Seattle's Best Coffee

4322 Harding Pike

Nashville, TN 37205

(615) 891-3671

My first experience with Seattle's Best was at the Border's Books around the Nashville area. I was really impressed at the good flavor of the coffees, and wished that there were more in the Nashville area.

I did a little research, and found out that Seattle's Best is actually a subsidiary of Starbucks, but focuses on the milder flavors of coffee, and this makes it much better than Starbuck's brand of coffees. Starbucks makes a point of roasting all of their coffees much darker than anyone else, and this gives it a burnt, bitter flavor. Seattle's Best roasts their coffees much lighter, which allows for the natural flavors to stand out

Beyond the better coffees, the staff at Seattle's Best in Belle Meade is great. Marlon, the owner, is really smart, remembers his customers, and always has a smile for everyone. Beth knows coffee really well, knows the Nashville coffee scene, and has time for everyone who comes through the door. When I asked for a brew, she offered both the darker and medium roasts. I made a point that I always preferred medium roasts, but Beth made a point of offering me a sample of the dark roast without being asked. I still preferred the medium, but she made a point that she believed in the product and wanted me to give it a chance. She was a superior barista, and a benefit to the store.

At this point, it should not be need be stated that Seattle's Best is a great place for a cup of coffee. I've been multiple times, enjoyed the experience every time, and appreciated how much the people behind the counter enjoy what they do. If you're in Belle Meade, there's no reason to go anywhere else.

Chained to a Brand 2: The Revenge

Dunkin Donuts was a great way to start my "Chained to a Brand" series: it's a national brand that's respected, and it's got a great presence in Nashville. It's roots, however, are in the Northeast. So for equal time, I thought it would be appropriate to review a dougnut chain that perhaps represents the south a little more. That gives us obvious choice: the highly regarded (if somewhat volatile) Krispy Kreme Doughnuts.

Perhaps not as well known as Dunkin Donuts for their coffees, Krispy Kreme brings a good brew to Nashville. It is such a different and strong flavor that it stands out. First thing I will say is you should not get a flavored drink. The syrups are not good, and the coffee itself enhances the wrong flavors. When I tied an iced flavored coffee, I almost could not finish. The coffee itself has a unique bite that stands out so strong that to add anything but sugar cream is just the wrong answer. It would not surpise me if some find this very pleasing and consider it to be a favorite.

Some people swear bythe doughnuts, but I am not one of them: they're just too sugary sweet for my taste, but I will admit that the coffee pairs with them very well. There are plenty of places with better coffees in Nashville, however, so I cannot recommend Krispy Kreme as the place to go for a great coffee experience.

Coffee and Ice Cream? I'm in Love!

J & J's Market and Cafe
1912 Broadway
Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 327-9055




One time I went into one of the Baskin Robbins/Dunkin' Donuts combinations, and asked about the possibility of a coffee/ice cream mix. Of course, instead just creating a baseline price, the guy was going to charge me a massive price covering both the cost of a coffee and ice cream.

Yeah, that didn't go over too well with me. So when I wandering into J & J's Market on Broadway, I learned that somone knew the true value of adding a scoop of vanilla to a good cuppa joe. The horrible name, "Rousseau and Burke," pairing an Atheist Frenchman with a Christian Anglo-Irish philosopher, notwithstanding, I ordered a Noah's Float, consisting of brewed coffee with vanilla ice cream, and it was wonderful. Considering most people have cream and sugar anyway, the vanilla, and the viscosity make for an excellent coffee experience.

The coffee drinks are only part of the experience, since it has a great selection of international snacks, and a wide selection of drinks and convenience foodstuffs and items there. It has great Wifi, games and books to experience whre there, and a great environment.

When it comes to options for coffee in the Vanderbilt area, J & J's is a great choice. There are plenty of places that do the Bohemian experience all wrong. Truth be told, J & J's does it right. It's a fun place to grab a cup and escape from the world for a few minutes.

Chained to a Brand, Part I: Dunkin Donuts

I decided some time ago that there are some coffees which was darn good, in spite of their national rap, their ubiquitous brand, and their general reputations, are worth a discussion and review. Sometimes, these have earned their reputation for being bland or unflavored. However, as of recent, more and more have realized that local coffee shops have great products, and that the national brands needed to step their game up.

One that has had a long reputation for having high quality coffee is the famous Dunkin Donuts. They've always been known for years for having tasty donuts, but among those in the know, they have had a reputation for transcendent coffee.

However, the Dunkin Donuts's entrée into Nashville has been somewhat recent. They offer both the restaurant experience, and grocery store sales of whole bean and ground coffees both in their restaurants and in the stores.

Having had their coffees several times in several contexts, I am surprised at the blandness. I will say that their home-brew often are often richer than at the stuff I've had from the restaurants, but I am still not thrilled no matter what.

You could do a lot worse than Dunkin Donuts if you need a quick jolt; the coffee isn't bad at all. There's just nothing special to it.

A Nashville Tradition that scores: Bongo Java

2007 Belmont Blvd.
Nashville, TN 37212

615-385-5282
http://www.bongojava.com

Bongo Java, near Belmont University, is unique in that it is constantly packed: not busy, not hopping; packed. There's a stereotype that you tell it's good if the place is full. We all know this is not always the case, especially in the college scene where mediocre places can be packed for no reason other than they're so close to campus, everyone goes there if it's not disgusting.

Suffice to say, Bongo Java lives up to the typology. The worst thing about the place is that it is packed and way too small. That's a great problem to have, let me tell you. First, they roast their own coffee, and it is a good blend. I've had it several times, and it is enjoyable. Among the various places in the vicinity of Green Hills, Bongo is far and away the best just because their coffee is so good. I actually prefer places that use Bongo Java, as opposed to Drew's Brews for that reason alone.

Bongo also a small but excellent food menu, focusing on breakfasts and sandwiches. I've brought my son for the French toast, and was thoroughly impressed with it: plenty of food, good batter, fruit included, and well-presented. They care about properly preparing and serving good food, and that one cannot take that for granted in the coffee shop scene.

Of course they have the standards: wifi included, water available at the counter, plenty of espresso choices, and they also have live music in the evenings.

One thing to be aware of: parking is a nightmare: they have no parking of their own, and the street is lined with cars along the entire block. It's pretty tough, especially since Belmont Blvd. is a busy thoroughfare there near the college. Just be aware that you may have a small hike, and you'll be fine.

Let it suffice that once you get into the place, brave the crowd, and actually get a table, it's an outstanding place to get a coffee and maybe a bite to eat.

A Hidden Diamond: Roast, Inc.

Roast, Inc.

4825 Trousdale Pk., Suite 211

Nashville, TN 37220

(615) 730-8074

www.roastinc.com

Among Nashville coffee shops, there had been a huge gap, and most people didn't even know it. Almost every shop and cafe, as good as they were, offered nothing blends. As good as blends are, they are extremely uniform.

I heard of Roast, Inc., and being the adventurous type that I am, I tracked it down, and it was well worth it. First, they let me in and served me even before they were officially opened. I looked in, and they waved me right in. They showed me their single cup roasts, they taught me about new roasts and letting roasted beans sit for a day, they let me sample a couple of their coffees, and they were a pleasure to spend time with.

They are the first place I know to have cupping events, which is a lot of fun, and definitely a learning experience. they have expanded to work several of the local Farmer's Markets, like the South Nashville Farmer's Market and Franklin Farmer's Market.

Roast, Inc., also focuses on Cup of Excellence coffees, which finds the best coffees throughout the world, via jury selection, and then sells them via auction. These sing cup roasts are absolutely the cream of the crop.

If I sound like a advertisement for Roast, Inc., it's because the place is so different, and such a great experience that literally almost can think of nothing bad to say about them. They have erred on an order slightly, which I didn't push because they had been so generous and helpful. Beyond that, I have nothing negative to say.

Roast, Inc., is a bit tricky to find. Hit Harding Pike east from I-65. Turn right on Trousdale Pike. Follow about a quarter-mile to until you see a little strip mall in a box shape. Roast, Inc. is in the right corner.

This is the coffee shop to visit when you're in the S. Nashville area.

Some Random Thoughts

I just have some random thoughts concerning the Nashville Coffee Scene:

1. Cold Brew Coffee has taken Nashville by storm. One year ago, no one did it. Now I can't find a place that doesn't do it (I haven't checked on Starbucks, but I have no intention of finding out). If I don't get an iced coffee to find out, I still ask. And it's not just the high-end places; even the cheaper coffee places seem to have switched to cold brewed. Amazing.

2. Why is it that the mall areas are completely bereft of coffee places? Rivergate has nothing; Cool Springs has nothing; Bellevue has nothing; even 100 Oaks only has one place (Sam & Zoe's) and that's not well known outside of that area. Even Green Hills has nothing unless you go north to Hillsboro Village, northeast to Belmont, or East to Franklin Pike area. Never forget: Starbucks doesn't count.

3. Cupping Events are beginning to appear intermittently in Nashville. Newcomer Roast, Inc., cups regularly, as they roast single beans instead of blends. Cupping is useless for places that use blends, whether they roast their own, or buy roasts from outside. West Side shop Dose is getting into the cupping game with single bean roasts, also. Expect this to be a trend for those places that use and develop single bean roasts.

4. Nashville Coffee Co. is definitely not returning to the Nashville Farmer's Market. I never had a chance to try it, and that's a shame. I hope that another shop will fill the place, because a local coffee place would be a great partner in the Market.

5. Look for vendors at the regional farmers markets. South Nashville Market, Franklin Farmers market, West Nashville Farmers market all have at least one shop represented. Check them out as you gather fresh produce.

Check back later in the week for the regular reviews.

DrinkHaus: Fun, but a little sharp?

Drinkhaus Espresso & Tea
500 Madison St
Nashville, TN 37208
(615) 255-5200
http://www.drinkhaus.com/

Perhaps the most visible manifestation of the Germantown renewal is DrinkHaus Espresso and Tea. There are many places which help define Germantown as the gentrified area just north of downtown: The Germantown Cafe, Zackie's Hot Dogs, The Cocoa Tree. DrinkHaus, however, is clearly visible from Jefferson St. With it's yellow awning, black and gold shield, and German spelling. When I first saw it, I assumed it was a bar, but later found out online that it's a coffee house.

DrinkHaus does a lot of things right: they offer high quality drinks, snacks, and gelati; They keep their prices reasonable; they are friendly and conversational. They have ample parking in an area where you might be concerned it at a severe premium in the narrow streets of Germantown. They are even family friendly, with toys and small games for the young'uns: not expected for such an upscale establishment.

I like everything about it except for one thing: their coffee is so bitter. I ordered the Iced Mocha, and the bitterness shone right through. It was a disappointment. A sweet, strong beverage on a brutally hot summer's day is a wonderful thing, but if it tastes like cough medicine, it's hard to enjoy as much.

They, unlike many of their centralized counterparts, neither roast their own beans nor bring them in from local roasters like Bongo Java or Drew's Brews. Now a different flavor might be a good thing, like The Perch in Brentwood. But when the coffee flavor is canceled out by the bitterness, as it is at DrinkHaus it's hard to appreciate.

Hands down, DrinkHaus is the absolute best place for coffee from Charlotte Pike North until you get to Metrocenter. If you have kids, go to DrinkHaus; if you want a discreet but fun date, go to DrinkHaus; if you want a sweet treat or a healthy snack to go with your coffee, go to DrinkHaus. But if you are downtown, and prefer a smoother brew, and a little more variety of coffees, I recommend Dunn Brothers.

Casablanca Coffee: Desert Hot!

Casablanca Coffee
602 12th Ave S
Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 942-7666

Casablanca, at the Icon in the Gulch, has been around for a little more than a year, and if the Gulch needed something to hold it over until the recession ends and more stores open, it's a coffee shop. Sure, it could have been a crappy Starbucks, but thankfully, they chose an independent coffee shop, and that bodes well for all locals.

Now Casablanca has a lot going for it, Drew's Brews, an excellent brew based in Nashville, is served, and it's mild and familiar taste is comforting. They have a plethora of coffee drinks, ranging from basic brews, all the way to the high end espressos. They also cold brew their iced coffees, which gives a much less acidic flavor, and is much more refreshing. They also have a selection of baked good, wifi, and unique sodas. This is all standard to coffee shop, and to be expected.

A nice touch is that they have classy and very comfortable tables and furniture. I have grown tired of the cheap Bohemian look, especially when nothing matches, and Casablanca will have none of it. They also carry the Casablanca "theme" into the shop, so it has a touch of desert all around: very pleasing to the eye.

Now I do find it odd that a coffee shop feels the need to double as a semi-bar. I guess they figure they can stay open later by selling beer, but I don't get it, and would rather they stick to coffee. I get that people like something to drink with their live music, which is also offered in the evenings, but it's still weird to go into a coffee shop and have beer pushed on me.

However, as a coffee shop, it serves the Gulch very well. The baristas are knowledgeable and offer good service. They're generous with their products, and everything they do it first class. So if you're between downtown and the West Side, Skip Fido (always skip Fido!), don't feel the need to run down to Bongo Java or downtown to Dunn Brothers (though hit those places when you're nearby), and avoid the traffic to Crema. Grab a Casablanca: a great representative for the Gulch.

Dunn Brothers: a Chain with no weak links

Dunn Brothers Coffee
401 Church Street
Nashville, TN 37219
615-252-2567
Local Nashville Website

I'm going to tell you a secret. This bit of information is something that runs deep in me, and has grown in me as long as I've been drinking coffee regularly. I really can't stand Starbucks. It's not because it's a chain, but I have every reason to believe it doesn't help. I find their coffee bitter, overpriced, and uncreative. Generally, I think the snobbery at Starbucks is just as great at some of the Hillsboro coffee spots, and for no good reason. I consider it the McDonald's of coffee: ubiquitous, over-branded, and just greedy.

But chains don't have to be bad: Dunn Brother's, downtown on 4th Ave. N, is definitely a great coffee shop that is also a chain, and definitely gives you your money's worth for good coffee.

To begin, the place is deceptively large: at first you think it might just be this tiny store, but when you find the steps down to the back, it actually holds far more with their small couch areas and their restaurant-style tables. A place that first feels dark and cramped suddenly becomes open and brightly lit. That's especially welcome when coming in from the brutally hot Nashville summer downtown.

They roast their coffee onsite, so it's going to be fresh. They have a wife variety of coffee drinks, ranging from basic brews, all the way to the high end frappes and flavored espresso creations. They have several fine baked goods, excellent wifi, and friendly and knowledgeable staff. If I have a question, not only do they have the answer, they often volunteer information about making it yourself or how to enjoy it better.

Something else that's neat is when you walk in and find the owner roasting his own beans. He'll talk about his methods, and make recommendations. It adds to the experience greatly.

Now my main caveat (and the main reason I don't go more often) is the fact that it's in the L&C building downtown: therefore, no parking. There's just no cheap way to get there if you come by car. So I really only go there when I have more pressing reasons to get downtown. Also, due to the awkward layout of one-way streets, it might be slightly hard to find. My best recommendation is to take Church St., then turn south (the only direction to go) onto 4th Ave., and it will be on the right in the blink of an eye. Don't miss it.

Beyond complexities of getting there, Dunn Brother's Coffee is a great place to get your java on. It's tasty, reasonably priced, and fun to hang out at. If you can get there, you should really enjoy it.

Sky Blue Coffee: Clouded Over

Sky Blue Cafe
700 Fatherland St
Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 770-7097

www.skybluecoffee.com

A rule of thumb that I go by is that if the furnishings of a coffee place is a bunch of old tables and chairs that appear purchased at a thrift store or yard sales, the experience is just as shabby.  It's just a sign that they're not trying.

I will give this to them: their coffee is good.  One sip and you'll know it's Drew's Brews Coffee, and it's just too hard to screw up.  What goes against them is that is that several good coffee places also offer Drew's Brews, also.

Now to be fair, in the last year, ownership has changed hands: under the old régime, the food left much to be desired.  It wasn't horrible, but the same dishes were much lower in quality than at, say, Bongo Java in the Belmont area.  I haven't had any of their food since the new ownership, but in lieu of that, I can only judge by the coffee and the environment, and neither differentiate themselves in any positive way.

One thing that they've got going for them is that they are the premier place for coffee in the general vicinity of LP Field, and some of the hip shops and offices in East Nashville.  The next best places are either across the bridge (which can be a headache, or deep in East Nashville on the strip of coffee places around McGavock Pike.  So, the upshot is if you need a reliably good cup of coffee in off I-24 in East Nashville, Sky Blue is a good place for it, but try to keep your eyes half-closed, because there's nothing good to look at unless you bring a laptop.

The Perch is the Best

The Perch

117 Franklin Rd
Brentwood, TN 37027
(615) 661-9008

Almost all that be said is "Wow!"

Just wow.  It's not too often that you're just blown away by a cup of coffee but the Perch does just that.


Anyone who knows me knows that I prefer a mild brew.  This not only has a mild flavor, but it is the smoothest coffee I've ever had.  I'm used to the usual group of local brews, but Perch uses Leopard Forest Beans, which claims the "sustainable" and "shade-grown," which is supposed to make some people feel less guilty about destroying rain forests, or wages for people in far-off countries, but I have my own life to consider.  Nonetheless, this was an excellent brew.


They also offer crepes, and the one I ordered was very good, too.  But the other major benefit to the store is the staff.  I ran into three different employees during my short time there, and all of them really made me feel at home.  The young man who took my order was extremely friendly and informative; the girl making my crepe was about as sweet as anyone I've ever met.  And the manager-type person who came by later on was quiet but greeted me and made me feel welcome, too.


I love this place now, and I am deeply upset that this is fifteen miles away from where I live, because I would love to go there on a weekly basis.  Nonetheless, if you're in the Old Hickory Blvd. (south side) area Brentwood, this is an awesome place to go.  Great coffee, great service, tasty crepes.

Starbucks Cafe Via: Great but Expensive

Not many moons ago, Starbucks started marketing their own line of Instant Coffee, called Via. It is not sold in cannister, plastic jars, or small tubs, like most others are, but in small sealed packets, much like the sugar-free drink packets you drop into bottle of water.

Now, I found a way to get a free sample via the mail (pun intended), so I ordered it, and waited. I was at the grocery store not longer after, and checked it out: my eyes nearly popped out of my head: it came to about a dollar a packet. One dollar for a cup of coffee. Out-freaking-rageous.

Now, I'll go to a coffeeshop, and spend $2 for a brew, $3.50 for a espresso-based drink, or up to five dollars for a frappe of one kind or another, but I will not spend $1 for a drink I have to make myself under any circumstances. If I am going to have coffee that's a little pricier, I want it to be the highest quality, and no instant can ever do that.

That being said, I will say that it is the best instant coffee I have ever had. No question about it. When the sample came in the mail, I boiled some water, dumped it in, stirred, and tried it. I also let my wife sample it. We agreed that it is definitely the best instant coffee we've ever had. You can even taste the Starbucks roast coming through.

Now, it is still not worth the cost in my eyes. First, I am not a Starbucks aficionado. Starbucks is very bitter and more expensive than necessary. Second, it's not as good as several of the local roasters and coffeeshops. If I can support a Crema, a Billy Goat Coffee, or a Bongo Java, I would prefer to whenever I can. Third, there are so many things you can do at home to make an easy and tasty simple cup of joe.

If you're a Starbucks fan, and you're willing to put up the premium for the best instant coffee around, then Via is a good choice. I just won't be buying it myself.

Crema Keeps Getting Better

CREMA
15 Hermitage Ave.
Nashville, Tennessee 37210
(615) 255-8311
www.crema-coffee.com

The first time I visited Crema, I found the place to be extremely pretentious, a little expensive, and the coffee too different to impress me. The place came off as a retooled machine shop or auto mechanic.

The truth remained, however, that Nashville loves Crema. So, as time went by, I could not avoid it, especially considering it's location convenient to downtown. As I kept coming, the more and more I liked it.

To begin with, their different process of making coffee really is impressive. They borrow the name "crema" from the natural foam on top of an espresso drink. Usually, this is an extremely thin layer, and is easily ignored. However, the good folks at the Crema store use an entirely different espresso press which allows more air to pass through, this allows for a larger "head" (AKA a larger crema). This is not milk froth in a cappuccino, this is a froth made of the coffee itself. And it is a neat feature.

More recently, Crema has moved their iced coffee from regular brewed over iced to the milder and more refreshing cold brew method.

Now, I stand by my remarks that Crema is extremely pretentious. I realize now that this is not the fault of the staff, who are usually helpful, and sometimes extremely friendly: it's caused by the young hip crowd. Walking in and seeing ten Apple laptops scattered throughout the building is common. But the snobs are easily ignored, and the wifi is excellent.

Next time you're tooling around downtown, and you need that quick perk, Crema is an excellent choice.

The Death of the Billy Goat Cafe is greatly exaggerated

It's true that I'm an idiot for reporting that the Billy Goat Cafe had been closed. Now, they had been closed from a couple months ago. What I did not know is that they reopened on North Mt. Juliet Road two weeks ago.

Oops!

Now to be fair, I was literally on their website on the day I made my blog post about the closure of the store, and it has not been updated to reflect their change of address or even their reopening.

Why would I think that the place had been reopened? So I have egg on my face, and I had no way of avoiding it.

Now that I have absolved myself of my ignorance, I can say that the place is just as good as ever, and it is going to get better. I went and got one of their signature beverages: The Golden Goat. They use a special under-roasted coffee that possibly has a much higher caffeine content, and prepare it with white chocolate. It is extremely rich and sweet: awesome.

When you're in Mt. Juliet, get over to the very open Billy Goat Cafe. It's the tops.

Cold Press

I first heard about cold pressed coffee from one of my favorite joints: Dunn Brothers on 4th Ave N., in Downtown Nashville. They explained how they brew a large amount of coffee in their refrigerators cold, which reduces the bitterness in the coffee. Suffice to say, I tried it and it was indeed very good. I prefer cold coffee drinks, especially in the summer now that it is very hot.

I then spent some time searching the web on how to make it myself. There's not a lot on it, and it's easy but time consuming. I have found that it reduces the bitterness greatly, and allows for a much smoother flavor. It is much easier to drink black, if necessary, and the coffee flavors shine through much better.

Ingredients
2.5 cups coffee grounds
5 cups water

measure the coffee into a container, stir water in. Make sure it is well mixed, then refrigerate for 12 hours. Filter out using a sieve or coffee filter. This leaves a double strength concentration. I've left this in the fridge for more than a week, with no ill effect. You can then mix the water with cream and water to taste. Usually, I mix 1/2 cup of coffee 1/4 cup of water and 1/4 cup of milk. If you want a strong mixture, mix coffee and milk to a half and half mixture.

Don't mix the milk in with the concentrate when you press the coffee, as the milk is liable to go bad. stir it in just as you would when ready to drink. Sit back on a hot summery day, sip, and relax.

Billy Goat Cafe: Dead

I know it's been a couple of months, but I consider it worth my while to note the closing of one of the better coffee spots east of Nashville: Billy Goat Coffee.

Providence Marketplace is a pretty neat shopping center. A Best Buy, a Books a Million, an excellent Hot Dog place called "Cori's Dog House,"

Billy Goat is the only place I was aware of that offered White Coffee, where the bean is roasted only the yellow level. I never got the chance to try it, but it was a specialty.

It was a small place, but it had all the trappings of a proper coffee shop: wifi, a wide selection of espresso, brewed drinks, and teas, nice baked goods, and elitist snobs behind the counter.

I call them snobs, but in their own way, they were pretty friendly. One time, I came in with a lunch I purchased, and they didn't mind my eating there, as I purchased a drink.

This was a nice place, and there's still Taylormade Cafe up Mount Juliet Road, but Mt. Juliet has lost a small treasure.