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.