Good espressos I've had away from home

[Chert]

...split from Good coffees I've had recently by moderator...


Would it be kosher on this site to post the following theme/question:

Where have you had a good espresso away from home?

I tried to find a tip on a good cafe in Washington DC before I travelled there but was unable to. Such a thread could list cities/towns and good coffeehouses.

E.g. Mobile, AL: Satori Sound cafe. Edit: As of July 15, 2008: The scene at this cafe is hip and friendly. Check out what is being done with old LP album covers! Sadly, the espresso makes me look forward to returning home to my Europiccola.

I know alot depends on the Barista, but you can waste alot of money on sink shots away from home.

Thanks.

Flint

[Chert]

Thanks, Dan for splitting this to a new topic. Hopefully others will mention diamonds in the rough.

Washington DC: Illy Cafe at 1143 New Hampshire NW made me a good one after a disappointing shot at Soho Coffee and Tea on P Street off Dupont Circle.

Cle Elum, WA: Pioneer Coffee Company.

Richland, WA: Barracuda Coffee, once used Zoka, but recently switched to Doma coffee and has a La Marzocca with PID.

Providence, RI: It's been 4-5 years, but the Coffee Exchange is memorable.

Flint

PS: I'm editing this entry as I venture into cafes that provide a good espresso.

[espressoed]

Ithaca, NY: Gimme! Coffee at their original location on Cayuga Street is responsible for the best shot I've ever had, pulled from their beautiful Mirage by a true espresso craftsman. (Made me step up for three more hits.) Though I live in the Hudson Valley I've been back several times since; pretty much every time I'm in the Finger Lakes region. The baristi at the Cayuga Street shop are very consistent in their shot quality and always leave me calling for more. Nothing like driving back roads in upstate NY while juiced on Gimme! Leftist.

[JimG]

Danville, KY: The Hub (Centre College bookstore).

NYC: Cafe Grumpy (Chelsea).

Jim

[barry]

Waterloo, IA: Iron Horse Coffee (drive-thru)

[cafeIKE]

Victoria, BC : Discovery Coffee

White Haven, PA : Main Street Coffee [Ellis Coffee Pittsburg PA]

Scranton, PA : Northern Lights [Gimme NY]

Burnaby, BC : 49th Parallel

[malachi]

Portland OR: Albina Press, Stumptown
Seattle, WA: Stumptown, Vivace
San Francisco, CA: Ritual, 4 Barrel
LA, CA: Intelligentsia
Sydney, AUS: Mecca
Chicago, IL: Intelligentsia
NYC, NY: Grumpy
Bishop, CA: Black Sheep
Vancouver, BC: Elysian

[Chert]

Thanks! Keep it coming. This is a great list for anyone travelling.

Flint

[HB]

Another resource is espresso map.

[Phaelon56]

I appreciate the concept of espressomap but wish it was updated more regularly.

My additions are places or locations not already mentioned (and I agree with what I've seen thus far)


NYC NY
Blue Spoon on Chambers St (uses Black Cat)
Gimme on Mott St in NoHo

Washington DC
Peregrine Coffee (Cap Hill - located on site of former Murky Coffee - not yet open but owner is former Murky manager and it is sure to be good)

Timonium MD
Spro Cafe in the main public library

Syracuse NY
Cafe Kubal on James St

Charleston SC
City Lights Coffee (not stellar but the best I've had in that state)

Atlanta GA
Octane Coffee

Santa Monica CA
Caffe Luxxe (Vivace beans and pulsl shots as good as Vivace)

LA CA
Intelligentsia in Silver Lake
LA Mill (have not actually tried them yet but reliable sources say it's very good)

Chicago IL
The Coffee Studio (have not actually tried them yet but reliable sources say it's very good)

San Francisco CA
Blue Bottle

Seattle WA
Victrola

Pittsburgh PA
Aldo

[espressme]

Mpls / St.Paul Minnesota
These shops are consistently excellent and both had entrants in this year's SCAA Barista championships. They know how to make the three group Synessos sing.

Black Sheep Coffee Cafe
705 Southview Boulevard
South Saint Paul, MN 55075
info@blacksheepcoffeecafe.com
(651) 554-0155
( This is a Paradise Roaster's shop with all the quality that implies.)

Kopplin's Coffee
490 Hamline Avenue South
St. Paul, MN.
KopplinsCoffee@gmail.com
651.698.0457
( They have a selection of different roasters' best on hand for the Clovers and one or two quality roasts for the espresso machine.)

They are a 70mile drive for me and darn well worth it whenever I can find an excuse to travel there.

[jitterypillpusher]

Destin Fl

I found a shop close to the corner of HWY 98 and Gulf shore drive, across from MOE's restaurant. (The name was "coffee grill" I believe) They had good eats and fresh roasted beans. Great place close to the beach to get your caffeine fix when on vacation. Saved me from the mermaids and my caffeine headache..

[owlbass]

This might be a shot in the dark, but does anyone know a good cafe in Sapparo, Japan? I'll be there for a month, and I know nothing about the coffee scene. Thanks

Owen

[DigMe]

Austin, TX - Cafe Medici (had 1 in semifinals at USBC), JP's Java

brad

[portamento]

Second the comments for Austin, TX.

JP's Java is pretty good... they serve Zoka Paladino shots, but often auto grind/tamp using a LM Swift.

Caffe Medici is my favorite... they pull a custom blend that I quite enjoy from Texas-based roaster Cuvee Coffee. The baristas build their shots by hand (no Swift) and seem to enjoy discussing coffee with the coffee geek / home barista crowd.

For brewed coffee, JP's serves Clover and Medici does french press.

Mozart's in Austin has a gorgeous setting on the lake, and they roast their own. But the coffee quality is middle-of-the-road, and lines can be long.

[DigMe]

Last time I was at Medici they were also using a Swift but the resulting coffee was quite nice. I think some of the baristas elect to use the Mazzer. Have they gotten rid of their Swift? I don't recall what grinder JP's had when I was there last.

brad

[portamento]

I think I read that Medici had a Swift when they first opened, but then decided to get rid of it. No Swift in sight on my last 2 visits to Austin this spring.

[Dan Streetman]

Brad,

yes Medici got rid of their Swift after Patrick Pierce won the South Central Regional last June, and took over training all the baristas how to use the mazzer.


I've also had great shots at Bar None Coffee in Georgetown, and Caffe Tazza in Tyler

[Chert]

Dauphin Island, AL: The Cow and Bean. It was a pleasant surprise to have a great shot after a walk on the beach. The ice cream was good, too. That was right before Rita and Katrina, but it looks like the cafe is still there.

Flint

Edit: I just learned that this good cafe is closed and the equipment up for sale. (6/29/2008)

[Beezer]

Santa Cruz: Verve Coffee Roasters, Fins, Lulu's.

Santa Rosa: Ecco Cafe.

Santa Clara: Barefoot Coffee Roasters.