So many choices, so little time

Lookout Joe in Mt. Lookout has a wonderful coffee bar of sorts. Each day, they have about 6 different coffees, some decaf, to choose from. And the choices vary from day to day. Today, I was torn between the Sumatran Fair Trade Italian Roast and the Tiramisu. The need for a major caffiene boost won me over. I went with the Sumatran. Rich. Bold. I probably would have needed an additional packet of Splenda if I had been drinking it with nothing else to consume, but the chocolate croissant I ordered for breakfast helped sweeten it up. Perfectly.

The nice think about Lookout Joe is that when you order a plain coffee, the first refill is free and then a dollar after that. So, I tried about a half cup of the Tiramisu. Mild. Light. Good drinking coffee when you don't need to be over caffieneated. I also loooove their Highland Grog for this very reason. I could drink cups of it and be happy.

The Sumatran, 3.5 cups. The Tiramisu and their Highland Grog, 4 cups.

Hot chocolate, with a twist

Okay, yeah, this is a coffee blog, but not even I can drink coffee all the time. And since today was Big Sad Day in my department, a mocha just wasn't enough. Full on chocolate was the way to go. And now Starbucks has their new signature hot chokkies. The one that intrigued me was the Salted Caramel Signature Hot Chocolate. If you're one of those salty/sweet, "I like chocolate covered potato chips" type of people, or you put peanuts in your Mountain Dew like one of my former bosses is known to do, then you will like this hot chocolate. It has a unique flavor... Sweet buttery caramel... special sea salt topping... whipped cream. It's quite good, but oh, so bad for you. I ordered a grande and I think I consumed over 600 calories in one beverage. Holy frijoles! Make it a skim and skip the whip and you'll cut 130 calories.

Save this for a bad day. It will help a little. I want to say it's $4.29 or so? I didn't have to pay for it, so I didn't pay attention. It was a treat from a co-worker for Big Sad Day. 4.5 cups.

No Coffee Toffee?

I'm back. My computer died, and as I was job hunting/editing novels, this took a backseat to all of the things that NEEDED to be done. I have so much coffee to revisit and write up, but it will come in time.

Joseph Beth's is an excellent local bookseller with locations in both Cincinnati, OH and Lexington, KY. They also have Bronte Bistro where you can get coffee drinks (or lunch if you so desire). As it was one of the last 80 degree days of the year, I wanted something cold. The barista recommended a blended coffee. I asked about flavorings and she said it had a hint of a chocolate taste to it, otherwise no flavors. So, no Java Julep type stuff here? I'm sure they'd give it to me if I asked for it, but you can't just order something called a Raspberry Grasshopper. You have to order a blended coffee with a shot of raspberry syrup and a shot of mint? Or whatever's in those things.

The blended coffee... Smooth, good, and made my grocery shopping trip much more enjoyable. It doesn't really need extra flavoring. The hint of chocolate was just fine. A medium costs $3.99. 4 out of 5 cups.

Needs more caramel, please!

I must admit, I've been broke. So, I haven't been able to try anything terribly new, as I've either been making coffee that's already been reviewed at home, or drinking drek. Today is the first new report I've had to bring you.

Thornton's gas station. I think they have Dunkin' Donuts coffee, which is pretty darn good. But the display of options that goes along with it is a dream come true. Push a button on machine and it gives you sugar. Another machine dispenses cream. So, no making a mess when you peel open the little plastic tubs of creamer like at most gas stations. There's another machine that puts a tiny shot of liquid flavoring if you prefer, but when you push the button for that, it doesn't give you much. I usually have to push the button on the large coffee selection three times before I get something I can deal with. Anyhoo, there's hazelnut, french vanilla, caramel, and two other flavoring options. I just feel like I would have to push the button ten times just to get flavor at all. Maybe I need to be more of a purist and not need flavorings. ::shrug:: But it's $1.05 if you bring a to-go cup.

A good solid cup of coffee. Three out of five cups.

Mmm... Brew

Java Brewing Co., Cherokee Triangle roast. Good stuff. 4 cups out of 5. Perfect flavor. Good sweetened and creamed. I don't think you can get a cup of coffee here and go wrong. $1.50 or so if you have their to-go cup. Which is a pretty good deal if you ask me. Good coffee. Good deal. Good place to get some work done, provided that it isn't too busy and you can get near an outlet.

I've been putting this one off...

All right. I went to Heine Bros. today because that's where some of my friends meet up on Sundays. Because I'm broke I got a regular coffee. I put some cream and sugar in it. I drank it. I am not a fan of Heine Bros. coffee. In fact it gets 2 cups out of 5. I don't prefer it, I don't think it's great, but it's not revolting (0 cups) or barely drinkable (1 cup). So, why did I order it again? Because I keep hoping that I'm wrong. HB is a popular place in Louisville. It's locally owned. And I want to like it. But I don't. There's just this really bitter taste to it that I don't care for. I like their chai tea pretty well. Otherwise. Eh. $1.80-something if you have the plastic cup.

I will stick to locally owned places like Highland and Java Brewing Co., keep checking out Ray's and Quills, and see what else is out there.

There, I said it. All of you HB fans, please don't hate me.

Sometimes you feel like a nut. Sometimes you don't.

Today, I'm consuming a medium-sized cup of Highland Coffee's Vanilla Nut house coffee. It has a vanilla flavor and a nutty flavor, so it is aptly named. The coffee definitely tastes nuttier than it tastes of vanilla though. Eh, I've never been a vanilla superfan anyway... I like it. It tastes good, but it will never be chocolate or peanut good in my opinion.

The coffee is mild, but satisfying. It gets 3 cups out of 5. I would give it a higher rating, because I think the flavor could be a little bolder. But in my rating system, a 3 cup-rated coffee is still a good choice... You can't go wrong... but it won't knock your socks off. Cost: $2 plus tip.