Coffee Shops

[LearnedCoward]

If you had enough cash you could buy your own espresso machine, but that comes at a price of course.

My brother got an espresso machine for my parents sometime in the early 1990s. They thought it was pretentious as all get out, but I loved it.

I don't know where it is today. Probably in the bottom of some landfill, hardly ever used.

I used to love Starbucks until I became a coffee snob. The dangers of good taste, eh?

Back in the day, when coffee shops were this big new thing, I used to like Starbucks. Mostly because this whole sit and read and sip coffee aesthetic was so strange to us at the time, so... European... that there weren't really any local shops like that. Of course, the local shops started up, and they were so much better. Their coffee didn't taste burnt, their pastries didn't taste like airline food, and most importantly, they brought their own individual vibe and atmosphere.

I'm usually a person who drinks Tea

I switched from coffee to green tea recently. All of the caffeine, less of the jumpiness.

I'm still a little jumpy though, because I go through a 100g tin of green tea leaves at least once per week.

A cheaper option and my go-to for making coffee is a french press. Although it's not really convenient, the girlfriend says I make good coffee for what it's worth. LOL

French presses are indeed inexpensive, and they're not that inconvenient.

1. Add coffee grounds
2. Add boiling water
3. Wait 4 minutes
4. Press plunger down
5. Enjoy!

Plus, the coffee tastes better than from a drip machine, and way better than from a [shudders audibly] Keurig.

being Canadian I rarely go to Tim Horton's (gasp!)

Being American and from a border state, I've been to Timmy's but they're not everywhere like they are by you. I used to live down the street from one and was in there often enough. Coffee was alright, donuts were alright but nothing compared to our local donut shop,* atmosphere left a lot to be desired. So, I'd go in there for a quick donut and coffee and then hit the road, assuming I didn't just go through the drive-through.

*all the best donut shops I've been to were Asian-owned. Even better than the Italian places. Not sure why that is.

Another reason why I pick my favourite coffee shops is the atmosphere, my favourite coffee shop is in a district just outside downtown that attracts an eclectic variety of people, I have often gotten into random conversations with complete strangers at this shop...

So much this.

It's a meeting place, like a pub, where folk socialise with one another.

Oh yeah. Except people aren't obnoxicated beyond all recognition. I've got nothing against drinking, I just don't like sloppy drunks.

Plus, I can stop interacting with people in a coffee shop and pull out a book, and nobody will think I'm a freak, or proudly tell me how they haven't read a book since high school :/

 

[NothingToSeeHere]

I love good quality coffee. Sadly it makes me gassy, so I don't drink it very often, for everyone else's sake. When I go to a coffee shop I tend to go for hot chocolate, of tea if they have any nice blends.

 

[On the Inside]

Espresso coffee is practically my lifeblood. Make it at home on the stove in something called a cafetiere exactly like this one:

View attachment 46086

Grind the coffee beans each time I make coffee. This process give you rich, dark, thick coffee. The cafetieres are about twenty to forty dollars and last a long time. I've bought several, but the one pictured above (from ikea) is likely the best one I've used and I've used many. Used to go to cafe's and have tried many types of coffee, but I usually stick with espresso as I like the taste.

I have three different models of " la machinetta" they are my favorite method.

 

[Quart]

Pubs aren't places where people are obnoxiously drunk. If you go during the daytime it can be restrained. Too quiet and the barman doesn't really want you there, he'd rather be working waiting for a group to come in. But daytime drinking is restrained - men in there for a couple of pints. I've never had any trouble there. I can see myself going out for two or three pints, cooking dinner and going to sleep. There's no need to do six or seven pint beer monster type binges. You'd more likely get stick for drinking too fast than drinking too slowly.

 

[Progster]

I was given an espresso machine as a gift, but I've never used it. Espressos really aren't my thing.

 

[Kirsty]

I was given an espresso machine as a gift, but I've never used it. Espressos really aren't my thing.

Maybe sell it and use the money to buy something you do like. Gifts come with permission to let go of and the person who gave you it should be understanding if you have to explain why you gave it away.

 

[LearnedCoward]

I was given an espresso machine as a gift, but I've never used it. Espressos really aren't my thing.

I used to drink espresso late at night because I'm weird like that

Lately I've been mixing a little espresso with ice water or milk. It doesn't have that overwhelming espresso flavor anymore, but is still a different flavor and texture than standard coffee.

Maybe sell it and use the money to buy something you do like. Gifts come with permission to let go of and the person who gave you it should be understanding if you have to explain why you gave it away.

Ooh. If you don't like coffee drinks at all, then hoo boy was that a bad gift for you. I would keep it in the box it came in, ask for a gift receipt, and trade it back in.

 

[Quart]

I look forward to drinking a barraquito again.

 

[LearnedCoward]

Pubs aren't places where people are obnoxiously drunk. If you go during the daytime it can be restrained. Too quiet and the barman doesn't really want you there, he'd rather be working waiting for a group to come in. But daytime drinking is restrained - men in there for a couple of pints. I've never had any trouble there. I can see myself going out for two or three pints, cooking dinner and going to sleep. There's no need to do six or seven pint beer monster type binges. You'd more likely get stick for drinking too fast than drinking too slowly.

Not in my experience. Not everybody is obnoxiously drunk, but enough are that it kinda ruins it for me.

Day drinking is kind of a mixed bag. It's split pretty evenly between groups of older people stopping off for a quick pint, and 23-year-old douchebros with jobs in finance who park themselves there on their days off and get plastered.

 

[Quart]

The other point to say is that if you don't want espresso just on its own, fill the rest of the mug with hot water and cold milk.

 

[Progster]

Maybe sell it and use the money to buy something you do like. Gifts come with permission to let go of and the person who gave you it should be understanding if you have to explain why you gave it away.

Good idea Or I could just give it away, if I can find someone who wants it.

 

[tducey]

I never drink coffee but I buy hot chocolate and cappucino at my grocery store. That way I can mix it how I want it.

 

[Quart]

The other point to say is that if you don't want espresso just on its own, fill the rest of the mug with hot water and cold milk.

Good idea Or I could just give it away, if I can find someone who wants it.

"Where's that coffee machine I bought you?"

The conversation would go that they're hurt and all. I love coffee.

 

[Progster]

"Where's that coffee machine I bought you?"

The conversation would go that they're hurt and all. I love coffee.

Given that it was given to me nearly 20 years ago, and that person has moved on and I have no more contact, it's highly unlikely...I doubt they even remember giving it to me.

 

[Quart]

It should be no problem. I'm thinking if you only got it a month ago or something.

 

[Desiree W]

I'm an avid coffee drinker. As you can see my profile pic is one of my fave coffee mugs . I make my own coffee in the morn. It saves a lot of $. I still like going to cafes every now and then to try different types of lattes and mochas.

 

[LearnedCoward]

"Where's that coffee machine I bought you?"

"I only leave it out when I make coffee."

Technically correct. The best kind of correct.

Given that it was given to me nearly 20 years ago, and that person has moved on and I have no more contact, it's highly unlikely...I doubt they even remember giving it to me.

Oh geez. It's reached white elephant status long ago. Good luck boxing it up and returning it.

 

[Quart]

"I only leave it out when I make coffee."

Technically correct. The best kind of correct.

"Where d'you keep it?"

After the second question I'd give up, but you get my meaning.

 

[LearnedCoward]

"Where d'you keep it?"

Persistent little bugger, aren't you?

[sigh]

The same place you keep [that thing I gave you that I know you gave away].

 

[I love roses]

I like Starbucks for consistency in flavor. You know what you order is what you are going to get. I’ve ended up with naturally occurring flavor in the beans in independents that were off putting. Then i’m displeased I paid three to five dollars for something I can’t stand to drink. But then again, some independents are exceptional.

I like some basic standards like cappuccino. I don’t like it when I ask for a double cappuccino and end up with a double cup of milk. A double is supposed to be two shots. Froth amount should be about the same or a little more as for a single like head on beer. I’m not after a late’ or I would have asked for one. Consistency is everything!

However, if i’m looking for company to avoid loneliness the independents are best for strike up conversations. The servers and atmosphere is usually more funky and less homogenized. There you’ll find a server with a tatto or piercing and not everyone is catching up on work from the office on a lap top or with their head in a book. A great independent with a large list of options made to perfection is a diamond and they will be marked in my mind with a permanent marker.

My favorites:
For relaxing and flavor- cappuccino
For buzz and flavor in a hurry- espresso with whip cream
For a dessert treat and buzz- iced vietnamese coffee which is also good hot. Tastes like a milkshake with buzz.
One I love and can no longer find is super strong cold brewed iced coffee with cream and Torrani hazelnut or was it caramel syrup? Been to long to remember.