field report: Georgetown, Washington DC

credit: Elite Image Photography by Chad McDermott

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 reading

Coffee Talk: Car Wash Coffee

see my January 2020 update

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:

Continue reading

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 reading

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.

Continue reading

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.

Continue reading