DC: M.E. Swing

M.E. Swing
Address:1702 G Street NorthWest (17th and G)
Neighbourhood: Downtown Washington
website, @twitter, (202) 898-7899

Going through my one-day DC area Espresso Adventure, I realized I missed a location. After driving from Filter Coffee, we made our way to M.E. Swing (Iconic coffee house near the White House), where the history is captured in the wall hangings. Apologizes for misleading you on the group.

Fun Friday; Long weekend styles

Celebrating 14th FINA Aquatics Championship in Shanghai, CHN... I reminisce about my time in SoCal last year, where we were up close and personal taking in the Pan Pacific Swim Championship

When I think of the upcoming Civic Holiday/Simcoe Day - it means 3 day weekend.
Middle of the summer, and almost an end to amazing weather. Le Sigh.
Throwing up a picture of my trip to the West Coast and SF.

Blue Bottle - Kiosk
Address: 315 Linden Street
Neighbourhood: Hayes Valley
website, @twitter, Tel:

GET OUT AND ENJOY THE SUN!
HAPPY ESPRESSO ADVENTURES

Featured Bean: Bisogno (Archive)

Bisogno Espresso Bar
Address: 61 Sherbourne Street
Neighbourhood: Lower Sherborune/ St. Lawrence Market
website, @twitter, Tel 416-301-7633


Recently going through some coffee archives and noticed that I did not post up my experience with Detour's Santa Clara. Realizing it's not available for purchase, it's still good to throw my thoughts about my experience over at Bisogno.
Always a line-up (pre 9AM) for drinks, it's not surprising that the condo dwellers have made it their morning ritual to descend here. If you notice the location - this was taken when there was still snow.
Experienced this SO espresso sometime in March.
Am I hinting that I want winter - heck NO. I'm enjoying this heat wave! Bring on the California Sun!
More Sun, More Sunscreen, More bronzing power!

Machine: La Marzocco GB5
Grinder: Mazzer Robur
Beans: Santa Clara, Guatemala

Composition: Single Origin
Roasters: Detour Coffee Roasters

Located: Dundas/Burlington, ON


Verdict: Sweet fleshy barlett pear notes, with traditional cocoa.

Can't wait until next crop!
HAPPY ESPRESSO ADVENTURES

Food for Thought: Drake Hotel

Drake Hotel
Address: 1150 Queen Street West
Neighbourhood: West Queen West
website, @thedrakehotel, Tel: (416) 531-5042

The Drake hotel is a hotbed for culture, arts and entertainment. With ample spaces to entertain guests, lounge to musical acts and wine and dine at all hours; it might be one of THE places to check in Toronto. Queen West'r apparently love to sleep-in, and they love their brunch. Why wouldn't Chef Anthony and "the Drake"culinary team create a Brunch menu fitting to satisfy our internationally inclined and locally focused approach to comfort food.

Hungry Sundays and a 30 minute drive over the bridge greets us with a heavy presence of "cool" - hipsters included.

The Basics:
Beans: Drake Hotel blend
Composition: 
Roasters: Fresh Coffee Network
Located: Toronto, ON

Machine and Grinder were not visible from our seating area - and the server was uncertain, and didn't come back with an answer.

Verdict: hints of cherry with cocoa and dashes of cinnamon. Earthy/herbal tones round out the mouthfeel. After the 3rd sip, flavours become flat. That's alright.
Brewed coffee: smelled like burnt tires - a heavy body. needed additives to spruce up the mix.

FOOD: Lumberjack! 3 Eggs - O/E, Crispy bacon, pancakes. Thanks Drake for filling me up. Wish I gotten a photo of the chicken and waffles (southern style) but Drake does food right.

Missing out on Brunch: Go and visit their smoke house next to the general store. Drake is taking up the block and killing it wherever they go. Will we see something in the East end? probably not. That's why we travel.

DC: Peregrine Espresso

Peregrine Espresso
Address: 660 Pennsylvania Avenue Southeast
Neighbourhood: Capitol Hill
website, @twitter, (202) 629-4381

Coming to an end to the DC tour meant we would end up at Peregrine. Opening in 2008 (former spot of another Murky Coffee location) is located in the pristine neighbourhood in Capitol Hill where the streets were unbelievably clean. Eerie to a point that I felt as if I was in Singapore. THAT CLEAN! Sammy made sure we got a chance to make it before heading to Cafe Pronto.

M^4: Pleasent surprises

MONDAY MORNING MANIC MUFFINS! (just in case you were wondering what M^4 meant)


Hope everyone cooled down with the heat wave. For some it was a shock to their system with upward of 100F/40C temperatures - similar to the insides of a kitchen... but it's now cooled down.
At least we have seasons here.


Wrap up of what was making coffee headlines this week:

• Randy Hogg from Bridgehead takes the ERBC over in good old QC. 
• Sprudge.com reporting of an event on Aug 4th: Cafe Grumpy in Park Slope.
  (Art from Origin) ART SHOW and COFFEE, fused together? #ifonlyIwasinNYC
• Video of Coffee Common's First public event in London - Prufrock
• 
  
Coffee Common at Prufrock from Coffee Common on Vimeo.
• Looks like good times!
• Got in 5 different coffee from Fratello in Calgary, this week will be cuppings and tastings.

More adventures prior to the long weekend - Civic styles!

HAPPY ESPRESSO ADVENTURES!

Chill with ERBC; and more beans?

Eastern Regional Barista Competition is happening this weekend in Quebec City.
Thinking of live streaming? Here is the link: http://www.livestream.com/2010canadianbaristachampionships
Drink your Iced Mocha and watch the stream to cool off this weekend.
Enjoy! I know Ill be having a relaxing weekend playing with some coffees that just came in from Calgary.
Prairie Regional Barista Competition happening August 5-6 at Fratello.
Enjoy the weekend, maybe go out on an espresso adventure!
For more information check out: http://www.espressoadventures.com