Closed in August 2019
see my Georgetown field report
Oh, did this one break my heart. I so wanted to love it, everything looked so promising.
Continue readingmini review: Dean DeLuca, Georgetown (DC) [NOW CLOSED]
Author: admin
field report: Georgetown, Washington DC
I wanted to do a deep dive on third wave coffee shops in a DC neighborhood, so I picked Georgetown. I didn’t need provisions or a boarding pass for this one, as I can leave home and be at any of these places within 20 minutes. That is, depending on traffic, which is a big caveat.
Continue readingRequiem for a fine vessel
My KeepCup must have been resting at the wrong angle as it dried on the dish rack this afternoon, for I later opened the refrigerator door only to hear a most sickening sound of destruction.
I hope that second and a half of free flight was exhilarating.
Continue readingCoffee Talk: Car Wash Coffee
update 5/30/2021: now permanently closed
Kensington, Maryland, is a small town just outside the Washington, DC Beltway. It’s best known for antique shops, a lovely older section of graceful old Victorian homes, having the misfortune of being one of the first areas hit by the DC Sniper attacks, and getting a lot of car traffic.
If you’re driving through, as many people do every day, on a particularly busy stretch of Connecticut Avenue you’ll find this:
Salt & Pepper Diner Essential Song of the Day for 11/30
I heard this wonderful bit of 90s goodness playing in my favorite coffee shop the other day and now I want to listen to it 21x in a row.
Matty’s Holiday Coffee Gift Guide
this is the original 2018 version; also see my 2019 holiday gift guide
You can do better than a Starbucks gift card.
Here are a few suggestions for showing a little holiday love to the coffee drinker in your life. Prices are as of this date and, like much in life, subject to change. Shop around for best deals.
Continue readingThanksgiving PSA
Stepping away from the espresso for a moment, here’s a timely bit of learning. I’ve followed this method for years and it never fails. Happy Thanksgiving, everybody!
NY Times video from 2007 showing how to carve and present a turkey.
Updated version with the same guy from 2013, it’s not as thorough but you get a few additional tips.
Barista Q&A: Randi Milton, Northside Social
Editor’s Note: Today I visited Randi Milton, General Manager of Northside Social in Arlington, VA, before the morning rush kicked in to get the view from the other side of the machine. Anyone who has looked at this blog knows that Northside is my go-to for great drinks, great food and great service (here’s my earlier review). I’m very grateful to Randi for her time, hope you all enjoy this as much as I did.
mini-review: Allegro Coffee
Today a coffee craving struck me while I was at an outlet of a well-known, high end grocery chain. For the sake of nothing in particular, let’s refer to the store as Mole Dudes.
Mole Dudes owns Allegro Coffee, which started as a roaster in Boulder, Colorado in 1977. Many Mole Dudes, including the one I found myself in today, have an Allegro shop within a shop in their stores.
the Salt & Pepper Diner Essential Song of the Day for 11/15
Today I feel like listening to this peppy gem from Patti Smith 21x in a row.