The last place visited today was a little Italian deli, grocery and coffee shop called Bella Napoli. It was obviously more than just a coffee shop. And the coffee shop part of the store was not very impressive, not to mention right next door to The Roasterie. This shop seemed to be known more for its Italian grocery and deli. The espresso was not bad but also, not extremely impressive or memorable.
It wasn't a bad experience, however, I don't think I would go back there.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
The Coffee Girls
The next place I adventured to today was a shop walking distance from One More Cup, called The Coffee Girls.
It was in a much more convenient location than One More Cup and had much better service. The coffee was wonderful and they actually had what I wanted. The layout of the store was very simple, clean and elegant.
One of the downsides, however, that stuck out to me was that they only seemed to have one barista on hand, which seemed like no where near enough, considering the size and location of the shop. It was pretty slow though, probably because it's the middle of the week. So maybe they have it better staffed on the weekends, however, it still seemed kind of odd that they would only have one barista working in such a large shop.
I liked this place a lot and would definitely stop by there again, if in the area.
It was in a much more convenient location than One More Cup and had much better service. The coffee was wonderful and they actually had what I wanted. The layout of the store was very simple, clean and elegant.
One of the downsides, however, that stuck out to me was that they only seemed to have one barista on hand, which seemed like no where near enough, considering the size and location of the shop. It was pretty slow though, probably because it's the middle of the week. So maybe they have it better staffed on the weekends, however, it still seemed kind of odd that they would only have one barista working in such a large shop.
I liked this place a lot and would definitely stop by there again, if in the area.
One More Cup
Today I was privileged to adventure out to three more coffee shops around Kansas City, specifically the Waldo area and the Brookside area.
First, I went to a place called One More Cup, it was a cute little hole-in-the-wall shop. While the interior of the shop was very artistic and original, and the coffee not bad, there were a lot of downsides to the experience.
It was on a busy road, so the parking was in the back and kind of hard to get to. The baristas were very nice and polite, however, not very helpful. They explained their special drinks to me, but then when I proceeded to order one of the drinks that they recommended to me, they were OUT OF IT! A huge and very important part of customer service in my opinion is being aware of the products that are and are not in stock. And also, not only being educated about the product and service, but displaying a level of passion for it, enough to take the initiative to educate the customer.
Another downside was that they only served their beverages in a 16 and 20 oz. cup, and because of the rich, quality ingredients they used, they were able to charge four and a half dollars for a "small" beverage.
It was a cute little coffee shop, but that's about it, I think I would only give it a 5 or 6 out of 10.
First, I went to a place called One More Cup, it was a cute little hole-in-the-wall shop. While the interior of the shop was very artistic and original, and the coffee not bad, there were a lot of downsides to the experience.
It was on a busy road, so the parking was in the back and kind of hard to get to. The baristas were very nice and polite, however, not very helpful. They explained their special drinks to me, but then when I proceeded to order one of the drinks that they recommended to me, they were OUT OF IT! A huge and very important part of customer service in my opinion is being aware of the products that are and are not in stock. And also, not only being educated about the product and service, but displaying a level of passion for it, enough to take the initiative to educate the customer.
Another downside was that they only served their beverages in a 16 and 20 oz. cup, and because of the rich, quality ingredients they used, they were able to charge four and a half dollars for a "small" beverage.
It was a cute little coffee shop, but that's about it, I think I would only give it a 5 or 6 out of 10.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Impressive Starbucks Visit
I just got back from a family vacation in Brekenridge, CO. Where we stayed, we were walking distance from downtown which happened to have a very nice Starbucks. Out of all the coffee shops I've visited, I will always go back to Starbucks, probably because I work there and I've been a bit brain washed. However, that's beside the point of this post. This Starbucks in Brekenridge really stuck out to me among other Starbucks. It was once the house of the mayor of Brekenridge so it had a very different look and feel to it. It actually felt like a cute little coffee shop instead of a fast coffee fill station. Also, the partners there were extremely friendly and good at there job. Believe it or not, it is actually hard to find good baristas at Starbucks. Most of them are usually pretty friendly, but it is hard to find a barista who can make a quality drink every time and play their part in the team role of the store, helping to keep a good, clean environment. This Starbucks was one of the few that I was highly impressed with! So, if you're ever in Brekenridge and need a good coffee, stop by the Starbucks there!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Benetti's
The final coffee shop I visited today was "Benetti's" located in Raytown.
Once an old house, now transformed into a beautiful coffee shop. It is a very clean, friendly and quiet environment. They're known for roasting their beans right there in the store, which makes for very good espresso!
I don't have a lot of thoughts on this one, except that I definitely would not mind returning!
Once an old house, now transformed into a beautiful coffee shop. It is a very clean, friendly and quiet environment. They're known for roasting their beans right there in the store, which makes for very good espresso!
I don't have a lot of thoughts on this one, except that I definitely would not mind returning!
Hi Hat Coffee
The second place I visited today was located at 50th and State Line RD and it is known as "Hi Hat Coffee"
It is a tiny little brick cottage, previously a filling station in the 30's, located in a nice part of town known as Mission Woods. The cafe is big enough for about two people at a time, however, they have a very nice patio to enjoy. There is only room for one barista to work at a time and they are all very friendly.
They had amazing espresso and very original beverage titles such as the "Bee High," a latte with cinnamon and honey. The "Mona Lisa," a four shot half-calf latte and the "Avalanche," a white mocha and vanilla latte.
Hi Hat is for sure, a place that I will return to!
It is a tiny little brick cottage, previously a filling station in the 30's, located in a nice part of town known as Mission Woods. The cafe is big enough for about two people at a time, however, they have a very nice patio to enjoy. There is only room for one barista to work at a time and they are all very friendly.
They had amazing espresso and very original beverage titles such as the "Bee High," a latte with cinnamon and honey. The "Mona Lisa," a four shot half-calf latte and the "Avalanche," a white mocha and vanilla latte.
Hi Hat is for sure, a place that I will return to!
The Filling Station
Alright, so the first place I visited today was titled "The Filling Station" located down by Crown Center and the WWI Museum.
The espresso was alright, however the biggest thing that stuck out to me was their cold brew known as Toddy. It's their espresso brewed very slowly through a special filter. It is very round, smooth and easy to enjoy.
The environment was extremely modern and original. It was very clean and the service was stellar! However, it was a pretty busy and noisy place, definitely not a place to get comfy and lost in a good book. As far as studying or hanging out goes, it is a great place if in the area. I don't think I would take a special trip to the Filling Station, however, if I'm in the area and need some coffee, I will definitely go back.
Something interesting that I noticed about all the people that ran these local coffee places was that they were all very artistic. They all had at least one tattoo, dressed very original and were extremely friendly. The people that run the coffee shops always that sticks out to me, it's like there's a certain type.
The espresso was alright, however the biggest thing that stuck out to me was their cold brew known as Toddy. It's their espresso brewed very slowly through a special filter. It is very round, smooth and easy to enjoy.
The environment was extremely modern and original. It was very clean and the service was stellar! However, it was a pretty busy and noisy place, definitely not a place to get comfy and lost in a good book. As far as studying or hanging out goes, it is a great place if in the area. I don't think I would take a special trip to the Filling Station, however, if I'm in the area and need some coffee, I will definitely go back.
Something interesting that I noticed about all the people that ran these local coffee places was that they were all very artistic. They all had at least one tattoo, dressed very original and were extremely friendly. The people that run the coffee shops always that sticks out to me, it's like there's a certain type.
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