Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Ugghh, Starbucks

This morning, out of desperation, I again gave Starbucks a chance and once again I was disappointed by piss-poor espresso. What I got was a watery, crema-free, and burnt tasting and pretty typical of Starbucks.

I literally can't remember the the last time I had even a tolerable espresso for those jokers. In fact I wonder if I have ever had a tolerable espresso from any Starbucks.

So my quest for good espresso in Philadelphia continues....

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Strike Three

I have tried to find good Espresso in Philly since I started coming here two years ago. I thought I finally found pay dirt in Caffe del Academia. They certainly talk a good story and the shop looks promising, but sadly the Baristas are simply too inconsistent. I've had good espresso there a few times but the number of times I've had bad (and often really bad) espresso in likely higher.

This morning was a prime example. The barista pulled for over 40 seconds because she was getting a pastry for another customer durring the pull. I though maybe she knew what she was doing but suspected otherwise. Of course, the espresso was watery and sour. Classic overextraction.

Why is it that there are at least a dozen great espresso shops and there seem to be none here?