
I had a recent experience at a new coffee shop in town that wasn't quite the best. I have my coffee shops that I go to because of the quality of their coffee and the proper way they make their specialty drinks. However, I noticed this new coffee shop and wanted to give it a try to see if they are a quality shop. As I walked in it was comfortable and cozy, quite small, but they did have an upstairs to hang out and chill. I didn't proceed to go up because I was just coming in and out. I asked for a latte, but after asking felt I should ask how many shots he puts in the small. He said that "I normally put one in for a 12 oz." Which typically most people put two in but whatever, I just ask him not to fill the cup all the way.
As I watched him prepare the shot and the milk, it was a very poor performance. The milk was steamed terribly and the shot came flying out like a rushing waterfall. It was done in roughly 7-8 seconds. There was not a bit of crema on top of the shot. I knew it was going to taste terrible. I paid for my drink and walked out almost scared to take a sip. Once I gained enough courage to take a sip I quickly found out how extremly hot it was. Once it was at a point where it was drinkable I found the taste to be like that of a quickie mart cappuchino from the machines. It was awful, I tooke three sips and threw it away. I was really dissapointed that anyone would open a coffee shop and serve such a terrible drink.
However while being here in raleigh I had a very good experience with a coffee shop. My friend brooke and I went downtown raleigh and ate at this place called Raleigh Times. I had an awesome lunch and was very impressed. After we decided to enjoy a little coffee. As I walked it I immediately loved it. It had a wonderful ambiance and they looked as if they knew what they were doing. When I looked at the menu I noticed that under "Espresso", it was labeled "Macchiato". If you are familiar at all with coffee you know that a "Macchiato" isn't a starbucks latte with caramel thrown all over it. But it is a shot of espresso with a dolip of milk or froth put on the top or "marked" with milk.
Anyway, I asked the Barista how he makes his Macchiato and he said "Well I can make it the traditional way with....." before he was able to finish I said, "I'm glad you guys actually make it the way it is suppose to be made, I'll take that". I was really impressed. I have never seen a coffee shop that actually offered a Macchiato on the menu. It made me really happy to know that there are some people out there that cherish the actual art of coffee and the truth in the drinks. So this experience compensated greatly for my previous one the day before.