic espresso machines can't pull good shots (there might be one out there), I don't feel like I missed out. The tea is Stash.

After about an hour of sipping my coffee and reading my book (The Great Upheaval, which made for a good read ultimately, but I would have preferred a more coffee-related book like Driven to Espresso), I had to be on my way. While I think South Jersey Java possesses a few areas of improvement much like many coffeehouses, it seems to be a good place to hangout with some fair coffee and catch some local music.

Thus, if you're in Voorhees for such reasons, stop on in.

CC: Hotwire Online Coffeehouse

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What's does "CC" mean?

Subject: Hotwire Online Coffeehouse

Location visited: West Seattle, WA

Free WiFi ? : yes

Rating: 5+ [see key]


Roaming the streets of West Seattle on a beautiful sunny day really allows for some beautiful views that many towns cannot compete with. The mountains amidst the various waterways really make for a nice walk. The only thing necessary to make the day a little bit better was a good lunch and a good cup of coffee.

I managed to find a really good Mexican lunch at Puerto Vallarta, with a nice burrito and chips. Afterward, I marched down the street to grab some coffee at Hotwire Coffee, a local place I had intended on hitting at a former location a few days prior. Their sole location sits in a small brick building with a fenced courtyard with several outside tables. Inside, the cafe displays a quaint space, with a few inside seats amidst brick walls and a row of desktop computers.

Hotwire roasts their own coffee, producing mostly single origins (the only blend is for their espresso). I sampled their Mexican; a saucy coffee that had prominent notes of chocolate but the brew I consumed proved overall flat due to what seemed staleness. The espresso, pulled fairly well, had a smidge of toasted almond in the front, an overall caramel-ish chocolate taste and but a small bit of charred darkness on back (not enough to ruin it). The tea is free leaf.

In the end, the stop at Hotwire made my day fairly splendid (minus the stale drip of course). The next time I'm in town I hope to make another visit on hopefully a similarly beautiful day.

If in West Seattle, give Hotwire Coffee a whirl.

CC: JJ Bean

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What's does "CC" mean?

Subject: JJ Bean

Location visited: Vancouver, BC
(Main St location)

Free WiFi ? : no

Rating: 6+ [see key]


Having a favorite coffee spot with a whole bunch of locations is something I don't experience a lot. Much like the masses patronize chains because of their convenience, many amazing coffee establishments don't possess a large number of venues usually for problems of cost and fears of oversaturation/overextension.

But when I recently hit Vancouver, I found yet another reason to envy the locals as not only do they have a variety of great coffee establishments, but a few of the establishments have numerous locations all over the city, like JJ Bean.

A coffeehouse that first started out on Grainville Island, the coffee business now has seven locations, all with very appealing architecture and solid reputations. In my limited travels, I managed to make it to the Main Street location with its glossy, wood-planked exterior and nice spacious windows. The inside has high ceilings, a central fireplace and a nice variety of seating.

JJ Bean roasts a vast array of coffee, with the Eastside Blend the coffee that found its way to my cup that morning, producing a smooth drip with a buttery hang and a hint of cherry. The espresso, which the barista pulled wonderfully short, possessed flavors of cocoa, lime and a subtle smoky flavor. I did not see the tea though I'm sure it is offered.

I wish I could have tried a few more of the JJ Beans, but alas, I had little time in Vancouver. Next time, I plan to definitely make a stop back as the experience was grand.

If you're in Vancouver, give one of JJ Bean's venues a whirl.

CC: Abraco Espresso

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What's does "CC" mean?

Subject: Abraco Espresso

Location visited: Manhattan, NY

Free WiFi ? : yes

Rating: 6+ [see key]


Getting back to the basics really makes me appreciate the simple flavors of life. Sure there are times when I want an ice cream sundae with 17 toppings rolled on a cold marble slab, but more often than not I really just want a cone of good vanilla custard.

Fortunately, there many establishments have gone the route of the bare bones basics, including a few coffee bars with the philosophy that it is better to do a few things spectacularly than produce a menu of mediocrity.

One such place is Abraco Espresso in lower Manhattan. Located in a building with enough standing room for about 5 people (apparently Abraco means "hug") and some intriguing outside furniture, the building definitely gives a minimalist look to complement their "no nonsense" menu.

I ordered an individually dripped coffee called A41 from Counter Culture (Abraco's coffee supplier), which displayed smooth and tangy like fruit punch and produced nice nuances of almond. The espresso also blessed my tongue with a pair of short, velvety shots with a bright acidity and a sumptuous sweetness of a lemon bar. There is no tea but there exists an enticing selection of local and in-house fare.

Needless to say, Abraco really gave a great showing with their drinks and seems to have a lot of wonderful potential. If you're anywhere in the area, definitely make a stop by Abraco for a simple yet amazing cup of drip or espresso.

CC: Olympia Coffee Roasting Co.

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What's does "CC" mean?

Subject: Olympia Coffee Roasting Co

Location visited: Olympia, WA

Free WiFi ? : yes

Rating: 6+ [see key]


Winter storms certainly have charm, but not when you're driving on a formerly sunny day and especially not in the beginnings of Spring. When I decided to visit Olympia recently, I got stuck in such a situation where all of a sudden, snow came down quite swiftly. The permeating chill and soft flakes of snow really made me thirst for a good cup of coffee.

Fortunately, I had plans to stop at Olympia Coffee Roasting Co. and with little delay beside what the snow afforded me, I found the coffeehouse on what looked like a side street. The location sits in a large tan building, with a nice mural on the side and a very chic design to the storefront. The inside is broken into two sections; the large section in the back is the roasting facility and the front fifth is their cafe, with a handful of seats and a really boss front counter.

Olympia has a nice variety of coffee and brews it on a Clover. I had a Mexican Chiapas on the Clover; the coffee produced a medium-bodied brew with flavors of hot chocolate and toasted nutmeg. The espresso, pulled short, tasted like a lemon drop followed with honey roasted peanuts. I did not note any tea.

Walking back out into the storm, I slowly sipped my Mexican coffee as I walked to my car, savoring the gentle snow in its beauty before I got back on the road and dealt with it purely as a safety hazard. Needless to say, Olympia Coffee Roasting Co. took the edge off the drive and left my taste buds in serenity.

If you're ever in Olympia, stop by the Olympia Coffee Roasting Co.

CC: Top Pot Doughnuts

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What's does "CC" mean?

Subject: Top Pot Doughnuts

Location visited: Seattle, WA

Free WiFi ? : yes

Rating: 4+ [see key]



Breakfast pastries never really ever entice me at breakfast. Maybe it's my mind that has convinced my digestive tract that such food bodes as just quick-burning fuel and that what I want is lots of protein. But whatever the reason, there are few times I'll pick up something like a doughnut in my morning travels.

Then there are the few times where it sounds like a great idea, such as when your hotel is really close to a really fine doughnut place. During my stay in Seattle, I had such a morning when a colleague of mine, originally from Washington, had a monstrous craving for a maple bar and we decided to hit local doughnut hotspot, Top Pot Hand-Forged Doughnuts. The place looked sleek enough, with its two-story glass front with some of the cutest bushes in a neat line along the bottom. The interior was arrayed somewhat like a loft with a huge staircase interjecting between two walls of giant bookshelves, with plenty of seating all over.

As a tremendous complement to their pastry selection, Top Pot of course serves up coffee. Admirably, they roast their own coffee in the back on a large drum roaster where they forge their doughnuts. The coffee (I believe it was their Diplomat blend) was bright and at a good roast level (no char); an overall fair coffee with potential but nothing tremendously distinct. The espresso, pulled short to medium, had the flavor of raisins up front along with a little sourness, and sadly had a good deal of char on the end. The tea is free leaf and the doughnuts lived up to the massive hype (my plain cake doughnut was great and my colleague's maple bar apparently was amazing).

While I did crave breakfast meat a little closer to lunch, Top Pot really made an amazing stop for a light breakfast. And while some of the coffee aspects could maybe grow a bit (the doughnuts need no change), I definitely will be hitting Top Pot next time I'm in the Emerald City.

So if you're up for a good doughnut and cup of coffee in downtown Seattle, give Top Pot Hand-Forged Doughnuts a try.

Diesel Coffee

While I will never mix automobile emissions with my coffee, this new VW campaign that landed in my inbox for Volkswagen's new TDI clean diesel caught my eye.

...and yet, for all their green efforts, they still use a Styrofoam cup for their coffee.

CC: Caffe Vita Coffee Roasting Co.

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What's does "CC" mean?

Subject: Caffe Vita Coffee Roasting Co.

Location visited: Seattle, WA
(Capitol Hill location)

Free WiFi ? : yes

Rating: 5+ [see key]


I never thought I'd be introduced to a great Seattle coffee company in Montana, but in my visits to Rockford Coffee of Bozeman, I became enamored with their roaster at the time, Caffe Vita (note: Rockford now seems to roast their own). Every time I got a drink at Rockford (especially their americanos), I really wanted to make a road trip to Seattle to taste the coffee direct at the source.

It took a while, but finally I was able to make a trip to the source. On a brisk weekday morning, I meandered over to Caffe Vita to meet a colleague for a cup of coffee. The shop is clearly visible from afar, as their mammoth sign broadcasts the location clearly. Upon moving closer, a few pieces of well-placed furniture underneath their ample awning drew me right through their front doors into the line. The inside itself has two floors, both with abundant furniture and rich woods, but the downstairs has a much more cozy and dim aura while the upstairs has a brighter and soothing feel.

Caffe Vita roasts their own coffee, having a nice selection of single origins and blends. Prior to this visit, most of my experience with their brewed coffee came from but one or two single origins, so I decided to try their Bistro Blend. It produced a zesty and buttery cup that had merit, but overall tasted a little too dark and a bit lackluster. The espresso came out better, as it was pulled short and demonstrated tinges of bittersweet chocolate and condensed milk, albeit small hints of bitterness on the back end. As for their teas, they have their own line of free leaf teas.

Given my past experiences, I would say this encounter with Caffe Vita really rounded out my perceptions of the operation. While I didn't end up falling as head over heels as I thought I might, I would say that I'm even more intrigued by the company than before. Definitely will warrant another try.

Thus, if you're in town, make a bee line for Caffe Vita to give them a shot yourselves.