My barista friend Jefferson sent this...

Jefferson is from Seattle where he claims everyone trains as a barista for their high school diploma...

Stillwater, USA

Putting my feet up at Supreme Bean in Stillwater, MN

Excellent getaway this weekend after the turkey. Enjoyed espressos at Domacina Wine Bar Friday night and Supreme Bean the next morning. Stillwater rocks getaway style. We stayed at the Lowell Inn, dined at the Pirate Bar, hit the antique shops and finished our night at Brine's and Domacina. The owner of Domacina was a cool Serbian dude that understood the importance of fine wines, food and espresso. Definitely check out Stillwater next time you need a sweet escape from the daily grind...

What's better than espresso after fine wine and food? Well, nothing, duh...

Someone take these espressos from me please!

Tried to give Cuppa Java another chance but seriously! That was bad espresso. I couldn't even stomach the 2nd...

Nick and Eddie

Had 2 espressos at my new favorite place to eat, Nick and Eddie on Loring Park. This area has always had sentimental value for me being where my wife used to live when we first met and for the old Loring which has become regrettably the new Lurcat (yuck). Anyway, I absolutely love the food here and the ambiance and all our chill friends who wander in. Oh and let's not forget Ryan the friendly kick ass bartender that always knows what I drink and when I'm drinking it even if I don't... The espresso was much appreciated, especially since most restaurants are still serving basic brew coffee. My only suggestion might be a better bean, but other than that it was just what I needed after my jambon gruyere with raspberry sauce sandwich. Oh my. And did I mention my wife's band "Poosa" is playing Nick and Eddie Jan. 30th? Well I did now...

Don't panic!

This is actually later in the day at the Raddison downtown Minneapolis and my 3rd espresso. Not bad for "instant" and at least they remember the lemon peel...

2 Espressos with my good friend Herb Tim

Met my good buddy Herb Tim over at Dunn Bros in Linden Hills. We both enjoyed 2 espressos and good conversation. The staff at the coffee shop were very friendly and served up the good stuff! Was hoping to see my coffee buddy Shawn who works here but alas no... Last time I talked to him the City of Minneapolis was holding up the openings of at least 3 new kick ass high end coffee houses. C'mon Minneapolis! We need to raise the standards here. Get those coffee houses cleared!

I have kind of a dumb look on my face...

The Limits of Control on DVD today!

See the movie that inspired my 2 espresso devotion today! Visit Amazon's site by clicking here...

Hard to "Beat"

Dropped into The Beat Coffeehouse today and had a nice chat with Joel the owner. The place is very friendly and has a space to die for. Joel is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the coffee business. I had a Bull Run blend that had a pick me up aroma to it and a pretty good bitter aftertaste with hints of caramel. Joel even pulled me a shot of some single source Costa Rican that I liked for its acidity. The aftertaste didn't hang on like the blend but I appreciated its brightness and aggressiveness for some reason. Every day is different and every mood too I guess so some days are meant to be more acidic. Who knows, maybe it was the cold misty day that drew me to the Costa Rican, but I definitely liked it and appreciated Joel's hospitality. He's got a good thing going there in Uptown, definitely one of the better cups of espresso in that neighborhood. And he tells me they have a lot of live music and art openings too so I'll be back for sure to savor the espresso and other amenities at The Beat Coffeehouse...

2 espressos with friends...

Having 2 espressos with my friend Dan the Unabomber...

Beautiful day to relax and sip espresso

Here I am at Riverview Cafe enjoying my espresso on a beautiful, albeit cool, day. Sun was out and the Alakef blend went down smoothly. I appreciate this place more and more with it's relaxed atmosphere, tasty food and decent coffee. It was so nice to relax and read the paper and take in the day that was...

Of dog biscuits and OFT

At Bob's Java Hut the other day I didn't hesitate between the dog biscuits and the espresso, although I was tempted to drink the espresso. Just kidding...

Here is Espresso Expose' in Stadium Village. I didn't know they existed until we went to the Village Wok for Chinese food the other night. Damn fine food. Expose' had decent espresso although it was kind of the same old same old as many organic free trade places (OFT). I guess they all get the same beans from B and W or some other OFT place and since they don't really have any training in finishing off the process of preparing an espresso they all kind of taste the same. I feel sorry for the producers in Central America and Africa or Brazil that give us a good product, it gets roasted fine, but the machine is inferior and/or the barista has no idea how to make anything but the standard university student barista cup of espresso. Sad...

Finish the process man!