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!

Kiva Han • Oakland-Craig Street • Thursday, February 28th, 2008

Today I decided to try Kiva Han for the first time in over a year. The last few times I went there I was confronted with poor service, and therefore stopped going there, until now. With Mega (the clever blogger over at Rick's Cafe Americain) I visited Kiva Han.

The space is open and artsy, with flyers around. They make the place seem artsy and liberal, but like all businesses they do support the corporate. Our clutches contained advertisements for Sprint. I personally believe they do the artsy thing to compete with the Starbucks across the street. They have a lot of seating available, in three different areas, making it an ideal place for studying or a meeting. If I had the time, I would certainly would've liked to have the time to sit down and study.

Mega and I were impressed with the customer service. Mega was swiftly served his cappuccino, and my vanilla soy latte was up moments later. I was pleased with the blend of vanilla and espresso, it was the perfect balance. No complaints from Mega on his cappuccino either. I was impressed.

Whether it's a new staff or we just got lucky, I was impressed with Kiva Han. We got excellent drinks in no time, and I think I will go back again.

5 beans!

Something to try...

http://www.slate.com/id/2133754

Next time I am at a Starbucks I will try this, and I encourage my readers to do the same. I want to know if a 'short' is really better...

third review (i am on a roll!)

Eat Unique • Oakland • Tuesday, February 26th, 2008



This morning I popped into my favorite sandwich shop in Oakland to try their coffee. For those of you who don't know, Eat Unique was once Craig Street Coffee. They still sell Craig Street Coffee beans. They have amazing sandwiches, but I had yet to experience their coffee and hoped it would be just as amazing. $5.13 later, I watched my barista make a Vanilla Soy Latte (double shot).

I first have to say, I have never seen a latte made in that order before. Steamed milk, then flavoring, then espresso. Just a little backwards! (See Instructions ) My latte, as much as i like vanilla, was very un-coffee tasting. If you have ever had a vanilla steamer, that's what my hot latte tasted like, (for those of you who don't know, think of hot vanilla milk.) Basically if you want to taste the espresso in your latte, don't go here. If you don't like to taste espresso, this is the perfect place for your cup of coffee.

Eat Unique is pretty crowded, especially during the winter months, as the outdoor seating is gone. They have additional seating out one of their doors (but you have to discover how to get there.) There is no comfy seating! The decor is typical cafe, plain walls, no real decorations. It can get loud during busy food hours, as more people go to Eat Unique for food than coffee.

Although my drink was made weird, un-coffee tasting, and expensive, the service was great. The girl went right to work making my drink, and i was in and out of Eat Unique in no time.

[Just a side note, I gave up chocolate for lent, so that is why I have not personally reviewed a mocha (which I know is a favorite.)


three beans!

Review Number Two

Starbucks • Oakland-Craig Street • Monday, February 25th, 2008

Even Britney Spears goes to Starbucks!

I have spent the last 5 years going to this Starbucks, but have yet to review it. I wasn't sure if I should focus on all my experiences or a specific one. I have decided to just focus on my trip tonight.

Although there was a line, it was a short line, my drink order was placed quickly. This trip was a decaf white mocha, and a soy, half-calf, lite whip, honey latte (yes, sometimes I am that girl...) I would like to say that the Honey Latte is fantastic, perfect blend of sweetness and espresso. It has a nice nutty undertone (they say pecan.) If you're looking for something a little different from Starbucks, try the Honey Latte. The white mocha appeared to be up to par, as far Starbucks goes.

This Starbucks is inviting, it has several tables to sit at, although only small tables. This would be inconvenient for working with another person and a laptop. Two walls are filled with windows, bringing lots of light in (often the complaint is that Starbucks is cave-like). As far as Starbucks go, this one is a good one.


four and a half beans!