CoffeeGeek - Regional: United States West, Santa Rosa CA -- Sonoma -- Napa Valley Coffee?

Regional: United States West
Santa Rosa CA -- Sonoma -- Napa Valley Coffee?

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BitchMidwife
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Joined: 8 Apr 2007
Posts: 23
Location: on the road
Expertise: I love coffee

Posted Tue Jun 19, 2007, 5:17am Subject: Santa Rosa CA -- Sonoma -- Napa Valley Coffee?

Hi All, Well my travel assignment here on CA's Central Coast is almost done I'm going to Santa Rosa, in CA's other wine country ;), next. Too bad I don't like wine the way I do coffee :) Any recommendations or suggestions for coffee shops in this area? Besides Starbucks ... the Bay Area has some of the best coffee so I hope this is also true of the North Bay/wine country area!!! Thanks!

SJM
Senior Member

Joined: 17 Nov 2004
Posts: 1,508
Location: CA
Expertise: I love coffee

Posted Tue Jun 19, 2007, 9:19am Subject: Re: Santa Rosa CA -- Sonoma -- Napa Valley Coffee?

When in Santa Rosa, try Flying Goat Coffee on 3rd Street in Railroad Square. Until I got a roaster, and even now when I'm too lazy to roast, that's where I buy coffee beans (and an occasional latte). They roast them at their parent location just a few miles north in Healdsburg.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Gaggia/

TyMcNulty
Senior Member

Joined: 7 Feb 2005
Posts: 13
Location: Los Angeles
Expertise: Professional

Posted Tue Jun 19, 2007, 2:46pm Subject: Re: Santa Rosa CA -- Sonoma -- Napa Valley Coffee?

You should really go to Sawyers News on 4th street in downtown Santa Rosa there is a little cart inside that uses Ecco Caffe coffees and has always had a great staff everytime I have been. Flying Goat is great cafe but for the best espresso experience in Santa Rosa the Sawyers News cart will always have my vote.

BitchMidwife
Senior Member

Joined: 8 Apr 2007
Posts: 23
Location: on the road
Expertise: I love coffee

Posted Tue Jun 19, 2007, 9:04pm Subject: Re: Santa Rosa CA -- Sonoma -- Napa Valley Coffee?

Thanks for the suggestions. Will try all of them! Am looking for great coffee shops to study in; SFBA has the best I've found anywhere, and I hope Santa Rosa has a few of its own!

alsterling
Senior Member

Joined: 28 Dec 2005
Posts: 682
Location: Dana Point, CA
Expertise: I live coffee

Espresso: La Spaziale S1 (Had Expo)
Grinder: Macap M4 & Gaggia MDF
Vac Pot: Not yet...
Drip: Capresso MT-500 & Melitta...
Roaster: Hottop Digital

Posted Sat Jun 23, 2007, 6:41pm Subject: Re: Santa Rosa CA -- Sonoma -- Napa Valley Coffee?

Sorry I didn't see this post earlier. The recommendation linked to Ecco Cafe' is an important one. Andrew Barnett, a very notable member of the Specialty Coffee Industry, has his roasting facility in Santa Rosa. He delivers to one rather well known shop downtown, which may have been mentioned? Regardless, I hope that you found that cafe, as Andrew's blends are some of the best in the USA.....no kidding. Best, Al in SoCal

Member No.12047 - SCAA http://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/AlSterling Warning: Close cover before striking "Space Available Here for Something Really Prolific"

SJM
Senior Member

Joined: 17 Nov 2004
Posts: 1,508
Location: CA
Expertise: I love coffee

Posted Sat Jun 30, 2007, 10:51am Subject: Re: Santa Rosa CA -- Sonoma -- Napa Valley Coffee?

I would like to hear back if/when anyone else has tried either or both of these locations. I have been a customer at Flying Goat ever since I discovered it a few years back, and still recommend it highly. Per the earlier post on this thread, I tried the cart at Sawyer's News this morning on my way to the Farmers' Market, and while I found the community there and the equipment and the presentation to be excellent, the latte (12 oz double) didn't measure up to what I am used to at FG. It was fine, but the shot just couldn't hold its own against the milk. What I treasure at FG is the absolute espresso-ness of even a latte. The milk is there, but the flavor is still espresso. The latte this morning was a milk drink with a coffee flavor. Good, but....not what I am looking for. Still, if you are in downtown SR, and don't feel like going over to RR Square, check it out. It definitely has an excellent ambiance, and the fact that it is in and surrounded by all of the books and magazines that make up Sawyers' is definitely a plus. Susan

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Gaggia/

alsterling
Senior Member

Posted Sat Jun 30, 2007, 11:59am Subject: Re: Santa Rosa CA -- Sonoma -- Napa Valley Coffee?

Susan, I'm going to guess that you've read the recently reactivated thread on "Monterey/Carmel" in this section. Using a qualified "Coffee Guide" in the San Jose and Santa Cruz area, CG'er Gary, I experienced what I like to refer to as "sweet and smooth" macchiattos. To be fair, I like a bit more than a dollop of froth......I like a tablespoon of milk and as much froth as will fit into the 3.5 oz cup. Summary comment; I had some really good drinks. An interesting point, not often discussed in the forum as much as coffees, is the milk used. At Blue Bottle in San Francisco, and also at Lulu's in Santa Cruz, they're using Clover Brand (local dairy) full octane homogenized whole milk. I hope I've got it right. Also of interest, and during our trip to Barefoot Roasters in San Jose, was the use of a "high fat content" milk being tested and called "Barista Milk" by the proprietor. Since, from the beginning, I've been using 2% private label market milk, I'm now going to experiment with available milks. (I'm sure there are posts on the forums about this subject.) I returned to SoCal from the Bay Area last night, and with milk on the mind, had to go to the local market this AM to make a "diaper run" (no pun intended). So in addition to "Newborn Huggies" for our youngest Grandaughter (2 wks old).....got some Alta Dena Dairy (famous local dairy) whole milk. I've been using the store brand 2% up until now. I've been thinking that for milk drinks, there has to be more to it; and a better way. Why fuss over the beans and blends, and then just use any old milk off the shelf? Susan, maybe part of a definition of a great Latte or Cap or Macchiatto has to include details on the milk? Best, Al

Member No.12047 - SCAA http://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/AlSterling Warning: Close cover before striking "Space Available Here for Something Really Prolific"

SJM
Senior Member

Joined: 17 Nov 2004
Posts: 1,508
Location: CA
Expertise: I love coffee

Posted Sat Jun 30, 2007, 12:31pm Subject: Re: Santa Rosa CA -- Sonoma -- Napa Valley Coffee?

CLOVER is the best!!!! http://cloverstornetta.com/ Any Bay Area shop using anything else is doing a disservice to its customers.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Gaggia/

alsterling
Senior Member

Posted Sat Jun 30, 2007, 12:36pm Subject: Re: Santa Rosa CA -- Sonoma -- Napa Valley Coffee?

Yes, I'm trying to work, but no, I can't pass up going back to the "threads"...... Susan, thanks for the website. They sound very much like Alta Dena. I went to Cal Poly Pomona, Marketing, with one of the daughters from the Alta Dena family. They've resisted the mass merchandising approach to milk since forever, and sound much like Clover. Best, Al

Member No.12047 - SCAA http://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/AlSterling Warning: Close cover before striking "Space Available Here for Something Really Prolific"

GaryH
Senior Member

Joined: 24 Oct 2003
Posts: 2,526
Location: San Jose California
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Isomac Zaffiro
Grinder: Macap M4 Doserless
Vac Pot: none
Drip: yes
Roaster: none

Posted Sat Jun 30, 2007, 11:14pm Subject: Re: Santa Rosa CA -- Sonoma -- Napa Valley Coffee?

I've been to Centro at Sawyers News on 4th street in downtown Santa Rosa many times in the past and visited again on Jun 30, 2007. The downtown area of Santa Rosa has lots of statues from the Peanuts cartoon which are lots of fun to look at. This summer the theme is Snoopy, "Joe Cool". (Click for larger image)

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