Children's POV

A schoolteacher shared this drawing done by a student who was working on a project about the number of coffee drinkers. We're assuming the child has some alcohol-related complications at home...

(the word "Evil" appears on the label of a beer bottle.)

Developing Situation

Which is a better system for developing film? Coffee or Beer? Well, we don't know of a beer solution.. but a photographer friend informed us of a method for using the morning blend to create some prints...cafenol.


Here is the story in Wired.

And a photo from that story.

The Ferrari of Coffee Machines

Making espresso can be a high art. We believe that, and that is why we take an interest in the people and technology that push the limits of what is possible.

Yesterday early evening, this writer was introduced to the Stratta E.P., a precision-engineered machine built in Florence, Italy by La Marzocco. I was at the Sweet Leaf cafe in Long Island City. Christian, a barista and manager there, offered to let me take photos from behind the counter, and then demonstrated to me the store's pride and joy.

The machine, built in Florence, Italy, has a very responsive engine.

This is the premier model from La Marzocco. One indicator is its translucency. You can view the gears inside. 

Christian at work.

Thank you for the tour, Christian. We will provide more details about the Stratta in a revised post.

Give it to Me!

Day On / Day Off

Nick, of midtown cafe, Piccolo, has a rule about 'Coffee or Beer.'

"If it's my day off, I have a beer in the morning.
If it's a work day, I have a coffee in the morning."

A beer as the first thing waking up?

"Well, maybe a glass of water first."

Cafecito in Greenpoint Brooklyn

A Columbian cafe on Manhattan Ave

4pm on a lazy Sunday in Manhattan

Sunday afternoon during Autumn in New York: a time of many options. Coffee or beer depends on what you have been doing.. Eating brunch? Playing Football? After a 6 mile run, this reporter had a couple beers but did not want to lose the day to idle indoor socializing. So, out and about in the East Village, where many coffee options await.

7th Street Manhattan: Porto Rico Importing Co. 

The famous Mud Truck parked in Astor Place.

A flagship Starbucks lost its sibling on the opposite side of Astor Place but remains a gleaming area attraction. 

7am Airport Bar

I interviewed a busy family man / business executive about a number of coffee or beer topics. Asked: Please discuss a situation where either coffee or beer could have been the appropriate choice, and how you chose, he first stated:

"In all cases where I could only choose one, I would choose beer, except if I was in an airport bar at 7am with my boss. Then I would get coffee."

Later in our discussion, this man, who we'll call Ben,  painted a picture of an occurrence in which one or the other option (coffee or beer) would be a mutually exclusive consumption.

"It's Saturday or Sunday morning and you wake up in your own home, between 10 and 11. You can either have a coffee and bagel - some kind of bread product... or a beer -- hair of the dog -- and look for some ibuprofen. I always go with the beer because there's the possibility of a mishap from a digestive standpoint with the coffee."

I asked about the digestive concern about coffee. "It's like a natural laxative... things can backfire."

So does choosing the beer exclude having the bagel? "Not necessarily," Ben said. "But it's rare to do so.. the reason you had wanted the bagel or bread was for the carbs," which you obtain from beer "in liquid form."

Plus, "beer and bagel don't really go along from a taste perspective." 

That's true. So, beware readers: once you do commit to and begin consuming a bagel, the deck is stacked against you; looks like you'll be wise to have a coffee--so make sure it's still nearby!

Editors Notes: The interviewed party is of further value to our blog because he managed a quality coffee beanery for 2+ years. In a later post, we'll publish some of his advice regarding coffee buying, roasting, and serving. Subscribe to this blog!