Pardon me for going “corporate” for a moment…

Since I started this blog, nearly a year ago, I’ve had a pretty significant personal transformation, away from reliance on the big corporate chain coffee places — Starbucks, Caribou, and to a lesser extent, local chains like Dunn Bros. — and towards supporting local, independent businesses.

But that’s not to say that I’ve stopped going to Starbucks or Caribou. When you drink as much coffee as I do, you take what you can get. And in many ways, downtown Minneapolis is as bad as the worst suburban commercial strip: the second-floor skyways linking most of the high-rise office buildings in the couple of square miles at the heart of our city are, at least as far as coffee is concerned, a chain store wasteland. There is, no exaggeration, a Starbucks or Caribou in almost every building, sometimes more than one. Often right next to each other. But most are not a terribly welcoming environment for someone hoping to hang out and get some work done. You’ve got an office for that, after all. Or so the assumption goes. No public restrooms either. (I’ll avoid getting into the class/race divide between the climate-controlled skyways and outdoor street level, but it’s been discussed — Google it.)

I spent the better part of a decade working in one of those skyway-connected office high-rises, so I’m intimately familiar with the labyrinthine passageways, and I’ve purchased a latte or two from most of those Starbuckses or Caribous over the years. But I’ve never found one I’d like to spend more time at than it takes to get my scalding-hot caffeinated beverage. The closest I’ve come was the Caribou in Gaviidae Common by the skyway to City Center. There’s a decent number of tables outside that Caribou, some even within reach of that all-important electrical outlet. Plus, Gaviidae is one of only a very small number of places downtown (Macy’s and Target being the others) I can think of where you can use a public restroom without feeling obliged to purchase something.

But… that Gaviidae Caribou is always crowded, and getting a seat within cord’s length of the outlets is a crap shoot. There’s another Caribou, however, that for some reason I had never set foot in before today. It’s at Fifty South Sixth, what was to have been known as the Piper Jaffray Building when it was being built, and now best known to skyway denizens as the building with the Chipotle in it. But it also has a Caribou, one with an especially lodge-like, cozy interior, just before the skyway crossing to Gaviidae. (Yes! Gaviidae, sweet giver of public restroom access!)

Today I had a few hours to kill between lunch and a 3 PM meeting in the Warehouse District, and I faced a critical choice. I found myself, five minutes before noon, in Block E. A 12:00 screening of Crazy Heart was about to begin at the Kerasotes. I could go to it. After all, the freedom to capriciously attend a daytime screening when the rest of the city is working was one of the reasons I went freelance in the first place! But, you know, I do have work to do, and in the end my boringly responsible side won out, and I headed for the Fifty South Sixth Caribou instead.

As far as the coffee goes… well, come on, it’s Caribou. At the end of the day, it is what it is. (And generally worthy of being described in terms of not one but two of my absolutely least-favorite clichés.) It’s fine. Not as good as Starbucks. Better than the swill my grandmother used to brew all day long by just adding a fresh tablespoon of Folgers to the grounds that were already in the filter. But the thing that sold me on this particular Caribou as the place to hang out and work while sipping espresso drinks in the downtown Minneapolis area is… the outlets! I was concerned that there might not be any available outlets, considering that the wall all of the tables are against is, you know, made of glass. But much to my delight I discovered power bars running the full length of the floor edge of that glass wall. Yes! An outlet every six inches, for 30 feet! That’s 60 outlets! (Give or take — I didn’t measure or count.)

So… if you find yourself downtown with a few hours to spare, and you’re wracked with Midwestern guilt over the prospect of a spontaneous matinee, head on over to Fifty South Sixth and bask in the glory of this particular Caribou out of the seven (yes, I did count this time) options you have within a one-mile radius.

Second look #1: 3 Tiers ★★★★

Original review: ★★★

If any place I’ve reviewed deserves to be the first to receive a “second look,” it’s 3 Tiers. I know all of my reviews are highly subjective and drenched in my own biases, but no place has been more unjustly served by those biases than 3 Tiers.

You can read the history, both of the business and of my troubled relationship with it, in my original review. Suffice to say, I was predisposed to dislike 3 Tiers.

But I’ve been back several times since that first review, and I like the place more each time I visit. I’ve learned that the owner’s aloofness was the result of a shy and retiring personality, and not borne of disinterest in my support. And most of the shortcomings of the space and service have been rectified, allowing the truly wondrous quality of both the food and the coffee to shine through. The staff is very friendly, going out of their way to make you feel welcome. An assortment of both hot and cold beverages are available. The space is always impeccably clean, including the rest room. Free Wi-Fi is available (and the password is easy to remember). And of course, there’s the food and coffee. 3 Tiers is a bakery/coffeehouse, not the other way around, and the emphasis is on the extraordinarily good pastries, sandwiches, soups, and specialty stromboli.

And yet, I’m still not completely satisfied. I was hoping for a lively hangout to arrive in my neighborhood, and even before it was obvious that Scandia was on its way out, I envisioned this as the perfect space for such an establishment. 3 Tiers is not a lively hangout. The space is eerily quiet, despite the jazz music and occasional kitchen noises. Most conversations are hushed whispers. The overall impression is more akin to that of a library. All of which makes 3 Tiers a great place to go and get work done, like I’m hoping to do today after I finish my stromboli (and this review). But it’s not what I had originally envisioned.

Then again, if my discontent with the place is primarily about its failure to live up to my own (fairly arbitrary) expectations, then the problem lies less with 3 Tiers than within myself.

Second looks

By now it should be obvious that the reviews posted here are highly subjective: not only are they dependent upon my personal tastes and preferences, but they’re susceptible to my whims and moods on any individual day. Not to mention more objective, albeit transient, external factors influencing my opinion, as was the case when I reviewed White Rock Coffee Roasters last May, and had to order a brewed coffee because their espresso machine was broken down.

In a few cases, I’ve regretted some of the things I’ve said or ratings I’ve given for places that initially left me with a particular impression but have, on subsequent visits, won me over. Nowhere is this more apparent than with 3 Tiers. My negative opinion of the place has grown more positive each time I have been there (now numbering about 5 or 6), and I feel it’s high time to take a second look at places like 3 Tiers that may have received negative (or at least middling, since I have yet to give a really negative review, although I might have if I had stuck around long enough at Matchbox) reviews from me the first time around.

It seems a bit odd to begin giving some places second reviews when I haven’t even reached #52 in first-round reviews. But then again, there are places I visit a lot — such as Nokomis Beach and Brewberry’s — and my impression of them is often much different now than it was when I first reviewed them. While it would be unfair to the less-visited establishments for me to revise the original reviews of my “regular” spots, it does seem fair to give them some kind of recognition. After all, the fact that I do visit them regularly says a lot more about their overall quality than an occasionally off-base first impression might. Nokomis Beach isn’t “hot as hell” anymore, and I’ve learned to effectively navigate Brewberry’s sometimes cramped parking lot.

And so, soon I will begin supplemental entries in a new category: Second Looks.

#24: Blue Moon Coffee Cafe ★★★½

Location

3822 Lake St E., Minneapolis
GOOGLE MAPYELPWEBSITE

Ratings

Location: ★★★★
Atmosphere: ★★★★
Coffee: ★★★
Food: ★★★
Service: ★★★★
Vibe: ★★★★
Overall: ★★★½

Pros

Welcoming atmosphere, convenient Lake St. location from either Minneapolis or St. Paul, tasty pastries

Cons

So-so coffee

Review

I’ve driven by Blue Moon Coffee Cafe (again with the “Coffee Cafe” — I just don’t get it) more times than I can count. But since it’s on a stretch of Lake St. I rarely have business on, it’s easy to just… well… drive by. The fact that I’ve driven by so much is a plus for its location though, I think. It’s easy to get to, but since it’s in an area that’s not really a magnet for business, parking is easy on the side streets.

I wasn’t planning to discuss this, but since there’s a giant “Everyone Welcome” sign above the entrance, it probably warrants mention. Why the sign? As I understand it the Blue Moon started out as (and perhaps still is, though there’s nary a mention of it on their website) a lesbian-oriented establishment. I suspect that everyone has always been welcome here, but the sign is presumably intended to reassure nervous heterosexual men (are you talkin’ to me?) that they can come inside, too.

Anyway, the point is it’s a welcoming place — the environment inside is casual and friendly. The coffee bar is in the center, with tables in front and well-worn sofas and comfy chairs in the back. It’s a bright, sunny winter day as I write this, and there’s plenty of sunlight shining in through the large front windows, without being blinding or making it difficult to work.

The service is friendly too. Unfortunately, at least today, with my order, Blue Moon stumbled in the one area that matters most for a coffeehouse: the coffee. I ordered my usual large cappuccino, which here is really large (20 oz.; most indie coffeehouse larges are actually 16 oz. even though the chains have moved to a 20-oz. large), and seems almost comically so, by being served in a glass tumbler better suited to a thick, dark ale. It’s just not that good. Don’t get me wrong — it’s not terrible. It’s drinkable, unlike the brackish brew I had this past weekend at one of my favorite coffeehouses, previously reviewed here. (It was so bad I just threw it away after a couple of sips; so bad that I won’t even dare to mention where I had it, as their coffee is usually quite good. But I digress. As I am wont.) It’s just kind of blah. Blah. I can’t even find a good word to describe it.

Luckily, the “blah” coffee is offset by the very tasty Dutch apple muffin I ordered to accompany it. The muffin is baked just right, with perfectly-sized chunks of apple and a hint of spiciness. Other food options seem somewhat limited, though — some premade sandwiches in the cooler; a variety of potato chips — so this is probably not a place to come for a meal. But it’s great for a mid-morning snack while working.

Given the overall-positive experience I’ve had at Blue Moon, I’m willing to give them a pass (or, perhaps more to the point, a second chance) on the coffee. If you live in Minneapolis or St. Paul, there’s a good chance you’ve driven by Blue Moon, just like I have, and maybe also like me, that’s all you’ve done. Stop in next time you’re in the area.

#23: Angry Catfish Bicycles & Coffee ★★★★

Location

4208 28th Ave S., Minneapolis
GOOGLE MAPYELPWEBSITE

Ratings

Location: ★★★★
Atmosphere: ★★★★
Coffee: ★★★★★
Food: ★★
Service: ★★★★
Vibe: ★★★★
Overall: ★★★★

Pros

Lots of space, great coffee, unique experience.

Cons

As a new business, a few kinks still need to be worked out.

Review

“A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle.” I am reminded of this popular declaration from 1970s feminism every time I drive by Angry Catfish Bicycles and Coffee. First, because you’ve got “fish” and “bicycle” right there next to each other in the name, and second because a combination bike shop and coffeehouse seems as arbitrary, on its surface, as a fish on a bike.

Don’t get me wrong; I know plenty of hardcore cycling fanatics who also enjoy their share of caffeine. I just never really envisioned combining the two into a single business. But here it is, plunked down right in (well, almost right in) my very own neighborhood.

Angry Catfish is still a fairly new business, still trying to establish a following in the neighborhood. Full disclosure: I was contacted a week ago by a representative of Angry Catfish, hoping for a review here. I had been planning to do so anyway, and I am here anonymously, as usual — I didn’t identify myself when I came in.

The first thing that strikes you upon entering is just how big the space is. It’s divided into two areas: the front quarter of the space is the coffeehouse, with a large coffee bar and a spacious seating area, featuring both restaurant tables and a living room-style area with chairs, a sofa, a large coffee table and a fireplace. (And, for the first time in my travels, I really like the sofa… I totally want it in my house. Very cool.) The back three quarters are the bike shop. The bike shop, in particular, doesn’t seem “finished” yet, but there are a number of bikes and some accessories for sale, and there’s also a bike repair area.

Bar drinks include the usual assortment of coffees and teas, expertly prepared (on par with Kopplin’s in presentation, as shown here, and only slightly inferior to it in taste. An assortment of healthy juice beverages are also available, in keeping with the cyclist spirit. (For those who care, I just overheard the barista say to another customer that they do not have skim milk; they use whole milk or soy milk only. Given their apparent emphasis on artisan-quality espresso drinks, I think this makes perfect sense. Considering the health-conscious emphasis of a great many cyclists, however, I’m not quite so sure.)

Food selections are limited to a small number of the typical kinds of pastries you’ll find at most coffeehouses, along with a vast array of packaged nutrition bars (e.g. Clif, my personal favorite), in keeping with the cyclist theme.

WiFi is available, with a password. The barista came to our table with a card containing the password as soon as he saw us pull our laptops out. There’s definitely a level of care and commitment to service going on here. These guys really want to succeed, and I would like to see that happen for them.

There are several other, more established coffeehouses nearby, including Nokomis Beach, just a few blocks south (and probably my favorite in the area). But Angry Catfish has a unique vibe that I think will definitely appeal to the large number of serious cyclists in Minneapolis. Ideally the business would be located a few blocks farther south (say, where the disappointingly aimless Mel-O-Glaze bakery resides, within sight of the Grand Rounds bike path and directly on Minnehaha Parkway), to best capitalize on cyclist traffic during the warm months. But this is still a pretty good location for a combination coffeehouse and bike shop.

Angry Catfish shows a lot of potential, and I wish its proprietors the best of luck. The dead of winter (it’s 4 below zero as I write this) is not the best time to predict the success or failure of a cycling-related business; to say this isn’t their peak season would be a laughable understatement. If they can hang on until spring, I think they’ll do well.

#22: Black Dog Cafe ★★★½

Black Dog

Location

308 Prince St., St. Paul
GOOGLE MAPYELPWEBSITE

Ratings

Location: ★★★
Atmosphere: ★★★
Coffee: ★★★★
Food: N/A
Service: ★★★
Vibe: ★★★★
Overall: ★★★½

Pros

Cavernous space; decent coffee; interesting (if slightly out-of-the-way) location.

Cons

The whole experience leaves me slightly underwhelmed.

Review

Yes, two reviews in one day! Kopplin’s and Black Dog provide an interesting contrast: Kopplin’s obviously takes itself very seriously, especially where its coffee and upscale pastry options are concerned. Black Dog seems more laid back and loose: my cappuccino is good, but not prepared with great care; the space is huge but sparsely and somewhat haphazardly decorated; comments on Yelp suggest the food can be hit-or-miss, and in general reinforce my sense of ambivalence about the place. (I should note that I am not eating here because after Kopplin’s, SLP and I headed next door to the Nook for a greaze-burger lunch, and we’re both still stuffed from that.) Kopplin’s is tiny and cramped; Black Dog is huge and spacious. Kopplin’s is in Highland Park; Black Dog is in Lowertown. You get the idea. Contrast.

I don’t spend a lot of time in Lowertown. It has somewhat of a similar vibe to the Warehouse District in Minneapolis, but less gentrified. Black Dog is located diagonally across from the St. Paul Farmer’s Market (not currently operating), and there’s ample, cheap (but not free) parking nearby in a huge lot tucked in between warehouses and Highway 52.

I give the Black Dog high marks for musical selection — we’ve been grooving on Fela Kuti (whose music I appreciated well before it caught the attention of Broadway, I feel obliged to mention) since we arrived. There’s also some interesting local art on the walls, although overall the space feels a little bare. The unfinished antique hardwood floors help convey a sense of the history of the space, but not necessarily in an appealing way. There’s also a “wall” comprised of old, multicolored doors. It took me a while to pinpoint the hazy memory that triggered, but eventually I realized it reminded me of the alley on Sesame Street where Oscar the Grouch and Big Bird live.

Black Dog offers a variety of food options (as you can see for yourself), as well as beer and wine. I might like to come back at another time and try them. The availability of WiFi, espresso drinks, and a lot of open space (not to mention the possibility of hearing Fela Kuti) are enough in themselves to make this a place worth recommending — even if I’ve only been able to spot one single table in the entire establishment (the one I’m sitting at) that has ready access to a power outlet.

In the end, I do recommend the Black Dog, at least if you’re in, or have any reason to go to, Lowertown St. Paul. But it’s not a strong, enthusiastic recommendation.

#21: Kopplin’s Coffee ★★★★

Kopplin's

Location

490 Hamline Ave S., St. Paul
GOOGLE MAPYELPWEBSITE

Ratings

Location: ★★★★
Atmosphere: ★★★
Coffee: ★★★★★
Food: ★★★
Service: ★★★★
Vibe: ★★★★
Overall: ★★★★

Pros

Coffee is the real deal; good website.

Cons

Small space; overbaked pastries.

Review

I realized after I got here that I had checked out Kopplin’s website months ago. I’m not sure why I never actually came here sooner, especially since it’s right next door to The Nook, a renowned hole-in-the-wall burger joint. I remember being impressed with the aesthetics of Kopplin’s website, and I was intrigued.

The impetus for today’s visit was a blurb on Kopplin’s in a feature on the country’s best “boutique” coffeehouses in the January 2010 issue of Bon Appetit. Kopplin’s emphasis is definitely on the coffee, using superior beans and “classically trained” baristas. The quality in the coffee shows — a cup of Kopplin’s coffee is a work of art, and it tastes as good as it looks. It’s hard even to compare this coffee to the coffee at the other places I’ve reviewed; it’s in a completely different league. As such, it may be a bit of an acquired taste: the drinks are smaller and more intense-tasting than we “Venti” swilling Americans are used to.

Kopplin's Coffee, served with an extra helping of love.

Kopplin's Coffee, served with an extra helping of love.

Unfortunately, the coffee is by far the best aspect of the Kopplin’s experience. Though Bon Appetit commented positively on the pastries brought in from a local artisan bakery, they are of the “baked to the edge of burnt” variety, which may suit some people’s tastes, but I prefer my pastries “underbaked to the edge of doughy.” Despite my initial misgivings, however, my croissant actually tastes pretty good, and isn’t as dry as I expected. Still, it’s incredibly flaky, and I’m fighting to keep crumbs out of my laptop keyboard. The food options appear to be limited to these pastries, but no matter — if you’ve worked up a real appetite, remember, the Nook is right next door.

Kopplin’s interior space is surprisingly small. It’s not as bad as the Matchbox in Minneapolis — not even close — but it is a bit too small and packed-in for comfort. At the front of the space there’s a loveseat and a “comfy” chair; immediately behind it is a round table that seats 4 (or 2, if like SLP and me you plan to fill the table with laptops and papers); and the rest of the space is occupied by the coffee bar itself and a narrow row of tables. The overall feel is more one of a neighborhood bistro than a coffeehouse, and frankly the layout would be better suited to that purpose.

Then again, perhaps I’m imposing my American attitude on the space just as I’m warning you shouldn’t do to the coffee. Kopplin’s is more European than I’m accustomed to. Americans like things big, we like our space, we’re loud and obnoxious and imposing. Europeans are used to being packed in tighter than we are, and they know how to make the most of a little, whether that’s physical space or the size of a coffee cup.

It's kind of like the growth rings on a tree -- you can see how big each of your sips has been.

It's kind of like the growth rings on a tree -- you can see how big each of your sips has been.

#20: Cuppa Java ★★★★

Cuppa Java

Location

400 Penn Ave. S, Minneapolis
GOOGLE MAPYELPWEBSITE

Ratings

Location: ★★★★
Atmosphere: ★★★★
Coffee: ★★★★
Food: ★★★★
Service: ★★★★
Vibe: ★★★★
Overall: ★★★★

Pros

Interesting location and interior, good coffee, nice food selection.

Cons

A solid four stars: everything’s very good, but not quite exceptional.

Review

Another meeting with my Bryn Mawr neighborhood client has brought me to the area for a second time. At first I was considering returning to Bryn Mawr Coffee Shop, but then I remembered there’s another coffeehouse in the immediate vicinity, at the heart of Bryn Mawr — Penn Ave. and Cedar Lake Rd. Though Bryn Mawr is decidedly residential and very “Minneapolis” in feel, there’s still something about the small business district at this intersection that gives the area more of a Chicago feel for me. Perhaps it’s the strange angle of the intersection, which carries over into Cuppa Java — the space is essentially a right triangle, with the base and hypotenuse facing the exterior and mostly windows.

Inside, the space is a very welcoming mix of natural light, rich blue-gray walls, wood floors, dark brown curtains and just a touch of stone that helps remind us that this is a very old building, with a history. There’s a bar (so that’s why they’re called baristas), an assortment of round tables, and a few comfy chairs and rugs. Small LCD TVs on the walls help make the space feel a bit more lively without being intrusive.

Service is fast and friendly, and though there are a good number of customers, the place does not feel crowded. A pleasant assortment of alternative rock is playing (not unlike the playlist of The Current, but this seems to be a house mix).

Cuppa Java apparently serves beer, as there’s a Blue Moon neon sign in the window, but I am not seeing any on the menu. (Not that it matters at 9:30 AM anyway.) I ordered my usual cappuccino and a blueberry muffin, though I noticed Cuppa Java also offers breakfast bagel sandwiches, along with a nice assortment of cold and hot sandwiches and salads at lunchtime.

The cappuccino is good; a little bitter for my taste, but certainly nothing to complain about. The muffin is moist but not gooey, with crystalized sugar on top for a little extra sweetness and a pleasing crunch.

The biggest problem for me with Cuppa Java is that it’s in a neighborhood I rarely visit. But I was struck today by just how close it really is to I-394. Driving on that freeway past the Penn Ave. exit, the area seems fairly uninviting (with the view dominated by a railyard and a quarry), but as soon as you’re on Penn Ave. you enter a nice residential area and it’s just a couple of blocks to Cuppa Java. My only other complaint is that everything is just very good, in a way that makes me wish it were exceptional. But I will not hesitate to visit Cuppa Java again the next time I’m in the neighborhood.

#19: Espresso Exposé ★★★½

Espresso Exposé

Location

600 Washington Ave. SE, Minneapolis
GOOGLE MAPYELP

Ratings

Location: ★★★★
Atmosphere: ★★★★
Coffee: ★★★★
Food: ★★★
Service: ★★★
Vibe: ★★★
Overall: ★★★½

Pros

Prime location on U of M campus, good coffee, calming lighting.

Cons

Crowded, small tables, so-so food offerings, unappealing exterior.

Review

I have resisted Espresso Exposé for ages, and for (mostly) superficial reasons. In short, there was nothing about the exterior that made me want to go inside. I think the name is ridiculous, and I hate both the font and color used on the awning outside. It screams 1988 to me, in the worst possible ways, which is saying a lot: I hate 1988. George Bush was elected to Reagan’s third term, hair bands ruled the music scene, I was a freshman in high school, and the future Rickroll phenomenon was made possible. And every time I drive down Washington Ave. and see the ugly mauve awning with this name I hate, in this font I hate (University… and it’s at a university… get it?), I have to think about 1988. So I didn’t want to go in.

But with SLP working at the U, I always knew from the day I started this blog that eventually I would be reviewing Espresso Exposé, and today’s the day. She had to practically drag me here kicking and screaming though. OK, not quite. I’m not 4 years old. But I was kicking and screaming on the inside. Ow.

Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised when I walked inside (despite the somewhat odd smell) to see a larger, more contemporary-looking space than I had always expected when looking in from the outside. I especially like the calming effect of the diffuse, dim light provided by the orange glass light fixtures. Especially after the harsh spotlights of Sip in my last review, this lighting contributes to a very welcoming, soothing atmosphere, even when the place is really crowded (which it is right now). It’s a smart decision on the part of the owners… Espresso Exposé becomes a welcome retreat from the bustle of the busy university campus.

As soon as I stepped to the counter I noticed a large tray of plump, appealing croissants in the pastry case, and I had to have one. It was as good as I expected. Unfortunately, the overall selection of food is pretty limited — just a small number of pastry options, some premade sandwiches, and… well… that’s it.

I ordered my usual large cappuccino. It took a bit longer to make than I expected, especially since at that point SLP and I were the only people waiting for drinks. Hers came a couple minutes before mine, and I was disappointed and somewhat confused that it would take so long to make a single cappuccino. Nonetheless, once I did receive it, it was pretty good. Definitely not the best I’ve had in my travels for this blog, but still a cut above Caribou (my minimal baseline of acceptability, and so far I’ve yet to find a place that’s worse), and probably a bit better than the Starbucks across the street.

I managed to find a (small) table near an outlet when I arrived, but since then the place has gotten more crowded, and I doubt I’d be able to find a spot if I came now (10 AM).

I give Espresso Exposé high marks for its primo location, but in some ways that could almost be more of a detriment: the corner of Harvard and Washington is great if you’re a student, faculty or staff member at the University of Minnesota main campus, where it’s the first business you encounter walking east on Washington from campus into the Stadium Village commercial district. But this is a busy corner, and free parking is virtually non-existent. The Harvard St. garage is just diagonally across the street, of course, but unless you have other business on campus, Espresso Exposé probably won’t be getting yours.

Yelp!

I’ve never really gotten into using Yelp, but I know it’s becoming increasingly popular. It looks like many of the places I’m reviewing here are also reviewed on Yelp, so in the interest of giving my readers access to less idiosyncratic perspectives than my own, beginning today I will be including links to Yelp reviews (when available) of each new coffeehouse I visit. I’ve also gone back through and added Yelp links to all of the previous reviews. Look for the Yelp links near the top of each review, by the Google Maps link.

I’ll also try to remember to start including the business hours again, like I did in my first few reviews.