I searched this morning for a good place to go and found nothing too close to where I'm staying (Hayden off the 101). Looking at a list of local places I ventured out to Echo Coffee and was very impressed. Any place that roasts their own beans on a Diedrich, pulls them on a LM, and has a Compak k10, Mazzer Robur-E, and a Elektra Nino would have to try to pull a bad shot. The two shots I had were both ristretto cappuccinos that were fantastic. Echocoffee.com

michael wrote:any recommendations for the scottsdale troon area near pinacle peak

Press Coffee is great and is located in Scottsdale Quarter. Mulch Coffee is a new place that I think is only open on weekends (for now) in the Old Town Scottsdale area, if I am correct.

MattBellissimo wrote:I have heard good things about Lux ...

+1 for Lux
They have a custom made lever machine. It's been a while but I distinctly remember the coffee being very good. They roast their own beans as well. Very busy on the weekend. Very eclectic shop and crowd.

went to press yesterday in scottsdale

great coffee, lots of gear (including trifecta)

very cool place

I found Cartel in Tempe yesterday. It's very easy to miss as it's a block off a main road and has one small door with only a window on the side of that door. My wife and I stared at the door for a while wondering if we had the right place, but then two guys came strolling out with coffee.

Because of its location, it's a college hangout, but I must say, what the place lacked in appeal more than made up for it with their coffee. Hands-down the best cappuccino I've ever had, period! Sweet, very smooth with many details that were easy to pick up. I will be back to buy beans before I leave to head back to Utah.

Today my wife and I will venture out to try both Lux and Press. I'm dying to have a shot pulled on a big lever.

Hit Press Coffee today and was impressed, though not quite as much as I was with Cartel. Both of these places had Synesso's pulling shots ground in a Mazzer Robur-E, so it was strictly a bean/barista comparison between the two. I can't imagine anyone would be less than thrilled with anything served up at either location. Never would I have thought that such great espresso could be had here. Thanks for the recommendations.

went to lux coffee on north central today

an absolute must stop for anyone in the phoenix area

great coffee and food and a great scene

I hate to do it but I give -1 to Lux. I gave them two chances because of the positive reviews here and over at CG. My experience: Day 1: marvel at their LM paddle machine and tell the cashier how excited I am for my shot. A separate guy pulled it and when I got it I had no crema and a shot that was either over extracted or burnt because it tasted like dirt. My mom was equally unimpressed.

Day 2: I read that during the afternoon there aren't as good of shots, which was the time I went on Day 1. I went a little later and watched the girl as she pulled my shot. At the same time I saw a half pound of espresso beans for sale and inquired about the roasting date; the reply: "I don't know, the workers in the morning would know". Meanwhile I noticed the barista had smelled the shot and sensed it was off, poured it out and commenced to pull me a different one. Thank you. This shot was miles ahead of the first with quite a bit of sweetness but still nothing to write home about. I thanked the barista for the nice shot and told her it was miles ahead of the one I had previously.

Next time I am in Phoenix I don't think I will make a trip to Lux for coffee. However, they also serve some nice looking cocktails that I wasn't able to sample but they looked intriguing. The place also serves food I think. So maybe for a shop that has many different things going on it was decent but compared to other cafes I don't think it compares.

Instead go to Cartel-very good shot.

did you try press coffee; i went to lux twice and had some great coffee; also brought home some lux beans and made some great coffee at home

I am sorry I did not try anything but their espresso, that is how I feel I can really tell a difference between shops. So I guess I should have said that if you are looking for top notch espresso, this isn't the place to go for consistently good shots. And as far as the beans, I did buy a half pound and they were decent but I feel that a top notch roaster would be able to tell me exactly what day the beans were roasted despite shift changes. Like I said though, it is a very hip place that is doing much more than just coffee and I would be interested in seeing what else they have to offer the next time I am in town.