march coffee update

Exciting news, friends!  After a slight detour into BBQ, random murals, burgers, and beer, Crush City Culture is making its (hopefully) triumphant return to the basics - to what REALLY matters - coffee.  I know you've probably been very concerned, unable to sleep at night wondering if Liz has had any good coffee recently.  But don't worry...I have.  It's not until I put these posts together that I realize how deep (and expensive) my coffee addiction has become.  Here are some quick reviews of the three unique coffee shops I have visited in the last, um, four days.

A 2nd Cup

A 2nd Cup is a nonprofit, and their shop in the Heights is dedicated to raising awareness of human trafficking.  I did a little research about this place on the interwebs, and learned that the profits from the coffee shop go towards organizations that provide aftercare for victims of human trafficking (I'd recommend checking out their site for more details on how the business operates, what human trafficking is, and ways to get involved).  So by visiting here, you are supporting a great cause.  Also, this is just a fantastic coffee shop.  Win win.  I came by on a Wednesday evening (it stays open until 10 PM) to relax and read a book.  It was quiet, and there were quite a few people there working, studying, or reading.  There's plenty of seating - couches, tables, and comfy chairs.  Most importantly, the coffee is excellent.  Coffee is supplied by Boomtown (a local roaster - stay tuned for a post on that shop), and was served in this cool mug.  Because everyone knows that coffee tastes better from cool mugs.  I tried to order a drip coffee and was informed that they stop serving that after 4, but I ended up getting an Americano, which was great, so it was no problem.  Overall, huge fan of this place.  An ideal spot for getting work done!

Retrospect

So this past Friday I took the day off from work, and I might have possibly stayed out a little too late Thursday night (because #yolo or #treatyoself or something)...so obviously the first thing I did upon waking up (earlier than I wanted to, because apparently part of being an adult is your body not letting you sleep in properly anymore) was get myself to a coffee shop.  This place opened last year in midtown, right next to Axelrad, and is in a renovated old gas station.  Fortunately the weather was beautiful that day, because I did not realize that ALL of the seating here is outside.  A lot of it is covered, and there were heaters (and presumably fans in the summer?), but this is still something I feel like I should have looked into ahead of time...oh well.  The tiny interior of the shop is, for lack of a better term, cute.  There was a selection of local beers in addition to coffee (it stays open until 10PM), and lawn games on the back patio.  The coffee I had was fine, nothing special (I can only vouch for the plain drip coffee here) - I believe it was Katz.  There were coffee beans from other local roasters for sale though.  I will definitely be returning here...I impulse ordered the pictured muffin (it was very average) when I saw it in the case, thinking those were my only food options.  In my dazed, not fully awake, and hangry state that morning I somehow overlooked the entire food menu, which, apparently, contains a variety of sweet and savory crepes.  A quick google search informed me that the crepes are what this place is actually known for (I REALLY should have done more research before going here).  I looked longingly at the crepes the other patrons sitting around me had ordered, and even considered ordering one even after I had eaten the muffin, but instead decided to just sit there and read my book.  Sigh.  Next time.

Southside Espresso

This place is easy to miss - it's small and hidden behind Uchi.  Warning: it shares parking with Uchi, so finding a spot on a Saturday night was challenging, to say the least.  Valet was an option, but I would literally park half a mile away before paying someone to park my car at a COFFEE SHOP (don't even get me started on my thoughts about the concept of valet parking...few things in life simultaneously infuriate and stress me out more).  Anyway.  I digress.  The pictures I got here are not up to my usual standard due to the poor lighting and because I was with friends, so I didn't want to be TOO annoying (it turns out making people artfully stage their beverages so I can do a photo shoot with them while they rapidly get cold might be "inconsiderate"...who knew).  This place was small and quiet, and my coffee was very good.  The chai latte my friend ordered was also one of the better ones I've had.  There were several people working/studying, but because of the aforementioned lighting and the minimal seating, I wouldn't put this on a list of places to go for productivity.  It was a great spot, however, for me and my friends to hang out and talk for a while, and have a much-needed chill Saturday night after playing three slowpitch softball games on insufficient sleep (and coming to the sad realization that I am no longer in college, and definitely not a real athlete anymore).

Okay I lied.  I've actually been to four coffee shops in five days.  But I had to save some for next time!  I know the suspense is killing you.  Stay tuned.

Have a fantastic week, y'all, and don't forget to drink local coffee!

<3 liz