desmoquattro Senior Member Joined: 16 Apr 2008 Posts: 21 Location: San Francisco Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Rancilio Silvia Grinder: Innova
Posted Wed Apr 16, 2008, 7:49pm Subject: Good Espresso in Downtown Boston?
Hey everyone. I'll be visiting Boston for a few days at the end of the month, and I'm wondering if there are any decent places to get a shot downtown? I'm staying at the Club Quarters near Post Office Square Park, and I'll be on foot so I'm hoping there are better choices than Starbucks in the vicinity. Any tips?
bsalinas Senior Member Joined: 7 Aug 2007 Posts: 34 Location: Boston, MA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Livia 90, Linea 3AV Grinder: Super Jolly, Le'Lit PL53,... Vac Pot: Hario TCA-2, Yama 5-cup,... Roaster: HotTop (mostly computer...
Posted Thu Apr 17, 2008, 11:03am Subject: Re: Good Espresso in Downtown Boston?
Your best bet is to get on the T and head up to the Cambridge area.
Simon's Coffee Shop near Porter Square (a 3-5 minute walk from the T stop) is widely considered the best shop in town for espresso. They serve Terroir on an LM FB80.
Near Davis Square (also close to a T stop) is Diesel. They serve Intelligentsia on a GB5. In my opinion, their espresso is consistently a step below Simon's (though still pretty good).
In Union Square (accessible by a 20ish minute walk from Central Square, or a bus) is Bloc 11. They also serve Intelligentsia and have the same owners as Diesel. In my experience, Bloc 11 has less consistency and is usually a step below Diesel.
There are other shops here and there but generally they are not worth visiting if you are specifically looking for outstanding coffee. That's pretty much it for shops actually in the city.
wijwij Senior Member Joined: 23 Apr 2008 Posts: 1 Location: Boston, Mass. Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Classic
Posted Wed Apr 23, 2008, 9:42am Subject: Re: Good Espresso in Downtown Boston?
Maybe I will get flamed with my first post, but within walking distance of Post Office Square you can go to the North End and find good coffee at Caffe Paradiso, 253 Hanover Street. Just follow the crowds past Faneuil Hall and turn right after the Union Oyster House.
When Andrea is working there (Tuesdays and Saturdays) you will get an excellent drink.
singforsupper Senior Member Joined: 22 Feb 2005 Posts: 489 Location: NY State Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Fiorenzato Bricoletta Grinder: Mazzer Mini E Vac Pot: - Drip: French Press Roaster: Caffe Fresco-Tony Sciandra
Posted Thu Aug 7, 2008, 3:12am Subject: Re: Good Espresso in Downtown Boston?
Do seek to explore a better quality of espresso. Paradiso is really not up to the level of espresso that is generally discussed in this forum. It's thin, bitter and blond crema. Third wave espresso may be something you are yet to experience and that' s OK. Once you do you will know why Paradiso is not third wave.
Coffee, I must have coffee, And if anyone wants to give me a treat, Ah!, just give me some coffee!
Posted Thu Aug 7, 2008, 4:53am Subject: Re: Good Espresso in Downtown Boston?
I'll also toss in a recommendation for Simon's. You may also want to try Crema (somewhere in Harvard Square), I believe they have Terroir Coffee (like Simon's).
Clingstone Senior Member Joined: 18 Nov 2002 Posts: 126 Location: Boston Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Isomac Tea and FF X3 Grinder: Rocky D.Less and Virtuoso Roaster: iRoast
Posted Thu Aug 7, 2008, 9:12am Subject: Re: Good Espresso in Downtown Boston?
I'll also put in a plug for Simon's. Consistently the best anywhere around Boston. Cafe Vittorio's, in the North End, may not serve the best shot, but they are acceptable. Throw in the atmosphere, a yummy canoli or tiramisu, and a stroll around Hanover St. and you could do a lot worse.
"AND THE BOSTON RED SOX HAVE WON THE WORLD SERIES! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!!??"
coffeeDirtDog Senior Member Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Posts: 327 Location: Cambridge, MA Expertise: Professional
Posted Sat Aug 9, 2008, 4:24pm Subject: Re: Good Espresso in Downtown Boston?
There are a lot of Terroir accounts in Boston like crema and Velouria and many many others doing the black label(sorry it's kraft bags now) deal. Simon's though is inescapable for me given my own personal history there and the fact my brother now pulls behind bar. I think he's organizing an event there soon with pourovers. I still feel that many of the newer shops like crema lifted a lot from Simon's.
I do recommend Simon's as the best in the area. Ask for Chris or Simon and weekends or nights are the best to get conversations.
I dropped into cafe luna in central, was not exciting but there was a passionate kid working there named Nate. Hirise in harvard Sq has Ben, Chris, and Judson on good equipment but the blend shifts a lot so give them slack. Newton's Taste has Nik running the only Synesso in the area.
Those are the places I visit. Would love to know of more.
leyland Senior Member Joined: 15 Jan 2008 Posts: 16 Location: Roseville Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ExpoBar Office Pulser Grinder: Baratza Virtuoso Drip: French Press?
Posted Wed Aug 13, 2008, 10:53am Subject: Re: Good Espresso in Downtown Boston?
Well I came out from California for a wedding and a few days in the Boston/ Cambridge area. I searched the web for some helpful hints of a good shot of espresso and was excited to have Terroir for a change, as it is not so common on the west coast.
Simon's
I went there with high expectations and was devastatingly disappointed. I walked up and asked what kind of espresso they had. Very simple question for any barista. Instead of answering he pointed to a grinder. All I really got from the label on the other side was it was Terroir Daterra. Despite still not knowing which Daterra it was I was mildly satisfied and ordered an espresso. I watched the barista half assedly.....if thats a word.....pull a 2-2.3oz double that was very blond. I took a sip, set it back down, and sadly walked out. Now I did hear someone order a ristretto which maybe I should have done the same, but either way, it should have been drinkable.
Crema Cafe
I stopped by hoping for someone to redeem Terroir. I walked in and saw they did french presses so I inquired what single origin coffees they could press. The girl was some what confused and said they have a light roasted house blend. I then asked if they had any single origins on the property and she said let me check and came back with another coffee that she thought was a single origin but the barista pulling shots informed her it was not. I ordered a press of the house blend and an espresso. This barista was slightly more skillful than the one at simon's. My shot came out again around 2-2.25 ounces and very blond. I kindly asked if he could pull me another one, a little bit shorter. He said, and here is where I got a bit confused, "It pulled in like 13 seconds, If you want me to pull it shorter it will come out in 10, we are having some trouble with our espresso grinder so I had to use the latte grinder instead." I said that all was well and tasted my shot, put it back down and walked up stairs. The house blend press was bland and slightly dark. Very flat tasting coffee.
Now there are many reasons as to which both experiences could have turned out so bad, so I will give both the benefit of the doubt and try them both again tomorrow.
I will also try to stop by the other places mentioned above.
Coffeebound Senior Member Joined: 10 Mar 2008 Posts: 2 Location: Cambridge MA Expertise: Pro Barista
Posted Wed Aug 13, 2008, 7:57pm Subject: Re: Good Espresso in Downtown Boston?
leyland, Sorry that was your experience at Simon's, I'm going to talk to Simon and find out who that was. I hope you come back, I can personally pull you a shot as I'll be working Friday evening (after 2pm) and Saturday morning (before 12pm). You can ask for me (Chris). I assure you this isn't standard for Simon's.
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