… [Pulin] has three things she wants her baristas to exude. They are: 1. Openness, to the customer and to try new things; 2. Happiness, for the barista and for the customer alike, and; 3. Total obsession with coffee. The entire staff had all these qualities, and it felt so refreshing. I don’t care where […]

There’s a New Playa in Town

By “town,” I mean the state of North Dakota. And by “playa,” I mean a brand-spanking new independent coffee bar in Jamestown, one that could be hipster without even trying. (We don’t know that term around here, yet. So the potential is there but certainly not the negative connotations.) Plantation Coffee Bar opened mid-June, and […]

13 signs you’re in a coffee place that doesn’t give a damn

(Yes, it’s a riff off of this piece. Because sadly, you’ve all been here.) 1. The lone barista/employee doesn’t look up when you come in. For at least 30 seconds. Even though you’re the only one in the place. And the bell on the entry jingled. They’re too busy closing up for the day an […]

CHRISTMAS! Picked up some Neon Espresso and a Toarco AA from Sulawesi, Indonesia from Dogwood Coffee (Minneapolis) omgomgomg it finally arrived, said all coffee geeks who buy online ever — the Toarco had been featured in May’s Craft Coffee box, and it is positively outstanding! I see much espresso in my future three days off. […]