New Gear:
For my birthday my mother got me a Fellow Tally Pro scale. I’m trying to drink more black coffee and develop a palette for it. Using this scale at least helps me make a consistent brew as if I know what I’m doing. It also allows me to experiment with different coffee-water ratios. I’ve started with Vitamin Sea’s Seven Bells and All’s Well, which is really a Red Eye Roaster creation.
Boston, MA
This is pretty much my weekly work routine. Phin Coffee House, Intelligentsia, and George Howell's I try to get to on a weekly basis. Tatte and Ogawa Coffee are in the mix as well. The barristas at Phin and Intelligentsia seem to know me and my order. But as soon as I start to feel special I realize they know almost everyone else's too.
Providence, RI
I went down to Providence recently on a random day off from work. I hit two cool coffee shops, White Electric and The Nitro Bar. Both are in the West End/Federal Hill areas. White Electric was a nice, busy, good people watching spot. It seemed to attract a somewhat artsy bohemian clientele. Fairly busy, but still able to get a table. Just a few blocks away was the Nitro Bar, nestled inside Dash Bike Shop. Smaller than White Electric, this sleek white and wood coffee bar was a pretty unique spot. Fairly busy and seemed to have its share of locals studying and working on laptops. I did the same. At this place I went wild and got a Maple Sea Salt Latte.
St. Petes, FL
Check out this guide to St. Petes beer and coffee I put together. The coffee shop section is at the bottom.