Mtn Shot wrote: I have found Ritual good but a bit inconsistent. I didn' know there are two others, 4 Barrel and Bambino in walking distance; and motorcycle espresso. Are the shots good?

4 Barrel is on my list for my next trip to the City. All reviews of it have raved. Someday I'll find myself in San Jose & will be able to try Barefoot, which some say is at the top of the Bay Area list.

Also check out Roma in SF on Columbus (between Stockton & Union). I stopped in when I saw that they roasted their own--turns out they've been doing it for ages, and doing it well. I mentioned earlier that the shot is dominated by roast notes but has good body & sweetness. They pull it on a beautiful Spaziale & have an old 'Bric as wall decoration. I was tempted to ask about buying that particular piece of decor...

Cheers,
Paul

Best ever was at the Washington, DC Murky Coffee...Toscano pulled by the lady who was a finalist in the USBC, I believe. I identified myself as a CG'er, and after a perfunctory grimace (just kidding), she pulled and tossed 2 shots...the 3rd was almost "chewy" in it's texture, like coffee candy. Superb.
An unusual, and excellent coffee was served to me at Sugar browns, in of all places, Lubbock Texas.
I was also in the fine company of my Texas friend and professional barista, Jason Haeger ("Jasonian")
The roaster that supplies them wood roasts there coffee. The slight smoke taste was interesting, and unusual in a good way. Nice "collegiate coffeehouse" atmosphere as well.

Simon's in Cambridge, MA. Serves Terroir Southern Style Daterra.

Madras, OR
Any chance any HBer's have experience in the Madras, OR area? I'll be passing through sometime soon.

Update/edit: I was in Bend and came across Lone Pine coffees at the Farmers Market. On their website they list some spots that sell their coffee, but I did not come across an espresso stand. But anyway, the ethiopian they were giving in tastes at the market there had a very nice blueberry nose and nice taste. http://www.lonepinecoffee.com

So Central OR is not a coffee wasteland.



(Newberry Volcanic Monument, also near Bend)

SF CA - 4 Barrel now officially open (and best in town).

I'll second that, (Four Barrel best in town), been there several times now, first shot was a true "Godshot," but as with all "Godshots" not easily repeatable. Nice people, nice atmosphere.

My Italian cousin, a very particular espresso connoisseur, vacationed in California, NYC, and CT for a month last year and for a month this Sept. on the east coast...NYC and FL. He said that the best espresso he had in all his travels in the U.S. was found at this place:

Pinocchio
760 Ocean Drive, South Beach

Italian deli with the most delicious sandwiches, salads, bruchettes, pizzas, coffes & more

I've never been there, but next time we go to South Beach we'll have to give it a try.

I was in London the past couple of weekends and had great shots at Monmouth coffee. I was at the Covent Garden location and Borough Market. Borough Market was a bit better location, or maybe it was just not raining that day

Coffee was great there, and I brought a pound home. It is wonderful at home also.

http://www.monmouthcoffee.co.uk/

Seattle, WA: Espresso Vivace.

Vancouver, BC: Caffè Artgiano.

Santa Cruz, CA: Verve Roasters; Lulu's at the Octagon (which, for whatever reason, I have always found better than the original Lulu Carpenter's during repeated visits).

Los Angeles, CA: Intelligensia Coffee.

San Francisco, CA: Blue Bottle; Ritual Roasters (also in the city of Napa).

* * * * *

New Orleans, LA: Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch. Zero.

San Antonio, TX: Wildfire Coffee Roasters. The proprietor pulled a very nice shot, then I enjoyed an excellent French Press of Papua New Guinea roasted on the premises. No other coffee joint I've been to in San Antonio compares. Huebner Rd north of NW Military Highway 2 miles within loop 1604. A barista was willing to redo the shot when overextracted and her second effort was much better when I returned the following day.

In Austin, I tried The Green Muse. Nice digs, but the espresso I had, well, not potable.