Location: 798 Arguello Blvd., San Francisco
Reviewed: September 16, 2007
Espresso: Velo Rouge is a purveyor of coffee from Blue Bottle. Rumour has it that they use the Bella Donovan blend for espresso. My shot was a full-bodied, sweet shot finishing with a pungent bitterness. A bit different from the other Blue Bottle coffees I've had and quite good. Crema here is thick and dark (the way it should be!).
Atmosphere: Velo Rouge is a very small shop, almost square in shape. It has a bicycle motif to the decor and sells branded-items (drinkware, wearables), in addition to coffee and food. They had live jazz playing when I was there. Crowded with a line almost out of the door.
Verdict: A very solid effort.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Saturday, September 01, 2007
Guerilla Cafe
Location: 1620 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley
Reviewed: August 31, 2007
Espresso: Guerilla uses coffee from Blue Bottle. Unfortunately, they pre-grind it; despite this, however, the crema was surprisingly quite thick. The barista didn't pay much attention to the pour, and what resulted was about 1.5oz. of espresso with the aforementioned thick crema. The crema was of a moderate brownish color and didn't look at all bad. It was full-bodied, sweet, and fairly bright.
Atmosphere: Something between a coffee bar and a full restaurant, Guerilla features table service but also has counter seating. It's a long narrow space of moderate size with large chiaroscuro portraits of Che Guevara (or someone else maybe) on the walls.
Verdict: Not bad, but the weakest Blue Bottle coffee I've experienced.
Reviewed: August 31, 2007
Espresso: Guerilla uses coffee from Blue Bottle. Unfortunately, they pre-grind it; despite this, however, the crema was surprisingly quite thick. The barista didn't pay much attention to the pour, and what resulted was about 1.5oz. of espresso with the aforementioned thick crema. The crema was of a moderate brownish color and didn't look at all bad. It was full-bodied, sweet, and fairly bright.
Atmosphere: Something between a coffee bar and a full restaurant, Guerilla features table service but also has counter seating. It's a long narrow space of moderate size with large chiaroscuro portraits of Che Guevara (or someone else maybe) on the walls.
Verdict: Not bad, but the weakest Blue Bottle coffee I've experienced.
Nomad Cafe
Location: 6500 Shattuck Ave., Oakland
Reviewed: August 31, 2007
Espresso: My simple request for a single espresso inexplicably took two or three employees and nearly 10 minutes to process. What eventually resulted was about 1.5oz. of overly hot, slightly astringent espresso with a mild spice flavour. The crema was thin and pale. The shot was not ground to order, and they didn't add very much coffee to the portafilter.
Atmosphere: Small and crowded with slow-moving employees.
Verdict: Not very good, but at least it's fair-trade.
Reviewed: August 31, 2007
Espresso: My simple request for a single espresso inexplicably took two or three employees and nearly 10 minutes to process. What eventually resulted was about 1.5oz. of overly hot, slightly astringent espresso with a mild spice flavour. The crema was thin and pale. The shot was not ground to order, and they didn't add very much coffee to the portafilter.
Atmosphere: Small and crowded with slow-moving employees.
Verdict: Not very good, but at least it's fair-trade.
Monday, August 06, 2007
Crema Coffee Roasting Co.
Location: 950 The Alameda, San Jose
Reviewed: August 6, 2007
Espresso: My single was served just over half-full in a ~2oz. cup (which would make doubles an interesting proposition). It was ground to order, albeit with a Swift. The crema was thick and of an even, medium-light brown color. The shot was medium-bodied, of moderate acidity, well-balanced. It had a complex taste of dark chocolate, berry-like notes, and hints of citrus. Adding to the complexity, it displayed both bitter and sweet notes.
Atmosphere: Crema is a large shop, with a large patio out front. It's in a free-standing building, which is why it has so much space. Since it's new, the furnishings don't display any wear. The interior is painted in warm colors, and there is a fireplace. Lots of seating and free wi-fi.
Verdict: A good place to hang out, but I have concerns as to how consistent they can be.
Reviewed: August 6, 2007
Espresso: My single was served just over half-full in a ~2oz. cup (which would make doubles an interesting proposition). It was ground to order, albeit with a Swift. The crema was thick and of an even, medium-light brown color. The shot was medium-bodied, of moderate acidity, well-balanced. It had a complex taste of dark chocolate, berry-like notes, and hints of citrus. Adding to the complexity, it displayed both bitter and sweet notes.
Atmosphere: Crema is a large shop, with a large patio out front. It's in a free-standing building, which is why it has so much space. Since it's new, the furnishings don't display any wear. The interior is painted in warm colors, and there is a fireplace. Lots of seating and free wi-fi.
Verdict: A good place to hang out, but I have concerns as to how consistent they can be.
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Palio Paninoteca
Location: 505 Montgomery Street, San Francisco
Reviewed: August 1, 2007
Espresso: My request was for a single, and I had to repeat "for here" two or three times to make sure they figured it out. I was ultimately given probably 1.25-1.5oz. of liquid in a cup with a capacity of about twice that volume. The crema was of moderate thickness and was even in color, darker than hazelnut, but not to a medium-brown. It was fairly well balanced, full-bodied, and tasted of a simple milk chocolate.
Atmosphere: This is really more of a deli with a separate counter for coffee service. As such, it is appointed a bit more like a deli inasmuch as the tables and chairs are concerned, etc. It's large, light, and open.
Verdict: Since it's not actually a coffeeshop per se, it's among the best in its class.
Reviewed: August 1, 2007
Espresso: My request was for a single, and I had to repeat "for here" two or three times to make sure they figured it out. I was ultimately given probably 1.25-1.5oz. of liquid in a cup with a capacity of about twice that volume. The crema was of moderate thickness and was even in color, darker than hazelnut, but not to a medium-brown. It was fairly well balanced, full-bodied, and tasted of a simple milk chocolate.
Atmosphere: This is really more of a deli with a separate counter for coffee service. As such, it is appointed a bit more like a deli inasmuch as the tables and chairs are concerned, etc. It's large, light, and open.
Verdict: Since it's not actually a coffeeshop per se, it's among the best in its class.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Caffe Roma
Location: 526 Columbus Ave., San Francisco
Reviewed: June 17, 2007
Espresso: My single was served around the proper volume, being just barely over 1oz. It was served half-up in a ~2oz. ceramic cup with matching saucer. The crema looked promising, being a darker brown color overall, with some slightly lighter colors mixed in sporadically. Although it looked as good as it did, the crema layer was very thin and began to dissipate upon my first sip. In the cup was a fairly complicated mixture of caramel-sweetness and cinnamon-spiciness, finishing with hints of dark chocolate. Fairly classic and fairly nice.
Atmosphere: Caffe Roma is a large shop with entrances on two sides. It is well-lit and clean inside. There are a number of tables and a few stools for drinking at the bar. Outdoor seating also available. They also have the most intriguing ceiling fans I've ever seen. A large TV in one corner was showing international soccer (Mexico against Costa Rica), although the sound was muted in favour of classic big-band standards.
Verdict: If not for the thin crema...
Reviewed: June 17, 2007
Espresso: My single was served around the proper volume, being just barely over 1oz. It was served half-up in a ~2oz. ceramic cup with matching saucer. The crema looked promising, being a darker brown color overall, with some slightly lighter colors mixed in sporadically. Although it looked as good as it did, the crema layer was very thin and began to dissipate upon my first sip. In the cup was a fairly complicated mixture of caramel-sweetness and cinnamon-spiciness, finishing with hints of dark chocolate. Fairly classic and fairly nice.
Atmosphere: Caffe Roma is a large shop with entrances on two sides. It is well-lit and clean inside. There are a number of tables and a few stools for drinking at the bar. Outdoor seating also available. They also have the most intriguing ceiling fans I've ever seen. A large TV in one corner was showing international soccer (Mexico against Costa Rica), although the sound was muted in favour of classic big-band standards.
Verdict: If not for the thin crema...
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Maisson de Patisserie
Location: 2855 Steven's Creek Blvd., San Jose (inside Valley Fair mall)
Reviewed: June 9, 2007
Espresso: My shot request came nearly at the end of a pre-ground doser, and so I received some portion of freshly-ground beans. This actually resulted in a nicely persistent crema, considering the cappuccino cup used. The crema was medium in tone and of an even brownish color. However, it didn't live up to it's decent looks, as the taste was mostly ashy.
Atmosphere: This is a quite small location with lots of tables crammed into the space, which can make things uncomfortable.
Verdict: Almost shows promise.
Reviewed: June 9, 2007
Espresso: My shot request came nearly at the end of a pre-ground doser, and so I received some portion of freshly-ground beans. This actually resulted in a nicely persistent crema, considering the cappuccino cup used. The crema was medium in tone and of an even brownish color. However, it didn't live up to it's decent looks, as the taste was mostly ashy.
Atmosphere: This is a quite small location with lots of tables crammed into the space, which can make things uncomfortable.
Verdict: Almost shows promise.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Java N Juice
Location: 519 W. Capital Expressway, San Jose
Reviewed: May 8, 2007
Espresso: My single was poured into a non-preheated ceramic cup from a shot pitcher. The barista brewed a double and decanted half. The shot was not ground to order, although it was lightly tamped. The resulting beverage was ~2oz. in volume. It had a pale and thin crema and tasted rather like an uninspiring "French Roast" drip coffee.
Atmosphere: Java N Juice is located in a large strip mall, and contains a corner. As such, it is rather square in shape, with the counter running across the diagonal. The resulting space is somewhat small. It is well-lit due to the windows on two sides.
Verdict: The best thing here was the poster of Ruth Orkin's photograph "American Girl in Italy".
Reviewed: May 8, 2007
Espresso: My single was poured into a non-preheated ceramic cup from a shot pitcher. The barista brewed a double and decanted half. The shot was not ground to order, although it was lightly tamped. The resulting beverage was ~2oz. in volume. It had a pale and thin crema and tasted rather like an uninspiring "French Roast" drip coffee.
Atmosphere: Java N Juice is located in a large strip mall, and contains a corner. As such, it is rather square in shape, with the counter running across the diagonal. The resulting space is somewhat small. It is well-lit due to the windows on two sides.
Verdict: The best thing here was the poster of Ruth Orkin's photograph "American Girl in Italy".
Sunday, April 29, 2007
The Ugly Mug
Location: 4640 Soquel Dr., Soquel
Reviewed: April 28, 2007
Espresso: My request for a single likely resulted in a double, as a nearly-full ~2.5oz. cup was produced. Thankfully, the shot was ground to order, albeit with a Swift (nothing against the Swift as a machine per se, but I've never had truly great coffee from a shop that uses one). The crema was a pale-to-medium brownish tone, with a couple of white-ish dots. It was of moderate body and tasted smoky and spicy.
Atmosphere: The Ugly Mug is a large shop on a street corner in what could be optimistically referred to as downtown Soquel. It is mostly dark-toned throughout, has large windowpanes facing the street, a high ceiling, free wifi, and a number of rentable iMac computer terminals. The tables and chairs show signs of wear. There is a large fishtank randomly placed jutting into the center of the room and acting as a logical if not literal divider of sorts.
Verdict: If they lost the Swift and trained their baristas...
Reviewed: April 28, 2007
Espresso: My request for a single likely resulted in a double, as a nearly-full ~2.5oz. cup was produced. Thankfully, the shot was ground to order, albeit with a Swift (nothing against the Swift as a machine per se, but I've never had truly great coffee from a shop that uses one). The crema was a pale-to-medium brownish tone, with a couple of white-ish dots. It was of moderate body and tasted smoky and spicy.
Atmosphere: The Ugly Mug is a large shop on a street corner in what could be optimistically referred to as downtown Soquel. It is mostly dark-toned throughout, has large windowpanes facing the street, a high ceiling, free wifi, and a number of rentable iMac computer terminals. The tables and chairs show signs of wear. There is a large fishtank randomly placed jutting into the center of the room and acting as a logical if not literal divider of sorts.
Verdict: If they lost the Swift and trained their baristas...
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Canela Espresso & Pastries
Location: 10631 S. Foothill Blvd., Cupertino
Reviewed: April 25, 2007
Espresso: Canela uses espresso from Barefoot, but I had trouble discerning which blend they were using. Perhaps this was due to the staleness caused by lack of grinding to order (thankfully, it was tamped hard). Oddly, the shot, even though pre-ground, was laden with a thick crema of a light-to-medium brown color. In the cup, it displayed a moderate body and not much real character with an aftertaste that couldn't decide whether it wanted to be sour or bitter but was decidedly unpleasant.
Atmosphere: Canela is a small shop in a small stripmall in a random street in Cupertino. That should tell you most of what you need to know. The layout is fairly squarish overall, although a portion of that is taken up by the counter and the space therebehind. There are a few small round cafe tables.
Verdict: Perhaps some consolation can be gathered from the inexpensive price (at only $1 for a single).
Reviewed: April 25, 2007
Espresso: Canela uses espresso from Barefoot, but I had trouble discerning which blend they were using. Perhaps this was due to the staleness caused by lack of grinding to order (thankfully, it was tamped hard). Oddly, the shot, even though pre-ground, was laden with a thick crema of a light-to-medium brown color. In the cup, it displayed a moderate body and not much real character with an aftertaste that couldn't decide whether it wanted to be sour or bitter but was decidedly unpleasant.
Atmosphere: Canela is a small shop in a small stripmall in a random street in Cupertino. That should tell you most of what you need to know. The layout is fairly squarish overall, although a portion of that is taken up by the counter and the space therebehind. There are a few small round cafe tables.
Verdict: Perhaps some consolation can be gathered from the inexpensive price (at only $1 for a single).
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