Courier Coffee Roasters, Portland OR

phil February 28, 2012

We visited Portland, Oregon a few weeks ago to spend some time with family.   We spent some time walking around downtown in southwest Portland and eventually stopped into Courier Coffee for a break and some caffeine after missing out on Spella Caffe by just a few minutes.  Next time.

Courier Coffee roasts their coffee in Southeast Portland and deliver their coffee by bike.

Latte art with a tulip-shaped rosetta.

The barista and other customers were really friendly and the coffee was great.  No regrets in coming here instead of Spella at all.

 

My shot of espresso.

 

Eating About Beer 2012 Homebrew Dinner

phil February 18, 2012

January’s 2012 Homebrew Dinner hosted by Eating About Beer was another great evening of good food, good brews and good company.

I arrived early to take photos of the set-up.  Erin’s place in San Francisco had beautiful natural light and nice floral arrangements.

 

 

 

And a big dictionary.

 

Dishwashing, viewed through the window into the laundry room.

 

This sauce was for the Yakitori

 

There is an equal amount of beer in bottles and in kegs these days

 

homemade pickled mangoes

 

and carrots

 

They have a lever that opens the front door.  What are these called?  The internet isn’t helping me.

 

Yakitori and dipping sauce.  Chicken hearts and “regular” chicken too.

 

Cast iron coming out of the oven

 

Guests await more food and beer

 

Seitan

 

“Inside-out stuffed duck”  – Ground duck wrapped in dressing with a cherry molasses reduction.

 

9Sev Brew – Born in Maine Brewed in  Cali.  This pumpkin spice ale was paired with the inside-out stuffed duck above.

 

Ginger cake with a poached pear and whipped cream.

 

The chefs and brewers came out at the end for a toast.

 

Tour de Biere 2012

phil February 17, 2012

Here are a few pictures taken during Tour de Biere 2012, a ride we put together via The Grand Cru that raised money for the East Bay Bicycle Coalition and visited multiple East Bay breweries.  There aren’t bikes in these; they’re from our ride up Market St in Oakland.  I’ve posted pictures of the bikes, beer, and riders on this Grand Cru page.

 

 

The Boys and Girls Club of Oakland

 

El Taco Panzon Taqueria in West Oakland.  They are no longer open.  Yelp reviews are here.

 

New York: Culture Espresso Bar and downtown

phil January 17, 2012

Last month, we visited Culture Espresso Bar at 72 W 38th St.  Their website doesn’t match up to the vibe inside – it’s a pretty classy place.

 

I got the usual shot of espresso.  I think they were pulling shots from an Intelligentsia Black Cat blend.

 

a macchiato to go along

 We walked downtown via the High Line:

A couple sitting at the High Line

 

 

and walked back uptown through the financial district.  This is the 1-million square foot Manhattan Municipal Building.  Built from 1909-1914.

 

new york: night shots and night cyclists

phil January 12, 2012

I walked around and took photos. (what else is new?)

love the soho billiards sign.

 

Aether put together a nice little popup store with a tent and an airstream trailer.  Nice looking gear.. a little pricey of course.  (I love the photos on their main website)

 

riding north on mulberry st. with a bag in hand.

 

St. Patrick’s old cathedral is an impressive structure

 

another new york night cycling photo.

 

and another.  helmets wearers seem to be in the minority.

 

Christmas 2011

phil January 11, 2012

On  Houston St.    Some power-drill stealing grinch must have been running around.  (sadface)

 

best cross-stitch iphone case ever

 

Cafe Grumpy and Spot Dessert Bar

phil January 9, 2012

Food shots:

Espresso from Cafe Grumpy in Chelsea.  Mellow.

 

Dessert from the Spot Dessert Bar in the East Village.  This was the Yuzu Eskimo – Blackberries, raspberry foam, chocolate pearls, oreo soil and chocolate ganache.

It was a neat combination of flavors.  The most interesting was the Yuzu – a Japanese citrus fruit.  It had a very interesting tart herbal flavor.  The raspberry foam was very tart as well and predictably light.  The oreo “soil” was delicious as I love oreo cookies and the chocolate was yummy as well.

 

I can’t remember what my friend Diane got.  I think this was the White Miso Semifreddo with berries, olive oil, and raspberry sorbet with an almond tuile.

 

Brooklyn shots

phil January 8, 2012

I wandered around Williamsburg for an afternoon.

 

 

sad christmas trees.

 

sad “no bikes” sign.  or awesome “no bikes” sign.

 

pigeons over bedford ave.

 

And a skateboarder

 

philadelphia in the morning; espresso at la colombe

phil January 5, 2012

I spent a few hours in Philly just before Christmas before catching a greyhound bus to New York.

 

Chinatown arch at twilight

 

reading terminal market with a sign for old city coffee

 I walked by old city coffee, but I wanted coffee at la colombe.

Espresso at the Dilworth Plaza La Colombe.  I was surprised that they offer both single and doubles – I got a single.  It tasted of a pretty dark roast with not as much flavor as I am snobbily accustomed to.

 

nice interior, though not particularly unique.  I was happy to just be enjoying a moment in Philly.

 

City hall and William Penn’s backside.  This was the world’s tallest building for 7 years from 1901 to 1908!

 

Another side of the Reading Terminal Market