Bar Harbor and Portland, Maine

September 19th, 2016, 12:21 pm

An upcoming trip brings me to these places and points in between. What say ye about coffee experiences?

#2: Post by **Chert** » September 19th, 2016, 3:34 pm

I would be interested in an update since this out-of-date thread. I had a great time in that neck of beautiful woods, November a few years ago.

Portland, ME.

As far as Bar Harbor, I recall a touristy spot with a Victoria Arduino lever and Lavazza, and a coffee shop with Batdorf and Bronson with a better utilized Rancilio two group lever. But again, out of date information.

September 19th, 2016, 3:51 pm

Thanks, Chert, for remembering this older thread.
I notice all the places mentioned are still there.

#4: Post by **brianl** » September 19th, 2016, 4:19 pm

Bard is pretty good for espresso. I was impressed

#5: Post by **aaronotb** » September 19th, 2016, 6:10 pm

Tandem Coffee in Portland is great. They have both a roastery with a small coffee bar, and an amazing cafe with fantastic baked goods as well. If you can only go to one, I'd visit the cafe/bakery (in a converted service station).

September 21st, 2016, 8:14 am

brianl wrote:Bard is pretty good for espresso. I was impressed

aaronotb wrote:Tandem Coffee in Portland is great. They have both a roastery with a small coffee bar, and an amazing cafe with fantastic baked goods as well. If you can only go to one, I'd visit the cafe/bakery (in a converted service station).

Thanks, guys. Much appreciated.

#7: Post by **objective1** » September 27th, 2016, 7:05 pm

Hilarious i spent a few hours last week looking for what was in this thread for likely the exact same reasons...

cruise ship visited boston (sat)/portland(sun)/bar harbor(mon)....

Boston - i finally just gave in to what was local and went to Ogawa... waste of effort...

Portland - Bard was a good smooth basic espresso... sweet and chocalatey... i'd go back
- Tandem the guest beans were reasonably good/okay it was a single origin that i can't even recall (obviously not memorable). the Tandem blend was just not good shot seemed a little long, bright, just not a return worthy experience. the baked goods were extraordinary though. after lunch and they have locally made ice cream as well along with amazing pies (apple and peach)... i'd go back for that and live through the espresso. (just enjoy the shots at Bard first

)

#8: Post by **LATrapp** » September 28th, 2016, 1:24 am

I saw Speckled Ax mentioned in the link above. I've had their coffee at a cafe in Portland 4-5 years ago and loved it and bought some then but didn't realize they had a cafe. Just ordered a couple of bags. Thanks for the reminder.

#9: Post by **brianl** » September 28th, 2016, 10:51 am

objective1 wrote: Boston - i finally just gave in to what was local and went to Ogawa... waste of effort...

That's a shame. Boston is one of my favorite coffee cities...George Howell, Render, and the Barismo (dwelltime is the one I go to a lot) locations alone are extraordinary.

September 28th, 2016, 1:10 pm

i was pretty sure we missed out... my other half wasn't very engaged in my desire to find a good spot... hence the ogawa stop... the places you listed were on my map as places to try (hoping to get the opportunity - but alas)

we'll be back in a few months looking forward to hitting your suggestions. Thanx