AdamD Senior Member Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Posts: 66 Location: MA
Posted Mon Aug 20, 2007, 1:46pm Subject: Re: The Real Deal for Boston
Your check's in the mail, Steve ;)
Seriously, thanks for the enthusiastic support. As much as I love coffee, it's not really the coffee in itself that drives me, but rather it's making positive connections to other people that makes work in this biz worthwhile.
I hadn't seen all of Kenneth's reviews of my coffee lined up like that before, so thanks for that link too. I really appreciate it.
Posted Wed Sep 12, 2007, 10:21am Subject: Re: The Real Deal for Boston
George Howell did not sell out. He knew what he was up against; he could not defeat that machine, he took the money and made a new space for us, founding the Cup of Excellence competitions and the SCAA. Now what the Bread and Circus folks did, selling to Texans when they had a defendable position, buying luxury goods, letting their egos ruin their marriage, and then complaining about Whole F**ds business practices a couple of decades later; that's selling out.
BTW Acton, home of Terroir is west of Boston.
I'll check out atomic (and it's a bit of a trip for me) For those who want to check out Cambridge/ Somerville, I'll point you to my misspost of last night's coffee adventure. Boston shot report
AWholelattalatte Senior Member Joined: 24 Feb 2005 Posts: 69 Location: ma. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: La Marzocco 3 group linea... Grinder: SJ mazzer
Posted Thu Sep 13, 2007, 3:04am Subject: Re: The Real Deal for Boston
I just started my first semester at Gordon Conwell and happened to find Atomic's Beverly shop. My wife and I were wonderfully pleased with the coffee and espresso, so I think I will be frequenting this establishment quite often. But I am really looking forward to buying a pound of their espresso for home use. Great shop and would recommend it to anyone in the area.
dlee388 Senior Member Joined: 29 Feb 2008 Posts: 4 Location: us Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: looking Grinder: rocky Drip: french press Roaster: popcorn mod
Posted Sat Apr 12, 2008, 6:12am Subject: Re: The Real Deal for Boston
Just visited Atomic Cafe (4-12-08) in search of the "god shot" to try to convince myself that I should spend big $$ on an espresso machine. Here's my review:
- First to preface my comments, I'm a newbie at drinking coffee, but I'm a very experienced wine taster. I'm not overly fond of acidic drinks (sourness) and perhaps more experienced coffee drinks seek out acidity in their coffee?
- Small, friendly local cafe with tables and a counter. Lots of customers. I sat at the counter and the barista was very friendly and willing to talk about their espresso while she worked.
- I ordered a double ristretto, a latte, and a bacon/egg/cheese sandwich (more in a bit why this is relevant).
- After I placed my order, the barista immediately started setting my expectations lower because they didn't currently have their reserve beans available and she said that they were serving espresso with a lighter roast that might not pull the best ristretto.
- The latte came first. Nice clean taste. No burnt overtones or aftertaste like Starbucks. Nice, simple latte art.
- Then the ristretto. To my tastes, it was pure acidity (sour). It was a crisp sour, light body, and clean finish (no lingering aftertaste)
- After discussing the sourness of the ristretto with the barista, she offerred to pull me a full shot to see if it would be any better. Unfortunately, still the same as the ristretto. No real difference to my palate.
- During this process, my bacon, egg and cheese sandwich arrived. The cheese was a cheddar cheese. And cheddar cheese tends to taste sour when melted. So my breakfast sandwich was sour in addition to the espresso. At least adding sour on top of sour diminishes the sourness of the shots when going back and tasting again after a few bites.
My visit was inconclusive. I didn't find the god shot, but I didn't get to taste the beans the barista would have preferred to have been serving for shots. I live about 30 minutes away from this cafe and went there specifically to taste their espresso based on the comments in this thread. The milk drink was good, the people behind the counter were really friendly and willing to talk about coffee. However, the ristretto and espresso shots were pure acidity to my palate and I probably won't go back unless I happen to in the area. Still looking for the god shot somewhere around Boston.
Posted Sun Jun 15, 2008, 4:48pm Subject: Re: The Real Deal for Boston
I recently visited the Atomic Cafe in Beverly MA and enjoyed a triple shot of their Daterra Farm Reserve Espresso. It was a very nice shot. The Cafe is a very busy pace. It is nice to see a non Starbucks cafe outside of metro Boston this busy. Also, I purchased a bag of the Daterra Farm Espresso and have had some very good shots of espresso at home. I will be back to get more beans and to try other varieties.
CaffeCaffe Senior Member Joined: 27 Oct 2003 Posts: 75 Location: Fort Worth, TX Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Livia 90 Auto Grinder: Rocky
Posted Sun Aug 3, 2008, 1:05pm Subject: Re: The Real Deal for Boston
You want a real cup of espresso from someone who is passionate about coffee?? Go to Salem Food & Liquor Market, 331 Washington Street, Dedham Ma. Ask for Enzo to make you a coffee, tell him Richard from Texas sent ya.
Posted Thu Oct 16, 2008, 1:46pm Subject: Re: The Real Deal for Boston
Have been using a fair amount of Espresso Ticino from Flying Goat in Calif and Espresso Classico from Pardise Roasters in Wash. More recently have tried Espresso Intensi From Atomic Cafe in Beverly MA - A more Southern Italian, somewhat darker roast - great crema, full body and and a long chocolate finish. Stands up well to milk.
Its great to have a high quality local roaster! They finally got a web presence and I suspect will become more widely known in coffee circles.
I still get tickle when I buy a latte and see latte art in the foam!! These guys really care.
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