Archives for May 2008

Over the last couple of days I had the chance to visit 5 or 6 espresso bars/coffee houses both in Olympia and Seattle all with very different personalities, customer demographics, and business models. This to me is always an amazing exercise and perspective.

The Northwest coffee scene is inspiring and sometimes intimidating. Today, my experience was a little different and maybe I’m a little different this time around too. The coffee scene/shops are so very mature here – the baristas, the equipment, the roasters, the customers, the coffee knowledge. The coffee culture and energy around coffee seemed so deeply ingrained and routine. The businesses seemed to be more focused and settled into their niches versus the frantic search for what’s new and next. Some say this has been happening for quite some time. And maybe I’m noticing the difference because I now operate a coffee house in a part of the country where the industry is exploding with energy and opportunity. I had the chance to observe and learn a lot today. I still believe that the Pacific Northwest will continue to raise the bar for all of us, develop new technology, advance training techniques and so on.

I left the day with my head spinning, my palate more refined and a sense of confidence in our vision for Tazza D’Oro and complete admiration, once again, for our exceptional coffee roaster, Batdorf and Bronson.

During the drive back to Olympia on I5, Oliver, Amelia and I had some very engaging discussions about Tazza D’Oro, training, third wave coffee, espresso extraction, sourcing coffee, sustainability, potential opportunities, detail upon detail of information and brain storming. Then as the sun burned off the cloud cover Mt Rainier appeared and in an instant everything seemed so insignificant and I was presented with another amazing perspective.

Hiking tomorrow either in the Olympic or Cascade Mountains depending on where there is less snow at the different elevations and mountain passes. We didn’t think about packing warmer cloths and snow gear. Oh well. But we are assured that no matter where we end up it will be beautiful. See photos from day 2 by clicking here.

Hi all-

Sending back the first pictures of our roasted micro- lot of Panama Esmeralda that we won in the May 22nd auction in partnership with Batdorf and Bronson. As it turns out, I couldn’t taste it. The night before we left for Olympia, my 2 week cough turned into one of my worst colds EVER. Have you ever had the experience of flying with a really awful cold? A travel experience I will remember for a very long time if not the rest of my life.

However, the folks sitting around the cupping table today were saying “WOW” a lot. At the end of the day Oliver handed me a small bag of roasted Esmeralda to take back to Pittsburgh. I think there is probably enough to make a French Press or Chemex. I can’t wait.

Oliver and I spent a couple of hours in the espresso lab learning some new espresso techniques. Tazza D’Oro baristas – more fun to come! Amazing day and somehow my cold felt better walking to the Oly Market on a chilly day. The flowers here are amazing. It’s hard to miss the sun with the emerald green of the grass and trees and the vibrant colors of all the Northwest flowers. During lunch we sat out over the bay and had the chance to watch a seal swim by with a flock of Sea Gulls in tow. Tomorrow we make a road trip to Seattle for an espresso bar crawl. The rest of my pictures from today can be viewed by clicking here.

Later-

Over the next few days I hoping to cup a lot of great coffee, do an espresso bar/coffeehouse crawl and get some views for my soul – Mt Rainier (if it isn’t raining). Wednesday, I head to Olympia, WA [Read more…] about Getting My Northwest Fix – Caffeine and Mt Rainier

Tazza D’Oro is open on Monday (5/26) from 8 am to 12 noon so come see us and drink our coffee.

Today was one of the most exciting days in the life of Tazza D’Oro. We participated in the auction of the 2008 green coffee crop of one of the finest coffees grown in the world – Hacienda La Esmeralda! Over the past four years this coffee has won the Best of Panama and many accolades from coffee experts who have cupped the coffee. And tonight we are one of the owners. Check out the final auction results – we are registered under Batdorf and Bronson

Scott Merle and Batdorf and Bronson, THANK YOU! Once again, our coffee roaster continues to set the bar for Tazza D’Oro and remains committed to our vision and our sustainability. Through meetings and phone calls, we talked about the possibility of Tazza D’Oro having it’s very own micro lot of coffee. The folks at Batdorf and Bronson have consistently listened to our ideas and shared their ideas in order to help us reach the next level in achieving excellence in coffee, espresso, training, sustainability, reducing our environmental footprint, customer service and the fine intricacies of relationship and partnership. Today was another example – a small independent retailer working with a small independent, exceptional roaster and securing a batch of Esmeralda coffee.

We will be posting more on this as soon as we find the words and drink all the champagne. We hope to have the coffee sometime in June and in the next few days there is lots to tell you about the batch of coffee, the farm and the location on the farm where it was grown.

There are rumors of music, outdoor fire, food, singing, vino and drumming happening at Tazza D’Oro tomorrow night. What an awesome way to celebrate. Oh no, NOT GRAPPA TOO!

Updated 5/22/08.– Great article in the Post Gazette today – take a look here.

Beginning May, 28th and every fourth Wednesday, Councilman Patrick Dowd or a staff member will be holding office hours at Tazza D’Oro beginning at 2 pm. Click here for entire schedule and additional info. Patrick Dowd is an amazing guy and our newly elected City Councilman for District 7, which includes Highland Park, Bloomfield, Lawrenceville, Friendship, Garfield, Morningside, Polish Hill, East Liberty and Stanton Heights.

On May 15th, Councilman Dowd launched his “Council To Go” (read announcement) project. We are really proud to be a host for Councilman Dowd and his staff especially since this seems like the beginning of change in the way we do politics in our city and the way we have access to those who represent our interests and communities.

Right on, Patrick! Lots of good ideas flow over a cup of coffee.