Archive for the ‘ Baristas ’ Category

It’s been two years since the post Where Do You Go For Really Good Coffee…That’s almost hard to believe – yet, alas, it has been…Maybe you’re like me.It seems as if things have changed so much since then – that sometimes there is a sense of being disoriented – or out of phase, somehow. Yet throughout it all, amidst all the transition, the movement, changes in life, the economy and the world, there remains at least one constant - one anchor that keeps us connected to a sense of belonging, of comfort, and something familiar amidst so many things that are un-familiar.There has been really good coffee everyday.Remembering really good coffee moments, maybe you can relate…Peets Coffee and Tea – SeattleEnjoying that hot, fresh doppio at Peets in the Seattle Fremont district looking out the window from the mezannine – watching the traffic go by – silently – in the world outside, hearing the sounds of milk being steamed for lattes and the grinder – consistently, intermittently running - filling the room with the luscious smell of freshly ground beans, hearing the soothing, gentle murmering sounds of voices and coffee language from the counter at the espresso bar - the way we used to hear our parents voices talking as we fell asleep as children…Lighthouse Roasters – SeattleSitting down to a fantastic, freshly drawn espresso – extracted consciously by the expert barista crew at Lighthouse Roasters on Phinny Ridge (one of my personal favorite micro-roasters in the whole country) - creating palate magic before my very eyes and then being able to verify that coffee resonance AGAIN – as with every other time before this one – and fully enjoy the essence of the bean with every living tastebud – on the front of the tongue, at the back near the throat followed by the burst of lingering, condensed after taste that permeates its way throughout all the coffee sensing tools within the human body for at least a half an hour afterwards…Homemade French RoastPerhaps it is the time, grabbing a deep rich cup of melita drip Fresh Roast – in the favorite procelain cup – on the way to a very important discussion, pondering the outcome and experience of the meeting to come and fully taking the time to enjoy that cup of really good coffee – from start to finish in the privacy of the car while driving to the meeting – without interference, or interuption and in spite of any time considerations.Over the last, five years we’ve had really good coffee in West Vancouver – BC, Scranton - PA, Sarsota – FL, Dallas – TX, Atlanta – GA, Palo Alto – CA, Berkeley – CA, Los Angeles, Whistler - BC, Morley – Alberta, Hamilton – MT, Richmond – VA, Plymouth Meeting – PA, Egg Harbor Township – NJ, Goochland – VA, Portland – OR, Spokane – WA, Missoula – MT, Sedona – AZ, Siesta Key – FL… and many other places.Somehow a good cup of coffee always brings me back to a moment – a memory or feeling – of unshakeable warmth and safety and connectedness.Each of us coffee lovers relates to coffee in our own way.  Share your experiences with us and let us know about your favorite coffee places – and why you like them. We want to share this with other people who don’t know where to get a cup of really good coffee when they travel. Share your favorite spot, or your favorite baristas – or blend or style of coffee with us.What is your favorite place for really good coffee?Have a fabulous day…

I AM Michael Barrett and I love coffee…

Latte Art Videos At Really Good Coffee

Around the world baristas are pouring cup after cup of latte as they practice the art of latte art techniques.

Really Good Coffee co-author Alexandra, has been using the some videos she found in an attempt to surprise her (former barista) partner with the perfect and beautifully artistic latte.  I think you will actually enjoy some of these videos if you are a latte lover and especially if you have an espresso with steam machine at home. 

I think it would be a great idea to create your own video and show us your technique.  Of course after one such session I did end up staying up all night with caffeine jitters and a "wired" brain but I got a lot done and it was fun for this boomer gal who doesn’t normally stay up all night (anymore ;-) ).  Yep, those days are pretty much over, but I really did have fun and I got a lot of writing done too when I couldn’t drink anymore latte.  LOL!!

Here are some of the great videos I found at YouTube!

 

Chasing Hearts Alfredo
Zebra Alfredo

 

 

Heart Alfredo

Hopefully, with VALENTINES DAY coming up you can create a beautiful heart full of latte love for your sweetie. 

Have fun and maybe this actually would be a great time to stay up all night!!!   How romantically immature…;-)

Last but not least is this one

 

Melting Heart Latte Art

Another really outrageous romantic idea, if you’d like to do something latte related that costs a bit more than a homemade latte heart, you could buy tickets for two and fly your "Angelove" to Australia for the Gourmet Coffee Institutes Barista Latte Art Workshop.   Now we’re talking Lover!