I'm not the world's greatest traveller by any measure, but I was fortunate to live in Western Australia for a little while where I discovered that espresso coffee drinks can be way better (and less bitter) than the average Starbucks in the US. Now, my blog is not to slam Starbuck's but to commend to everyone my top 5 favorite coffee shops! (By the way, I often go to Starbuck's when there's no better choice, but usually go for a dirty Chai rather than a straight espresso drink like an Americano or cappucino). Here they are in particular order...
- Brew Ha (Subiaco, WA) - this is where it all began. I actually remember the food was awesome too, but this is where I first started to appreciate decent espresso coffee
- Bloc Coffee (Cincinnati, OH) thank Siri for this one! I was visiting a wastewater treatment plant in Cincy and wanted a decent coffee. My smartphone took me to a neighborhood you wouldn't expect to see a coffee shop and there it was! This place is a gem.
Latte LandKaldis (Prairie Village, KS) - My local and an awesome coffee. This is where I ruined my colleague by introducing him to good espresso (usually an Americano). Before that he was quite happy with his McDonalds or QT drip coffee. He's not been the same since (nor has his wallet!).- Dimbulah (Singapore) - whilst looking for a decent coffee shop in Singapore I stumbled on this place thinking it was a chain shipped over from Oz (there are several and all pretty darn good). It turns out that this small coffee shop chain is only in Singapore and they ship their beans from Dimbulah in Queensland. This is probably the best coffee I've ever had. My wife and niece were also spoiled by the delights of this coffee when we lived in Singapore for a few months. I think it was the coffee, or maybe the charming staff!
- Caribou (US Midwest) - now if I have to drink at a chain coffee shop, this is my favourite. Not sure if its the coffee or the white chocolate rasberry scones, but I was very happy when one opened near our house. Now it's just a negotiation with my wife if we go to the Starbucks which is closer or the Caribou which is better (in my mind)! Wow, these 1st world problems eh?
Enjoy the brew wherever you go! What's your fave?