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.