Early Bird Espresso and Mercantile

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Early Bird Espresso and Mercantile
Location: Frenchtown, NJ

WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Right along Route 29 above Trenton exists some of New Jersey's prettiest scenery. Growing up within a 45 minute drive, I would love romping through Washington Crossing and patronizing towns like Lambertville with their antique stores, medieval weapon shops and local bistros. The area is also one of few spots in NJ with a long-standing quality coffee presence at Rojo's Roastery, a fact that kept Route 29 a common route for me. Fortunately, the slow growth of quality coffee has finally led to another tulip flowering about 15 miles north on 29 in Frenchtown, an outfit called Early Bird.

Astro Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Astro Coffee
Location: Detroit, MI
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

The multi-roaster coffeehouse is one of my favorite iterations of a coffee-serving establishment. Poised to introduce its consumers to different coffee purveyors and offerings, it's much like the local taproom with an ever-rotating selection for the fanatical beer enthusiasts. And while not every city possesses a ton of such venues, I am fairly certain most possess at least one.

The Espresso Bar

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: The Espresso Bar

Location: Ann Arbor, MI
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

It's hard to imagine bookstores without a coffee presence. Though some would say the cafe element can ruin the bookstore experience, that it turns a shop into a library where coffee stains abound on new books, I personally love the idea of a having coffee amidst prospective literary acquisitions. Sadly there exist few book purveyors that host quality coffee establishments, so I tend to make few adventures to such places. Yet rest assured, worthy coffee does exist in certain bookstores, and if I had to pick my favorite to date, I would likely choose Ann Arbor's Espresso Bar.

No. 7311

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: No. 7311
Location: Ventnor, NJ
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 4+ [see key]

*Update 2.26.19*
They stopped offering light roasts and George Howell. Coffee has become a tad more lackluster (though the baked goods are still amazing).

One of the things I don't enjoy about the Jersey shore is the seasonal nature of many communities. Naturally summer boasts huge crowds, merriment and thriving beach islands full of life. Yet the fun ends in autumn when most shore businesses close up and the once-thriving towns become a place for polar bear plunges and boardwalk exercise. I do not deny that this might be the natural order of the universe, but I find no greater disappointment than knowing that I must wait until May for the next funnel cake or block of fudge.

Mugged: Crema.co

Subject: Crema.co

Coffees Mugged and Rating [see key]:
- Toby's Estate: Brazil Santa Ines 5+
- Bold Bean: Finca La Esperanza 5+

Coffee subscriptions are becoming more and more a part of the coffee drinker's arsenal. Years ago, you were pretty unique if you were willing to subscribe to one coffee roaster's coffee for a several months, but now, with the numerous subscription services that offer all kinds of coffees from all kinds of roasters, it's increasingly conventional. Chances are that if you like coffee, there's a subscription out there that fits you just right.

4121 Main

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: 4121 Main

Location: Pittsburgh, PA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Coffee is a lot like a flower: both are beautiful, regularly coveted and add a necessary spice to life. And like a great coffeehouse, one does not easily discover a great florist on every street corner. Fortunately for Pittsburgh, they can find both tremendous coffee and eye-catching floral arrangements in a small boutique called 4121 Main.

The Julio Handmade Mug

While I am no expert in the realm of pottery, I know it takes a lot of skill to make a handsome mug by hand. Having been to my share of arts festivals and student showcases, my eyes have seen plenty of decently-constructed vessels and it's not often I fall in love with one (it would probably be why I have only three or four hand-crafted vessels in my cupboard).

Comet Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Comet Coffee
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

When I used to work in higher education, it seemed that about a quarter of my colleagues either studied or worked at the University of Michigan. At the time I had never been, so I listened to their stories of a stately campus, the great town and cold winters. Though I had intention of making my way there sooner, it wasn't until recently that I was finally able to visit. And despite my interest in seeing the campus, my sights were first set on an Ann Arbor coffee establishment called Comet Coffee.

Little Amps Coffee Roasters

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Little Amps Coffee Roasters
Location: Harrisburg, PA (downtown location)
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

The great state of Pennsylvania is a complex state. Home to major cities, beautiful countryside and quaint towns, I find new surprises every time I traverse it. One city often overlooked is the state capital. Dubbed head of PA in 1812, Harrisburg is not only a city rich in history but full of gems not always as lauded as their Philly and Pittsburgh peers. One such diamond worthy of a little attention is a coffee operation known as Little Amps Coffee Roasters.

Mugged: Bloom Coffee Roasters

Subject: Bloom Coffee Roasters
Coffees Mugged and Rating [see key]:
- Ethiopia Ayele Dula 5+
- Kenya Chania Estate 5+

In the northern expanse of Michigan, a solid coffee is one of the best tools to survive the long winter. Naturally, Michigan has its share of coffee roasters, but only a few really deserve your money. Fortunately for the consumer, these roasters really work hard to keep the lower mitten and upper peninsula of Michigan well-stocked.

Lemonjello's Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Lemonjello's Coffee
Location: Holland, MI
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]

Often when visiting Chicago, I would look across Lake Michigan and wonder about what existed on the other shore. Not a frequent Michigan-goer, I finally got my chance to see the eastern shore and see what the area had to offer. Fortunately, I quickly stumbled into the gorgeous town of Holland. Settled by Dutch settlers and modeled after their native Netherlands, the town holds tons of charm and plenty of things to do (including the beach in nice weather). Naturally, my soul longed for good coffee and found it at a shop called Lemonjello's.

Philter

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Philter
Location: Kennett Square, PA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

The Philadelphia area possesses quite a few great holiday attractions. Yet if I had to distill them down, the two must-see stops are definitely the Christmas Light Show in Philadelphia's Old Wanamaker Building and nearby Longwood Gardens. Both have been a long-standing fixture in my life and if the mobs are any indication, their popularity has done nothing but grow over the years.

Strange Matter Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Strange Matter Coffee
Location: Lansing, MI
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

A lot of capital cities have interesting histories, but not many possess one as strange as Lansing, Michigan. Originally settled by an assortment of families scammed into buying marshland in a nonexistent Biddle City, these swindled New Yorkers ended up settling a mile north of the marsh, naming their new town after their home village of Lansing. Some years later, when Michigan sought to move the state capital from Detroit, there was such furious competition by the other cities that it was thrown to little Lansing out of frustration. Today, the city has grown to house some great institutions, such as Michigan State University and a coffeehouse fittingly-named for the city, Strange Matter Coffee.