Blue Gardenia on Mississippi is just 1.5 blocks from Fresh Pot. The 2oz double at Blue Gardenia was not ground to order and was pulled in about 18 seconds. Espresso was very hot, had no body and was slightly burned. I like espressos at Starbucks better.
I made a stop in here last week as well and had a similar experience. My double pull was too long and about filled the large espresso mug. It also had very little body and tasted burned, but it wasn't terrible. I asked the barista some questions and she admitted she had only worked there for 2 weeks so this is probably why. I will say it's nice to live just 1.3 miles from the Albina press and they set the bar very high :)
I'd keep it on the list though. The coffee is good and the espresso has potential.
Wow, that's very different from my wife and my experience. We just got back from Ristretto Roasters and I couldn't wait to get home to write this. I gotta say, I've never had a worse properly prepared double espresso as they just served me. I watched the barista prepare them and she did a fine job. Both were 20 something seconds and I saw no blonding out of the naked portafilter. But it tasted like the smell of a beer bottle full of cigarette butts the night after a party. Not just overly like tobacco, but like licking an ash tray. It was terrible. My wife's double capp was the same. It's a bummer because we had high hopes for this place and went out of our way to check them out.
FYI, in case you didn't know....Albina Press opened up another store at SE 50 / SE Hawthorne. I've been there a few times, and of course the drinks are amazing. I found the staff very friendly, and the atmosphere very comfortable.
I've been really impressed with Albina Press' new location at SE Hawthorne/SE 50th. In fact, I've been spending way too much money there since they've opened.
The baristas have been very friendly, very knowledgeable and passionate about their craft, and from my experience they are also willing to share that knowledge without any attitude.
Been surveying the Portland scene for a few years now. Agree that Blue Gardenia is second class. Never had a great drink at Ristretto either. Fresh Pot, Albina and Stumptown and Crema set the standard.
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