Milwaukee Specialty Food and Coffee

East Side/Riverwest: Snapshots: Stone Creek Coffee

I'm at Stone Creek Coffee in Shorewood enjoying the air conditioning and a couple mugs of Decaf French Roast (aside: is it possible that Stone Creek's E-commerce site still does not work in Firefox???  I am able to navigate in Google Chrome--which I never use--but not in Firefox.  I pointed this out to them months ago.)  The French Roast is good with half-and-half.  Though not quite on a par with the French press brew I enjoyed on Sunday, there's nothing wrong with this coffee at all.  The barista is also one of my favorites.  I note, for example, that she was suggesting for-here cups to customers, even though I've been here in the last hour before closing.

Glendale/Whitefish Bay: Snapshots: Caribou Coffee

I'm at Caribou Coffee in Glendale, soaking in the air conditioning.  They have really good coffee--occasionally crazy good, such as the Guatemala El Paraiso--but the food items are often crazy bad.

This scone was far and away the worst food item I've ever had in a coffeehouse.  I advise you strongly to steer clear.

Sprituality Forum

A new page has now been launched on the blog, called Spirituality Forum.  It will be a place to collect blog posts of a religious nature and to interact with readers on this topic.  Also, I had failed to notice that it is possible to open blog pages up to comments, so I will do so now.

Photos: Grace Place Coffee Lounge

As a Grace Lutheran Church member, I remain ambivalent about the Grace Place Coffee Lounge, but in any case, here are a couple of pictures.

 

Retail Coffee: Decaf: Sendik's Tudi's Decaf

I don't know who Tudi is, but I sure like her decaf!  Read about Sendik's coffee here (I can't link to the article directly, but go to page 9 in the reader application).

East Side/Riverwest: Snapshots: Roast Coffee Company

I've stopped at Roast Coffee Company for a late mug of Java Estate (a variety that is a rare treat).  I normally observe a caffeine cutoff of 7:30 p.m., but after physical therapy, I feel so good that I got caught up in the moment, and I'll probably stay up a bit later than usual anyway.  My taste lately has shifted away from Latin American coffees, and tasting the Java Estate confirmed this.  Its earthiness and body were wonderful black, but really came alive with half-and-half added to the cup.

Wellness: Better Living through PT

For all of the unhealthy or marginally healthy activities I write about or mention on this blog, it's only fair that I now give a plug to something highly healthy:  I just had PT!  And I feel so f*cking good! :-)  Sorry, there's just no other way to say it.  Last month, I had the first professional massage of my life, which was very enjoyable, but its benefits were more in relaxation than anything.  Now, I feel almost like I could work an eight-hour shift straight through (though I'm not volunteering tonight). 

Alas: this good feeling does not come without sacrifice: the characteristic seated "Mike posture" (slouching, with right leg crossed over left) has been kiboshed.  I'm a little bit at a loss, as this has been something of a personal trademark, and you can't just buy personal trademarks at Target.  Still, I've said that nothing is off the table, so I will be true to my word.

Bay View Breezes: Photos: Anodyne Coffee Roasters

Bay View Breezes: Snapshots: Stone Creek Coffee

Today, I had the pleasure of being treated to a French press of Stone Creek Coffee's Market Day blend at their Bay View location. Apparently, the press pot is an off-menu item--just how far off, I'm not sure. I selected the Market Day because I'd actually been hoping to try the Organic Ethiopian, now featured at Grace Lutheran Church's Grace Place (more on that later). For whatever reason, the Ethiopian has not hit their retail stores (yet). The Market Day features a strong Ethiopian component. The French press took four minutes or so to brew; the barista attached a little timer to it. Best of all, she brought it to my table and left it there. I appreciate the vote of confidence that I've graduated from kindergarten (see this post from January). When I took my first sip, I let out a little noise that was kind of half laugh, half O-face. I can't get around using the phrase "night and day" when I look back on the last Stone Creek brewed drip I had last week (though granted, that was a different variety). Suddenly, I'm having the best cup of non-espresso coffeehouse coffee I've had in Milwaukee--and after harping about Stone Creek's drip for two years. So, um...time to rethink the brewing method? I can vouch for the fact that French press is worthy of a home on the Stone Creek menu.

Blog News: Wellness Forum

EDIT: This page is now live; click here.

Beginning Sunday afternoon, there will be a new page on this blog called "Wellness Forum."  Seems rather appropriate, as I am feeling very well today indeed--more so than in weeks.  On this (for most) long holiday weekend, I hope the same is true for you!