Or the Day....
 |
| Come here my love! Just like so many things - the cup may be chipped and imperfect but what's inside is beautiful! Macchiato from espresso a mano |
If you are in the search for espresso perfection at home and when travelling, I understand. When in doubt I travel with a hot plate and a stovetop espresso pot. But most often I can find a spot, some great some not so much.
If you walk in a coffee shop and see a La Marzocco or Simonelli machine you are about to have great espresso. These allow for creation of hand pulled espresso--The barista has control over pressure, amount of water and whether the shots are short (ristretto) or regular.
Some great spots:
Some great spots:
grahamwich, Chicago
615 N State
615 N State
Tucked in to an historic building and open 8-5, so a bit late in the morning. But they also serve breakfast items and have great sandwiches. Perfect for a midday perk.
http://www.grahamwich.com/
http://www.grahamwich.com/
Birchgrove Baking, Montpelier VT
279 Elm
One of the loveliest U.S. capitals, Montpelier is brimming with independent shops. this spot has phenomenal pastry to go with the syrupy coffee. The chocolate brioche tastes like they use dark, stone ground chocolate. Sandwiches are also served, but I never made it past the pastries!
Filter, Washington D.C.
1726 20th Street NW
Here is some addictive, thick espresso. This spot is in the Dupont Circle area and is a few steps below street level. Off a main street, but none the less busy for it. Long, narrow shop with a brick wall against which tables are placed. Difficult to get a table but there are tables outside and a ledge that people sit on. This spot also gets a lot of cyclists that stop in, the owner Rashid is a member of a local cycling group.
Gimmee Coffee, Ithaca NY
various spots
With a few spots within Ithaca you are never too far from a Gimmee Coffee, whether near one of the great hiking spots or the College. They also have a card you get stamped when you buy coffee drinks--get enough stamps and earn a free coffee. The Leftist Espresso blend is especially good-- and they ship their coffee!
espresso a mano, Pittsburgh PA
3623 Butler
One location and always busy--and with good reason. These guys know their coffee. Always have a couple options to make your espresso from, whether it be their house blend or a single origin espresso you are in the mood for. Every espresso I have had has been delicious, from their apollo blend (by Counter Culture) to single origin Papua New Guinea. Recently tried the "Sweet Tooth" by Ritual--makes a great espresso even from a stovetop espresso pot. Large overhead door opens to the street in warm weather and a couple tables outside extend the seating.
Coffee Tree Roasters, Pittsburgh PA
various locations but Shadyside location served the best
Not as good as espresso a mano but still a big improvement on your typical espresso. Large space with wide overhead doors that open to the sidewalk.
Phoenix Coffee, Cleveland OH
various locations
Using Simonelli machines and great beans, this is the place in Cleveland for espresso. They also have a large menu of interesting drinks: Stuporball with 2 types of chocolate and extra espresso. or try the Cuban, with a packet of sugar pressed between the espresso grounds before it is made into espresso.
Phoenix roasts their own coffee and it is available for sale in store and online.
Erie Island Coffee, Cleveland OH
Variety of coffee drinks in addition to the espresso each served with dark chocolate covered espresso beans. Good quality espresso and food items that come out quick to get you on your way.
Blue Bar, between Campobasso and Baranello Italy
Now where can you get a bad espresso in Italy? But what makes this great is it is a quick pull off from a highway and you can fill the car with petrol while throwing back your espresso. And if you want to add a little something to your coffee? No problem, there is a full array of liquors, etc. And it is an illy cafe!
No comments:
Post a Comment