Chronicles of a Coffee Drinker--Log #1: Big Bear Cafe

Over the last few years in DC, I've had large quantities of seriously crappy coffee. Add to that the number of Starbucks in the district alone (DC has the fifth highest number of Starbucks per capita in the country) and my observation of dear friends who keep returning to the same watery, burnt, boiling sewage found close to home or the office because it's convenient and cheap, and it's clear coffee guidance is needed in DC. Coffee can lead to nasty mood swings, hypertension, overworking, stomach ulcers (really) and poor taste, so "It better be worth it" is my motto.

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

Hello, I'm Addicted to Facebook

In the past two months, with the slightest bit 'o extra time available in my--ahem--flexible schedule, I have steadily been sucked into the vacuous black hole of time and space that is Facebook. My attachment is deep and true, and insatiable. Flixster, Super pokes, and Wall Postings have replaced any real human interactions I could be having... yeah, well, and thank god for that! But has my dependence gone too far? Do I need an intervention?

Here are twelve questions all Facebook junkies should answer to get wise on whether you, as do I, suffer from this completely ridiculous problem.

PLEASE ANSWER YES OR NO TO THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS

1. Have you ever decided to stop [Facebooking] for a week or so, but only lasted for a couple of days?
2. Do you wish people would mind their own business about your [Facebooking]-- stop telling you what to do?
3. Have you ever switched from one kind of [Status Update] to another in the hope that this would keep you from [seeming boring]?
4. Have you had to have an eye-opener [of Facebook] upon awakening during the past year?
5. Do you envy people who can [Vampire Bite] without getting into trouble?
6. Have you had problems connected with [Super Poking] during the past year?
7. Has your [Wall Posting] caused trouble at home?
8. Do you ever try to get "extra" [Pokes] at a party because you do not get enough?
9. Do you tell yourself you can stop [Facebooking] any time you want to, even though you keep [Movie Trivia Challenging] when you don't mean to?
10. Have you missed days of work or school because of [Facebooking]?
11. Do you have [Wall Post] "blackouts"?
12. Have you ever felt that your life would be better if you did not [Facebook]?

Speaking of networking site issues, did you miss out on International Delete Your MySpace Account Day?