Subrosa Coffee

Location: 419 40th Street, Oakland

Reviewed: November 9, 2009

Espresso: Subrosa serves coffee from Four Barrel. The shot is ground and tamped properly and poured directly into a properly-sized cup. The short shot was fairly bright but not overpoweringly so. It tasted of spiced-orange with a nuttiness to acidity and a floral aroma.

Atmosphere: Subrosa is tiny and contains no seating whatsoever; nor does it have signage. You really do have to look for it twice. The friendly barista told me that there was a courtyard to the side of the building, but as there was no direct doorway, I didn't take a look.

Verdict: Probably the best Four Barrel shot I've had anywhere.