I always read negative reviews with the thought that perhaps they were just having a bad day and maybe it wasn't as bad as they said (bitter much?).

And yet I had to - in all honesty - give it three stars and I will explain because there were good things and there were bad things, but the three-stars was for the coffee itself.

What I drink is called a "cortado" which is two shots of espresso with an equal amount (give or take) of half 'n half. No sweetener, no frills. So I taste the coffee, not flavorings or whip cream or whatever.

My first indication that something was wrong was that the coffee was served in styrofoam cups. Had I read anything about styrofoam cups online, I wouldn't have even stopped in.

I am not a person with airs. I am not obnoxious. But I like espresso, GOOD espresso. And the reality is that you can't take a hot beverage that has nuance and put it in a cup that, like it or not, adds a chemical flavor. There is no way around it. And so for the coffee itself, it was only a three-star coffee (I read the description and three stars was "it's okay"...vs two stars which was "I disliked it." That's too strong of a dislike).

The woman at the window who took our order was VERY sweet and I would give her FIVE stars!

If you drink your coffee heavily flavored with syrups and sweetened milks (like almond) then you will probably love them AND -- to be completely frank -- I would still prefer to give my discretionary cash to a mom and pop business than to leviathan Starbucks.

November 5, 2015

Helpful Review 2