Earlier this month, I had an opportunity to try out a coffeeshop that I hadn't been to before: Fog City Coffee. I was on my way to watch 2 year-olds and was rather exhausted and this coffeeshop happened to be on my way. Fog City is a small coffeeshop located in a strip mall parking lot with a drive-up window.
I was a little pressed for time, so I went through the drive-thru instead of parking and going inside. Having never been there before I asked the lady taking my order what was good, and instead of answering my question by asking me questions about what I like or by telling me what people usually order there, she just told me it depended on what I like and said she would give me time to look at the menu as she had customers in the shop. I didn't know if I could just order whenever I made up my mind, so I ended up sitting there for quite a while. I was a little disappointed with the service, but the lady was polite and chipper.
I got the coffee and espresso (I think they call it a fog lifter), and while it was good, I wasn't exceptionally impressed.
The entire experience wasn't good or bad but rather just run-of-the-mill. Although part of that is probably my fault for not actually going inside the building. Drive-up windows and coffeeshops just really shouldn't go together. Because coffee is all about social interaction. Somehow, I think the drive-thru just takes away the social aspect of coffee.
Until next time...keep your coffee strong.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
Addicted
Confession: I'm addicted to coffee.
Yep...it's official.
I tried to quit drinking coffee, but to no avail.
I didn't even last a full 24 hours before I was craving a honey latte and gave in.
The real question, though, is why would I ever try to stop drinking coffee?
Answer: I have no idea whatsoever why.
I'm so glad that I got that sorted out.
Now life can return to normal.
And I want a honey latte.
Until next time--keep your coffee strong
Yep...it's official.
I tried to quit drinking coffee, but to no avail.
I didn't even last a full 24 hours before I was craving a honey latte and gave in.
The real question, though, is why would I ever try to stop drinking coffee?
Answer: I have no idea whatsoever why.
I'm so glad that I got that sorted out.
Now life can return to normal.
And I want a honey latte.
Until next time--keep your coffee strong
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Friday Morning Coffee + Bike Shop
I have a weekly Friday morning tea/coffee date. A dear friend and I get together for breakfast accompanied by our beverage of choice, and we chat about life, love, and God. This week, I decided that we should try out the coffee at The Hub (located directly across from the courthouse in Springfield). Confession: the only reason I really wanted to go there was because I saw a tweet about the owner which included a YouTube video of his BMX skills. I wanted to see if he made espresso as well as he does stunts on a bike.
I was not disappointed. The coffee was truly fantastic. They serve Intelligentsia coffee, and is it ever fantastic! I got the cappuccino, and my friend got a mocha. We got our beverages to go as we planned to go somewhere outside to eat breakfast so we could enjoy the lovely weather. The coffee was so fantastic that less than 3 hours later, we were once more back at The Hub to enjoy some more of their delicious product.
My parents have often observed that coffeeshops have the oddest combination of stores with them. I have been in a coffeeshop that has a laundry mat attached. I've posted before about coffeeshops and libraries (which I think is a brilliant decision). However, this is the first coffeeshop I have come across that also includes a bike shop. I love the idea that people can combine something they are passionate about with a coffeeshop. I think that's one of the things I love about coffeeshops.
I didn't really explore the bike shop (I'm not much of a bicyclist), but the over all atmosphere was enjoyable. It had a feel much like the Coffee Ethic. It was very open and modern feeling, yet it also had the natural accents that I so enjoyed at the Coffee Ethic. Large glass windows let in the gloriousness of the sunlit day, and the exposed brick walls gave it a sophisticated feel.
The coffeeshop had a very clean, fresh, basic feel to it. There were few decorations, or at least the decorations didn't seem to fill the space of the room. There were some lovely photographs on one wall and there were bicycles used for decoration. I guess it didn't have a very homey feel to it. Nonetheless, I enjoyed this coffeeshop immensely. The coffee was excellent and the atmosphere was a typical coffeeshop feel with it's own unique twist.
There might be more Friday morning visits in store for this coffeeshop addict.
Until next time--keep your coffee strong.
I was not disappointed. The coffee was truly fantastic. They serve Intelligentsia coffee, and is it ever fantastic! I got the cappuccino, and my friend got a mocha. We got our beverages to go as we planned to go somewhere outside to eat breakfast so we could enjoy the lovely weather. The coffee was so fantastic that less than 3 hours later, we were once more back at The Hub to enjoy some more of their delicious product.
My parents have often observed that coffeeshops have the oddest combination of stores with them. I have been in a coffeeshop that has a laundry mat attached. I've posted before about coffeeshops and libraries (which I think is a brilliant decision). However, this is the first coffeeshop I have come across that also includes a bike shop. I love the idea that people can combine something they are passionate about with a coffeeshop. I think that's one of the things I love about coffeeshops.
I didn't really explore the bike shop (I'm not much of a bicyclist), but the over all atmosphere was enjoyable. It had a feel much like the Coffee Ethic. It was very open and modern feeling, yet it also had the natural accents that I so enjoyed at the Coffee Ethic. Large glass windows let in the gloriousness of the sunlit day, and the exposed brick walls gave it a sophisticated feel.
The coffeeshop had a very clean, fresh, basic feel to it. There were few decorations, or at least the decorations didn't seem to fill the space of the room. There were some lovely photographs on one wall and there were bicycles used for decoration. I guess it didn't have a very homey feel to it. Nonetheless, I enjoyed this coffeeshop immensely. The coffee was excellent and the atmosphere was a typical coffeeshop feel with it's own unique twist.
There might be more Friday morning visits in store for this coffeeshop addict.
Until next time--keep your coffee strong.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
The Coffeeshop Circut
I love living in a town with many coffeeshops. It means when the one you normally go to is closed you have many others to pick from. There is a coffeeshop circut, so to speak, and there are people who travel the circut. It is always fun to go to a different coffeeshop and see the same people.
My latest stop in the rotation is the Mudhouse in the Library Center in Springfield. Two things gave me motivation to go to this coffeeshop. The first is that it is another coffeeshop-library combo. The second is that I have a friend who works there. I have taken to going in on Sunday afternoons to get a coffee and then read or relax for an hour or so.
After learning about my addiction to honey lattes, my friend suggested that I try the Spiced Latte. It is basically a honey latte with cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla. It was quite delicious.
This Mudhouse doesn't have as cozy a coffeeshop feel as many of the other coffeeshops in Springfield, but part of that has to do with the space they have to work with. It is a very large library, so the space is big and airy and open. The feel is more modern than chill and cozy.
It will probably remain my Sunday afternoon escape, but I suppose I will try to switch it up sometime.
Until next time...keep your coffee strong.
My latest stop in the rotation is the Mudhouse in the Library Center in Springfield. Two things gave me motivation to go to this coffeeshop. The first is that it is another coffeeshop-library combo. The second is that I have a friend who works there. I have taken to going in on Sunday afternoons to get a coffee and then read or relax for an hour or so.
After learning about my addiction to honey lattes, my friend suggested that I try the Spiced Latte. It is basically a honey latte with cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla. It was quite delicious.
This Mudhouse doesn't have as cozy a coffeeshop feel as many of the other coffeeshops in Springfield, but part of that has to do with the space they have to work with. It is a very large library, so the space is big and airy and open. The feel is more modern than chill and cozy.
It will probably remain my Sunday afternoon escape, but I suppose I will try to switch it up sometime.
Until next time...keep your coffee strong.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
A Gem of a Clover
I experienced a new coffeeshop yesterday: The Coffee Ethic in Springfield, MO. Let me tell you...I think I have found a new second favorite coffeeshop. I guess second favorite really isn't the best way to put it...it's more like I have two lists. Neither is really better than the other. They are both just different. The Coffee Ethic is now at the top of one of said lists.
Where to begin...the decor is fantastic. Lots of natural decorating (a fantastic table made out of a section of a tree, a wood block coffee table in front of the couches, etc.), and the pictures on the walls are lovely. All the pictures were taken in an orphanage in India, and the colors and the quality of the photographs is truly wonderful.
The Coffee Ethic also adjoins the Park Central Branch of the public library...I know: what a great and novel idea to put a library and a coffeeshop together!! The library is also wonderfully decorated in an almost bohemian/modern style. A great favorite were the reading cubes. Yes, they are literally large cubes that two people can comfortably fit in and read or talk.
And then there is the coffee. OUTSTANDING!! The Coffee Ethic is one of the only coffeeshops in the world that has a Clover coffee maker. Starbucks bought up all the others so that no one else can use them. I just have to say it, this coffee changed my life. It was so delicious--smooth, rich, and strong. I was hooked! I also had a sip of my friend's dirty chai [FYI: a dirty chai is a chai with a shot of espresso in it...this is what my friend calls it because she is underage and cannot order anything else dirty], and I was also impressed.
I judge coffeeshops based on their chai because a lot of coffeeshops can have good coffee, but their chai sucks. For me a good coffeeshop has both good coffee and good chai. The Coffee Ethic passes this test with flying colors. Two thumbs up for The Coffee Ethic and their Clover machine.
Until next time...keep your coffee strong.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
A Lovely Honey Latte on a Winter's Morning
This isn't going to be a post about any particular coffeeshop, but rather just a post about this fantastic song I found on Youtube one day. Frank Sinatra singing about coffee in Brazil...does it get any better?!?!?!
One of the best ways to fend off the winter chill...drink coffee. That's what I'm doing right now. I am choosing to ignore Phil's prediction that winter will be another 6 weeks, and I'm drinking coffee.
Go enjoy a cup today!
One of the best ways to fend off the winter chill...drink coffee. That's what I'm doing right now. I am choosing to ignore Phil's prediction that winter will be another 6 weeks, and I'm drinking coffee.
Go enjoy a cup today!
Saturday, January 23, 2010
good for the soul
Confession...it's good for the soul, right? So here goes...
I am horribly and terribly biased when it comes to coffeeshops. There I said it. Whew! Yes, I have my favorite and no other coffeeshop quite measures up. My favorite coffeeshop...drumroll please...is the Potter's House. I do, however, try to over look my bias when I am trying out a new coffeeshop. There are other coffeeshops that I enjoy, but none can really compare with the Potter's House.
The thing is there just really isn't another coffeeshop like PoHo (as it is affectionately called). It is in a category entirely by itself because it is a coffeeshop, but it is so much more. It is a home, a refuge, a hangout, a family, a community. It isn't there just for the business of selling coffee. It is there for the business of being a family.
It is a place of friendship and laughter, of comfort and tears, of joy and love and peace. And the coffee's not bad either...hahaha ;)
The Oreo Quicksand is a favorite, as is the strawberry-banana smoothie. The brownies will change your life...forever, although unless I am super craving chocolate I have to go with a cookie instead because the brownies are also super rich. A personal favorite is a honey latte...It's not on the menu, but it's excellent. The awesome thing is that you can ask for whatever you want. Too much sugar in something...ask for it without sugar. Want peanut butter in something...just ask.
After you get a drink, find a place to sit...there are lots of little nooks and crannies around. Or just chill out in the living room. Bring friends and play a board game. Whatever you want. :) Just enjoy the relaxing environment or the bustle (depending on what time it is).
Anyway...I had to get this post out of my system, so I will try to refrain from posting about PoHo again...and I will try to post about other coffeeshops soon.
Until then...keep your coffee strong.
I am horribly and terribly biased when it comes to coffeeshops. There I said it. Whew! Yes, I have my favorite and no other coffeeshop quite measures up. My favorite coffeeshop...drumroll please...is the Potter's House. I do, however, try to over look my bias when I am trying out a new coffeeshop. There are other coffeeshops that I enjoy, but none can really compare with the Potter's House.
The thing is there just really isn't another coffeeshop like PoHo (as it is affectionately called). It is in a category entirely by itself because it is a coffeeshop, but it is so much more. It is a home, a refuge, a hangout, a family, a community. It isn't there just for the business of selling coffee. It is there for the business of being a family.
It is a place of friendship and laughter, of comfort and tears, of joy and love and peace. And the coffee's not bad either...hahaha ;)
The Oreo Quicksand is a favorite, as is the strawberry-banana smoothie. The brownies will change your life...forever, although unless I am super craving chocolate I have to go with a cookie instead because the brownies are also super rich. A personal favorite is a honey latte...It's not on the menu, but it's excellent. The awesome thing is that you can ask for whatever you want. Too much sugar in something...ask for it without sugar. Want peanut butter in something...just ask.
After you get a drink, find a place to sit...there are lots of little nooks and crannies around. Or just chill out in the living room. Bring friends and play a board game. Whatever you want. :) Just enjoy the relaxing environment or the bustle (depending on what time it is).
Anyway...I had to get this post out of my system, so I will try to refrain from posting about PoHo again...and I will try to post about other coffeeshops soon.
Until then...keep your coffee strong.
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