Thread
POLL: favorite coffee?
Does Kahlua count? 
Iced Cap from Tim Hortons is very good.
I guess the Starbucks in and around my area are not suffering from over... everything yet. Again, Starbucks has two appeals for me- the coffee quality has not suffered IMO (and, believe me, if I get a bad java- I am MOST DEFINITELY speaking up. Coffee is 97% profit- there is NO NEED for ANYONE to EVER get a bad coffee) and, hell, I got a soft spot for anything named for anything from Moby Dick (my work computer is named Pequod, my Newton is Quequeg, my PowerBooks have all been named Ahab, my OS X server is Mr. Stubbs with the second drive named Pip... this theme is continued with pets. My wife is hard at work on a bit of artwork for the new house- it will be a pub sign with a white sperm whale on it and lettered "The Spouter Inn". It is common for me to hand dinner to my wife and say "Clam or Cod?" Yah. I know. Obsessive. But, hell. It's Melville... not crack).
I am, however lucky to have lots of indie java pits around. I also scope them wherever I go. Anyone in the Providence area? The essential Joe shack is the Coffee Exchange on Wickendon. Excellent coffee and the wildlife is... let's just say you can sit there all night without a book and not be bored. When visiting the folks on the Cape, I hit the Chocolate Sparrow in Orleans. In Worcester it is the Tatunuck Bookseller- kicking cafe with a really nice bookstore attached. In RI, Ocean Coffee Roasters used to be one of the best- until it was bought out by Downeast Coffee. When I lived in Maine, I used to hit a pretty cool cafe in Halowell (near Augusta). I can't remember the name, but it sat right next door to a brewpub called "The Liberal Cup" which was, irony of all, right across the street from the Maine Republican Headquarters. Hee-hee.
If I had the capital, I would definitely find some seaside New England town near a college and open a java/ read/ 'net shop. I know the idea is unoriginal, but jeez, it'd be fun.
I am, however lucky to have lots of indie java pits around. I also scope them wherever I go. Anyone in the Providence area? The essential Joe shack is the Coffee Exchange on Wickendon. Excellent coffee and the wildlife is... let's just say you can sit there all night without a book and not be bored. When visiting the folks on the Cape, I hit the Chocolate Sparrow in Orleans. In Worcester it is the Tatunuck Bookseller- kicking cafe with a really nice bookstore attached. In RI, Ocean Coffee Roasters used to be one of the best- until it was bought out by Downeast Coffee. When I lived in Maine, I used to hit a pretty cool cafe in Halowell (near Augusta). I can't remember the name, but it sat right next door to a brewpub called "The Liberal Cup" which was, irony of all, right across the street from the Maine Republican Headquarters. Hee-hee.
If I had the capital, I would definitely find some seaside New England town near a college and open a java/ read/ 'net shop. I know the idea is unoriginal, but jeez, it'd be fun.
Well, I had no idea that coffee could be such a hot topic on a Mac user form!
My preference is the new Folgers Whole bean coffe. Specifcly the French Vanilla flavor. I used to buy the Millstone but the Folgers is only $3 a lb. That's half the price for better coffee! Well, I may not be as soffisticated coffee drinker, but I'm happy with it.
My preference is the new Folgers Whole bean coffe. Specifcly the French Vanilla flavor. I used to buy the Millstone but the Folgers is only $3 a lb. That's half the price for better coffee! Well, I may not be as soffisticated coffee drinker, but I'm happy with it.
when i buy coffee at the store, i usually go with starbucks cause its the best i can find on the shelf at krogers. when i go out for a coffee, i usually will go with a more independent than starbucks but i won't not go into a starbucks (despite all the political gentrification hullabaloo, which i suppose has some merit).
the best coffee ive had ever was at some place in berkeley california. i dont remember the name, but the kid behind the cappucino machine had this bear ear hood thing on, and basically he looked like a moron. but he made me the greatest latte ive ever had, hands down. he even swirled the milk around on top and made this little heart shaped pattern type thing that ive never seen anyone do before. it looked cool, and tasted amazing. i went back to the same place to get another one later in the night, but my bear ear'd mystery latte maker was gone, and somehow the latte wasnt as good. he was a magic man i tell you.
the best coffee ive had ever was at some place in berkeley california. i dont remember the name, but the kid behind the cappucino machine had this bear ear hood thing on, and basically he looked like a moron. but he made me the greatest latte ive ever had, hands down. he even swirled the milk around on top and made this little heart shaped pattern type thing that ive never seen anyone do before. it looked cool, and tasted amazing. i went back to the same place to get another one later in the night, but my bear ear'd mystery latte maker was gone, and somehow the latte wasnt as good. he was a magic man i tell you.
maxelson
LOL!
What a good topic. First off,
CaseCom: Dunn Bros. is good, but when you and your girlfriend are in south Mpls, how about Urban Bean, on Bryant St.?
simonjames: We get Lavazza in grocery stores here, and it's my favorite too.
maxelson [again]: Used to live in Providence, loved both Coffee Exchange, tho' it was even better (smaller) at its old Wickenden digs up the street (the new one doesn't have the intimacy of the old one) and Ocean Coffee Roasters (I think I remember some small caf� across from Brown's SciLi off of Thayer St). Up in Cambridge Caf� Pam-pompous, n�e Pamplona, is pretty good (despite the 'tude), and I used to hang out at the 1369's Central Square address.
As for what's wrong with Starbucks: I think their coffee is good. But it irritates me that I can stand on a corner in Astor Square here and see three Starbucks in three blocks, and to know that there is another around the corner on Broadway, another a block further on Second Avenue, three more up by Union Square (that's six blocks away), etc. You can sit in one Starbucks and look out onto another. Now why is that? The Starbucks at Union Square used to have competition from a Pasqua's coffee house in much nicer digs just to the east, and now Starbucks has bought them out. What bugs me is that the old Pasqua's has put a lot of thought into making a great inside/outside space for their coffee house, something I've never seen any Starbucks do. Instead, every Starbucks I see is just like the other ones, and this unending sameness in decor, furnishings and prices STINKS.
Still, I like their coffee. Fortunately, there's lots of other good coffee in the world.
T
Quote:
| "Clam or Cod?" Yah. I know. Obsessive. But, hell. It's Melville... not crack. |
What a good topic. First off,
CaseCom: Dunn Bros. is good, but when you and your girlfriend are in south Mpls, how about Urban Bean, on Bryant St.?
simonjames: We get Lavazza in grocery stores here, and it's my favorite too.
maxelson [again]: Used to live in Providence, loved both Coffee Exchange, tho' it was even better (smaller) at its old Wickenden digs up the street (the new one doesn't have the intimacy of the old one) and Ocean Coffee Roasters (I think I remember some small caf� across from Brown's SciLi off of Thayer St). Up in Cambridge Caf� Pam-pompous, n�e Pamplona, is pretty good (despite the 'tude), and I used to hang out at the 1369's Central Square address.
As for what's wrong with Starbucks: I think their coffee is good. But it irritates me that I can stand on a corner in Astor Square here and see three Starbucks in three blocks, and to know that there is another around the corner on Broadway, another a block further on Second Avenue, three more up by Union Square (that's six blocks away), etc. You can sit in one Starbucks and look out onto another. Now why is that? The Starbucks at Union Square used to have competition from a Pasqua's coffee house in much nicer digs just to the east, and now Starbucks has bought them out. What bugs me is that the old Pasqua's has put a lot of thought into making a great inside/outside space for their coffee house, something I've never seen any Starbucks do. Instead, every Starbucks I see is just like the other ones, and this unending sameness in decor, furnishings and prices STINKS.
Still, I like their coffee. Fortunately, there's lots of other good coffee in the world.
T
Red Bull.
Yeah, it's not coffee, but it does the job if you need waking up.
Besides, coffee doesn't work as well with vodka when you are out and about...
As for why people don't like Starbucks... I would think it's because people are trained from day one now to dislike success. My problem with them (and most of the other "gourmet" coffees) is the price - why would anyone pay that much for coffee?? The same people who would drop 3 bucks on a 6 oz. latte bitch when gas goes over $1.50/gallon. And coffee isn't taxed!
Yeah, it's not coffee, but it does the job if you need waking up.
Besides, coffee doesn't work as well with vodka when you are out and about...
As for why people don't like Starbucks... I would think it's because people are trained from day one now to dislike success. My problem with them (and most of the other "gourmet" coffees) is the price - why would anyone pay that much for coffee?? The same people who would drop 3 bucks on a 6 oz. latte bitch when gas goes over $1.50/gallon. And coffee isn't taxed!
Chiming in from the Coffee Consumption Capital of the Planet 
Seriously, for some reason Finland keeps topping the charts, with about 12.82 Kg per capita yearly intake. Must be all this hacking and stuff combined with the long, dark winter.
Anyway, Mexican Organic and Fairtrade by Simon Levert, by the names of Dynamico and Benefico, done in a presso pan, are quite nice, preferably a bit on the strong side (scandinavian) with milk.
J
Seriously, for some reason Finland keeps topping the charts, with about 12.82 Kg per capita yearly intake. Must be all this hacking and stuff combined with the long, dark winter.
Anyway, Mexican Organic and Fairtrade by Simon Levert, by the names of Dynamico and Benefico, done in a presso pan, are quite nice, preferably a bit on the strong side (scandinavian) with milk.
J
OK, so as this seems to be the ONLY discussion going on here in the lounge, and I am not particularly busy (only so much you can do while watching a Quicksilver run through a looping extended hardware test), I'm in again.
Timo- yeo, that's the Ocean Coffee across from the Brown SciLi. I sub managed that one on occasion. My shop was in Warren, RI. Nice place. Regulars were the lifeblood of the joint and, jeez, they were fun.
After reading all the posts about Starbucks, I guess I can see people's ire. It's like what happens to all the mom and pop little bookstores when B & N and Borders come to town. I shop at those, too (but it does not preclude me from hitting smaller indie bookstores- I do not discriminate when it comes to bookstores). I'll probably keep going to Starbucks (I don't usually buy "foofy drinks", though- too expensive and I've got my own cap machine at home- a real good one- got it as a wedding gift) because they make great coffee and it is consistant. I know I'll always get a good cup.
I remember going to my aunt Mable's house (we always called her far mor- Swedish for father's mother. Yeah, she was technically a great aunt, but the name stuck). The place always smelled of Scandanavian pastry and perked coffee. One of the homiest smells going. The smell of brewing coffee is home to me. I lived for a couple of years at 66th and 1st in NYC. Downstairs was a guy who had a tiny java joint and he did al his own roasting- imported beans himself. The smells were incredible. I always know when he was serving his French Roasted Columbian Narino- very distinct aroma in the roaster. I also always knew when he burned a batch (aside from the swearing, there was this acrid ordor of good beans gone wrong). That little store covered up all of the ugly smells that would otherwise be hanging around and is one of my very positive memories of NYC.
Timo- yeo, that's the Ocean Coffee across from the Brown SciLi. I sub managed that one on occasion. My shop was in Warren, RI. Nice place. Regulars were the lifeblood of the joint and, jeez, they were fun.
After reading all the posts about Starbucks, I guess I can see people's ire. It's like what happens to all the mom and pop little bookstores when B & N and Borders come to town. I shop at those, too (but it does not preclude me from hitting smaller indie bookstores- I do not discriminate when it comes to bookstores). I'll probably keep going to Starbucks (I don't usually buy "foofy drinks", though- too expensive and I've got my own cap machine at home- a real good one- got it as a wedding gift) because they make great coffee and it is consistant. I know I'll always get a good cup.
I remember going to my aunt Mable's house (we always called her far mor- Swedish for father's mother. Yeah, she was technically a great aunt, but the name stuck). The place always smelled of Scandanavian pastry and perked coffee. One of the homiest smells going. The smell of brewing coffee is home to me. I lived for a couple of years at 66th and 1st in NYC. Downstairs was a guy who had a tiny java joint and he did al his own roasting- imported beans himself. The smells were incredible. I always know when he was serving his French Roasted Columbian Narino- very distinct aroma in the roaster. I also always knew when he burned a batch (aside from the swearing, there was this acrid ordor of good beans gone wrong). That little store covered up all of the ugly smells that would otherwise be hanging around and is one of my very positive memories of NYC.
Wow, I am actually getting psyched up about coffee houses. There is one in my neighborhood that I've never tried, and I think I need to check it out now. Actually, there's two in my neighborhood, but one is a Starbucks. I just gotta give the other guy a chance first, that's all.
Although if that Starbucks has an Airport network, it's all over. I could see a coffee house turning into my personal office really easily. It's next to impossible for me to get any personal work done at home, so that may be just the ticket for me.
Thanks to everyone for giving me some enthusiasm!!
Although if that Starbucks has an Airport network, it's all over. I could see a coffee house turning into my personal office really easily. It's next to impossible for me to get any personal work done at home, so that may be just the ticket for me.
Thanks to everyone for giving me some enthusiasm!!
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Originally posted by CaseCom: <STRONG>I can't stand the taste of coffee. I can't even eat mocha ice cream. I just can't get past that bitter coffee taste. But my girlfriend is a big coffee drinker. She likes Dunn Bros., a local Twin Cities chain; and Starbucks -- as much as it pains her to go the corporate route, she admits that their coffee is among the best.</STRONG> |
Man, do I have bad associations with Dunn Bros. You see, I went to college at Macalester, just across the street from Dunn Bros.
The horrid burnt-toast smell of coffee wafting across the street onto campus made me sick every morning. Just made me want to vomit. And that was on the days that I wasn't stumbling home at 8 am, all bleary-eyed and hung-over...
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Originally posted by daimoni: <STRONG> Wow. Okay true confession time... I've never read Melville. But I promise to correct this in the future.  </STRONG>
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Start Now:
"Call me Ishmael. Some years ago- never mind how long precisely- having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world. It is a way I have of driving off the spleen and regulating the circulation. Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul; whenever I find myself involuntarily pausing before coffin warehouses, and bringing up the rear of every funeral I meet; and especially whenever my hypos get such an upper hand of me, that it requires a strong moral principle to prevent me from deliberately stepping into the street, and methodically knocking people's hats off- then, I account it high time to get to sea as soon as I can. This is my substitute for pistol and ball. With a philosophical flourish Cato throws himself upon his sword; I quietly take to the ship. There is nothing surprising in this. If they but knew it, almost all men in their degree, some time or other, cherish very nearly the same feelings towards the ocean with me."
C'mon. WHAT is COOLER than THAT?! No, no, don't answer. I got it: Nuthin'. Life in a nutshell.
Observation upon first reading of MD: Melvile has a sense of humor... who knew?
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Originally posted by maxelson: <STRONG> Start Now: "Call me Ishmael. Some years ago- never mind how long precisely- having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world. It is a way I have ...</STRONG> |
Yes I agree that is an awesome quote, I'm just afraid that you typed it from memory. Please tell me that it's not like that ... it is isn't it?
Max, you ever read Billy Budd? There are a lot of different ways to interpret it but to me it almost felt like the Gospel in allegory. For that reason it also reminds me of The Idiot by Dostoyevsky. Melville, Dostoyevsky... ya gotta love them dead white males.
Forgot to mention my favorite coffee - Xando's - just about whatever they have brewed. Starbucks moved in down the street from them too but they haven't really hurt them all that much. And when Starbuck's opened a shop up the road from here Xando's moved in across the street. I guess two can play at that game.
[ 09-30-2001: Message edited by: roger_ramjet ]
Forgot to mention my favorite coffee - Xando's - just about whatever they have brewed. Starbucks moved in down the street from them too but they haven't really hurt them all that much. And when Starbuck's opened a shop up the road from here Xando's moved in across the street. I guess two can play at that game.
[ 09-30-2001: Message edited by: roger_ramjet ]
You have to been in italy to know what really good coffee is. Anyway, make sure it includes at least some Arabica - which Jacobs Kr�nung most definitely does not.
developer
developer
French roast, espresso grind in a "cone-bottom" Melitta style brewcup.
Flat bottom(Mr.Coffee) brewcups make the coffee bitter.
Sundays it gets some Amaretto coffee-mate(and sometimes a half-shot of Wild Turkey), otherwise black.
Z
Flat bottom(Mr.Coffee) brewcups make the coffee bitter.
Sundays it gets some Amaretto coffee-mate(and sometimes a half-shot of Wild Turkey), otherwise black.
Z
My top three favorite coffees are:
Jamaca Blue Mountain Estate
Kenya AA
Kona
The brand isn't nearly as important as the bean. A small batch roaster with top quality beans from africa/indonesia beats Starbucks anyday. I'm also not fond of central/south american cofees. No Juan Valdez coffes for me thanks.
Jamaca Blue Mountain Estate
Kenya AA
Kona
The brand isn't nearly as important as the bean. A small batch roaster with top quality beans from africa/indonesia beats Starbucks anyday. I'm also not fond of central/south american cofees. No Juan Valdez coffes for me thanks.
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Originally posted by jeffhot: <STRONG> Yes I agree that is an awesome quote, I'm just afraid that you typed it from memory. Please tell me that it's not like that ... it is isn't it?</STRONG> |
It is, indeed like that. Direct from the Penguin text. NOthing has been changed, all names are wholly represented and protect no one. Its Melville, word for word...in all its majestic Nantucket Sleighride glory! Tried out truly.
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Originally posted by roger_ramjet: <STRONG>Max, you ever read Billy Budd? There are a lot of different ways to interpret it but to me it almost felt like the Gospel in allegory. For that reason it also reminds me of The Idiot by Dostoyevsky. Melville, Dostoyevsky... ya gotta love them dead white males. [ 09-30-2001: Message edited by: roger_ramjet ]</STRONG> |
Rog- Yes- read it, but now I am going to read it again with your interpretation in mind. Melville- he da man.
I saw an incredible production of The Idiot about 10 years back at Trinity Rep in Providence. The set was unforgettable. It was so dark and dank- like Mrs Habersham (Haversham?) but slightly less dusty.