caferacer Senior Member Joined: 22 Mar 2004 Posts: 97 Location: NYC Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Expobar Pulser Grinder: Rocky
Posted Sat Jun 20, 2009, 10:41am Subject: Cafe Pedlar, Brooklyn
I really, really want to like Stumptown. I've lived in Brooklyn for 30 plus years and grew up five blocks from their new Court St. cafe, Pedlar. This location has featured a number of businesses over the years from H&R Block to a succession of coffee shops. The Pedlar folks have done a phenomenal job of taking a historic corner store front and making it feel open and bright but also warm and old fashioned. This is the Brooklyn of today that has fostered the "market to table" movement as epitomized by restaurants and purveyors like Frankie's and Marlow and Sons. It's time we had a great roaster and a commensurate cafe in Downtown Brooklyn. The standard has been set by Gimme (Williamsburg), Grumpy (Greenpoint) and Southside (um, Southside?) but Stumptown is set to make the biggest investment and their roastery will be near my home. This is why I really, really want to like the coffee. I am mainly an espresso drinker so that is how I judge cafes. That makes this an extremely narrow review. The triple ristrettos at Gimme are my benchmark. Thick and complex, they routinely serve a "perfect" shot that I can rarely (OK, never) duplicate using Leftist on my Expobar and Rocky setup. Which is OK. I want the pros to be better than me. This is why Pedlar is so disapointing. I have been there five times now and the shots have ranged from pretty good to overextracted and bitter.
I am not professional reviewer and my palate is fairly undeveloped but today (after they gave my espresso to a woman who came in four people after me and I waited ten minutes for my drink) it was the worst yet. Thin, bitter and without much going on, it was a real letdown. Keeping it in perspective, it was still better than anything Downtown so I will be back, if for no other reason than to have their homemade pretzels and drink in the atmosphere. It also may just be the barista because there was a young man last week who was starting his shift and spent a few minutes getting his grind dialed in and delivered a beauty.
My recommendation is to see for yourself because your results may vary. Maybe try a milk drink. Talk to the friendly staff. Definitely have a pretzel.
caferacer Senior Member Joined: 22 Mar 2004 Posts: 97 Location: NYC Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Expobar Pulser Grinder: Rocky
Posted Sat Aug 1, 2009, 8:57pm Subject: Re: Cafe Pedlar, Brooklyn
OK. I stand by my original review BUT, I have been going back to Pedlar pretty regularly because I know they are fighting the good fight here in NYC and I have been rewarded with some "better" shots. Today the barista really went to great pains to pull a nice shot. Then she sunk it and started over. A tremendous effort that resulted in a very, very tasty espresso. Easily one of the better shots I have had anywhere. As I have said, I am not a pro reviewer but I look for flavors to come through in a shot and this one had plenty. That it was neither bitter nor sour and had nice crema and mouthfeel are givens. Go ahead and check out Pedlar and try a savory treat too. And the water tap with glasses is especially appreciated by this cyclist.
I grew up on LI, living in Boston for the past decade. But I frequently get down to NYC to visit friends (a few in Brooklyn, as well). Gimme is actually the one place I've been meaning to visit. I'm already excited to try their triple ristretto!
The triple ristrettos at Gimme are my benchmark. Thick and complex, they routinely serve a "perfect" shot that I can rarely (OK, never) duplicate . . .
Had a chance to visit the Gimme in Williamsburg, and you're totally right about their triple ristretto shots. Fantastic. A powerful, but not overwhelming opening taste and a deep, flavorful finish. Thanks again for the heads-up about Gimme.
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