To a non-worker and one-time college student from Seattle, coffee shops are a second home. To those with more to think about than coffee roasting traditions, the beauties of a perfect cappuccino, or the sweet, sweet cafe life (you) much can be learned from the diligent research and trials of a coffee addict. I propose to do the work for you.
DC has a growing number of indie cafes--we all know coffee/life at Tryst and Murky, though there be more out there. Try the coffee I mention and be ready to open your mind and taste buds to stimulation and perfection you never knew one could crave in coffee. (Warning: coffee/espresso drinking can lead to snobbery and a suspected surge in fine wine drinking.)
My (current) favorite stop in town:
Big Bear Cafe
Big Bear has become my favorite in the last couple of months for several reasons:
1. I only learned of it in November (it opened last July).
2. The espresso drinks are consistently awesome (translation: smooth, rich, slightly sweet and caramelly, milk is silky and at the right temperature to not burn the tongue or espresso, done with a foam design so familiar to northwesterners.)
3. It's a neighborhood, non-chain cafe, privately owned, with a very friendly staff.
4. French press coffee is available by the cup or 17 oz press.
4. The great space, large windows, couches, and outdoor tables have a Northwest feel unlike other DC cafes and make me warm and fuzzy.
5. Really great sandwiches, salads and paninis.
6. Movie screenings.
7. Tuesday knitting groups.
8. Listen to me when I tell you about the goodness of the coffee.
9. Free wireless all day, all weekend.
10. Good pastries (croissant w/prosciutto and gruyere), teas (ginger is yummy), and GLASSES available to drink free filtered water, not disposable cups!
Yesterday, I had two macchiatos, a house coffee, and a deelish chicken pesto panini. Big Bear is a little out of the way for those not already living in Bloomingdale, but U Street buses all stop at the corner of Florida and 1st, and street parking is largely available on weekdays (weekends are another story, but not nearly as bad as Adams Morgan or Eastern Market.)
My peeve: the Washingtonian twice listed the city's indie coffee houses and both times forgot Big Bear. Bad news for the many in the District who are still missing out.
Big Bear Cafe
1st & R St. NW
6 comments:
... watery, burnt, boiling sewage ...
Yes! I drink it because it's just there and so convenient at every other corner downtown.
Good coffee at home is the answer. You must run to www.wholelattelove.com for the real deal in home-brewed coffee. You'll never go back, I promise.
I still find it very hard to make good espresso at home but I'll check out the site, thanks!
I am glad it is just DC - because for a country with such a huge coffee culture, I couldn't believe how crap the coffee was when I spent some time there. Guess I will have to visit Seattle sometime to change my opinion of American coffee. My current best coffee spots: Cafe Neo in Moullie Point, Vida e cafe on Kloof, Origin at the old biscuit mill. (Unfortunately no direct buses from where you stay).
rich (not anonymous, but don't have google/ openID/ etc to leave my name?)
IT'S TRUE, rich... you can find good coffee in the water fountains in Seattle, Portland, and San Fran. DC is coming around but you have to search for them. Too many people settling for bad coffee. Don't you remember cappuccinos at Dolcezza??
still need to make it to this place...
I totally agree! Coffee in DC is horrible. I used to live in Columbus, Ohio and was spoiled by an amazing coffee shop called Staufs. They roast their beans on the premises and have an incredible variety of beans. And the place is huge with tables inside and out. I miss that place!
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