Tag Archives: coffee

Four Barrel Coffee, Mission District, San Francisco

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Four Barrel Coffee is just cool. The artisanal coffee wholesaler’s several cafes serves its killer quality coffee. The cafe play music off vinyl, there is no wifi to encourage a community atmosphere,  they have a vintage German roasting station in the back, they serve Dynamo Donuts, what else could one want out of a coffee shop?

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Yes, it would be nice to have to wait a long time in line, however waiting for the baristas to craft the perfect cup is worth it. It would be great if there was more turn in seating, but folks really love to read, write, chat and linger for quite some time and it is a queue for seating._MG_4584 _MG_3697

The coffee roaster is looking for coffee qualities of cleanness, sweetness and acidity. Artful non? We loved the description of the roasting process “our roasters learn about their roasts only by cupping and making the connection between the decisions that they made during the roasting process and tasting the results on the cupping table. this kind of direct contact with the coffee throughout the roasting and evaluating process connects us to the coffees that we buy in a very personal way. it takes patience, dedication, understanding and willingness to interact with coffee in this way everyday.”

We enjoyed a tart and spiced chocolate donut from Dyanamo. The cake-like chocolate donut was coated in cinnamon and sugar, chipotle and chile. So perfect with a cup of coffee. In fact, this donut reminded us of our attempt to make Baked Raised Doughnuts.

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The latte and macchiato were crafted masterfully. We enjoyed sipping every sip and enjoying the complex flavors and layers of the coffee.
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After sampling Four Barrel, the main contenders in SF include Sightglass, Blue Bottle and Philz (BMH’s reviews of Sightglass and Blue Bottle). Each has its own unique attributes, ambiance and style of coffee, but the main commonality is quality.Four Barrel Coffee on Urbanspoon

Paris Baguette, Koreatown, New York City

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After dinner, we stopped by Paris Baguette for dessert. PB franchise has 2,900 stores in Korea, 50 stores in China and has stores in Cali, Jersey, New York and Philadelphia. We couldn’t help but stop by to PB because this bakery cafe sells coffee and truly beautiful and artful cakes.

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PB sells red bean pastries, sweet potato cakes, soft cheese cakes, milk bread and other assorted rolls.

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_MG_3866There were love cakes, cheesecakes, season roll, mochi, Belgian dark chocolate, fruit tarts and tiramisu.

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We ordered a canelle and the mini cake was sticky,  lightly sweet and spongy

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We couldn’t help ourselves and had two purchase two slices of the green tea strawberry cake._MG_3916

The cream layers with the spongy green tea cake went well with the sweet acidity from the sugar dusted strawberries._MG_3918

The  royal pudding, very similar to milky creme brulee was displayed in an adorable glass container. The mini cheesecake was fluffy and lightly sweet.

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We would definitely return to Paris Baguette to purchase gifts including Hwagaja sets, Baumkuchen and the croque monsieurs which can be toasted warm.

Paris Baguette on Urbanspoon

Craftsman and Wolves, Mission District, San Francisco

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After chatting with a fellow food enthusiast at Campton Place Restaurant (BMH review of Campton Place Restaurant, Taj Campton), we were instructed to check out Craftsman and Wolves, the brainchild of Chef William Werner (former pastry chef at Quince).

The gorgeous space serves coffee from Sightglass (BMH Review of Sightglass Coffee in SOMA), amazing looking pastries, tea, sandwiches and unique muffins. We plan on visiting time and time again.

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The space is one of the most thoughtfully designed restaurant spaces we have ever seen one would have no clue it was formerly a car garage. The pastry displays are well done, museum like and the ceiling and walls are hard to not be impressed by. We loved the wood, brick, dark cabinets and open room.

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Craftsman and Wolves serves drinking chocolate and afternoon tea. We eyed the sandwiches and the saucisson sec, cornichons, black mustard butter, baguette was unfortunately sold out.

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We were told to try, the Rebel Wihtin, a savory muffin with bacon and scallions, and a runny egg inside for $7. There is even a t-shirt with a a diagram of the muffin contents.

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The cocoa carrot muffin, caramelized hazelnut financier, blueberry brown butter muffin and the Devil Inside (with foie gras, chocoate and toffee) all were very alluring.

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Unfortunately, we didn’t have the appetite for too many baked goods, or even the pumpkin, apple, cardamom crumble or smoke cheddar and hot pepper gougere, but definitely next time._MG_3722

The beautiful pastries also include caramel, coffee, dark chocolate eclair, chocolate croissant stack and pain au cochon (yes with bacon!)_MG_3723

The  house baguette, levain loaf and fougasse reminded us of Paris and were so fresh looking. It was hard not to want to buy a baguette and break the nub on the end and munch on it on the way home._MG_3727

We were very interested in the tarts and cakes which were very dainty and had artful toppings.
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The Valrhona hot chocolate with violet marshmallow is a must the next time we visit._MG_3732Despite listing all our wants, what was on our hit list was The Rebel Within. The Asiago and Parmesan cheese muffin had a nice density, had bits of scallions and Boccalone breakfast sausage (BMH’s review of Boccalone Salumeria) throughout and of course the egg in the inside. We do wish the muffin was fresh from the oven and the runny yolk warm inside, but the clever novelty and idea is worth the $7 alone.

_MG_3733We plan on returning to try all the other assorted offerings in the near future.

Craftsman & Wolves on Urbanspoon

Sightglass Coffee, SOMA, San Francisco

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Sightglass Coffee is a bright spot in an ever gentrifying SOMA. It is a haven for coffee junkies and patrons with an appreciation and flair for clean design, open space and premium coffee. Upon entrance, there are friendly staff, freshly grinding coffee beans. The aroma is intoxicating and absolutely fantastic. The pastries, croissants, loafs, cookies and other assorted muffins are fresh and exceptionally tempting. The main island on the ground level has the ordering area and the space where staff measure, pour and craft coffee to the nth detail and miniscus. The whole process is an art and science, measurement and poetry. As a small pick me up, the glass mug of iced coffee with soy and a Valrohna chocolate chip cookie really hit the spot. In the upstairs seating was a bar area and wooden tables filled with students, friends and individuals chatting, computing or reading. Sightglass is coffee and design on another level. Sightglass’s elevated coffee processes and fore thought really inspires and we are sure it’s inspiration will trickle throughout the neighborhood and community. Sightglass Coffee on Urbanspoon

Guest Post: Hungry Games: Bean Good! The Coffee Pub—Arlington, VA

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It is finally here! It’s official! Hungry Games blog is here. After guest blogging with BMH, she has struck out on her own. Definitely check it out, read it and love it! 

I was out in Arlington with EDO, Natch and MCBX when we all needed a little pick-me-up. Given the usual option of a Starbucks, or a Starbucks, or a Starbucks, I was delighted when EDO suggested that we try one of her favorite coffee spots, Bean Good!, located at 1737 Wilson Boulevard.

The coffee pub was adorable, with a full menu of coffee, espresso drinks, tea, smoothies, sandwiches, and an assortment of pastries. We were just dropping in, but it seemed like a comfortable spot to spend a couple hours with your computer or your newspaper while enjoying a warm beverage and light snack.

Although I didn’t try any of the food, EDO assured me that the Red Velvet Muffins were quite delicious (I believe her!). The Spinach Feta Croissants also looked rather tempting.

We all ordered coffee or lattes, which were very flavorful. The lattes had an especially thick, frothy topping—so much better than any Starbucks! Next time I’m in need of a coffee fix (and adventuring in Virginia), this will be my spot. (They also have a wine and beer selection…bonus!)