I'm in Philadelphia right now, visiting from the West Coast. I'm visiting a friend here and it's my first time on the East Coast (unless you count a middle school trip to DC year back).
While I was planning my trip I came across something about John Hornall opening shop in Philly. This was before the portafilter.net podcast - which was great listening material during my flight. How could I visit without making a side trip to Chestnut Hill?
Today I was finally able to make the trip, 11 miles by train from where I am staying.
Chestnut Hill Coffee Co. is located in the Philly 'burb known as Chestnut Hill. It sits across from the Borders bookshop and maybe half a block from the end of the R8 regional rail line. Chestnut town is a nice looking place and a great location to house John Hornall's establishment.
When you walk into the shop you immediately feel right at home. It's not too bright, it's not too dark. The decor is classy but unpretentious; everything looks great but you don't feel like you are going to mess the place up by getting comfortable. Vintage moka type espresso devices are hidden here and there among the decor. The shop is equipped with a four group LM Linea and two Mazzer Majors. There's a downstairs seating area and an upstairs seating area. They have a lot of space for their customers.
The menu is simple: classic espresso beverages and drip coffee, bottled sodas, a great selection of top notch pastries, and some really good soup.
For now, until John starts to roast on his own, Vashon is supplying their beans. They have their house espresso blend (which is basically Hines), a house drip Indonesian blend, and a decaf drip blend. Once John gets roasting, they are going to expand their selection. For now, though, it works. The drip blends are solid and their espresso blend has a great track record.
I've never had Hines espresso before today; it really lives up to its bulletproof reputation. Not only that, but the baristi totally do it justice. From what I've seen today, John's got a well seasoned top-notch barista staff. Not only that, but John gets right in there and makes drinks too. The whole staff was extremely gregarious and great to chat with, John Hornall included. I talked to two baristi because I was there during a shift change. The first (I can't remember anyone's name but John's - I'm bad at that kind of thing) has been there since opening and intends to compete at some point. The second barista is a new addition and might compete at some point, but he told me that for the time being he's just excited to finally be at a coffee shop that focuses on nothing but quality. Both of these guys are the real deal. What more could you ask of your staff?
I'm really elated from the visit and I intend on going back tomorrow, my last day in Philly. I wish John and his staff the best - without a doubt, they are going to make it: they are everything a cafe should be and nothing a cafe shouldn't be. I could go on and on about this place, but I need to go to a pub to kill my buzz.
If you are anywhere near this place, you really need to check it out. There's no reason not to and you can't use distance as an excuse. Even if you're in New York City, you can make it to Chestnut Hill. It's easy: Take a P2P connector bus (www.apexbus.com) from 252 W. 31st St (just below Penn Station) to Philly Chinatown (11th St) - it's $25 round trip and takes two and a half hours each way. Walk on 11th a few blocks down to Market St. and take the subway west to 30th St. station. Walk to the SEPTA terminal, pay $6 round trip for R8 regional rail to Chestnut Hill and take the train to the end of the line (about 25 mins). Get out of the station, turn left, and there you are. See? Now you and all your friends can make a day out of Chestnut Hill Coffee Co. and you will not be sorry you did.
Nice writeup. I've been there and it's everything you said it is. The owner, Sultan Malikyar, has brought it all together - great ambience, an elegant interior, and top-notch coffee.
I went back to Chestnut Hill Coffee Co. today, my last day in Philly. John introduced me to Sultan and we had a nice chat.
He is extreeeemely knowledgable of the goings on, especially on the business side. He's very sincere, focused, and has all of his priorities alligned - he just has it all figured out. What a team.
On Wednesdays they have crepe specials; today mushroom crepes were the savory selection and nutella banana crepes were the sweet choice. I didn't get any because of my dairy restriction, but they looked great. One of the baristi came in on his day off for crepes, which not only says a lot about the crepes but the business itself.
Capn Senior Member Joined: 31 Mar 2006 Posts: 69 Location: NY/NJ/PA Expertise: I live coffee
Grinder: burr Vac Pot: yup Drip: pourover Roaster: me oven
Posted Thu Oct 19, 2006, 1:34pm Subject: Re: Chestnut Hill Coffee Co.
I would concur that CHCC displays an examplary specimen of a Philly coffeehouse. The sad thing is that it's only one of two real coffeehouses in the Deleware Valley area (the other is Crescent Moon Coffee & Tea in Mullica Hill, NJ). Philly really seems a lil slow on the uptake of good espresso...
PhillySteve Senior Member Joined: 17 Mar 2008 Posts: 32 Location: Philadelphia Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: La Marzocco GS/3 Grinder: Cimbali Max Hybrid, Mazzer... Vac Pot: not anymre Drip: only if I must Roaster: a bunch of'em
Posted Wed Mar 26, 2008, 7:11am Subject: Re: Chestnut Hill Coffee Co.
Capn Said:
I would concur that CHCC displays an examplary specimen of a Philly coffeehouse. The sad thing is that it's only one of two real coffeehouses in the Deleware Valley area (the other is Crescent Moon Coffee & Tea in Mullica Hill, NJ). Philly really seems a lil slow on the uptake of good espresso...
BTW. CHCC is terrific. I live about 2 blocks from them. It's fun watching the lines at $tarbuck$ shrink and CHCC is packed. John Hornall can be seen upstairs in the roasterie listening for the beans to crack -- always happy to talk coffee. The baristas are, for the most part, well trained and very friendly. The food is excellent too.
Capn Senior Member Joined: 31 Mar 2006 Posts: 69 Location: NY/NJ/PA Expertise: I live coffee
Grinder: burr Vac Pot: yup Drip: pourover Roaster: me oven
Posted Thu Mar 27, 2008, 3:17pm Subject: Re: Chestnut Hill Coffee Co.
Steve,
Can't speak for everyone, but I would say a lot of people don't really regard La Colombe as all that good. Personally, I've had a lot of their coffee (drip and espresso) and only a few times have I really thought it decent. These days with the Philly coffee scene getting a bit better, there's plenty better places to visit.
Can't speak for everyone, but I would say a lot of people don't really regard La Colombe as all that good. Personally, I've had a lot of their coffee (drip and espresso) and only a few times have I really thought it decent. These days with the Philly coffee scene getting a bit better, there's plenty better places to visit.
Embarrassed to admit I've not been. I need to get downtown to check our LaColombe and Spruce Street Espresso. Though with CHCC in my back yard, it's tough to motivate.
buckfush Senior Member Joined: 11 Mar 2008 Posts: 18 Location: philadelphia, pa Expertise: I live coffee
Posted Sat Apr 12, 2008, 5:47pm Subject: Re: Chestnut Hill Coffee Co.
So I finally got a chance to stop by this place today, as I had business to do in Flourtown and was right down the road.
Since it was the first Saturday of the year with temps in the 70s, it was packed as expected, with a line almost out the door. I ordered a double espresso, and had to wait for (no joke) 15 minutes, but it was a great drink. I almost bought some beans, but thought twice and didn't because I had just ordered a bag from somewhere else online. Anyway, if I had more time I would've hung out for a while, but I had to run so I'll base my opinion solely on the quality of the drink. It was great, but I'm not sure it was worth the wait. Regardless, if I lived closer I'd probably be there all the time.
Symbols: = New Posts since your last visit = No New Posts since last visit = Newest post
Forum Rules: No profanity, illegal acts or personal attacks will be tolerated in these discussion boards. No commercial posting of any nature will be tolerated; only private sales by private individuals, in the "Buy and Sell" forum. No cross posting allowed - do not post your topic to more than one forum, nor repost a topic to the same forum. Who Can Read The Forum? Anyone can read posts in these discussion boards. Who Can Post New Topics? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post new topics. Who Can Post Replies? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post replies. Can Photos be posted? Anyone can post photos in their new topics or replies. Who can change or delete posts? Any CoffeeGeek member can edit their own posts. Only moderators can delete posts. Probationary Period: If you are a new signup for CoffeeGeek, you cannot promote, endorse, criticise or otherwise post an unsolicited endorsement for any company, product or service in your first five postings.
= No New Posts since last visit 