philosogeek Senior Member Joined: 21 Sep 2007 Posts: 448 Location: Northborough, MA Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Livia 90 Semi-Auto Grinder: Mazzer SJ, Maestro Vac Pot: Yama 8 and 3 cup Drip: Pour over, Clever coffee... Roaster: Behmor
Posted Fri Jul 27, 2012, 3:58am Subject: Re: Coffee Shop: Hot or Not! by Nathan Slabaugh
This was a fun read. Thanks for writing it!
I feel like I've been to the cafe pictured with the caption "Pretty on the outside and... Also tasty! This is an example of good presentation and good taste!" Was it near Boston? Taste cafe before it became George Howell Coffee perhaps?
Posted Fri Jul 27, 2012, 8:52am Subject: Re: Coffee Shop: Hot or Not! by Nathan Slabaugh
OR you can observe the coffee preparation for a minute or two. As well as taking note of what coffee is being used.
All you have to really do is ask a simple question like, "Do you pull it as a ristretto? What's the shot like?" 100% of the shops that don't care about coffee will have no idea how to answer any question like the two I mentioned without sounding like a$$es. Answers like, "It's good, best in town." or "I like it, it's nice crema, see the crema?"... are not good answers.
I actually got this answer once.
Barista: "What? What do you mean?" Me: "Ummmm like, do you pull it tight?" Barista: Ummmm like don't worry I TAMPER the coffee. We always tamper it. Me: *walks away fake smiling* K thanks.
earlds Senior Member Joined: 16 Nov 2003 Posts: 488 Location: Mobile
Posted Wed Aug 1, 2012, 6:33am Subject: Re: Coffee Shop: Hot or Not! by Nathan Slabaugh
Thanks for sharing this Nathan ,real nice.Makes me want to get my Norton out of the attic and and go looking for a good espresso.Lucky for me we have a good one in Mobile Al.
fishingeek Senior Member Joined: 3 Jan 2004 Posts: 43 Location: Denver Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto 2 Grinder: Mazzer Mini, Vario, Rocky,... Vac Pot: Yama 8, French Press, Moka... Drip: Hario V60 pour over Roaster: SC/CO, BBQ
Posted Thu Aug 16, 2012, 3:39pm Subject: Re: Coffee Shop: Hot or Not! by Nathan Slabaugh
Very entertaining. I appreciate the sentiment. It is a constant source of amusement to my family and friends when I walk into a coffee shop and make my assessment. Unfortunately, I leave more often than stay.
I would add large bins with stale coffee as another sign in the "Not" category.
I just asked a "barista" how they pull their shots and he said "with the espresso machine". The double wouldn't fit in the espresso cup. It was not drinkable. I am visiting Amarillo Texas and I don't think any good coffee is in the offering.
Posted Mon Sep 3, 2012, 8:48am Subject: Re: Coffee Shop: Hot or Not! by Nathan Slabaugh
Not a bad article - though, honestly, somewhat pretentious in tone. The article over-generalizes good versus bad: subjective reviews aside, some franchised coffee locations are good (like indies, alot depends on the owner's passion for the business and aptitude to deliver great customer service).
I agree that Metropolis is tasty, and water being served with espresso is a nice touch.
I would add that dirty floors are an equally good indicator of a not so great experience in a coffee bar as much as bathrooms.
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