saeta Senior Member Joined: 6 Feb 2004 Posts: 13 Location: Houston Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Thu Mar 18, 2004, 2:13pm Subject: Re: Coffee in Texas
saeta Said:
We have a few great cafes in Houston. Try Empire Cafe or Brasils on Westhiemer. I am somewhat new to this coffee thing, so I havn't had a whole lot of time to "develope my palate", Empire seems to have better espresso but Brasils has a much better atmosphere and food.
Dolce & Fredo got best espresso in the Houston Press in 2002, but I havn't had a chance go there.
Kaveh Kanes in downtown Houston is supposed to be good, I think Mike McKim of Cuvee Coffee is thier roaster, I know that he he knows his product and is very passionate about coffee, if I can find out some other coffee houses that he roasts at, I will post them.
Ok, I hope I haven't led anyone astray. Went back to Brasils the other day and had a really bad Cappucino and horrible customer service. A moajorty of the time the guy there are nice, but I would stick to beer if I went there (they have Newcastle on tap).
Empire is still ok, nothing special.
Finally went to Dolce and Fredo, I wasn't impressed. Ordered a Double espresso and it was really runny and thin.
Diedrichs is the about the only place thats conisistent that i have been to. Anyone else notice the lack of consistency in Houston?
Still haven't been to Kaveh Kanes. I also want to check out Crickets and Jupiter, two places that got mentions on this message board. I'll post when I do.
Tetoff Senior Member Joined: 25 Apr 2003 Posts: 9 Location: Boston Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Nuova Simonelli Oscar Grinder: Mazzer Mini E Drip: Technivorm Moccamaster
Posted Thu Mar 18, 2004, 2:38pm Subject: Re: Coffee in Texas
Brasil is indeed pretty uneven in quality. Great sandwiches and good beer, though.
Agora, loosely across the street from Brasil is pretty uniformly poor, at least every time I've been there it's been nigh undrinkable.
Kaveh Kanes almost always tastes pretty sour to me; but they do seem to take a lot of care, so maybe it's improved in the past few months as they've ramped up the business.
Onion Creek up in the Heights occasionally kicks out a truly great shot...depending mightily on who is working the machine. Quality-wise, though, it's been the most consistent I've found in Houston.
Posted Thu Mar 18, 2004, 3:58pm Subject: Re: Coffee in Texas
I work in Grapevine.
In downtown Grapevine there is a place called Espresso Etc. It is on the Southeast side of Main street, almost out of the downtown area, but still in a group of downtown buildings. The "Etc" is sandwiches and dessert.
I was there for lunch today and had an awesome double. It was redish brown colored. When I was done the inside of the cup was still the same color. Mmmmmmmm.
There it is hit or miss. I have had really good shots like today, and decent shots. They have a pretty cool commercial Rancilio machine they use. Plus I like to patronize the non-chain stores when I can.
cellocoffee Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2004 Posts: 195 Location: Austin, TX & Taiwan Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Expobar Grinder: Mazzer Mini Vac Pot: think espresso Drip: think espresso Roaster: not yet
Posted Fri Mar 26, 2004, 6:28am Subject: Re: Coffee in Texas
Just found a new place in Austin. It's called 360 UNO in a kinda upscale shopping plaza on West lake and 360 Hwy. They serve Segafredo, italian sandwitch, pizza and imported desserts from Italy(!). The owner and manager seem from Italy. The desserts are pretty good if you want to get away from sugery American cakes. THeirs have good flavors. They use automatic machine so the foam isn't too impressive but espresso is quite good for a quick luch get-away. Try it, if you find you way in Austin....
Posted Fri Mar 26, 2004, 7:09am Subject: Re: Coffee in Texas
I have done in a little research in the Dallas area. There is a coffee roaster in the Meadow Central shopping center called Kaffa Roasting. They have a Probat in the shop. They will sell you fresh roasted beans or green beans for home. They are very friendly and wish to engage the coffee community. However I found the espresso and Machiatto I tried OK but nothing special.
There is a commercial roaster in Dallas, La Creme. They used to have a coffee shop but closed it. Now they distribute to restaurants. However, a new coffee shop - Nodding Dog - has opened in the Bishop Arts district in Oak Cliff that serves La Creme. They have sold me very fresh beans and also offered me green beans. Very convivial atmosphere, however the coffee is produced with a high end automatic. It was consistent at least. Very drinkable but not exceptional. They have music in the evenings and plan to offer free wi-fi access. Right across the street from Hatties if you know the area.
doublelungo Senior Member Joined: 1 May 2004 Posts: 1 Location: houston,tx Expertise: Professional
Posted Sat May 1, 2004, 3:03am Subject: Re: Coffee in Texas
i own kaveh kanes in downtowntown houston. it is always nice to see your name mentioned amoungst people who are serious about coffee. to set a few things straight..our coffee used to be roasted by mike mckim, we now roast in house using a diedrich table top roaster. which is awesome. nothing we serve is more than 2 or three days old. we have a four group lamarzocco and a swift grinder(which does wonders for consistancy). we use a fetco cbs-52h for our drip except for decaf which we don't make drip just americanos.
Posted Wed Jun 16, 2004, 1:06pm Subject: Re: Coffee in Texas
Tetoff Said:
Brasil is indeed pretty uneven in quality. Great sandwiches and good beer, though.
Kaveh Kanes almost always tastes pretty sour to me; but they do seem to take a lot of care, so maybe it's improved in the past few months as they've ramped up the business.
I live in Houston. My experience with Brasil wasn't good either. Empire is more consistent, they have a 2 (or 3) group Faema and a big Mazzer (regular) and a Rancilio MD40 (Decaf). I noticed the shots are better at Empire when it's busy. (Otherwise I just ask the server to pull a blank first to cool the group and heat the portafilter). Empire does not seem to employ "pro" barristas.
One of the reasons I have pro equipment at home is because I have been dissatisfied generally with espresso in Houston. I see that the owner of Kaveh Kanes posted in this thread - and that makes me want to try his shop.
When in AUSTIN - I go to Texspresso. They use a beautiful multi-group lever-operated manual machine. Many times the owner works in the one on Anderson Ln (in the Village center near the Alamo Draft House). That guy knows how to pull a shot...
But I still think I make better espresso at home than can be found in Austin or in Houston. (I haven't spent any time in Dallas)
madinlatespring Senior Member Joined: 1 Aug 2004 Posts: 1 Location: Austin Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sun Aug 1, 2004, 7:09pm Subject: Re: Coffee in Texas
I just moved from Houston, and I like a lot of the coffee houses in Houston. I live in Austin now and I miss the coffee in houston. I'm actually used to coffee drinks that are creamy and exotic. My coffee at home tends to be a sort of artistic concoction.
Brasils in Houston is nice, they are a very good enviroment type place though. I've had a cappucino once or twice but i normally order tea and food. If you want fancy deserts like creme brulee or teramisu then brasils is your place to go, but there coffee wasn't the most memorable thing. Agora was great, really good drinks. I've ordered thier cappucinos, granitas, lattes, cafe au lait's, and coffee drinks gallore. Very excellent. Also, they have giant brownies! They also serve baklava, and gingerbread men. You can buy beans there too. I have to confess a favorite of mine is unfortunatly a non-cofffee drink, they have THE best chai's. Very creamy, and there is something about them that is just unique. Agora is across from brasils on wiesthiemer in what looks like an old house with vines everywhere. The enviroment is great too, but better for a small group as it is quite... "cozy" ? The empire is great too, but the only drink i've ordered is the "milkyway" a mixture of esspresso, heavy cream, coffee, and chocolate syprup. There food is great, but i'd call it a restaraunt before i'd call it a coffee house.
Here in Austin, the best cup of coffee i've had so far is at "The hideout" which is also a theatre, comedy house, and venue for new talent.
If anyone could suggest other good coffee places in Austin, that would be great. I've tried the Metro Esspresso bar, Little City, and Mojo's Daily Grind but i wasn't quite satisfied. I told the girl at the counter of Spiders CoffeeHouse about my delema and she told me not to order coffee, but instead told me to order a juice infusion drink. The enviroment was great though, outdoor seating was most of the space they had but it was really awesome. Fun lighting on a giant deck/patio hanging from the branches of a giant tree.
SL28ave Senior Member Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 796 Location: Rockville, MD Expertise: I live coffee
Grinder: Baratza Virtuoso Drip: Technivorm
Posted Mon Aug 2, 2004, 6:03pm Subject: Re: Coffee in Texas
Hey Madeinlatespring.... I personally think the best coffee in Austin is at Mozart's Coffee Roasters on Lake Austin.... You just take that road or that bus I used to take, you'll get there..... They have a website too.... A lot of those coffeehouses you mentioned all get their coffee from Texas Coffee Traders..... Mozart's roasts their own, Jack their GM is in love with coffee indeed
gajetjunkie Senior Member Joined: 14 Nov 2003 Posts: 139 Location: Houston , TX Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: La Valentina Semi-auto ,... Grinder: Mazzer Mini ,Capresso... Vac Pot: Not yet , French Press Drip: Technivorm Roaster: Behmor , SC/TO
Posted Tue Aug 3, 2004, 2:58pm Subject: Re: Coffee in Texas
Found a couple of good coffee houses in the Houston area. Da Vinci's Gallery and Espresso on Main st in downtown Tomball. They have great atmosphere , art gallery , free internet , nice furniture etc. They really work at making great shots ,the barista actually uses a bathroom scale to check tamping pressure . Thats a first in this area. One thing they could improve on is using fresh roasted beans and a lighter roast. Still a good shot for this area.
The second place recently opened called Bukoba Coffee. It's at 15155 North Fwy take the Richey exit off of I45. Had a double shot there today. Very good , no bitterness , nice reddish brown crema. They use a commercial La Cimbali , and mazzer grinder. Had a cup of Guat also , it was excellent! Atmosphere is average , a few tables and chairs , and a few magazines and newspapers. But coffee is Great.
If you happen to be up on the north side of town give em a try.
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