Hamm Senior Member Joined: 22 May 2003 Posts: 521 Location: Kettering, Ohio Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Isomac Tea Grinder: Mazzer Mini Vac Pot: I'm not that kind of guy... Drip: From the faucet occasionally Roaster: La Terze Roasterie,...
Posted Tue Mar 9, 2004, 9:04am Subject: So what's your best coffeeshop experience?
All this talk the past week or so on S'bux bashing, politics, general mediocrity in commercial coffee has made for some weirdness.
How 'bout sharing your most favorite coffeehouse experience? This topic might already reside elsewhere, if so, how 'bout a repost?
I'll start with one I had early last summer.
Before my Tea, I used to go into this local shop every morning. A guy about my age worked there, and there were so many regulars, he would remember what each customer liked and make their drinks accordingly. Well I never had to say a word to him. He just had this intuition as to how I liked the espresso. He knew I worked in a public school and during the last week of classes, I was running late one morning. I walked in and the line was about 15 people deep. After about a minute of aggravated waiting, he called me up and had my drink finished. He gave it to me for free, knowing I was already late. Turned out to be the best danged cappuccino I'd had from there. (Next day, I double tipped him, but I don't think he saw it)
Sadly, he doesn't work there anymore and the rest of the employees don't share his passion for quality. But last I heard, he had moved up into a very successful career in journalistic writing. I'll never forget that, and it's amazing that it wasn't much more than a barista going the extra mile to make his customers' lives easier.
I know a lot of you have to have better stories than that one, so let's see 'em!
Posted Tue Mar 9, 2004, 9:16am Subject: Re: So what's your best coffeeshop experience?
Nice idea, Hamm... I hope this thread has as much activity as the one I started regarding my experience at a "major coffee chain"... <grin>
Here's a link to a rather lengthy message I wrote after a visit to the main Alterra Coffee Roasters location in Milwaukee. For those who don't feel like reading the whole thing, here are the highlights... I had heard about Alterra from Spnakr007 (Steve) here on Coffeegeek and was headed to Milwaukee on business so I decided to try it. I e-mail them for directions and received a quick response from one of the founders. When I arrived on site, I liked the atmosphere and the people. The Barista (yes, he was one...) was even pouring rosettes on the to-go drinks! I sat at a counter near him and started up a conversation, and he even gave me a short lesson on pouring a rosette! I still can't do it , but it was nice to see him do it...
RMyers Senior Member Joined: 24 Feb 2004 Posts: 74 Location: Plainville, MA USA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Expobar Pulser, Solis SL-70 Grinder: NS MCF,Wega 6.2 Drip: Press Pot Roaster: HWG
Posted Tue Mar 9, 2004, 9:38am Subject: Re: So what's your best coffeeshop experience?
This story is along the same vein as Hamm's. I was fortunate enough to be sent to work in Barcelona for 2 weeks one February a few years ago. The guidebook I had said that Bracafe was a good place for espresso and, luckily, it was close to my hotel. They made really good straight espresso, cortado's and cappucinos. The espresso machine was a semi-auto so the barista actually determined the shot length.
This place was not a tourist spot, and mornings found the locals (lots of'em) having a quick cortado and bocadillo(kind of a mini sub sandwhich) before going to work. I began doing the same. I would have a quick cappucino and jamon y queso bocadillo before going to work. More often than not, I was waited on by a very efficient, no nonsense woman who seemed to be able to effortlessly get the masses fed, watered and off to work.
After 2 weeks it was time to go home and I really missed my morning ritual. Well, three months pass by and I am sent back to Barcelona to finish my project. On my first morning back, I walk into Bracafe and the server glances up at me and says "Cappucino?". After not seeing me for three months, this woman, who probably served several thousand drinks during my absence, remembered me and my usual order.
Posted Tue Mar 9, 2004, 10:47am Subject: Re: So what's your best coffeeshop experience?
I won't call this my best experience but one of the more memorable. Late one night last year I went to Cup-A-Joe on Hillsborough Street to pick up some beans for the weekend. While I was waiting, I decided to order a decaf (!) espresso to see if it was worth making at home. That was one of the sweetest, richest, flavorful shots I'd had in months. I was so surprised that I ordered another. Again, the same sweet, rich flavor.
I wasn't able to reproduce that same shot at home and returning back to Cup-A-Joe was always hit-and-miss. I later found out that they are renowned for inconsistency and have since switched to mail order beans. Every couple of months I go back hoping they have refound the magic. Not yet.
Ron...you guys have Intelligentsia...it's third on my list of best coffee experience. The coffee was great the experience was average, but it is in a downtown dropinoffthestreetinabigmetropolitanarea so I didn't expect the baristi to chat.
malachi Senior Member Joined: 5 May 2002 Posts: 1,758 Location: SFCA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Monster Mia (for now)_ Grinder: Monster Cimballi Junior Vac Pot: Not any more Drip: never Roaster: Ecco, Stumptown, Intelli,...
Posted Tue Mar 9, 2004, 3:49pm Subject: Re: So what's your best coffeeshop experience?
since this isn't about the best drink but rather the experience...
a couple come to mind.
1) walking into Giacosa in Florence the first time and seeing the baristi in their tuxedo-like suits and ties... and then getting a perfect cappuccino.
2) the second time I went to JJ Bean at Granville Market and the woman behind the counter, instead of asking me what I wanted said "ristretto?" (and then served it to me - at a to-go only espresso bar - in a pre-heated demi) and it was goooood.
3) getting reading to leave work yesterday and having a newish employee say to me, "you know... I used to think dark roasted coffee was good but I can't drink it anymore." I asked why. He said, "I just can't really taste the coffee if it's dark roasted." (hey - it was an experience and it was in a coffeeshop and it was great.)
Bman Senior Member Joined: 28 Jan 2004 Posts: 237 Location: Johnstown, PA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Miss Silvia, Bialetti Grinder: Mazzer Super Jolly, Gaggia... Vac Pot: Nope, Bodum Press Drip: Not any more Roaster: I-Roast, Freshroast
Posted Tue Mar 9, 2004, 7:48pm Subject: Re: So what's your best coffeeshop experience?
Springtime in my cafe at Penn State in college with James Brown blaring out into the street windows and doors wide open blowing fresh air and slurpin down a cup of coffee in the prime of my life, a true celebration of life and youth that I will cherish forever.
espressoDOM Senior Member Joined: 1 May 2003 Posts: 2,189 Location: Bay Area Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: WEGA Lyra (vibe) Grinder: Mazzer Mini Vac Pot: (no more coffee equipment) Drip: French Press Roaster: Hot Top Roaster; Fresh Roast...
Posted Tue Mar 9, 2004, 9:25pm Subject: Re: So what's your best coffeeshop experience?
My best experiences are broken up into three different coffee experiences: (WHY)
One has to do with customer service. It goes to Eton @ Global Trends for hooking me up with 2 free shots of espresso PLUS a glass of water inbetween when I was deciding on what blend to buy for my espresso @ home... it seemed like above and beyond the call of duty, but was much appreciated...
Two has to do with an experience I had @ Pete's about 4 months ago. It wasn't so much about the espresso.... or the coffee beans... I happen to know the roaster there (I knew him when he worked at a momandpopshop) He was real cordial and hooked me up with fresh beans and a fresh cup of brewed coffee.... Great guy and great conversation....
The third experience was with my most cherished memory....STUMPTOWn the newest location in Portland.... WOW It was really my first A1 coffeeshop experience. The DJ had music going on the turntable.... the artdeco feel of the shop was very cool/hip....(wow I sound really square sayin' that)
The first drink was a cappa.... WHAT was THAT.....woah...that was tooo GOOD... Girlfriend order a latte.... WOAH....SHE DRANK the whole thing .... WOW okay okay.... wait....that was LATTE ART....geez..... hit me off with a straight espresso...... hmmm pretty good....
My girlfriend is dragging me out of the coffee shop as I am relishing the experience....okay you have to realize this is like MONTH 2 of coffeegeekness for me....
The MISTRAL machine that pulled my shots was GLORy To BEHOLD....
so we leave and go next door to this breakfast spot..... delish.... GREAT breakfast while I read the papern (it was creeping in the back of my mind) we pay the bill and I am like NO WAY can I pass this place without another shot
So we grab a shot and another latte with togo latte art....
why do MOST of the best baristi' have tattoos.....(i digress)
We were in town on business... so between sessions... what do we do... jump across the bridge and roll into the city and pick up 4 latte's to go (ALL with latte art)
MAN ... I may never forget that experience
Stumptown will always be in my top 10
DOM...evil genius ...Up to no good in espresso at all times... VIVA la parts de Espresso
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