Coffee Shop Down

Dunn Brothers in Champlin is closed. Sad to see this happen, but sadly, a sign of the times.

http://northmetro.blogspot.com/2007/08/81707-espresso-shop.html

No, you are right, this is not a spectacular image; just a bit of news from the north metro.

Avant Garden Espresso Bar

Order and pickup, sandwiches and coffee to go in Anoka.

Black Coffee

Espresso, real coffee, (not tea) and elegant in a jet black mug and saucer. From Cafe' Le Bosquet, Paris.

Corner Coffee Shop

Daniela's in Forest Lake sereves coffee, espresso, imported treats and candy, but best of all gelato!

A Tale of Two 'Bous

"It was the best of coffee, it was the worst of coffee..."

On the left, Ethiopian roast cold press coffee from the Minnetonka Caribou coffee. On the right, Mahogany roast cold press coffee from the Champlin Caribou Coffee.

One is tea like, the other is coffee. Can you spot the difference?

In the Opus complexity in Minnetonka, we are fortunate, or unfortunate enough to have two Caribou Coffee shops across the street from each other. One, the Old "Bou, is Drive Thru-less. The new 'Bou across the street sports a snappy Drive Thru for those who wish to speak into an electronic box. They then exchange money with a pleasant Drive Thru attendant wearing a Burger King like communications head gear.

Today we enjoyed the beautiful sunny weather and a nice walk to Caribou Coffee. A 2:30 ritual on pleasant days. We were quite disappointed in our last visit to the Old 'Bou. They brew only two types of a substance similar to coffee. One is decaf, the other is Perennial Blend.

As far as Decaf goes, whats the point? It is better if you go to the local food mart and pick up a jar of Sanka. You will save money and enjoy a better product.

Caribou's Perennial Blend is equivalent to taking the dish of potpourri from a gift shop, add 1/8 teaspoon of coffee grounds and steep with hot water. Not a good cup of coffee to say the most.

We opted for the New 'Bou. Our thinking was since the Old 'Bou serves nothing more than potpourri, the New 'Bou must serve dark roast. We were correct in the assumption that the New' Bou does not serve potpourri. They had something almost worse; an Ethiopian Blend.

This Ethiopian blend doesn't even make Caribou's color roast chart. It is pegged far to the left; flavorless, light amber in color, and worse of all, you can see through it. I'm thinking we're duped into tea.

Why would they not have dark roast at either of these two Caribou Coffee shops in Minnetonka? Are they catering to the Young Urban Professionals (Yuppies) who are only capable of ordering their daily vanilla caramel hazelnut turtle mocha lattes with water like coffee? Do they know or understand that coffee is robust, it is dark where you can not see through it? Are their taste buds incapable of enjoying anything stronger than water and two tea bags?

Next time we walk to one of the two 'Bous, I'm bringing my own coffee to enjoy. Real coffee, not the tea they serve.

A quick stop to Champlin's Caribou Coffee on the way home; they have it right with three brews. Dark Roast, Light Roast, and Decaf. As it should be' real coffee. Champlin knows how to threat their customers.

Bean Roaster

Coffee bean roaster at a favorite coffee shop, Dunn Bros. Nothing like a fresh hot cup of coffee to start the day.

Yesterday, Just Roaming The Cities requested to view the original photo of my Train Set "tonemapped" photo. UYour wish is my command. Below is the converted file from RAW to JPG.Although not a terrible photo in it's original state, but less dramatic.

Coffee Sign

Closed for remodeling was what the sign read on the front door to this Maple Grove coffee shop. I am not sure why they need to remodel, the shop is pretty darn nice inside. But we all wait patiently for their re-opening. The sooner the better, I need my coffee fix.

Coffee Bar

After a few hours on a photo-shoot then shopping for that perfect trinket for the upcoming gift exchange, I needed a break and coffee. Back to Avant Garden Espresso Bar. I believe I found my new home away from home.

The Monday After

"Sounds like somebody's got a case of the Monday's!" To use a quote from Nina in Office Space.

Monday morning after a Holiday weekend is awful; back at work early morning suffering post holiday let-down. Back to numerous high importance emails, ringing phones, overdue reports, and useless meetings.

Enjoy this virtual coffee for a dull Monday morning after.

Sidewalk Coffee

This Espresso Bar was firts featured here exactly two months ago. http://northmetro.blogspot.com/2007/09/coffee-bar.html

Righ on Main Street, Avant Garden Espresso Bar, a cozy place to relax with an afternoon coffee.

A small latte, medium cappuccino, and a biscotti, wonderful treats after a morning of shopping. Look out Dunn Brothers and The 'Bou, I just may have found a new home for coffee!

Candycane Muffins

Our weekend morning walk takes us on a 5 mile loop where the 'Bou is approx the mid way point.

A nice relaxing half hour break to enjoy our morning coffee, cappuccinos, and either a muffin or scone.

This morning I could not resist this candycan muffin. wow was that good! Sweet, pepperminty and delicious! I higly reccomend it...dang, the cat is out of the bag, now everbody knows how good these are.

The 'Bou-Insider

Inside the 'Bou, (Caribou Coffee) waiting for my morning order. The friendly waitstaff are busy brewing coffee and readying the scones for the morning rush.

Join me for a refreshing Triple Depth Charge; my signature drink. What is a Triple Depth Charge you ask?

Simple; a depth charge is a coffee spiked with a shot of espresso. My version, the Triple Depth Charge is a Large black coffee with 3 shots of espresso.

Perfect for the commute to work. This just starts my coffee day.

8/17/07 - Espresso Shop

This morning I changed it up from the 'Bou and stopped in at my favorite coffee shop, Dunn Brothers. A little out of my way, but so worth the extra time. Better coffee, less crowded, (no teenagers), fabulous scones, biscotti, and friendly service!

Not that the 'Bou doesn't have friendly service. The 'Bou is quite friendly as well. But here at Dunn Brothers, there is that no nonesense knick knack counter clutter; no 'Boubalm, no reindeer trinketry. Yes, sadly, they too have a Drive Thru. but it seems in this day and age, the Drive Thru is a necessity for suburban commerce.

This is almost like being back in one of Rome's finest corner coffee shops. Almost, but not quite. Stop in, see you at Dunn's!

8/15/07- Look out, I'm Late!

7:15 AM, typical morning commute, late as usual. Fortunately, the traffic is unusually light this morning heading south. I guess I shouldn't have stopped in at the 'Bou for a cappuccino and scone for breakfast. Dang cell rang, I dropped my scone on the floor, there goes breakfast. Yep, a typical start to the work day. Tomorrow, I'll change it up with an espresso and try and drop a lemon poppy-seed muffin on the floor.

August 3rd - The 'Bou

Caribou Coffee. Or, as we call it, "The 'Bou". A quick morning stop for Brain Fuel. I have 3 favorites that I rotate. Cold Press Coffee, Cappucino, with 1 extra shot of espresso, or my favorite, a large dark roast coffee with 3 extra shots of espresso! As their motto says at Caribou Coffee, "Life is short, stay awake for it". One thing I absolutely detest, though; it's that da&# Drive Thru. Lazyness and impersonal; I need to go in and talk to my 'people'.