meandering eats

I really must break my current coffee-in-the-morning streak. Normally, I'll do it for a few weeks, then stop cold for another few weeks, and so on. It's been so hectic lately that I don't have time to make coffee in the mornings. What I really should do is make coffee first thing when I wake up, let it cool, then pour it on ice in my Nalgene.

I like Peet's coffee more than Starbucks (which isn't saying Starbucks is bad), but the price, the parking at the Hillcrest location, and the lines make it hard for me to go regularly. With Starbucks, I'm in and out. I'm not even going to get into the whole making conscious consumer choices thing. Peet's brewed coffees far outclass Starbucks, which tends to char their beans. If I'm getting a brewed coffee or buying a pound, Peet's is my choice. The beans are far cheaper at a Peet's location than they are at the grocery store. Major Dickason's is my favorite blend. Their Anniversary Blend is the best by far, but they don't sell it anymore.

The Starbucks on Richmond and University makes an excellent mocha. The staff is incredibly warm and friendly, save for one slightly dour woman. What she lacks in warmth, she makes up for in technique. I'm not surprised they have her as the barista and not the cashier, because she really makes a beautifully balanced mocha. Slightly sweetened by chocolate, but still packing a punch from the espresso.