Archives for December 2009

(pic: downtown Clinton, NJ)

Clinton, NJ is very Cape May like but without the ocean.  Like many awesome places there isn’t a good coffee shop or espresso bar.  But, I’m reminded once again that Pittsburgh is really lucky to have several rad places – Aldo’s, 21st Street, Espresso a Mano, Voluto, Tazza D’Oro…very lucky indeed!

Before I travel the 1st thing to get packed are the coffee beans and lots of them!  It’s possible to be in an awesome place AND still have great coffee.    So, BYOC the next time you travel!  Oh, and Go Steelers – can’t watch it here cause I’m in Jets and Giant country – I’m trying to cope!

(never get tired of this guy)

Tazza D’Oro at the Gates and Hillman Centers will be closed until Jan 4th.  Our hours for the week of the 4th will be 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.  We will resume normal hours on Jan 11th – 7 am – 7 pm.

Tazza D’Oro Highland Park –

Thurs, Dec 24th – 7 am to 2:30pm

closed Dec 25th

Dec 26th –  8:00am to 10:00 pm

Thurs, Dec 31st – 7 am to 5 pm

closed Jan 1st (FOOTBALL!!!) and resume normal business hours Jan 2nd

I’m taking a long weekend off and woke this morning to awesome snow storm (sled riding in the park this afternoon, dudes!).  Couldn’t wait to make some coffee – grrrr, not one bean in the house – lol!!!  Oh, but there’s this rad coffeehouse in the Highland Park…Tazza D’Oro with lots and lots of amazing single origin coffees bagged and waiting for you!

Here’s what we have in stock and more arriving this week:

Guatemala San Jose Ocana, El Salvador Siberia Estate Bourbon, Kenya Kirimara Peaberry – Wet process, Sumatra Blue Batak, Ethiopia Yirga Cheffe Koke, Guatemala San Pedro La Laguna, Ethiopia Washed Sidamo Haile, Panama Elida Estate

ahhhhh!

(you gotta see this pic)

I have often written about my amazing trips around our coffee, but the last few weeks have been another trip.   Most of you may know that we opened a second location at the Gates and Hillman Centers on the CMU campus on Nov 18th.   It’s has met every expectation  – great staff, quality, a space that we helped design and have embraced and at the same time it’s been surreal and humbling.  At CMU there is no such thing as a soft opening – it has been awesome!  We have also felt the impact in our Highland Park location; much to my surprise – more people coming to HP to see what Tazza D’Oro is  all about.

In one of my most intense days thus far I decided to take a break, while working at home, to make some coffee.   It’s really easy for me to lose perspective while I’m attending to business but there’s my Frankie.  This poor guy is also feeling the impact of a new business – hardly any walks, less wrestling and long days alone.   Somehow he has put this whole new venture in perspective – couch, blanket, pillow and a nap – a new perspective!  Thanks Frankie.