Coffee Review : Papacino on Woodstock 3/5
This weeks Coffee Review is Papacino’s on Woodstock. There is a coffee shop on Terwilligar called Papacino, and I have no idea if they’re related (cousins maybe?), so if you’re looking for that one, you’ll have to wait.
But moving on!
The coffee shop isn’t bad, the coffee was good and the staff was pleasant. The atmosphere, however,was a bit off. First it was too cold for me. I don’t know if the door just opens a lot, or if their thermostat isn’t working, but coffee shops should be warm places to spend a good deal of time debating which X-Man is the greatest (in case you’re wondering, it’s Professor X. (Marvel Directory Entry) Not only was he played by Patrick Stewert, who was the best Star Trek Captain (Picard), but he gets a pimped out wheelchair (at least in the cartoon) As far as that last X-Men movie goes I treat it kind of like those last two movies made by the Wachowski Brothers that kinda related the the amazing movie known as the Matrix.).
What does Professor X have to do with coffee? Nothing. But he’s cool.
Back to coffee. Aside from the temperature (I had a hoodie on, so it wasn’t like I was in a muscle shirt), there was an odd lack of seating. The place has several tables, but they were all taken by people intently typing on their computers (like that Family Guy skit where people type in public to look important). They did have lots of but chairs to sit in, and as much as I enjoy them sometimes I just prefer a regular chair. The one table we did find was small for two people and covered in crumbs. mm.. free food.
In addition to the lack of chairs the space felt too big. Or more like the building was the wrong size for the coffee shop. I am used to smaller, intimate setting. This was more like practicing your free throws in an empty gym, a little creepy. In the same vein as empty space almost all of their displays were empty, which either says they are incredibly popular with the’ baked goods (they did have a good almond poppyseed muffin), or that they don’t stock things well. Again, it gave me the feeling of the place being too big, and hence, creepy a bit. Not like ax-murderer creepy, but just off.
Enough with the bad things, onto the good! I could actually taste their coffee (it’s not Tasters Choice), and the hot chocolate was made with real chocolate. The people behind the counter were very friendly, and even let me transfer my in-house drink to an “take away” cup. Definitely a place to go for great service and coffee, no so much if you plan on sitting around though.
If you want to visit Papacino (at least the one on Woodstock) here’s their information!
4411 SE Woodstock
Portland, OR 97206 (Map)
(503) 771-2825 (Phone)
Coffee Review : The Human Bean 4/5
The Human Bean is a nice little drive-through coffee shop in Beaverton, right along Beaverton Hillsdale Highway. Their signature move (hey, everyone’s got one, Scoprion, Hulk Hogan, Undertaker) is to put a delicious little chocolate covered espresso bean on top of the drink when they give it to you. They are a franchise, and only operate drive through locations (So far they only exist in Oregon, Idaho, California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado and South Carolina). Oddly enough they started in Ashland, Oregon in ’98.
Now this is a great idea, because they’re delicious. It is a slightly bad idea because they always tend to melt before you can enjoy your delicious beverage.
Their coffee is pretty good, better than what I would expect from a drive-through (apparently most or all of it is “Farm Friendly Direct”, providing better opportunities for farmers). Being a drive through is highly convenience, but also kind of annoying. I like to be able to sit down and enjoy my coffee at a table with a book or internet, not something you can do at the Human Bean. But, that aside, their service is always great, and their beverages are delicious. Their straight up coffee is good, but they also offer a wide selection of coffee and espresso based drinks. Their Mexican Mocha is quite good, just enough spice and lacking the puddle of goo at the bottom of many other places mocha.
Overall a great coffee place, although this location is sadly lacking in seating. They are on a nice big lot, so there is space to sit around when the weather is nice though. If you want to visit the Human Bean, here’s their info.
The Human Bean
8355 Southwest Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway, Beaverton –
503-203-1570
Coffee Review : Java Nation 5/5
The Java nation, ruled by Javaniar.
Java Nation, in Beaverton, brews the potent elixir of Stumptown Coffee, something I do not see on the West Side very often (Eastsiders, you got it, but your streets are also all wonky). I should stop there because if I keep going i’ll just get in trouble (again) for bashing the East Side of Portland (weirdos). Java Nation is wedged in between 2 Starbucks (one across the street, the other across the other street). The outside is rather bland, except for the big Stumptown banner which draws people from across the parking lot to it’s caffienated elixir. Inside it is spacious, not too big, but enough space to allow it’s patrons to feel comfortable. There are several tables, and some overstuffed leather couches and chairs to relax in.
Creepy cuphead people.
The ambiance is nice, quiet, bright enough to read but your eyes still work. The entire back wall is a mureal (picture above) of some lady pouring coffee into some creepy cup-headed people (at least they look happy about it). There’s a lot going on in it, I’d recommend you go and look. They have the normal selection of coffee (lattes, mochas etc), and their sizes are one step up from what I have become used to (a small is 12 oz, medium 16, and large is 20). I had a medium regular coffee ($1.75), and, being Stumptown, I was not disappointed. It had good body and a nice flavour unlike Starbucks’ burnt garbage water (don’t get me wrong, they can be good in a pinch, but their Pikes Place roast is just terrible).
“Every Time you use a straw as a stir stick, a ninja cuts the head off a kitten and doesn’t even care. Please, think of the kittens.”
Their staff is very amicable, cracking jokes and providing some “lively banter” as I believe it is called. Java Nation offers free Wifi, although it is unsecured, so don’t log into your porn sites or bank accounts while visiting. They also have numerous handwritten signs and notes around (such as the one above and below) to help patrons come to decisions about straw usage and garbage placement.
“Hey Asshole. Don’t put your trash in here. ~Your Conscious”
Overall I was very pleased with my visit to Java Nation. The only danger I see is spending too much time and money there. For more information please visit them!
Java Nation
www.javanationcoffee.com
4130 Southwest 117th Avenue
Beaverton, OR 97005-4632
(503) 520-8759
Coffee Review : Blenz Coffee in Horseshoe Bay 5/5 Beanz
Blenz is the Canadian answer to Starbucks. I would like to say it is a better answer than Starbucks to whatever question you happen to be asking. Maybe it’s the rebellious spirit, or the fact that they were in Horseshoe Bay first, but whatever the reason, they draw a good coffee. Or, in my case, a decaf americano. I know, a bit wussy, but it is good coffee. It has a nice body (not too big though), and a thick taste, not like drinking coloured water.
The coffee shop at the end of to bay.
This particular Blenz sits on the waterfront and is a last stop of sorts before the ferry to Bowen Island, Nanaimo, or the Sunshine Coast (at least I think that’s where they go). It has a wonderful view of the bay, and a backdrop of mountains, something not every coffee shop can claim.
The view out the front door.
But onto the coffee. They have the standard allotment of coffee drinks, then several that I haven’t seen anywhere else. They use a Belgium chocolate for the hot cocoa and mochas, and it is certainly something special. Much richer and more flavourful than what one has come to expect from such drinks. They also have an extensive collection of loose-leaf teas, which you may either enjoy in the shop or bring home to enjoy later. These are no second class remnants, it’s actual tea!
mm… pasteries. and sandwhiches… and cookies…
And then there’s food. Everything from rice krispie treats to sandwhiches to cup cakes. Any and everything one would desire to pair with their delicious coffee or tea or chocolate based beverage. They also have several hot options, sausage rolls and others that are a great snack.
And then there’s the atmosphere. The seating area is a bit oddly shaped, there is a triangular table in the middle which is a bit weird, but there is a bar in front of all the windows, which is a great place to watch the ferries come and go. It’s even more exciting / terrifying when they crash through the marina.
Overall, worth the trouble of visiting if you’re in the area. If you’re not, find a reason to visit West Vancouver and come watch the ferries for a while.
Visit the Horseshoe Bay Blenz at 6334 Bay Street, West Vancouver, V7W 2G9. Or on the phone at 604-922-3776.
Coffee Review : Fat Straw on Hawthorne 5/5
Fat Straw on Hawthorne
Isn’t that bubble dude a BIT creepy?… I mean, he’s smiling while you drink him…
What else is there to say? Their signature drinks are Bubble Tea, which due to the massive nature of the bubbles requires a fat straw to drink. It is generally served on ice, and is quite refreshing. There are many, many flavours of bubble tea, mango, green, thai, pineapple… just about every flavour you can think of is bubble tea. The bubbles themselves are quite delicious (and tons of fun to shoot out of the straw at people ala spitballs from 5th grade). They also have different things you can put in the bubble tea, aside from bubbles (but then, I would argue, it is no longer bubble tea!), such as lychee jelly or pineapple jelly (jelly tea?).
Aside from bubble tea, they also have a great selection of food and hot beverages. They make some delicious bagel sandwiches (the ONLY reason they don’t get 5/5 is because unless you get there at opening many of their bagels are sold out!), including cheese and egg, or turkey and egg, or any combination there of. They also have vegetarian options that are quite delicious.
Their hot beverages are standard, but good. Regular coffee (no decaf drip 
), espresso, chai etc. You can get a hot bubble tea as well (I like them on a cold day, especially the Taro one.. it’s purple!), but then the bubbles get slightly melted… poor bubbles.They also have an extensive tea selection from the Tao of Tea, both loose leaf and fresh brewed (pictures left)
The staff is very friendly (and cute!), and have consistently gone out of their way to help me out (giving me a new cup, water if I ask.. when I went more frequently they would even remember my order).
Their prices are reasonable, about what you would expect to pay for coffee (1.50 for a medium), and bubble tea is ~$4 for a regular (only one size). They do have punch cards, so every 10 you buy, you get one free.
Fat Straw does have 2 locations now, one at 4258 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland –
Coffee Review : The Albina Press on Hawthorne 5/5
I just got back from the Albina Press (link to Yelp), and it was great! I had heard that they have some of the best coffee in Portland, and now i am more inclined to believe that Even though I only had the decaf Americano (I know, I’m a wuss, but it was still good) I thoroughly enjoyed the coffee. The shot wasn’t off, like decaf sometimes can be, and it had depth to it’s taste, unlike some espresso’s I have had that come out more like dirty water.
The atmosphere is nice and warm, although it can be quite crowded at times (I take this as a good thing… must mean they’re doing something right!). They do have art work on the walls, some of which can be good, sometimes it’s weird, but hey, that’s Portland for you. Aside from coffee they also have some baked items, I have no clue where they come from, but everything I have tried has been delicious. They might even have day old for $1, which is a steal since it’s basically the same as the new stuff (tastes just as good anyways).
Overall, I’d definitely recommend a visit to the Albina Press on Hawthorne, they get 5 out of 5 from me. They have another location up on Albina, but since I’ve never been, I have no idea what it’s like!
Does this look like the Flying Spaghetti Monster to anyone else?