My cup overfloweth somewhat...

Stopped by Overflow (30th and University, Mpls) and took it all in. Sweet ambiance, nice getaway, love the central barstools and big cup. Espresso had a bright citrus aroma that seemed inviting but when I took a sip I came back surprised. It was contradictory in that it was syrupy, yet watery, smooth but no staying power. Like a decent bland if that makes any sense. I would have liked more bite to follow up that aroma. But I do recommend the place for its high ceilings and upper loft area for chilling out. I like the getaway but I'd have preferred a little take away taste...

Gotta like the big mug of quotations...

It's not espresso but it is very noble...

Thanks for the free cup of coffee Dunn Bros... It's nice to see them doing their part to get more people drinking the stuff. Now let's just keep raising the standards!

Passing by Nokomis

Discovered the Nokomis Coffee Cafe today. It's a mellow joint with what appeared to be pretty good food. Espresso not so hot but you knew I'd probably say that. 5-6 great espresso joints in the Twin Cities makes a man desperate.. Oh how I wish Public Coffee House would open!

My friend Steve posts photo from 7-11 in Bend, Oregon

Scathing review of Coffee Bene in St. Paul

You know, this is supposed to be a zen experience, but the state of coffee is rather sorry indeed some days. The sign says "Good People, Good Coffee." Unfortunately I am here to report that neither were true the day I stopped in. I asked for my standard 2 espressos in separate cups and was presented with 2 choices of paper cups. I have come to expect this occasionally but asked if they had any porcelain. The barista gave me the look of death and pulled out two mugs and rolling her eyes a little more asked if these would work. I said ok. Then with the push of a button I instantly got 2 watered down crappy non espressos with no crema and no real taste. Hey, at least I didn't have to take the taste with me.

Part of the problem with this place surely must be the fact that they are trying to cater to students from nearby St. Thomas. I feel sorry for the students. Although students, how much do you actually know about good coffee? I had to run to Kopplin's for coffee redemption afterward...

This picture was taken just before having to put my finger down my throat...

Later at Kopplin's with the "good stuff"

Gingko nutty coffee not espresso

It was to Gingko I came today with high hopes and aspirations. Smooth, good tasting coffee with a sweet light aroma but not the brightness or verve I would have come to expect from Alakef's arabica beans. Nutty yes, caramel yes, espresso no. But if I closed my eyes I could pretend I was at work where they brew some pretty good Folgers in the library.

The half veggie sandwich I had was pretty good though...

My friend Joe contributes...

My good friend Joe Menhem sent this photo from California...

Trotter's Cafe in St. Paul

I visited Trotter's Cafe in St. Paul today and have to say I like the place, the food, but not really the espresso. I had a wonderful Lemon Dill Lentil soup that not only tasted great but I felt younger after eating it. Unfortunately the espresso was downright nasty. Bitter, grounds-tasting, burnt Peace Coffee. I've pointed out in the past that some people can prepare Peace Coffee well and make it taste good, but this stuff... well not great. Of course they didn't really have a very good machine either so I guess there's room for improvement on all fronts. Visit Trotter's for the food though if you've got a hankerin' for good food though...

From the British West Indies no less...

This one is from our friend Anna taken at the Sunset Lounge at the Viceroy in Anguilla, British West Indies... Oh yeah...

The Purple Onion in Dinkytown

The guys down the street at Dunn Bros wanted to know how the Purple Onion compared to their stuff. Well guys, you have more heart and definitely know how to pull a shot, but I think the beans they were using at the Onion were just a little better quality. Your shots were thicker and a bit more oily but they had a dark roast that tasted pretty good. This isn't to say the Purple Onion lived up to my standards of espresso (no brightness, not the right emulsions, a little too watery, plus I'm not really a dark roast kinda guy) but it was a decent cup of coffee. And like you guys at Dunn Bros they were downright friendly people too. Both Dunn Bros and the Purple Onion had very nice places to hang out and lots of room. So there you go...

Shawn and Megan do us great honor

Look at this! Shawn and Megan invited us over to see their new La Marzocco espresso machine and we pulled Costa Rican shots like there was no tomorrow! The result? Well duh... Absolutely brilliant! Thanks so much guys ! See you at the N.E. Farmer's Market Saturday...

We're giddy...

Hard to screw the espresso up with this machine. They showed us how to tamp and grind and pour like the experts and coffee fanatics they are...

Shawn pulls the first shots... I was salivating just watching...

Megan shows us her tamping technique... I've got to get a bathroom scale to practice!

Poosa examines her flow...

And then she shows us the result... Bravissimo!

I pull my first shot like a dork...

The proud father...

Nice oily taste on my tongue

I tasted this coffee (in a good way) all the way back home down Lyndale. It had a slightly oily dark roasted feel to it that I liked. Usually I'm partial to lighter roasts when it comes to my espressos but something about this made me feel good. They brew Roastery 7's dark roast Infusso espresso. Not bad at all. My brother brought up a good point. He...

He wondered how objective one can be about coffee. I was wondering what anybody else thought. I agree it has a subjective side but there are certain "traits" of a great espresso. What do you think?

Muddy Waters muddy waters...

The water was muddied but not too sullied. I sat in water while drinking Muddy Water's muddy water. It wasn't bad coffee, just nothing exceptional. And we all know how demanding I can be... Decent aroma, a bitter that wasn't exactly the bitter you look for, caramel and nuts, no oils but damn fine cookie to wash it down...

The Crema and the Cookie

The bench I wet myself on...

Jackson's and Rue...

Met musician and film aficionado Bob Rue to discuss all things at Jackson's Coffee and Gelato, a new place on the corner of Bryant and Lake in Uptown. And I loved it! Kyler, the owner was there and we talked espresso, beans, importers, roasting. I was served an excellent 2 espresso (yes, they were both good) that had just the right bright aroma and aftertaste of nuts and barley. Turns out they get their beans from Flamenco which I'd never heard of but was very impressed by. It had just the right pull and a nice crema to top it off and there you go, that's all it takes to make me happy.

Of course I had to try the gelato so I tasted a cup of their pistachio. High quality. The place has a nice wide open airy feel to it so it was the perfect place to chill with Bob, sip my coffee, eat gelato and talk film, music, the virtues and vices of big bad LA and how we've kind of got it good in this town of ours...

Had to confirm the rumors, Cosmic's Coffee officially bites the big one...

I had read a harsh review of Cosmic's Coffee saying it was one of the two worst places for coffee you could go. I think I'm finally in the position to confirm the nasty taste of their espresso. Flat, not really even bitter, watery and downright scary to drink I was unable to even finish the first one... Now I'll go wash my mouth out at Kopplin's...

I think I'm trying to give these espressos away...

Homebrew's alright...

"Homebrew's alright with me,
Homebrew is the place to be..."

On the road to Cherry Pie and Espresso

Moose and Sadie's in the Minneapolis' Warehouse District provided my wife with some excellent pie and me with an excuse to sample their espresso. And we weren't disappointed. While my wife tasted the pie with a big grin on her face I tasted the espresso. Tyson pulled a pretty good shot with one of the nicest looking brown/red cremas I've seen in a long while. Crema should never be neglected. It's a very important component of any good espresso. This one really did look like it could hold a teaspoon of sugar for awhile. The Peace Coffee blend afforded an excellent bright and welcoming aroma followed by a nutty chocolate aftertaste. I liked it. Check out Moose and Sadie's.

The Warehouse District provides...

Been there Dunn that with 2 chill baristas...

TJ and Eric were more than hospitable and chill at the Dunn Bros on University and 6th. I didn't have high expectations because I'd been to other Dunn Bros and been moderately amused by what they call espresso but these guys made the experience worth it.

And here is the shot TJ set up for me. He really had an eye and I like this picture (despite my silly hat). You guys should go there just for the baristas.

Here's the excellent cup of espresso Eric made for me after playing around with their grinder that was giving them trouble. Eric put some serious effort into it and I appreciated it immensely...

This Dunn Bros is surprisingly big with some hidden areas for you to get lost in when you're drinking your two espressos. So do it...

May Day! No, seriously May Day!

May Day is so uber popular that it takes a while to get your order in, much less get a seat. They have all kinds of food fare and seem to do it well so everyone and their mother shows up. I had to take my two espressos outside by the bus stop since everywhere else was too crowded. I love the place but seriously,when you have to drink your coffee out on the curb... Espresso was alright, nothing to write home about, so I won't...

Cuppa Java yes, Espresso no...

Ouch this pace needs help with their espresso... Watery, no crema, not much flavor... What's a guy to do?! It was like drinking non-descript coffee from a sock...

Lisa Posts from the Minnesota State Fair

My friend Lisa Bond sent these pics from this year's State Fair...

Good espresso and they have cupcakes too!

Cupcake near Prospect Park on University surprised me. First off they have a great locale, with lots of space and a garden and did I mention cupcakes? Yeah, this place smells of cupcakes the minute you walk in the door and I'm talking gourmet cupcakes! But I was there for the espresso of course...

Truestone when done right can taste like it does here at Cupcake, that is good. The barista knew what she was doing, didn't over pour too much and the result was a pretty excellent cup of java. Hints of berry fruits and chocolate and lemon and cupcakes (no, I'm kidding on that last one) and just the right bitterness that sticks with you and makes you smile awhile after. It's nice to take the taste of a good espresso with you on your way out the door. Makes everything seem alright...