by keepitlikeasecret » Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:20 pm
Having just returned from a day trip to edinburgh for a coffee jaunt, i am pretty impressed at how things are improving once you get off the beaten track a bit. I am consequently suffering from palpatations and a rather exhausted listlessness from all the double espressos i've been sampling though. Urgh.
First off, i ventured out the back of the bus station down to broughton street, to Artisan Roast. It's only been open about 7 months or so, and has only lately shifted to being a small cafe rather than just a bean shop. I wish i took my camera to show you guys, but it is the neatest little place, all lined with used coffee bags and a small probat in full view, roasting away when i walked in, and stacks of green coffee bags behind it in a little den. I ordered a double macchiato and enjoyed my first great coffee of the day. Really well pulled shot. I had a wee chat to the swedish girl that served me, and a chat to michael who was roasting at the time, got a run down of the coffees they had and what went in their espresso blend they were serving that day. Really excellent little place, well worth a visit. Bought some roasted mandheling to have at home and went on my way.
My next trek took me off over North Bridge against the wind, and on to Nicholson Street, when i stumbled upon Black Medicine Coffee Co. This wasn't my intended stop, but I'd worked with a guy who worked there but had never found it until now. So i took a trip in and found them using Illy. Hmmm. Again i order a double macchiato. Now, if they used fresh quality beans, they would make a pretty great coffee. The prep was good, the milk texture was good. But those beans aren't doing the barista justice really. Pity. Nice woody gothic vibe to the place though, and a great name for a cafe.
Still, my aim of heading out this way was to get to Kilimanjaro cafe. Walked completely passed it and kept going for ages before i'd realised i'd wandered right off Nicholson street. Hate how the streets just amalgamate together! Still, on my back track i found it. Synesso, Anfims; impressive. After my bowl of soup, i got a double espresso. My best of day so far. So followed that by a flatwhite. Equally delicious. By this point you are probably thinking i am over doing it. I had developed a fine tremor and rather darting eyes. So a brisk walk out in the wind and rain seemed the best idea. Pity i didn't get a chance to chat to the guy on the bar, but lunch times are too busy there by the looks of it, so didn't want to hold them up. Another time though.
Took a look at a couple of potential leases about the place before i headed back to Artisan Roast for another coffee before my bus back up the road. No time to really get out to Lothian Road way, where there is meant to be another pretty good place, but i'll get around to that next trip. Totally delighted at how its improving if you know where to look though.
ECM Michelangelo 3gr
Mazzer Major x3
Mahlkoenig VT6A3
Hottop roaster
Melitta filters!