This passion started 6 years ago on a trip to Italy, we discovered that all Italians know how to pull a shot AND cook al dente pasta. We were so captivated by the La Dolce Vita that we have returned to Italy 3 more times and have learned to pull shots AND make pasta the Italian way. Sweet!
Through our travels, we're always seeking all the premium coffee houses at every destination.
France: French coffee can't match the Italians. Why no crema?
Portugal: Ditto with the French.
Turkey: We were split on this, hubby enjoyed the Turkish coffee while I thought it was sludge and switched over to apple tea.
Greece: Similar to Turkey, although they would each strongly disagree!
Japan: V sophisticated & delicate siphon coffee and dark, dark charcoal roasts. Good drip substitutes.
As for North America:
Ottawa: This is a tough one, absolute wasteland when it comes to coffee. Usually head over to a typical coffee bar in Little Italy to ease the addiction. My cousin, the home barista, works too!
Montreal: a few good roasting houses near Jean Talon market, of course the Italian part of town.
San Diego March 2010 visit: Peet's in Hillcrest was close by so it was just too easy...
NYC Aug 2010 visit: was there for a week this Aug. The coffee scene is SBC, SBC, SBC.... Looking for something out of the ordinary required guidance from NYT best coffee interactive map. Spread out all over the city, definitely was extra effort to seek them out. Memorable was Roasting Plant, the recently roasted beans travel from their pod to the grinder when ordered. Also sampled Zibetto and Joe, the art of coffee.
Seattle: Technically it's from Portland, but Stumptown is awesome! A little out of the way, so the sake of convenience, Seattle Coffee Works and Cafe Migliore satisfied.
Portland Dec 2010 visit: Definitely the best Java! So many good ones the last time we visited! Stumptown of course, Barista and Coava.
Here's the "Best of Portland 2011" if interested!
San Francisco Dec 2011 visit: They like their milk coooolllll @ 135, my preference is 145.
Blue Bottle Coffee - monopoly @ the Ferry Terminal Market
Four Barrel Coffee & Ritual Coffee in the uber cool Mission area
Strong correlation between edging coffee shop and vinyl spinning in SFO! Drip coffee elevated to personalized "made to order" with a line up that is longer than the expresso one. There is no such thing as getting a quick cup of coffee at these places.
