tyeoman Senior Member Joined: 29 Oct 2005 Posts: 168 Location: Sydney Expertise: Pro Barista
Posted Fri Dec 29, 2006, 1:01pm Subject: where to find the golden drop in Austin Texas?
Hey guys,
Ive got a friend heading over to Austin Texas for 6 months and i would love to recommend him a few places to check out. Would be awesome if people could provide me with some detailed info (address etc) of some establishments where a good coffee is the norm!
Posted Fri Dec 29, 2006, 1:12pm Subject: Re: where to find the golden drop in Austin Texas?
The very best place I have found there is called Cafe Medici, on West Lynn between 11th and 12th streets. They have consistently great espresso and cappucino & latte (milk drinks with lovely art!). They use Meritage from www.cuveecoffee.com
The next-best for me was JP's Java at Duval and San Jacinto (just off the UT campus). They do well most of the time but parking is impossible there.
All of the other places I have tried in Austin are hit-or-miss
After hearing you mention this place a couple of times I decided to stop by there today since I was already in the area. I agree, they know their stuff! I decided to order a latte just to see if the barista was with it as far as microfoam and art go (I was tempted to just get a double shot but I wanted to see their whole production). They have a Swift grinder but he chose to tamp manually (or maybe it was a courtesy tamp because he gets tired of people asking "Why didn't you tamp?" or something). Shot time seemed about right and the microfoam was perfect. The rosetta was decent. Taste was great!
Jasonian Senior Member Joined: 8 Aug 2005 Posts: 3,832 Location: Lubbock, TX Expertise: Professional
Posted Sun Dec 31, 2006, 12:57am Subject: Re: where to find the golden drop in Austin Texas?
DigMe Said:
After hearing you mention this place a couple of times I decided to stop by there today since I was already in the area. I agree, they know their stuff! I decided to order a latte just to see if the barista was with it as far as microfoam and art go (I was tempted to just get a double shot but I wanted to see their whole production). They have a Swift grinder but he chose to tamp manually (or maybe it was a courtesy tamp because he gets tired of people asking "Why didn't you tamp?" or something). Shot time seemed about right and the microfoam was perfect. The rosetta was decent. Taste was great!
Actually, that announcement came well after I met the owner at a Jam we had at CuveeCoffee in Houston
DigMe Said:
After hearing you mention this place a couple of times I decided to stop by there today since I was already in the area. I agree, they know their stuff!
tyeoman Senior Member Joined: 29 Oct 2005 Posts: 168 Location: Sydney Expertise: Pro Barista
Posted Sun Dec 31, 2006, 10:38pm Subject: Re: where to find the golden drop in Austin Texas?
So aside from Cafe Medici, any other must see espresso bars? I would really appreciate lots of details as to the location because im an aussie giving directions to another aussie in austin so the more specific the better.
Posted Sun Dec 31, 2006, 11:04pm Subject: Re: where to find the golden drop in Austin Texas?
Directions to Cafe Medici - hard to say not knowing where he's coming from but let's say from Lamar since Lamar is easy to find and everyone knows where it is. If driving north on Lamar take a left on 12th street. Go 8 blocks and take a left on West Lynn. Cafe Medici is right there on the left. It's very small.
PaulTheRoaster Senior Member Joined: 2 Aug 2005 Posts: 336 Location: Urbana, Illinois, USA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Faema C84 A/1, Conti... Grinder: RR45, Zass, Solis Classic Drip: French Press, Swiss Gold... Roaster: RK drum
Posted Mon Jan 1, 2007, 9:30am Subject: Re: where to find the golden drop in Austin Texas?
I went by Cafe Medici Saturday and yesterday. Owner and staff friendly, passionate, professional and like to talk shop. (I just said "I heard you had good espresso," and that was enough.) It's setup so you can clearly see the machine. I had 3 espressos there on Saturday in about 45 minutes and I think they were going to cut me off :)
It was also a surprise to get quick service in Austin. At most shops you have to wait 10 minutes for your stale coffee whether there is one person ahead of you or ten, but not here.
JP's Java is also definitely worth a visit. (Went there yesterday, too.)
I think on average Cafe Medici is better by a hair, but the best espresso I've ever had was from JP's.
While you're at it, the Eastside Cafe is just up the road from JP's Java. I had a fantastic lunch there yesterday as well. Noone ever leaves that place disappointed.
So Austin is pretty good for espresso. Just don't go to Houston. The one anonymous coffee shop I went to on Westheimer--I saw a 6-second shot with most of the coffee coming down the outside of the portafilter. The PBTC laughed about it with another PBTC, then burned some milk and served it. Some people in another thread recommend this place.
Posted Mon Jan 1, 2007, 10:11am Subject: Re: where to find the golden drop in Austin Texas?
PaulTheRoaster Said:
While you're at it, the Eastside Cafe is just up the road from JP's Java. I had a fantastic lunch there yesterday as well. Noone ever leaves that place disappointed.
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