Spinnaker007 Senior Member Joined: 24 Apr 2003 Posts: 1,775 Location: Chicago! Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Tue Jan 6, 2004, 7:07am Subject: Re: Chicago Area Coffee Shops/Roasters
Ron,
I am sorry to hear that your visit to Fat Bean was a big fat disappointment. You have saved me a “wasted” trip to Naperville. I guess I owe you a drink (you can email me, and we can arrange to meet at Intelligentsia’s downtown location one day.)
If I walk in to a café and see a dirty machine, I would walk out right away. If the machine is clean, and I am in line, I would watch how the barista work the machine, pulling the shot, and steaming the milk. If I don’t like what I see, I would walk out. Call me super picky!
In any case, I hope your visit to Alterra will be a successful one. Let me know if like their espresso.
Posted Tue Jan 6, 2004, 7:01pm Subject: Re: Chicago Area Coffee Shops/Roasters (long)
spnakr007 Said:
Ron,
I am sorry to hear that your visit to Fat Bean was a big fat disappointment. You have saved me a “wasted” trip to Naperville. I guess I owe you a drink (you can email me, and we can arrange to meet at Intelligentsia’s downtown location one day.)
Alterra was a real treat! When I visited their web site, I noticed that they had five locations, so I sent them en e-mail to figure out which was closest to my customer. I received a reply within an hour from Lincoln Fowler, one of the partners. Since I had mentioned this site, he suggested that, as a CoffeeGeek, I should visit their main site and gave me very good directions.
I made it to the site at about 11:00 and the place was packed! The look and feel reminded me of the Intelligentsia site in Lincoln Park. Lots of wood, comfy seats, tall stools and bench tables along the window. Along one side, there was a counter with loads of nice looking pastries, drip coiffee makers and a three group La Marzocca that was spotless! They also had two Mazzers filled with beans. I was fourth or fifth in line, so I had a chance to watch him work. He ground each shot to order , tamped, knocked, and tamped again and pulled the shot. The shots were beautiful... I counted in my head to 25 (or so) and each chot was pulled either into a demitasse or a clean metal pitcher, depending on the drink. Fresh milk waqs poured and frothed for each drink. The first three custoemrs ordered michas which were served in a large latte mug with whipped cream, but the next customer ordered a latte to go. I watched as the barista built te drink, and he finished the to-go cup with a beautiful rosette! I almost ordered a latte just to get a rosette, but i wanted to try their espresso so I ordered a double (and a blueberry scone...). He pulled my double into the demitasse and it filled the cup almost to the rim. The crema was rich and dark, and probably abbout 3/8 of an inch. I grabbed a stool behind the La Marzocca so I could watch him work and sipped the espresso. It was wonderful. As good as I have had anywhere, with nice flavor and verynice mouth feel. I'm not an expert, so I;m not going to even attempt to describe it further, but I loved it. The scone was also very nice, with plump, juicy blueberries. While I was enjoying my drink and snack, I talked to the barista whenever he had time. He was very friendly and even gave me an impromptu latte art lesson. One thing he told me that I think is funny is... "When your are pouring the milk, relax. If you're even a little bit tense, the pattern just won't flow." Of course, when I try to pour latte art, I'm generally freaking out over the consistency of the foam,, the crema, the phase of the moon...
Anyway... After finished, I went to buy some beans. They have two large roasters which were being reloaded when I was there. There were sacks of green beans all over the place (neat, but there were stacks all over), and they had an extensive list of coffees including a rather large list of blends. I ordered a pound of espresso blend and the young lady grabbed an empty plactic coffee bag, wrote espresso on it and sent it sailing to the back ot the shop on a wire/clip arrangement. We talked for a few minutes and then I heard a clank and my bag of beans came sliding down a metal chute next to the counter. They have a conveyor system of baskets that brought the sealed bag up to the front of the store. On the way out, I had a chance to meet Lincoln and talk for a few minutes. Nice guy, and a nice business. One of their newest cafes is along the Milwaukee lafefront not too far off of I794 in an old pumping station building. I think I'll stop there on my next trip.
Alterra does sell their bean on the internet at www.alterracoffee.com. According to Lincoln, they roast Monday through Friday from 6:00AM until 2:00 or so, depending on load.
When you're in the Milwaukee area, Alterra is definately worth the visit!
ned Senior Member Joined: 7 Jan 2004 Posts: 1 Location: sheboygan Expertise: Professional
Posted Wed Jan 7, 2004, 7:30am Subject: Re: Chicago Area Coffee Shops/Roasters (long)
ron- thanks for the kind words in your review......i'm sorry i was so rushed on my way out....i'm managing a bathroom remodel in my home and had to ensure the sheetrock was going up right.
it is good to know our barista was on target (i will pass on your praise). we work dilligently with all our staff to ensure espresso quality and employ three roaming trainers to audit and train our newer staff members. your scone came from our own alterra baking company.....and i like to think it shares the same level of quality with our espresso.
your fellow coffee geeks may enjoy the following details:
- the mazzer grinders you saw include a mazzer "robur".......a very powerful, conical burr grinder (think of a mazzer on steroids). in fact, the unit you saw was the first of its kind in the united states. i spied one at a show years ago and bugged my importer until we were able to get a sample. we liked it so much we kept it......and now they are imported by several groups in the u.s. we had trouble with the grinders heating too much during our morning rush and found that the only solution was the robur.......the original version was 3-phase electric and i was disappointed when mazzer designed the u.s. version with standard 120 volt single phase......it is still a beast, but i would have loved to have a 3-phase espresso grinder! it runs at very low rpm (about 900) and puts out cool ground espresso at a far faster rate than it can be used.......this is one reason we can grind for each shot without wasting a great deal of time. it might be a bit overkill for home use, but if your willing to part with $2500 or so......
- i gave you the most conservative numbers for our roasting times.....to make sure anyone who make the pilgrimage here will not be dissappointed with idle roasters. during much of the year we run well into the evening hours.
- the roasters you saw were a probat g90 and a special edition ug22 (the numbers refer to the bach capacity in kilos......198# and 48# respectively. we got lucky with the ug22 acquisition and found a nickel plate edition in germany.
- i would be pleased to give you or any of the other coffeegeeks out there the quick tour of the facility.......simply give me a day or two notice so i can ensure i am here and we'll show you the workings of our plant.
Posted Wed Jan 7, 2004, 4:18pm Subject: Re: Chicago Area Coffee Shops/Roasters (long)
lincolnf Said:
ron- thanks for the kind words in your review......i'm sorry i was so rushed on my way out....i'm managing a bathroom remodel in my home and had to ensure the sheetrock was going up right.
Hi Lincoln... Welcome to the forums. This is a great site! I have learned so much from the regulars here. Anything you can contribute would be very welcome! Don't worry about running out. I knew I was catching you on the way out the door, but I just wanted to say hi. I will take you up on your offer of a tour on one of my trips into the area. When I know my schedule, I'll let you know.
I can't wait to try the beans I bought yesterday. I almost opened the bag this morning, but I had some Liquid Amber from Sweet Marias that was already opened, so I finished that instead. Your beans are on tomorrow's menu!
As I predicted, I was able to make it to the Newport Coffee House before I made it to Elmwood Park! I had an appointment in Waukegan this morning, so I stopped by Newport on the way back home. I walked in at about 11:00 and there were about 6-8 people in the place. I was greeted as soon as I walked in the door by two women behind the counter. I ordered a double espresso and started ogling the pastries in the glass case. The sound of the grinder reminded me that I wanted to watch them make my drink! I stepped around the large pillar that is inconveniently in the middle of the counter and saw a shiny three group La Marzocco (at least I'm pretty sure that is what it was. The name plate wasn't visible.) The barista was tamping the espresso for my shots. Level, tamp, tap, tamp. Then she locked the portafilter into the machine and I noticed a thick capucino cup (like the ones shown on this site several times) that was filled with hot water, preheating. Nice Touch. Next she pulled the double. Nice timing (I counted to 26, I think), nice color and flow. She brought me my double and a slice af banana bread. The crema was nicely colored and fairly thick. The espresso was very good, with a smoother taste than Black Cat (not that Black Cat is bad, this was just smoother.) The banana bread was great, too!
Newport Coffee House is decorated more modern that either Intelligentsia or the Alterra cafe I visited yesterday, but very nice. They had wire frame chairs that were comfortable along with stools and a stool-height counter along one wall. Near the door there were four PCs that are available for customers. That was also a nice touch. They haved a roaster in one corner and roast their own beans. I have too many beans at home right now, so I didn't buy any, but I will go back again and I'll try some beans then.
When I was there, Joel, I forgot to tell them that you sent me! Sorry... The two women behind the counter were very nice. I talked to one of them (didn't get her name, but she had dark, curly hair) for a few minutes and got a suggestion of a Japanese restaurant for lunch. I'm not sure if I found the one she mentioned near Lake Cook Road, but I found one in the general area that had very nice sushi...
Posted Wed Jan 7, 2004, 8:38pm Subject: Re: Chicago Area Coffee Shops/Roasters
No name-dropper you!
My wife and I meet a group of other retired educators every Monday morning at the Newport. It's always a most pleasant place with fine coffee and good fresh pastry. I'm so pleased that you enjoyed my recommendation.
The Mexican Restaurant, San Gabriel, is the same center is also quite nice, as well as the fast food Greek gyros place.
Steve, If you do come up to Milwaukee to go to Alterra's let me know and we can meet there. I live only a few minutes away for both of the East side locations., If you go to the location at the "pump house" on Lincoln Memorial Dr., the Milwaukee Yacht Club is across the street--I keep my Laser and Colgate 26 there. I noticed you are a Laser sailor. Rob
Spinnaker007 Senior Member Joined: 24 Apr 2003 Posts: 1,775 Location: Chicago! Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Thu Jan 8, 2004, 1:31pm Subject: Re: Chicago Area Coffee Shops/Roasters
Rob,
Excellent! I like to have a latte with you and check out your sailboats...Since I am not a winter person, I have to wait until it gets warmer before I venture out. Sometimes I wonder why I still live in Chicago...
Spinnaker007 Senior Member Joined: 24 Apr 2003 Posts: 1,775 Location: Chicago! Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Tue Jan 13, 2004, 6:34pm Subject: Re: Chicago Area Coffee Shops/Roasters
My order from Alterra arrived today...It is a bit lighter roast, and tastes milder than BlackCat (made myself a latte right away). I haven't had a chance to try a straight shot of espresso, but so far so good...I have a close up picture of the beans, if you are interested to take a look...
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