I remember the first time I ever drank coffee from a French press.  It was ten years ago, and I was working at the OSU Food Innovation Center.  I had traveled to Seattle for a conference at the Westin, and was staying at a delightful B&B near Pike Place Market called Pensione Nichols.  There were amazing European duvets on the bed, which the owner acquired herself while traveling abroad.  The common room faced the Puget Sound and the windows overlooked the market, with window seats where one could linger with a cup of coffee in the morning and watch Seattle wake up.

The breakfast portion of bed and breakfast consisted of orange and banana slices, freshly made scones, accompanied by jams and marmalades, and a French press of coffee.  She placed it on my table, and said, “Wait until you’ve finished your fruit and then slowly press down on this plunger,” indicating the long prong-like device protruding from the glass carafe.  As the carafe was glass, I could watch the color of the coffee change as it steeped in the hot water.  Finally, I pressed the plunger, amazed at the resistance, and poured the coffee into my waiting mug.  I smelled, then sipped, and my eyes flew open.  Now THIS was coffee!  The flavor was so smooth and rich and deep, it required no sugar or cream to enjoy.  I sat up straight in my chair, buttered my scone with my pinky out, and suddenly felt very sophisticated and grown up.

That was the beginning of my love affair with coffee and my entrance into the coffee culture.  Fast forward five years, and I was managing a Starbucks in Gresham.  However one may feel about Starbucks, if offered me a tremendous opportunity to learn about every aspect of coffee—from preparation to production, buying and roasting, single-origin and fair trade.  I worked very hard to become a Coffee Master, and I still own my black apron.  My palate changed as I tasted more and more coffee, and soon I could distinguish the subtle flavors of earth, water, air and sunshine.

I no longer work at Starbucks, and now prefer an even higher quality bean.  I love places like Barista in the Pearl District, where you can buy coffee beans from several different roasters, and have them prepared exactly to your liking by people who care as much about coffee as you do.  As I write this morning, I’m drinking a French press of Guatemalan coffee that I purchased when I visited the Filadelphia Coffee Estate in Guatemala.  Every coffee lover should have the opportunity to see how coffee is grown, harvested, and processed at the source.  Just like my first French press, it is a magical experience I shall never forget, and one I remember each time I drink a great cup of coffee.

What will you remember about drinking coffee in Portland?

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2010 marks an auspicious moment in my life–I have officially been a Portlander for 30 years.  Learning about Portland is somewhat of an obsession for me, and has hit a new height recently, when I was hired as a Travel Advisor for Travel Oregon.  I work at the Oregon Welcome Center at Portland International Airport, and spend my time there helping people with any and every question they ask me.  For someone who loves Portland as much as I do, there is nothing better than to have someone ask you, “Tell me what is unique about Portland.”

As a Travel Advisor, it is part of my job to direct people to places that are not only uniquely Portland, but easily accessible via mass transit, and simple to locate.  I spend a lot of time talking about Powell’s, Mills End Park, the International Rose Test Garden and Japanese Gardens, and VooDoo Doughnuts.  Sometimes people ask about museums or art galleries, and occasionally I’ll get a unique request, such as the best place to fish near downtown Portland (I directed him to Sauvie Island).

But only rarely do I get a traveler who has the time and interest to listen to the things I love about Portland, and when they do, it is the best part of my day.  I have so many diverse interests, that my favorite places span many neighborhoods and cross all types of people.  I love eating at Clyde Common and Kenny & Zuke’s Delicatessen, or getting Bhan Mi at the Food Cart pod on 10th & Alder.  I also love the Food Cart pod at 12th & Hawthorne, which is great when you have late night munchies; poutine at Potato Champion and fried pie at Whiffies.  Tin Shed Garden Cafe on Alberta & 14th is an old favorite, and definitely the funky kind of place that makes Portland so unique.

When I need to sit and work on the computer or read, I go to the library at McMenamins Edgefield, or Sacred Grounds Coffee Shop on 97th & Sandy Blvd, or New Deal Cafe on NE Halsey & 52nd.  Portland is a haven for coffee lovers, and there are too many places I love to name them all, but I’m drawn to places with the friendliest people, like Palio Dessert House in Ladd’s Addition.

No one enjoys a sunny day like a Portlander.  When we get weather like we have had recently, everyone begins scurrying to get outside and enjoy it.  I went to Home Depot to get some supplies for the raised garden I’m building, and it was a hive of activity.  I love the off-leash area at Normandale Park; there is plenty of room for my small bichon frise Puka to run around and tire herself out, and plenty of dog-loving Portlanders with whom to talk.  A short drive up to the top of Rocky Butte is always a favorite; I never get tired of that beautiful panoramic view.  And I’m always willing to stroll through the park blocks, where the scenery always changes, and I’m especially excited for the Portland Farmer’s Market to begin again on March 20.  When I’ve had a rough day, I love to get a cup of coffee and drive along Marine Drive, pulling over to watch the planes take off and land, and keeping an eye out for herons.

Although my friends call me “Queen of Portland”, I am the first to admit that there will always be things I need to learn about my city.  My goal for 2010 is to individually research each neighborhood in Portland, including its history, unique shops and restaurants, parks and community spaces, and any other identifying characteristics.  I started with Montavilla, and have nearly completed Sellwood, both of which I will recap soon.  One of my favorite things is to explore places I’ve never been; I recently visited Cacao for some spicy drinking chocolate.

My request to all of you is this:  What would you do to celebrate 30 years in Portland?

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By Angel O'Brien

Tomorrow is a big day for my friend Angel O’Brien. She owns Ladybug Organic Coffee Company, one of my favorite coffeehouses in the St. Johns neighborhood of North Portland. It’s a very special place.

At Ladybug, all the coffee, tea and deliciously original food (which is made from scratch and on-site) is organic. The napkins, disposable cups, and pink plastic straws are all biodegradable. (I wrote a lot more about Ladybug’s efforts to be sustainable here.) And often, afterhours, you will find the lights on for neighborhood committee meetings and fundraising events.

But that’s just business as usual. What’s different about tomorrow is that Angel’s outstanding photographs will go on display for the first time. I am not only a fan of Angel and her beloved Ladybug coffeehouse, I am also quite enamored with her artistic eye for detail.

Encrusted, a photographic depiction of the remnants of coffee bliss, is series of gorgeously rich photos of the art we customers leave behind in our cups. For a sneak peek at what to expect at the show, you can view several pieces scheduled for showing in Angel’s Dirty Dishes set on her Flickr page. Even more brand new, never exhibited before pieces will be revealed at the reception.

If you love coffee and photography, you’ll love Encrusted. Please join us at the Ladybug on March 1st between 4-7 pm for the opening celebration!

Ladybug Organic Coffee Company
8438 N Lombard Street
Portland, OR 97203
www.ladybugcoffee.com
503-715-1006

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This weekend, Barberama/Javarama will host two events. They’ll mark a new beginning of sorts for the shop. As previously mentioned, Barberama’s owner Nicole Cathcart put the salon up for sale a few months back. The salon now has a new owner, Brian Fuqua. To mark the occasion, the salon is hosting a party on Friday, November 21 from 7PM – 10PM.

Nicole is still around and is the proprietor of Javarama, which is conveniently in the same space as Barberama. Cool hair and good coffee can’t be beat!

In addition to Friday’s party, Brian and Nicole are hosting an open mic night on Sunday, November 23 from 8PM – 11PM. If you’ve got a song or poem you’d like to share with the world, this would be the perfect opportunity to do so. There will be a PA system on hand as well as beer in case you need some liquid courage to get in front of an audience.

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I had a scare this morning. I’ve documented my love for Moonstruck Chocolates, not so much for their chocolate as for their coffee. When I heard the news headline that they were closing, my heart sank! Quick, to the internet!

According to Portland Business Journal, nine cafes are closing. Fortunately, they are all in other states! BWA HA HA HA! Now, aren’t you glad you live in Portland? I’m going to celebrate, stopping by my normal haunt for a triple shot on the rocks, with a dark chocolate disc for breakfast. (Strictly for the antioxidants, doncha know…) BTW, they give you a sample with every cup of coffee, and they are less expensive than that other big-name coffee place in the mall.

Thank you Moonstruck, for keeping my favorite watering hole open. Since I don’t tipple much, this is where I go out for a drink. (Confession: I do hit Ben & Jerry’s for milkshakes once in a while. More on that another time.)

This weekend? It’ll be a four-shot milk chocolate mocha latte. It’s better than crack!

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As you may have heard, Bikini Coffee is coming to Portland. The Salem-based coffee company is hoping its combination of hot coffee and hotter baristas will be able to make money downtown, and is currently moving into the former location of Caplan Sports World at 520 SW 5th Ave.

Like many other espresso outlets across the country, Bikini Coffee found out that they could significantly increase coffee sales by staffing their kiosks with scantily clad women.

At Bikini Coffee you will be able to order coffee by the cup — all the way up to a DD-cup! Okay, I made that up.

Critics say that these “sexpresso” shops are degrading to women, and that using sex to sell coffee is inappropriate.

Oh, puh-LEEZE. Sex is used to sell EVERYTHING in our culture, from new cars to breath mints. Putting women in bikini tops to sell coffee is no different than staffing your restaurant with cute waitresses, it’s just a little more heavy-handed.

Will I go to Bikini Coffee? Well, it depends on how good their coffee is. I only tried the food at Hooter’s twice before I had confirmed for myself that it wasn’t the chicken breasts that kept the customers flocking in: The food was awful. Maybe I’m in the minority, but it will take more than a pair of firm ta-tas to make me buy lousy coffee.

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I had a taste of some Kick Ass coffee this morning. Literally.

While I was cruising through Zupan’s, a very nice young lady offered me a sample of coffee from Kicking Horse Coffee, Canada’s #1 organic Fair Trade coffee roaster. Kicking Horse offers a variety of blends, including:

• Kick Ass – a dark roast and their most popular blend
• 454 Horsepower – their darkest roast, “rich with earthy and cocoa tones”
• Three Sisters – medium roast
• Cliff Hanger Espresso – a medium espresso roast
• Decaf – a water-processed decaf blend

Kicking Horse is big on using only organic, shade-grown beans, and purchasing beans under the Fair Trade model. Sounds like a perfect match for the left-leaning sensibilities of the average Portland coffee fiend. They even sell their beans in recyclable steel containers.

But how does it taste? Really good, actually. The Kick Ass was flavorful, rich, and complex, but not at all acidic or bitter. Most importantly for my taste buds, it didn’t taste burnt, charred, or cremated, like some popular coffees.

Where can you get Kicking Horse Coffee? ONLY at Zupan’s, my friend. So if you want to try this tasty Canadian export, get yourself down to your local Zupan’s Market and grab some.

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Brothers, that is. (Or Dutch Bros., if you’re doing the casual thang, I guess…)

Why do I ask? The little coffee shack kinda near my office, nestled in the corner of a parking lot at SE Grand and Belmont now has a sign on it proclaiming that it’ll be another Dutch Bros. location “soon.”

So inquiring minds want to know – what’s their angle? (This annoying flash-heavy site spouts platitudes and positivity, but is weak on, um, actual substance.) In the midst of Starbucks shutting down, even while locally-grown coffee roasters prosper (Stumptown, Ristretto. Spella) and the artisan barista thrives (Billy Wilson breaks from Albina Press to strike out on his own) – well, what does Dutch Bros bring to the table?

Damned if I know. Anyone have a clue?

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I’m going to let you in on a little secret. One of my most cherished guilty pleasures is breakfast from Baker & Spice.

Nestled in the main commercial strip in Hillsdale, ironically right next to a Starbucks, is the best bakery I’ve ever had the pleasure of patronizing. It is well worth a slight detour on the way to work to enjoy some of their tasty pastries, muffins, and cakes.

I have unfortunately NOT tasted everything on their menu. However I can state with certainty that the following are absolutely delicious:

– Chocolate Croissant
– Katie Bun
– Maple Twist
– Rhubarb hand pie
– Buttermilk Lemon Cake
– Flourless Chocolate Cake

Their coffee is also wonderful, and much better than the stuff you can get next door. They use Zbeans coffee, which is roasted right there in Hillsdale. If the delightful goodies and coffee weren’t enough, the entire experience is only enhanced by the cheerful people behind the counter and working in the kitchen.

My favorite item from Baker & Spice? Without question it would be their Savory Galette, light and delicate pastry wrapped around greens (usually kale or raab), ricotta cheese and caramelized onions. So very, very tasty. I’d rather have one of these than anything else in their display case, and that’s saying something.

If you are looking for a special dessert for the family, or just a quiet cup of coffee away from them, you need look no further than Hillsdale.

In the interest of full disclosure, Portland Food and Drink.com has also discussed Baker & Spice. You can read their article from 2006 here.

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You know who you are. You wear obnoxiously large white sunglasses (indoors for that matter) with logo’s from such brand pimps as Chanel, D&G and Isaac. Stop it. Girl (and guys!?), they look silly. There IS a place for that sort of thing. It’s called a billboard. No disrespect.
Apparently I’m not alone. Related, ha ha funny action here

Coffeeshops, ah yes my best friend and my worst enemy. Without you I would be adrift in a sea of confusion and excruciating withdrawal headaches. Please oh please tell me why in an establishment made of stimulants, employees “Baristas” move like they just stumbled out of bed? No more than 2 minutes is all it should take to make my Americano. 2 minutes. No steaming, no milk. Just put the shots in a cup and add some hot water. Leave some room for cream and hand me the cup. Boom, done! Another tip for my local “pusher”, it’s called a waiting line. The clusterf**k, make that 2 clusterf**ks that are the piles of people waiting to order and the mess of people waiting for their orders are not helping your business. Perhaps a sign or velvet rope is in order. Again, no disrespect.

OK, I feel much better now.
Go Wesley, Go!

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