Espresso in Austin? - Page 12

Talk about your favorite cafes, local barista events, or plan your own get-together.
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Balthazar_B
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#111: Post by Balthazar_B »

Any reviews of Two Hands on Rock Rose?
- John

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Eastsideloco
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#112: Post by Eastsideloco »

My range doesn't extend that far north. I've only been to the Domain twice (for business lunches) in the 8 or so years since it opened. Plus, it's hard to keep up with the cafe scene in East Austin and South Austin. What used to be a wasteland is now an embarrassment of riches.

My sister-in-law came in for a weekend in February and requested an espresso tour. We visited four cafes over a 5-hour span with a stop for lunch in the middle. It was probably a 5-mile walking tour total-Cuvee, Figure 8, Easy Tiger (lunch), Houndstooth, Flat Track-but we were never really more than a mile from our front door:









BTW: Flat Track doesn't look like that anymore. They just opened up a new roastery and cafe at Cesar Chavez and Comal. The tiny shop at the back of Farewell Books is no more.

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Balthazar_B
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#113: Post by Balthazar_B »

Eastsideloco wrote:My range doesn't extend that far north. I've only been to the Domain twice (for business lunches) in the 8 or so years since it opened. Plus, it's hard to keep up with the cafe scene in East Austin and South Austin. What used to be a wasteland is now an embarrassment of riches.
I guess it'll be up to me then. I'll be in the area soon, and it seems to be the only cafe in the vicinity of the Domain that gets decent reviews from the public at large.

If anyone's aware of a better alternative, I'm all ears.
- John

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CrabRangoon
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#114: Post by CrabRangoon replying to Balthazar_B »

Will The Domain be your only destination? If not, plenty of good drinks (elsewhere) in town to be had.
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Balthazar_B
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#115: Post by Balthazar_B replying to CrabRangoon »

Yup. And on the advice of a local, I think I'll be hitting Bee Cave instead of Two Hands.
- John

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crusty cup
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#116: Post by crusty cup »

Fleet Coffee has opened their first location at 7th & Webberville. The principles are Patrick and Lorenzo, formerly of Medici. This is a small spot, with several indoor seats and a larger outdoor area. The coffee bar is an amazing study in efficiency, as well as being beautiful and very meticulously well-planned. All the usual top-flight equipment is there, plus some appliances I don't recoginize. Those appliances must be good, by association. Tables are small - you'll be completely out of luck if you wish to spread out an e-size sheet, unless you can be outdoors with the wind. Additional outdoor seating is planned.

Two espressoes are on offer, as well as signature espresso-based drinks. No music, which is fine with me, as it gets out of hand in most places. Why do we need music all the d--- time?

Lighting indoors is good. There's speedy internet service. A steady trickle of customers gives life to the space in the afternoon, without choking things up at the point of sale.

Espresso is the more acidic, vibrant, west-coast kind, not the subtle, recessed chocolaty kind.

I'm not so into fruity espresso (it does make the cash register ringgg, though) but I respect these guys for their coffee knowledge and their other coffee experience. They are people who can use all the tools in the toolbox, without fear. In my world, that says something. If you're into coffee & tea you should check it out, and talk to Patrick or Lorenzo. You probably will learn something interesting. Their hours are 7-7 every day.

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CrabRangoon
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#117: Post by CrabRangoon »

Meant to post this sooner but totally flaked - oops! Tomorrow night, Cafe Imports is holding their third Stump The Roaster at Medici with local Austin roasters (plus one out of towner).

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JavaRanger
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#118: Post by JavaRanger »

Pretty cool...I'll try to stop by!

DucaiMann
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#119: Post by DucaiMann »

Eastsideloco wrote:While I have been too busy to make it over yet, Fleet Coffee's tiny shop is pretty big addition to Austin's specialty coffee scene:

http://sprudge.com/fleet-coffee-96916.html
Let me know when you want to head over there :)

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Eastsideloco
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#120: Post by Eastsideloco replying to DucaiMann »

Will do. I almost went there this morning, but walked to Flattrack's new location instead. (They are still building out the cafe and roastery, but have an espresso cart up and running with a 1-group Speedster.) If weekends are best for you, we could sneak out to Fleet Coffee this afternoon or Sunday. I'm deep in a manuscript for work right now, but can always make time for a coffee break.