loco latte? not quite...

Crazy Mocha • Sewickley• Friday, March 21st, 2008

I have visited this Crazy Mocha on many occasions, and in all honesty I have never really found a good drink there. I have found drinks that suite their purpose, but they never are exceptional. I often find Crazy Mocha spends too much on trying to be crazy, and not enough on coffee basics. My last time in I got (let's take a guess here...) a vanilla soy latte! It was decent enough, no flavor out weighed another.

The service was decent enough, no extra effort to be friendly this time. My drink was speedily made, and I was out the door. I do have to say though, one thing that drives me crazy is that they don't put lids on their cups (in all honesty I am surprised that they can get away with this now.) The lids aren't even on the counter, which means I have to take a full cup of coffee across the room, without spilling it, just so I can get a lid and not spill it in my car.

The atmosphere has the artsy dark cave appeal. They have a lot of coffee chairs, and even an upper level. They also have free wi-fi as well as two computers you can use to get online (usually taken up by local middle schoolers). My favorite feature of Crazy Mocha is the garage door. They will open it when its warm out, and actually let some sun into the store. Also in warm months they have a patio area with chairs, which is very nice.

Last note on Crazy Mocha is that they have amazing desserts. If you need a reason to go to one, this is why. They have cakes, pies, amazing peanut butter brownies, cookies as big as your head, and chocolate dipped oreos. Then again one should consider, is the right reason to go to a coffee shop for the baked goods?


three beans!

Sad

First of all, I would like to apologize to all my readers for my lack of updates. I have had a ton of school work, as well as training for a new job these last few weeks. I have atleast three reviews to post, and hope to have them all up by the end of the weekend. (There will be a post about Crazy Mocha)

In other news, the Caribou Coffee is Robinson has closed. This saddens me greatly, as this is the shop I was a barista at. I leave you this poem, written by one of their former baristas:

Caribou store 901 is closed, forever.
Goodbye sweet bou, we excellent coffee makers will spend our time in yucky starbucks, un-employed, begging people on the street for money to eat.
Coroporate has saddened us.
They took everything.
Caribou 901--Rest In Peace-
Time of Death--March 25, 2008--6:30 PM
You will forever be in our hearts, and our minds.
We will forever love you
Sincerely,
Team 901

Toffee Coffee

Camille's Sidewalk • Oakland - Craig Street • Wednesday, March 12th, 2008


For months I have seen Camille's Sidewalk Cafe advertise their Toffee Coffee. Today I decided to try it.

I was greeted to wet floors (I understand at closing, but not at 4pm.) Fine, whatever. Went to the counter to order toffee coffee, which I was very excited to try. Which they told me they were out of, (did I mention that their sandwich board outside said to try it.) Okay, I figured Hey I'll try something else, the girl recommended a Cappuccino Chill. I was curious, because it is pretty weird to make a cold cappuccino.

Lets first define Cappuccino (thank you wikipedia):

Cappuccino is an Italian coffee-based drink prepared with espresso, hot milk, and milk foam. A cappuccino differs from a caffé latte in that it is prepared with much less steamed or textured milk than the caffé latte with the total of espresso and milk/foam making up between approximately five and six ounces

In case your interested, here is how to make one: http://www.ehow.com/how_1855_make-cappuccino.html

I asked her what a Cappuccino Chill is, she explained it was water with cappuccino flavor. Now, someone please tell me what cappuccino flavor is? A cappuccino is espresso and milk, you can't have cappuccino flavor.

I told the girl I was not interested, and left the cafe. I am very disappointed in my coffee experience at Camille's.



one bean

Jitters...

Jitters • Shadyside - Walnut Street • Sunday, March 9th, 2008

My friend, Penny and I decided to go on a shadyside adventure on Sunday. As coffee fanatics, no coffee trip is complete without stopping at a coffee shop. We decided to try Jitters.

The service was fine, we were served in a timely manner. The barista talked to us, nothing out of ordinary. He was nice enough not to charge me for soy milk though. My biggest complaint would be that they only take cash.

The atmosphere was plain. No decorations, besides a PNC Bank ATM (well, if you're not taking cards, you better have easy access to cash. The seating was crowded, and noisy. This is not the place to go if you want to do work. There was enough noise in the air, that it made it difficult to concentrate on your own conversation. We decided, based on atmosphere, this is a place to get coffee to go.

Quality. Well, if do not like the taste of coffee, this is the place for you! I ordered my typical vanilla soy latte, and Penny got a mocha. Both of us found the flavors overwhelming, Penny found that her drink tasted too much like Hershey's Chocolate syrup.

Neither of us plan on visiting Jitters again, (except maybe to try their ice cream.) There wasn't enough there to entice us.



two beans

Something New

Arefa's Espresso • Squirrel Hill • Thursday, March 6th, 2008

Walked in to the two month old Arefa's Espresso on Forbes Avenue this afternoon. I was immediately impressed with the layout and decor. The was plenty of seating without looking jammed in, the tables were laid out sporadically. This form was refreshing to see, as most shops line their tables up like desks in a classroom. The decor was artsy, but in a classy way. It was clean, with large panels filled with a design. Nice earthy color pallet too.

The service was friendly, in the you are a customer sort of way. I didn't feel the barista went out of the way to talk to me. My drink was made quickly, but in a fashion unfamiliar to me. I ordered an iced americano, eager to taste their espresso. I traditionally use to iced americanos, that are espresso over ice. Although they made it the way posted here, I feel the icy water took away from the espresso taste! The espresso, despite being watery from the ice water, was configured right (didn't taste burnt or like an aspirin!) and a delicious blend.

To add note about Arefa's, they have live music , always an interesting bonus. And free wireless!



four beans!

61C revisited

http://www.thetartan.org/system/asset/image/1834/small/web_Pillbox.Cafes.DSC_0279.jpg

61C Cafe • Squirrel Hill • Thursday, March 6th, 2008

This morning I found myself with some extra time this morning, and decided that on the way to the bus stop to get a soy vanilla latte (you guessed it!) I went for the 61C cafe, as I promised it a second chance, much sooner than I would have thought.

The 61C was much quieter this time, as much shops in the morning. The barista was super friendly, kept chatting with me beyond making my latte. If you are looking for a friendly cup of coffee, this is the place to go.

My latte was perfect, nice blend of vanilla, espresso, and milk. The only thing I wished is that the to go cups were not styrofoam, as I feel that is more harmful to the environment than paper.

Overall, excellent the second time around.


four and half beans!