What's in Your Cup?

Americano - real cream, real sugar. Life is good. A coffee shop without a bow-wow is a problem easily solved. A town without a coffee shop is a tragedy!

Sad Good-bye

CoffeeCat is very sorry to see Cafe Roche in Winston-Salem closing. I'll miss the cool neighborhood hangout with bow-wows on the patio, and Mr. Espresso is mourning the loss of the Espresso World Tour. Caffe con Leche, R.I.P. I see a coffee road trip in our future - to Sara Hummell's future coffee shop in the Fuquay-Varina area.Winston-Salem Journal story.

CoffeeCat is still reeling from the loss of Brew Nerds, but cheering all the local coffee shops that are thriving. Support your locally owned coffee shops, folks!

Coffee @ work

Coffee Cat loves nothing more than a weekend morning or afternoon at a Triad Coffee Shop. But I also love coffee shop fixes any day of the week, any time of day. Many workers are soooo lucky to have a coffee shop at work! We work hard, so we should indulge in the luxury of a little coffee shop boost any time of the day.

For example, coffee drinkers at the big banks in downtown Winston-Salem don’t have far to go to get a java fix and a break to clear their heads. Kouboura Coffee and the Legendary Goat are in downtown office towers and just a few steps away from some major employers. Those who have it best are the ones who don’t even have to walk outside to get their coffee shop fix. Chelsee’s serves those who work in the Arts District, and Krankie’s is worth the jog down Third or Fourth street.

Staff at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center owe a bit of their success to Java by Jeff’s, a bright, happy oasis for everyone. Where else can you get your locally-owned coffee shop fix next to world-famous scientists and baristas?

Lucky Greensboro workers also have a choice of fixes during the workday. The Green Bean, Dolce Aroma, and the Sweet Shop don’t even require folks to step out into the cold and wind. Or the heat and humidity. Even law students and professors have it good with the opening of Legal Grounds inside the Elon Law School.

Maybe there are more – if you know of a “coffee shop at work,” let Coffee Cat know. Especially if it has a sunny window perch, comfy sofa, or large potted plant suitable for cat naps. Who am I kidding? Any place is a great place for a cat nap, but only locally owned coffee shops are the place to be for the best coffee in the Triad!

Happy (Belated) Birthday

Mocha Mutt wants to send out a special greeting to Beans Boro in - where else? - Greensboro. The coffeehouse and roastery opened on "Black Friday" 2011, and so this past Black Friday marked the one year anniversary for the shop. Beans Boro boasts its own coffee roaster for its customized blends of coffee beans. Mocha Mutt can even smell the roasting when driving by with the car windows down (as mutts love to do). Special treats are gourmet cupcakes and other baked goods, smoothies, teas, and sandwiches. Local musicians are featured every Saturday night (come early for a good seat!). Congratulations, Beans Boro, and best wishes for many more happy birthdays in the 'boro.

Seen on the Road: Allentown, PA





On the way to see Mr. Espresso's family for the holidays, we stopped in Allentown, PA for an errand. Were we surprised to see this coffee shop! I regret we couldn't stay to have a cuppa Jamaican coffee and get a Caribbean tan. Maybe on the way home . . .

The Good Life

CoffeeCat has grown fat & lazy, as any cat worthy of the name should be! I've been lazy about posting, but that doesn't mean I've slacked off on my coffee shop habit. Mr. Espresso says I need to carve out time to write, as though snoozing in sunbeams and sipping cafe au lait isn't fulfilling enough! So, look for more posts soon - including some new coffee road trips.

And, for the last minute shoppers, remember to Buy Local at your locally owned Triad Coffee Shops!

More Coffee Shop Art

Coffee Cat loves coffee shop art! From the coffee-themed art hanging on the walls, to open mic nights and performances of local musicians, you can find it all at locally-owned coffee shops. I’ve blogged before about an oasis in downtown Winston-Salem, and it’s time to blog again about the Community Arts Café.

Imagine Coffee Cat’s delight when I introduced Mr. Espresso to this gem and he, too, loved it! Songwriter’s Roundtable, Songwriter’s Sound off, a Carousel, comedy improv, and a jazz performance have given us some great nights on the town in Winston-Salem. We can enjoy on-the-verge-of-hitting-the-big-time artists for a tiny cover charge ($5 or $10). To make the deal even sweeter, we can enjoy coffee, wine, or both! And delicious treats like sweet potato quesadillas and chicken salad sandwiches. Did I mention the brownies?

When there’s a performance starting at 7 and you just can’t quite get your work day to end, don’t worry. Just show up at the CAC and enjoy a lite dinner, coffee, desert, wine, and stunning performances all in one room. The Underground Theater is cozy, elegant, and popular! So, be sure to get there on time for a table! Let Jim and Cathy know you appreciate what they’re doing for local artists, and show your support with a bit o’ green in the tip jars!

What is your favorite venue for coffee shop performances? Tell CoffeeCat about it!

Coffee Shop Art

Coffee Cat loves to support local artists. Unfortunately, my wallet doesn’t get it. My wallet has this predisposition toward the mortgage, utilities, and other so-called “necessities.” But as you know, coffee is a necessity for this cat! So, I love to get my fix of coffee and art at locally owned coffee shops. The price is always right!

Thanks to Mr. Espresso, I have my very own piece of locally-produced coffee shop art. One evening at Café Roche, I admired a photo series that spells out “I Love Coffee.” Was I thrilled to find that wrapped up for me at Christmas! It was the starting piece for a coffee station in my kitchen. The portrait holds a place of honor over my coffee maker and coffee. We set up shelving to hold all the necessities for a home coffee station: grinder, European espresso spoons, mugs, sweeteners, extra filters, assorted coffee beans, and more. We even have a selection of teas for visitors like Mocha Mutt. Mocha Mutt even pitched in some coffee-themed towels, plates, and baskets. Geez, wasn’t that sweet!

On those rushed mornings when I just can’t make it to the coffee shop (uh, like, every weekday), I have my own mini-coffee bar in the kitchen. I’d love to hear about your home coffee bars, coffee fans!

Coffee (& Rescue) Road Trip

Coffee Cat and Mr. Espresso recently took a bow-wow for a ride on the way to his new home. Yes, Coffee Cat has recruited my coffee shop buddy to help rescue animals. Our passenger was Joey, an Aussie Shepherd mix who loved us immediately! After we handed him off in Durham to a rescue angel to drive him the next leg, we were (almost) done with good deeds for the day.

A road trip with Coffee Cat and Mr. Espresso would not be a trip without a stop at a locally-owned coffee shop! Just a few miles away, we found Joe Van Gogh, a haven for university students, professors, and neighbors.  I cooled off with a delicious iced coffee and Mr. Espresso enjoyed his four shots straight up. We wouldn’t be Coffee Cat and Mr. Espresso without a cookie, which I highly recommend for the sweet tooth!

Ah, what a luxury to have a carefree Saturday afternoon in the coffee shop, made even sweeter by the sight of students hunkered over laptops and books. Once again, I gave thanks that I am done with that! When I pull out my laptop at the coffee shop, it is to write about coffee shops, cats, and animal rescue. Life is sweet in the espresso lane!

Joe Van Gogh roasts its own beans in Hillsborough to supply its coffee shops in Durham and Chapel Hill. So, if you want to relive your school days (or be reminded how grateful you are to have them behind you), stop by for a cuppa caffeine. And for students at the ‘blue’ Triangle schools, you are lucky ducks! Enjoy your locally-owned Triangle coffee shops!

Coffee Road Trip: Raleigh

I recently had an all day meeting in Raleigh. While the meeting was productive and entertaining (crazy, I know, right?), it ended in the mid-afternoon, which, as most dog lovers know, is prime napping time for mutts. I wasn't about to venture onto I-40 without some caffeine enablement, and, fortuantely, the caffeine gurus were on my side. As many of my fans know, I am not a coffee drinker, but I LOVE the many varieties of non-coffee drinks offered at locally owned coffee shops.

As I was leaving the downtown area via Hillsborough Street, and admiring the campus of North Carolina State University, I happened upon Cup A Joe, located at 3100 Hillsborough Street. And, to my sweet surprise, it has it's own parking lot, and a spot was reserved just for me (at least I like to think so!). It was 4 pm, and the place was alive with the sounds of people, music, coffee grinders, and milk steamers. I ordered my usual, a chai tea latté, and was surprised to hear the question, "Would you like our chai flavored whipped cream on that?" I had never heard such a question, but I've never made a decision that quickly. "YES!" And was I pleased with the result!! I spent some time savoring the double chai effect of the drink and the whipped topping while enjoying some reading material and the sounds around me.

I was recharged and ready for my I-40 trek back to the Triad.

Thanks, Cup A Joe, for being right where I needed you, when I needed you most!

Overheard in a coffee shop

Don't stop shopping, have some coffee and get back to it!

Small Business Saturday

CoffeeCat is awake "dark" and early on Black Friday, snuggling in my warm bed and thankful I am not out in the madness! I can hear the traffic building on the highway, but I won't be joining the crazed crowds at the malls and big box stores. Nope, CoffeeCat is snuggling deeper under the covers and thinking of . . . what else, but locally owned coffee shops!

Saturday is Small Business Saturday, promoted by American Express. CoffeeCat and MochaMutt like to latch onto this day as another opportunity to Shop Local, even (especially) if you're shopping with green money. The gifts I bought at locally owned coffee shops last year were a hit. Gift cards, mugs, freshly roasted coffee beans, and many more gifts are available, even for those who don't drink coffee.

CoffeeCat is still thankful for locally owned coffee shops, as I blogged about last year, and making plans to support them again this holiday season.

Thank you, fans, for sharing another great year with Triad Coffee Shops!

Giving Thanks

Mocha Mutt and Coffee Cat sing, bark and meow the praises of local coffee shops all the time, but at Thanksgiving, we can't help but think of all the wonderful things we have to be thankful for. For the majority of Americans, life is relatively luxurious compared to the rest of the world. Sure, we have our rough moments, our bad days, and our personal (and national) budget shortfalls. We deal with an illness or death of friends, family, or other loved ones. However, compared to how people in other parts of the world struggle daily just to survive, we have it so easy. So this Thanksgiving, consider the things you are thankful for - - and thank the people and/or the deity who make it possible for you. I've started a list - - what can you add to it?

Coffee - - an expensive luxury to many, but an obtainable, affordable part of our daily routine

Time - - Leisure time to spend with a friend at a coffee shop, or even the time to drive-thru for a custom-created drink; time to enjoy a musical or poetic performance at a local coffee shop or theater venue

Food - - while some go hungry, we have such an abundance we can eat for pleasure and special occasions, not just for basic nutrition

Service professionals - - while we can make our own food and drinks at home, it is such a luxury to have professionals who make it a pleasure to eat and drink without the drudgery of assembling ingredients, making the items, washing dishes, and cleaning up the kitchen afterwards. To food service pros everywhere - - THANK YOU!

Freedom - - of the many kinds of freedom we enjoy in this nation (including blogging) - - one of my favorites is the freedom to travel. And when I travel, of course, I find Coffee, Food, and Service Professionals to make the trip delicious. I have over 200 years' worth of free-thinkers, rebels, soldiers and outspoken patriots to thank for this freedom, so THANK YOU!!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!! What are you thankful for?

Coffee Road Trip: From the Mountains to the Sea

CoffeeCat has been enjoying North Carolina's natural beauty this fall with a fellow coffee-shop lover! Luckily, this friend loves the outdoors as much as coffee shops (if that is possible!). After a sunny fall day spent on the Blue Ridge Parkway, we drove into Boone and used our handy GPS to find a delightful coffee shop, Higher Grounds. Not only was the espresso delicious, we bought
some interesting blends of coffee to take home, and the baked treats were worth the stop, too.

Now, we are enjoying a sunny, warm(ish) weekend at Holden Beach. The trip would not be complete without a stop at Cappuccino by the Sea, a tiny coffee & gift shop on the Causeway. Hours are limited in the off-season, but we were lucky to find it open on a cold, rainy afternoon when we desperately needed a hot shot of caffeine! We were surprised to find fresh-baked treats such as pink coconut shortbread, pumpkin shortbread, and coconut-pineapple-something else yummy-covered with cream cheese Madelaine's. There's one family-style dining table in this tiny shop, so we enjoyed sitting for a spell and chatting about local goings-on with some local folks. Had it been warm and dry, we would have sat on the patio and sniffed the fresh sea air.

CoffeeCat fell in love with the coffee shop thanks to the Triad. I'm spoiled to good coffee, locally owned shops, knowledgeable owners who care about their customers, and local residents who support their neighborhood shops. So, when I travel, the first thing I have to find is a coffee shop!

Isn't life great in the coffee lane??

Dog, are my paws tired!

After a year and a half of blogging, CoffeeCat and MochaMutt have reached the inevitable conclusion that you can blog about Triad Coffee Shops, you can visit Triad Coffee Shops, you can enjoy the awesome events at Triad Coffee Shops, but you can't do all three all the time. Since the blog began, shops have opened and shops have closed, but we consistently have about 40 locally owned coffee shops in our "Coffee Shop Guide." And that's after limiting the blog to four counties - Forsyth, Guilford, Davidson, and Randolph. We have learned about (and visited) other great shops in counties such as Stokes, Surry, Wilkes, and Davie, but we just can't keep up with them all, so we pared down the list. We also do not include "chain" coffee shops and the many restaurants in the area that have an excellent selection of coffee drinks on their menus. With the exception of Krankie's Airstream, we also don't include the many drive-through coffee "kiosks" in the Triad. Other coffee shops in the Triad are "on deck" to be placed in our guide, waiting for a site visit.

Fans, when we started the blog, we had a few shops we frequented, and knew there were others, but we never imagined the extent of the Coffee Shop universe in the Triad. It has been amazing, exciting, and, of course, delicious to discover them all. And we are still going!! Because we like to travel, and know that our readers do, too, we've added a "Road Trip" section to our Guide page. If you find a wonderful locally owned coffee shop on your travels, please share it with our readers!! Post a comment on the blog or email MochaMutt to share your delicious find!

One thing we have decided to do is leave it up to the shops on our Guide page to let their fans know about special upcoming events. We tried to keep up with them, but there just are not enough paws to keep the keyboard typing. What we do endeavor to keep doing is to let you know about new shops in the Triad, extra special/unusual offerings, new tastes, and other interesting things. We just can't keep up with every band, art exhibit, reading, poetry slam, etc. at Triad Coffee Shops. Which we think is a fantastic problem to have. Can you imagine a Triad with only one coffee shop, or one rock band, or one artist's display, or one shop owner who can belt out the blues? It would be a truly sad place to live. Fortunately for us all, the Triad is alive and hopping with art, music, literature, poetry, performance art, charity fundraisers, book clubs, conversation groups, and the many many other activities that come to life at Triad Coffee Shops.

So fans, keep checking the blog for the latest and greatest in Coffee Shop life in the Triad. And link to your favorite shop(s) from our "Guide" page to find a special event that's right for you. Then, let us know how it was. As with all writers, we love to hear from our readers. Connect with the huge coffee shop fan base and let us know what you think!

Lessons From the Road

Mocha Mutt took a road trip recently - - not a long trip, but far enough from home to make it a little exciting. What started out as a fun adventure turned into a ruff day for this caffeine-fueled canine. My first mistake was to leave the Triad without stopping at a Triad Coffee Shop for fuel. About halfway through my trip, I absolutely had to stop for a morning snack and a chai latté. I had an intense headache, so I wasn’t thinking clearly enough to search my GPS for a locally owned coffee shop (my second mistake). Desperate for something to wash down my pain reliever, I stopped at a chain coffee shop (my third mistake). While the barista was perfectly nice and friendly and gave my drink her full attention, the drink, and the experience, just wasn’t the same as I am spoiled to having in the Triad. I did, however, learn two valuable lessons that day. First, never leave the Triad without a stop at your favorite Triad Coffee Shop for food and fuel. Second, prepare an itinerary of locally owned coffee shops along your route and at your destination, so that no matter when the need for caffeine strikes, you will have options!

Mocha Mutt and Coffee Cat are going to start compiling a road trip itinerary on the “Coffee Shops Guide” of the blog. Please let us know about any coffee shops you have discovered in your travels. And, of course, always check the blog before you leave on a trip, or while you’re on the road, to find a locally owned coffee shop that isn’t in the Triad.

Happy travels, coffee shop fans!

UNC-G – the center of Greensboro’s coffee universe

Mocha Mutt recently went on an exploration of the UNC-G neighborhood, which is actually quite large and takes up a significant portion of central Greensboro.

In addition to the bookstores, drugstores, restaurants, and bars that typically serve a university population, UNC-G and the immediate area boast a great variety of coffee shops, which cater to students, professors, staff, their families, and local residents.

On the southeast corner of campus, beginning at the intersection of Tate & Spring Garden Streets, coffee shops abound. Within sight of this intersection is Tate Street Coffeehouse, which considers itself (rightly so) the “granddaddy” of Greensboro Coffee Shops, and Coffeeology, which prides itself on the knowledge and culture of coffee.

Further along Spring Garden Street, headed west, you will find The Coffee Break at the corner with Chapman Street – step inside for a variety of drinks and snacks, gift items, and great window seats for people watching.

Less than a block east is Spring Garden Bakery and Coffeehouse. In the past, it was primarily a place to get great baked pastries, muffins, cakes, etc., and a quick cup of coffee. However, new owners recently expanded the store, which now has a large seating area for customers, a great selection of baked goods, and lots of electrical outlets for those of us who just have to be “plugged in” wherever we go.

Still further west on Spring Garden, you’ll encounter Moulin Rouge Café at 3612-D Spring Garden, in a small shopping center catering to the international community surrounding it. Moulin Rouge prides itself on coffee brewed “to perfection.” Across Spring Garden, on Merritt Drive, is the recently opened Wildwood Fruit and Coffee Company. The husband and wife team operating the store have created a great combination of coffee selections, fruit smoothies, bagels, and bakery items.

With most of these shops, you may find parking a challenge – unless you know where to look! Most of these shops have limited on-street parking in front of the building. In addition, Coffeeology, The Coffee Break, Spring Garden Bakery, and Wildwood all have parking lots behind their buildings. When in doubt, ask the shop’s staff where to park - - they have a vested interest in making sure you can enjoy your visit and can linger without fear of parking tickets.

Coffee Shop fans - - let us know how your tour of the UNC-G Coffee Universe turns out!

Coffee Love, Cat Love, What's Not to Love?

It's no secret CoffeeCat loves, loves, loves, locally-owned coffee shops. How could our Triad Coffee Shops possibly get any better? Wanna know? Hmm? Give up? Ok, I'll tell you! Drum roll, please!

1) A coffee shop song performed on stage (CoffeeCat drooled!)
2) A "kitty ditty" performed on stage (CoffeeCat wanted to run berserk as cats do, but refrained)
3) 3 awesome singer-songwriters on stage with guitar and piano (CoffeeCat is soooo jealous!)
4) coffee bar with espresso for all (bzzzzzzzzzz)
5) good friends to share coffee shop with :-)

Songwriters in the Round at Community Arts Cafe was THE place to be this Friday night. So where were you all? The Underground Theater had a small group of fans, but there was room for plenty more. This cozy yet classy setting is gorgeous and . . . .what's not to love when you can take 20 steps, get a latte (or wine. or beer. or milk & cookies), and walk right back into the concert?

No hand stamps, no outrageous ticket prices and surcharges, no yahoos spilling beer on you as you push through the crowd. Best-selling, award winning songwriters on stage, making the audience feel as if we were in their living rooms. CoffeeCat doesn't like to gush (oh, who am I kidding?), but this is a little treasure in the City of the Arts that we should enjoy!

"Encore" to Kristy Jackson on piano, Lacey Greene on guitar, and Vicki Genfan, creator of "slap tap" guitar. I hope they're not allergic to cats, because CoffeeCat will be following them around the Triad! The next Songwriters in the Round is Friday, Nov. 11.

Cats love treats at the coffee shop!

And "Bravo" to Jim and Cathy Tedder for making their vision of an artists' incubator a reality. This is a place for artists of all kinds to gather, perform, learn, and best of all, DRINK COFFEE. Honestly, does life get any better?

Change of Pace

Saturday morning music at Cafe Roche was a great way to kick off the weekend! Jazzy music and tasty caffeine are the BEST way to wake up for your weekend! CoffeeCat and MochaMutt will be on the lookout for more jam sessions at Triad Coffee Shops. Stop by our Facebook page to let us know what's happening at your local coffee shop!

Last year, CoffeeCat blogged about the great combo of books, animals (Mutts comic) and coffee shops at the 2010 BookMarks Book Festival in Winston-Salem. CoffeeCat is looking forward to Sept. 10, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the downtown arts district. No matter where you live in the Triad, this festival is worth the drive! And need I mention our downtown coffee shops???? Check the Coffee Shop Guide for addresses and info.

Here's a great site to get previews of this year's festival: http://bookmarksmarkyourplace.wordpress.com/

Earthquakes, Hurricanes, and Cayenne! Oh, my!

It has been an interesting couple of weeks in the Triad. First, an unexpected (aren't they all?) earthquake. Dogs, cats, residents of the NC Zoo, and critters everywhere were going berzerk in the hours before the event. Fortunately, humans carried on as usual, and some didn't even notice the quake. Thank goodness it was mainly a source of amusement for newscasters and water cooler conversation groups, and didn't do much damage in our area.

On the heels of "The Shake," meteorologists started forecasting gloom and doom with Hurricane Irene, first expected to hit our coast as a Category 3 or 4 storm. Fortunately, Irene chilled somewhat and hit land as "only" a Category 1. Irene did plenty of damage and destruction in North Carolina, so we are glad she weakened before she paid us a visit. In the Triad, Irene was primarily a tropical breeze event, so we can consider ourselves lucky.

Another interesting event that has been much less publicized is the invention of the Spicy Mayan Mocha at Cafe Roche in Winston-Salem. Sarah Hummell, owner and chief barista, likes to study the drink, its many variations, and create something new and delicious for her customers. Just this summer, she and her husband Justin have created an espresso steak rub and Bananas Foster Belgian Waffles. Sarah's newest creation is based on the Mayan tradition of combining peppers and chocolate. The Spicy Mayan Mocha combines cayenne pepper, espresso, Gherardelli Chocolate, and steamed organic milk, topped with a sprinkling of cocoa powder, ground cinnamon, and ground cayenne. For the non-coffee drinkers, the Mexican Hot Chocolate includes the same ingredients without the espresso. What a tantalizing combination!

Sarah is a great example of the many local coffee shop owners and staff who put time, thought, and effort into creating a pleasant and unique experience for their customers. The local coffee shop is not bound to a menu created in a far away board room by executives and focus groups. Each of the shops on our Guide page has a unique atmosphere and menu, and owners and staff who rely on excellent products and service, not mass marketing, to bring us back to the shop time and time again. For that, we are thankful!

Share your favorite coffee shop experiences with your fellow readers by posting a comment!