Friday, March 02, 2007

Coffee Shops in San Diego: Coffee House on Broadway

I recently needed to work on a few things at work while I was in between appointments, so I decided to google a local coffee shop in San Diego that was near my next appointment. I had to see a client in an area of San Diego called, Golden Hills. I came across a coffee shop called, “Coffee House on Broadway.” I decided to give it a try! I am glad I did.

The location of this coffee house was great: right on the corner of a busy street in San Diego. It was also right in the middle of a residential area, which gave it a community feel to it. The parking lot only had one car parked, so I was wondering if the place was open or even that good. I stepped inside and immediately was greeted by a very friendly barista. Since I have to cut back a little on my regular coffee, I decided to try a decaf Americano. It actually was quite good for a decaf! The lady who greeted me introduced herself to me as Tina, who actually owned Coffee House on Broadway. She gave me a little background on the cafe and her goals to market the shop. It appears that the coffee house is alive at night and asleep during the day.

My suggestion would be that if you are in the area, you need to stop by and support Coffee House on Broadway. It is a family run operation with great service! Tina loves her job, and it shows!

Coffee House On Broadway
2991 Broadway (30th: cross street)
San Diego, CA 92184
(619) 557-0156

Saturday, February 17, 2007

Bucks County Coffee Co. in Philly

Bucks County Coffee Co. in Philly was recommended as a great coffee place to try by Hastings Banks of Philadelphia. They have a great website and q number of locations throughout Philly, Penn, one in Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware and Washington D.C.

Check out Bucks County Coffee and let me know what you think! Thanks, Hastings for the info.

View Bucks Site

Saturday, February 10, 2007

Coffee Break

You would think a guy that loves coffee as much as I do would not have to take a coffee break or a coffee fast. However, the sad day has hit for Senior Bean. I have had some major allergies and sinus problems in the past year and a half. My allergy doctor has just decided that it is time to try one last thing! She asked how much coffee I drink on a given day. I sheepishly told her I drank probably 4-6 cups of strong coffee (on the lighter days). I now have to cut my coffee down to probably 1-2 cups a day of regular or drink more decaf. I have always turned up my nose at decaf, but I am trying ways to make decaf taste good!

So, day number two has past since I began to slow down on my black coffee intake. I now have had 1 cup of regular in the past 48 hours! I hope this will help with my heartburn and sinus problem! I just thought it was funny that the guy selling coffee t-shirts and coffee has to now back down a little on my love for the good stuff. 

Sunday, February 04, 2007

Attention Coffee Shop Owners

I just wanted to be clear about the coffee I sell on my site. I am not a coffee roaster. I started Bean Wear to sell coffee shirts and to support the local coffee shops (not including Starbucks). I wanted my shirts to spread to coffee shops and be worn by true coffee snobs or t-shirt lovers. Bean Wear’s coffee is roasted by a local San Diego roaster in El Cajon. I happen to love the coffee and decided to offer it on my site if people want it.

I do not know a lot about roasting coffee, and I hope not to offend any coffee shops or roasters that may visit this site. Please by a t=shirt first...then the coffee. By all means, support your local coffee shop! One of my final goals is to help all coffee shops increase the quality of good coffee!

1134 Cafe in Coronado (San Diego)

My wife and I went on a date night this past Saturday to one of our favorite spots, Coronado. Coronado is just minutes from downtown San Diego and has one of the best beaches in California. They also have one of the best coffee shops I have ever been too! I have written about Cafe 1134 before, and I must write about it again. We ended our night with desert and great coffee at the cafe. This time, I tried their plain, black coffee in a mug. Have I mentioned that coffee always taste better in a mug than in a paper cup? Anyways, the coffee was so rich and brewed right that I had to have a cup for the road.

If you are living in San Diego or visiting the city, stop by the 1134 Cafe, and you too will have great service and a perfect cup of coffee. Let me add that the coffee at most coffee shops is different than what you can make from home. The best coffee I have probably ever had was in Europe and in my own home. 

Sunday, January 28, 2007

The Original Bean Wear Coffee Shirt Idea

My first t-shirt I printed was rather quite simple. It was the name of my company, “Bean Wear.” The back of the shirt said, “Long Live the Bean!” I had short and long sleeve shirts in print. I then moved into my current design, “drink it black.” What I have found is that there are a lot of people that do not drink their coffee black but love the bean wear idea. I have also gotten a number of people who said they liked the original bean wear coffee shirts. Please let me know what you all think of my original design. I may be printing more the next time around. Thanks so much for your support!

Saturday, January 27, 2007

Ruby’s Dining in San Diego: Coffee Experience

Last Friday evening, my wife and I (and another couple from our church) went to our first dance class! I have never really danced but promised my wife, Joli, that I definitely try. We learned the beginning steps to the Waltz and Swing. I definitely enjoyed the swing dance! After the class, it was up to me to figure out where to go to chat and have some desert. The only real place that came to mind was Ruby’s Diner in Mission Valley (near Downtown San Diego). We enjoyed some great shakes, and I was (as usual) the only one who ordered coffee. I knew that they probably did not have coffee, but I figured I needed to try it so I can write a review. They advertised Dietrich Coffee. Dietrich Coffee is a relatively known coffee roaster that sells to certain restaurants and coffee shops. Good coffee drinkers would probably say it is a middle of the road coffee. I have had a few good cups of Dietrich’s over the years, so I decided to give Ruby’s Coffee a Try!

If only Ruby’s would add a little more coffee to the water, it would not have tasted so bad. Restaurants just do not get it! The coffee flavor was definitely better than Denny’s or Trophies in San Diego, but...they need to be free with the measuring cup: just dump the coffee in...and don’t stop!

I would love to hear your coffee stories: good, bad and ugly! Please comment or email the stories to me. Happy Saturday!

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

How Coffee Shirts Can Drop in Price

I have gotten a lot of compliments on my “drink it black” shirts in recent weeks. However, I am not selling a lot of them! I have sold more to friends on the east coast most likely than right here in my town! Any how, I just lowered the cost of my coffee shirts just to get people more excited to try the shirts out. They are fun to wear, because people will ask more about the shirt. They are total different. By the way, Starbucks is coming out with their own “designer” coffee shirts next month...so lets make a move and wear the bean first! Please support this site and buy a t-shirt!

If you don’t like coffee and will not wear my shirts, please refer this site to a friend!  “>

Saturday, January 13, 2007

Random Saturday Thoughts on Coffee

If you know anyone who would like a t-shirt or would try my coffee, please forward my site to them!

If you noticed my t-shirt page, the latest order of shirts just arrived. I have my 3rd edition of “Drink it Black.” My shirts were designed for those who really love coffee! I am hoping that people who do not drink their coffee black will also wear my shirts. I just received feedback from a friend of mine who liked my original order the best: “Long Live the Bean.” I might be printing more of those in the near future. My first shirt had the Bean Wear logo in the front and long live the bean in the back. If anyone else likes that style, let me know!

I have to say that my coffee is excellent. However, I did get to try another brand while on my Christmas vacation in Maryland. The name of the company is: Quarter Maine. If you are in the D.C. area, look up Quarter Maine. They roast their coffee fresh, and it is exceptional!

Lastly, I want to begin marketing my shirts to coffee shops. If you have a coffee shop that is interested in purchasing my shirts at a discounted rate, please email me. 

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

Cafe & Family Restaurant in Frederick County, Maryland

I do not typically write a blog about restaurants I like unless they have excellent coffee. Last week, my little family was visiting our east coast family (wife’s side) in Frederick County, Maryland. We had a great little breakfast with my in laws at a place called, “Trout’s Towne Restaurant.” It was filled with pictures, flags, plaques, and quotes from our Military! If you are pro-military, love a good southern breakfast, can wear a flannel shirt and a pair of carharts jeans, you need to visit Trout’s! It is worth the drive if you are in the general Baltimore or D.C. area! It is in the “country” yet very close to the city!

However!!!! I must say, we need to reform the way most restaurants make coffee. The service at Trout’s was good. The food on my plate was quality, but coffee...hmmm...it needs some major work! Isn’t it funny that a decent cup of coffee at a coffee shop cost about $1.50+ and a bad cup of coffee at a restaurant will cost almost $3.00? Another example of good food and bad coffee from a well known place in my town (San Diego) is a place called Trophy’s! I had dessert there recently and ordered coffee for $2.95! It was one of the worst coffees I had ever had! So, I would recommend Trout’s and Trophys...but stick with Water!

If my coffee friends know how we can begin to encourage family restaurants like Denny’s, Trouts, Waffle House, etc. to make a good cup of coffee, please send me your ideas! One final note, I have noticed that I am getting BLOG visitors that are not buying a t-shirt! Please help keep this site up and wear your bean shirt! 

Trout’s Towne Restaurant
200 N. 2ed St.
Woodsboro, MD 21798
301-898-5686

Monday, January 01, 2007

Coffee Shop in San Diego: Point Loma

Senior Bean: A dear friend of our family, Jennifer Brown, recently introduced me to a local coffee shop in San Diego called, “Reds.” She bought me a pound of one of their darkest roast for Christmas to try. It is definitely fresh, dark, and tasty! This coffee shop is also roast their own beans. I am curious to try the whole experience after hearing what Jen had to say about her time at Reds.

Jen Brown: “Every aspiring coffee conoisseur delights in the discovery of a coffee house that proves exceptional taste and warm ambiance can co-exist. Red’s Espresso Gallery, nestled on Rosecrans in Point Loma, is such a place. The owner, Cyndee Grace Savoy, is meticulous about her commitment to quality as she notes each coffee’s distinct flavor & bounquet and personally chooses the roast that will be most complementary. Upon entering, I found myself immediately taking in an array of sensory pleasures: walls swathed in a deep cherry hue, innovative creations of local artists on display, the soft melody of live music, and the aromatic decadence of brewed coffee.  After wrestling over the myriad of menu choices, I finally settled on a cappucino, which is just frou-frou enough to satisfy my indulgent side and strong enough to inspire me to break out in a rendition of “The-hills-are-alive-with-the-sound-of-music.” Experiencing Red’s makes you curious as to what other hidden treasures are tucked away as local secrets in Point Loma. I’ll take it upon myself to keep you posted of any other unforgettable finds.”

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Coffee Shops in Connecticut

Senior Bean: Below is a coffee shop submitted by Sarah Slabaugh from the Delaware area. This place has some of the BIGGEST Coffee Cups ever! Check out the picture I pulled from their site to the right! Pretty Cool. If anyone has been to this place besides Sarah, I would love to hear how the BLACK coffee taste. I hope to get up there someday.

“While we don’t have any in our area, quite possibly the best coffee i ever had was at the victoria train station in putnam, ct. the owners, a husband and wife, are constantly traveling to find the best coffee and espresso to serve. they learn your name rather quickly and make you feel at home each time you visit. it is decorated in a gorgeous range of antiques, including velvet covered chairs and beautiful gilt chandeliers. adjacent is a botique which sells handmade purses and other accessories.”

Putnam Victoria Station Cafe
75 Main St, Putnam, CT
(860) 928-2600.

Saturday, December 16, 2006

Coffee Shops in Coronado, CA

One of the best coffee shops I have been to in the San Diego area is in a small city called Coronado. It is about 10 minutes from the San Diego Airport and located on the main street of Coronado. Coronado is a small “island” that is 22 miles long. The coffee shop I am referring to is called the Cafe 1134. The address is 1134 Orange Ave!

Cafe 1134 serves excellent coffee drinks. The atmosphere is very elegant and sophisticated with an Italian design. Their regular black coffee and americanos are my favorite, but I am sure their specialty drinks are good as well. The service is wonderful as well. The first time I went to this place, I told the barista guy that I liked my Americano strong. He was one of the first coffee makers in San Diego to actually get what I was saying. Typically when I tell the staff I want my coffee strong, they just nod their head and say, “ok.” This guy was different. He suggested to me to try an Americano with less water and two shots of espresso. He said that if it was NOT strong enough, he would add a third shot for FREE! That was the best part. I came away from Cafe 1134 with a delicious 3-shot cup of coffee! I have been back several times since when I am in the area. They also serve food as well. I would not recommend the sandwiches. The bread is a little hard, but the desserts are to die for!

I cannot locate a web address, but they do have free internet. Just go to Coronado, turn left on the main street (Orange) and look for 1134! 

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Bean Wear’s First Encounter with Starbucks

No No...I’m not selling t-shirts to Starbucks. I just thought I would share my first encounter with a Starbucks employee as I was wearing my shirt. I must admit, I like going into Starbucks this time of year just because of the Christmas Spirit. I also like to see what kind of marketing ideas they are doing. It keeps my mind spinning with new ideas! The other reason I went to Starbucks is because my wife wanted an Eggnog Latte when we were Christmas shopping. I could not make one like I have before...so I had to go to Starbucks. Anyways, I march into Starbucks and proceeded to order my eggnog latte for my wife and 4 shots of espresso for me. Believe it or not, the 4 shots at 8:30 P.M did not do much for me! The guy at the counter looks at my shirt and comments on the Bean Wear: “Is that referring to coffee?” I forgot that I was advertising and wearing my shirt. Of course I told him about the shirt and the website: http://www.WearTheBean.com! When I told him to check out the site, he had a perfect response: “wear the bean...hmmm...yeah dude...but you are going to be drink’n the bean now!” He caught on quite fast to my slogan: Wear It, Drink it! He was a character and could not help but chuckle a bit.

I wonder if I will get my first Starbuck’s customer wearing the bean? 

Coffee Shops in San Diego County: Escondido

A friend from church recently told me she worked at a coffee shop called, “The Blue Mug” up in Escondido. I had heard of it once before but did not think much of it. The Blue Mug is just north of Downtown San Diego (about 30 minutes). I was in the general area today and decided to stop by and check it out. I was impressed! The colors and the overall design of the coffee shop was perfect. They really did a nice job of accenting most of the store with blue...but not too much blue!

One of the coolest features I saw was how they make their coffee. They are not like most coffee shops that have coffee sitting in a pot and getting colder by the minute. They brew ever cup of coffee with the old drip system. The drip system isn’t my favor, but you can control how strong you want it this way. I will have to dig up a photo of how they do it. It is fun to watch. They have BrewBar that can hold around 5-7 separate coffee filters at a time with the coffee mugs/cups underneath the filters. You first pick the whole bean coffee of your choice. Second, the staff grinds your beans and produces your drip coffee. You control the overall strength of the coffee (more or less water) by pulling the coffee mug out when it looks good enough. It was totally unique, and I enjoyed the experience.

The Blue Mug coffee shop has a great location in the downtown area of old Escondido. The downside is that it is not the busiest part of town. I went there around 1pm, and there was not a lot of action. I am sure their busiest time of day is first thing in the morning. It still amazes me how busy Starbucks can be ALL day long. I wish these smaller shops (like the Blue Mug) could really market their company better, because they are awesome! They have such good coffee ideas, but the general public just does not know about them.

The Blue Mug does not have a website that I could find, but here is the address:
122 S Kalmia St
Escondido, CA 92025
(760) 796-7540