Tuesday, August 24, 2010

More Coffee Places to Go

What follows are some of the coffee shops I can remember and really enjoyed visiting over the last five years.  I hope you find it helpful.



Brookings, OR - Mocha Joe's Coffee,613 Chetco Ave, Brookings, OR 97415
(541) 412-7444

Enjoying a latte and the beautiful weather at Mocha Joe's in Brookings-Harbor, OR.
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Ketchikan, AK- Edge Coffee, 5 Salmon Landing, Ketchikan, AK 99901-6587


Right next to the cruise ships on Front Street.  They serve Ravens Brew coffee here which is roasted in Ketchikan, Anchorage, AK and Tumwater, WA. 

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Flagstaff, AZ 

Macy's European Coffee House
14 Beaver Street
Flagstaff, AZ 86001-5502

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Kingman, AZ - Starbucks; What can I say about Starbucks that hasn't already been said or written.  I am a longtime fan of Starbucks having been buying coffee there since the mid 1980's.  I always seek out a Starbucks when I am taking long car trips.  When I stop in a small town or at one of those highway truck stop centers, I always look for a Starbucks.  I know I can get a consistently made, strong, flavorful and hot cup of coffee there as opposed to a gas station or convenience store.  It's also nice to relax in their stores and soak up the friendly atmosphere.  My favorite drinks there are brewed coffee, caramel macchiato, mocha, Chai tea latte, wet cappuccino, ided coffee, mocha frappuccino and their hot chocolate. 
Starbucks caramel macchiato

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Las Vegas, NV - Saxby's Coffee : Really tasty coffee, great espresso drinks brewed strong and hot.  I always stop here when I'm leaving Las Vegas and heading to Lake Mead or far off destinations in Arizona.


Saxbys Coffee

72 West Horizon Ridge Parkway
Henderson, NV 89012-5329

(702) 558-1838
saxbyscoffee.com


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Trinidad, CA

Beachcomber Cafe : The sign in the window caught my eye, "Organic Espresso".  That's all I needed to go in for triple-shot latte.  I was very happy I decided to go in.  Incredibly delicious espresso roasted coffee shots with exquisite foam.  There are a group of girls working behind the counter of this free-spirited coffee shop/restaurant.  Very friendly and engaging and were patient enough to answer all my questions about the area and the weather.  The baked goods are all locally made and really tasty.  A definite stop on any trip to north coast of California.  It's also a nice place to sit down and read a book or go online.
They also loan you a mug for your drink so you don't have to drink from a paper cup.

Beachcomber Cafe
363 Trinity Street
Trinidad, CA 95570


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Tahoe City, CA - Tahoe House Bakery & Gourmet625 West Lake Boulevard, Tahoe City, CA 96145 (530) 583-1377 ()

Great local coffee place with excellent baked goods and sandwiches too.  They brew each cup of coffee fresh, one cup at a time.  I can't say enough good things about their cappuccinos and lattes.  They are made with a European espresso machine and the baristas have been trained well.  The espresso drinks are strong, hot and flavorful.  The foam is light and frothy.  I usually get a latte and a coffee chaser because they taste so good.  Try their cinnamon pull-apart roll while you're at it.

If you're riding your bike along the bike path near the turnoff for Granlibakken Road, just pull into the parking lot off of the bike path and you are there.  You can sit under the tall Ponderosa pine trees that are all around in their outdoor patio area as you sip your refreshing coffee drink.  Enjoy.

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Sonoma, CA 
Basque Boulangerie Café
460 First Street East
Sonoma, CA 95476 (707) 935-7687
7AM - 6PM Daily
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Auckland, New Zealand - Hollywood Coffee

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Ashland, OR - Noble Coffee, 281 4th Street, Ashland, OR

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Costa Mesa, CA - Diedrich Coffee, 474 E 17th , Costa Mesa 








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Fairfield, CA - Peet's Coffee & Tea

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Great Coffee Houses on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State

Just wanted to mention a couple of great independent coffee shops that I always frequent when I am in the Port Angeles, WA area.  I lived in Port Angeles for 6 years and really soaked up the whole Pacific Northwest vibe, which incidentally includes going for coffee or a latte and warming up.  The winters in this part of the country can be long, wet and dark.  The perfect environment to bring people indoors for a hot cup of whatever.

Anyway, the first place I always go to in Port Angeles is called Itty Bitty Buzz because the original Buzz is in nearby Sequim.  This is it's little sister or brother whatever you prefer.  Their drip coffee is excellent and all their espresso drinks are strong and hot, just the way I like them.  The available baked goods (cookies, cake, cinnamon rolls, scones), sandwiches, are delicious.  There's a large room next to the coffee bar with comfortable seating and free Wi-Fi.  Enjoy yourself.


Itty Bitty Buzz
110 E First St
Port Angeles, WA 98362



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The next place I want to talk about is Hurricane Coffee Company in downtown Sequim, WA.  This is a
great place to hang out and enjoy a mocha, latte or cappuccino or brewed coffee.  This place knows how to make a cappuccino. I've been in here a few times and every time they make it right.  Great ambiance, good food, free Wi-Fi, helpful staff, outdoor seating with umbrellas, great place to hang out and enjoy the local flavour of downtown Sequim.


Hurricane Coffee Company
104 W Washington St, Sequim, WA ; Cross Streets: Near the intersection of W Washington St and N 2nd Avenue.  There you go, two places to go for great coffee, great food and friendly people on the Olympic Peninusula, in Washington's northwest corner.

Monday, August 2, 2010

Uptown Espresso - Seattle, WA

When I'm in Seattle, one of my favorite places to go for really good coffee or espresso is Uptown Espresso.
It's located on the corner of 4th Ave and Wall Street in downtown Seattle or Belltown as the locals like to call this area of downtown Seattle. 

It's worth the to get over there because they are known as "Home of the Velvet Foam", and they aren't lying.  Not to mention, the barista will create a nice little design in the foam on the top of your cup of espresso. The espresso roast coffee they use is the real deal and they pull the shots the right way.

There's plenty of seating and in the summer, they open up the windows so it's kind of like indoor patio. Very nice to be sipping coffee and watching people walk by.  Free Wi-Fi is also provided which is nice.‎  I usually have a couple of cappucino's and linger quite a while so I can get my fix of the place and the great espresso drinks.  Here's to a great Seattle institution.


Uptown Espresso 
Belltown
2504 4th Ave. (4th Ave. &Wall St)
206.441.1084
Hours: Mon-Thur 5am - 10pm, Fri 5am - 11pm, Sat 6am - 11pm, Sun 6am      -10pm