1412 Southeast 12th Avenue
Portland, OR 97214
Tiny's is very cute. It's small and cozy. The kind of place where you could easily stay for many hours. The espresso is on the better side. Good solid flavor. Tiny's is the sort of place that I want to be a regular at.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
The Fresh Pot
3729 Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard
Portland, OR 97214
I met an old friend from New Orleans here for coffee. He introduced me to a barista also from New Orleans, and the vibe of the place felt warm. It's connected to the famous Powell's book store, which I didn't get a chance to look much at. I had a doppio and I'd give it a 7.5 out of 10. The flavor was somewhat exciting and I'd like to go back again and see if the score might be increased.
Portland, OR 97214
I met an old friend from New Orleans here for coffee. He introduced me to a barista also from New Orleans, and the vibe of the place felt warm. It's connected to the famous Powell's book store, which I didn't get a chance to look much at. I had a doppio and I'd give it a 7.5 out of 10. The flavor was somewhat exciting and I'd like to go back again and see if the score might be increased.
Barista
539 Northwest 13th Avenue
Portland, OR 97209
This coffee shop possesses a few qualities that I've come to associate with espresso excellence. An open, somewhat bare space. No plugs for computers. I approached the counter and noticed three espresso choices. Another indicator of superiority. The beans came from Ritual, out of San Francisco, and a few other roasters I didn't recognize. I went with a Costa Rican blend. I waited for my order to be called with heightened expectation, watching lattes with leaf art taken by the customers in front of me. Then came "Costa Rican doppio." I sat down and began to sip. It was salty, sour, savory, with a touch of something playful, but not quite sweet. I've never tasted espresso with such a range of flavor. Following the espresso, I toured the nearby Chinese Garden feeling serene and elevated.
Portland, OR 97209
This coffee shop possesses a few qualities that I've come to associate with espresso excellence. An open, somewhat bare space. No plugs for computers. I approached the counter and noticed three espresso choices. Another indicator of superiority. The beans came from Ritual, out of San Francisco, and a few other roasters I didn't recognize. I went with a Costa Rican blend. I waited for my order to be called with heightened expectation, watching lattes with leaf art taken by the customers in front of me. Then came "Costa Rican doppio." I sat down and began to sip. It was salty, sour, savory, with a touch of something playful, but not quite sweet. I've never tasted espresso with such a range of flavor. Following the espresso, I toured the nearby Chinese Garden feeling serene and elevated.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Kraftsmen Bakery
4100 Montrose Boulevard Houston, TX
The shared courtyard is heaven on a sunny spring day. Probably the best atmosphere in all of Houston. The coffee is moderate. The pastries are delicious.
The wireless is really good lately, but has sometimes in the past been unusable.
The shared courtyard is heaven on a sunny spring day. Probably the best atmosphere in all of Houston. The coffee is moderate. The pastries are delicious.
The wireless is really good lately, but has sometimes in the past been unusable.
Waldo's Coffee House
1030 Heights Boulevard Houston, TX
Quite a lot of Victorian charm. Waldo's reminds me of the Gallier House, a historic home in New Orleans where I used to go to camp in the summer and make dolls and potpourri. The coffee bar is minimal and the shop is a little quiet, but very likable. There are about four rooms to choose from, so if you are looking for privacy this is the place to find it. The double espresso I ordered was pretty bad.
The wireless is great!
Quite a lot of Victorian charm. Waldo's reminds me of the Gallier House, a historic home in New Orleans where I used to go to camp in the summer and make dolls and potpourri. The coffee bar is minimal and the shop is a little quiet, but very likable. There are about four rooms to choose from, so if you are looking for privacy this is the place to find it. The double espresso I ordered was pretty bad.
The wireless is great!
Catalina Coffee Shop
2201 Houston Ave, Houston, Texas
When I think of this coffee shop, a tear comes to my eye. A few years ago, I fell madly in love with the place. This is where my real coffee education began. I learned words like bright, full-bodied, etc. I realized that espresso was more than just strong coffee, it's a poem. I learned that the most important thing that goes into good coffee is a skilled hand. And the owner is one of the most skilled baristas I've ever come across. He is also extremely kind and hard-working. His spirit echos through the shop and into every divine cup of coffee that is served at Catalina.
They do have reliable wireless, but no plugs.
When I think of this coffee shop, a tear comes to my eye. A few years ago, I fell madly in love with the place. This is where my real coffee education began. I learned words like bright, full-bodied, etc. I realized that espresso was more than just strong coffee, it's a poem. I learned that the most important thing that goes into good coffee is a skilled hand. And the owner is one of the most skilled baristas I've ever come across. He is also extremely kind and hard-working. His spirit echos through the shop and into every divine cup of coffee that is served at Catalina.
They do have reliable wireless, but no plugs.
Inversion Coffee
1953 Montrose Boulevard, Houston, TX
Inversion is a wonderful coffee shop to get things done. Productivity is in the air day and night, every day of the week. Even the staff is the most methodical, productive thing I've seen outside Starbuck's. Inversion is clean, bright, friendly and always busy.
Depending on the barista, the coffee can go from good to very good. The wireless is about 90% reliable.
Inversion is a wonderful coffee shop to get things done. Productivity is in the air day and night, every day of the week. Even the staff is the most methodical, productive thing I've seen outside Starbuck's. Inversion is clean, bright, friendly and always busy.
Depending on the barista, the coffee can go from good to very good. The wireless is about 90% reliable.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Antidote Coffee
729 Studewood Street
Houston, TX 77007-1760
I woke up this morning and felt a craving for adventure. I've read good things about Antidote Coffee so I decided to give it a try, in spite of the rainy weather. I arrived wet and ordered a doppio. It was good. I also had a bowl of granola with skim milk. They served all three on a small circular tray, which I liked.
After sitting down for a while I decided that the country hipster vibe of the shop is excellent. It took me back to my days in Athens, GA and also back to the two days I spent in Austin, TX last week.
To top it off, the wireless is on the faster side.
Houston, TX 77007-1760
I woke up this morning and felt a craving for adventure. I've read good things about Antidote Coffee so I decided to give it a try, in spite of the rainy weather. I arrived wet and ordered a doppio. It was good. I also had a bowl of granola with skim milk. They served all three on a small circular tray, which I liked.
After sitting down for a while I decided that the country hipster vibe of the shop is excellent. It took me back to my days in Athens, GA and also back to the two days I spent in Austin, TX last week.
To top it off, the wireless is on the faster side.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Haus
3082 24th Street, San Francisco, CA
This place is small stylish, minimal and friendly. I overheard a few great conversations while there, enjoyed the interaction with a very nice barista and ordered a mini red velvet cupcake to accompany a satisfying doppio. The wireless is good enough to get things done and the lightness of the environment is also conducive to productivity. Seating is limited.
This place is small stylish, minimal and friendly. I overheard a few great conversations while there, enjoyed the interaction with a very nice barista and ordered a mini red velvet cupcake to accompany a satisfying doppio. The wireless is good enough to get things done and the lightness of the environment is also conducive to productivity. Seating is limited.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Cafe Roma Coffee Roasting Co
526 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, CA
Two major turn offs: A plain bagel costs $2.50, which is double what most coffee shops and cafes charge. And, the weak wireless connection requires you either buy one drink per hour to use it or pay $9. The posted signs telling me about this policy made me feel very unwelcome.
Two major turn offs: A plain bagel costs $2.50, which is double what most coffee shops and cafes charge. And, the weak wireless connection requires you either buy one drink per hour to use it or pay $9. The posted signs telling me about this policy made me feel very unwelcome.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
773 Market Street San Francisco, CA
This is a typical corporate coffee shop. I like this kind of place because I don't feel guilty about staying for hours and hours as my job requires. This location is great for people watching. You get a view of tourists, professionals, bums and students passing by in masses.
The coffee is good and the wireless is good. Every two hours they make you take a ten minute break from the internet, which I think is a smart business tactic and a good idea for productivity.
This is a typical corporate coffee shop. I like this kind of place because I don't feel guilty about staying for hours and hours as my job requires. This location is great for people watching. You get a view of tourists, professionals, bums and students passing by in masses.
The coffee is good and the wireless is good. Every two hours they make you take a ten minute break from the internet, which I think is a smart business tactic and a good idea for productivity.
Progressive Grounds Cafe
2301 Bryant Street San Francisco, CA
This coffee shop and cafe is very friendly and comfortable. I felt like I wanted to stay for hours. The menu is Middle Eastern combined with a typical cafe menu. I had a bagel with hummus.. simple choice but I loved it. The wireless is good.
This coffee shop and cafe is very friendly and comfortable. I felt like I wanted to stay for hours. The menu is Middle Eastern combined with a typical cafe menu. I had a bagel with hummus.. simple choice but I loved it. The wireless is good.
Philz Coffee
3101 24th Street, San Francisco, CA
I like the vibe of this shop best out of all so far in San Francisco. No pretenses, just a unique product and all sorts of clientele enjoying it. They hand-brew each cup. Instead of offering the typical dark and medium roast, Philz' menu has over a dozen different roasts to choose from. The consistency is thicker than drip coffee. I had an Amnesia of the Mind and it uplifted me enough after a sleepless night to venture a few blocks down the street and hike Bernal Heights.
The wireless was almost unusable... coming in and out every few minutes.
I like the vibe of this shop best out of all so far in San Francisco. No pretenses, just a unique product and all sorts of clientele enjoying it. They hand-brew each cup. Instead of offering the typical dark and medium roast, Philz' menu has over a dozen different roasts to choose from. The consistency is thicker than drip coffee. I had an Amnesia of the Mind and it uplifted me enough after a sleepless night to venture a few blocks down the street and hike Bernal Heights.
The wireless was almost unusable... coming in and out every few minutes.
Coffee Bar
1890 Bryant St, San Francisco, CA
A fast-paced cafe office space where you can order coffee and lunch. I had a good americano and a delicious broccoli and cheese soup. The large open bar was packed to the brim with techies on laptops. Each person around me was discussing a different design or web development project. The wireless was moderate due to the overpopulation of internet users I assume. There's also a nice courtyard in front if you need to take a break from the office environment inside.
A fast-paced cafe office space where you can order coffee and lunch. I had a good americano and a delicious broccoli and cheese soup. The large open bar was packed to the brim with techies on laptops. Each person around me was discussing a different design or web development project. The wireless was moderate due to the overpopulation of internet users I assume. There's also a nice courtyard in front if you need to take a break from the office environment inside.
4 Barrell Coffee
375 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA
Spacious, modern coffee bar. I ordered a doppio and it was one of the best I've ever had. Savory then sweet. Slightly fruity and very energizing. The crowd seemed like an in-crowd that I desperately wanted to be a part of.
Spacious, modern coffee bar. I ordered a doppio and it was one of the best I've ever had. Savory then sweet. Slightly fruity and very energizing. The crowd seemed like an in-crowd that I desperately wanted to be a part of.
Cup of Joe
896 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA
Friendly and casual coffee shop that is mostly populated with Academy of Art students. The wireless connection is moderate. The people watching is fantastic if you sit facing the window. Plenty of breakfast and lunch food. I didn't try the coffee, but my guess is that it's moderate.
Friendly and casual coffee shop that is mostly populated with Academy of Art students. The wireless connection is moderate. The people watching is fantastic if you sit facing the window. Plenty of breakfast and lunch food. I didn't try the coffee, but my guess is that it's moderate.
Cafe Trieste
609 Vallejo Street, San Francisco, CA
Conversation about Ernest Hemingway in one corner and PCs vs. Mac's in another. It feels like old Italy and there are photos on the wall of famous artists of old America. The tables are colorful mosaics and many are occupied by laptop users. The wireless is fast.
The espresso machine is old, and the caffe au lait that I ordered is delicious. The coffee they are grinding smells like heaven. At noon, there was a band playing gypsy jazz, I think.. I'm not positive because I was so distracted by the pizza, pastries coffee and people.
Conversation about Ernest Hemingway in one corner and PCs vs. Mac's in another. It feels like old Italy and there are photos on the wall of famous artists of old America. The tables are colorful mosaics and many are occupied by laptop users. The wireless is fast.
The espresso machine is old, and the caffe au lait that I ordered is delicious. The coffee they are grinding smells like heaven. At noon, there was a band playing gypsy jazz, I think.. I'm not positive because I was so distracted by the pizza, pastries coffee and people.
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