It’s a green cafe… and you’ll love the coffee. January 30, 2011

I'll take a coffee... and make it green.

There is no giant recycling emblem stamped on the building or anything inside to alert a visitor that they’ve entered an uber green cafe. If anything, the building’s design hints at its earlier incarnation as a Dunkin Donuts but this coffee shop is a far cry from those humble beginnings. Since it opened Folsom Street Coffee has made a name for itself (with those in the know) as a trendy, eco-savvy café and now their coffee and sustainability efforts are better than ever.

Even six years after opening, Folsom Street Coffee remains the only coffee shop in Boulder county to be awarded the “Zero Waste or Damn Near” award from Eco-Cycle (they recycle and compost 95% of their waste) and their list of environmentally sustainable achievements continues: among other things they received the “Waste Reduction” award from the Center For Resource Conservation, are P.A.C.E. (Partners for A Clean Environment) certified, use zeroscaping to minimize water use, are 100% wind powered and use compostable cups and utensils for to-go orders.

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Still, the café has had to pick and choose its battles. When they opened, the café went with a roaster in Utah, Salt Lake Roasting, instead of a local company. Folsom’s owner, Chris Warner, is the first to admit that it wasn’t an ideal situation, given their mission, but he knew the Utah roasters and respected their product.

A view of Folsom Street Coffee from the inside... lots of light and some communal seating.

Chris went on to say, “Everything else we did as green as possible, except for our coffee. Of course, we have been thinking about switching roasters for a long time, but that’s a big change -like swapping out the engine of a car (while it’s still running).”

Fortunately, times change and last August Folsom Street made the switch. They now serve Conscious Coffee, a Boulder roaster, and the impacts are obvious (and not just in carbon footprints). Conscious Coffee’s own dedication to environmental and societal sustainability are a perfect match with Folsom Street’s goals.

In a field packed with enthusiastic roasters Conscious Coffee stands out (direct sourcing, minimal waste, really fair trade with small family farms, only organic beans, attention to quality, and exceptional roasts). In November Roast Magazine named them their coveted Micro-Roaster of the Year. A cappuccino made with Folsom’s proprietary blend, Tuku Espresso, results in a perfectly balanced, mellow, rich, subtlely hued drink that has kept regulars and newcomers coming back for more.

It’s safe to say that Folsom Street’s drinks have never been better. If you’re interested in a visit, be prepared for a full house. Folsom Street Coffee isn’t small but tends to fill up with students and working Boulderites. It’s proximity to campus, consistently good drinks, friendly/hip staff and free parking area keep business booming.

So, stop by. You’re in good hands. Just be sure to separate your trash, compost and recyclables into their appropriate container. This is one cafe that’s serious about keeping things green.

Don’t judge this book by its cover September 12, 2010

If you aren’t looking for a café on the south-west corner of the intersection of Iris and 28th, then you’re likely to miss this one. The fact that its exterior is so nondescript won’t help either. Worse, it’s home in a Safeway shopping center seems to subconsciously ingrain a notion that it is a spot that might be worth skipping. However, Red Rock Café is a coffee shop you shouldn’t judge by its cover.

Once inside there may be a momentary pause as a newcomer reassesses those preconceived notions. This is not a dive, nor is it the impersonal comfort and warm tones of a Starbucks; this is a comfortable and modern café that welcomes further inspection. The current art on display is exotic and brings a sense of nature and culture into the space. The tea (Tea Spot out of Boulder, Colorado) and coffee (Kind Coffee out of Estes Park, Colorado) both bring a clear sense of this shop’s dedication to local, environmentally and socially responsible products and the service is all smiles.

The espresso is certainly good, though it doesn’t spark great inspiration or separate itself from most medium dark espressos, it’s also doesn’t disappoint. Further inspection shows that the baristas at Red Rock make their cappuccinos with quality foam -and plenty of it. One thing to be wary of: some drinks seem to be overly heated (one chai ordered was far too hot -if it had been dairy milk it would have scalded).

Not feeling the caffeine? Try this their house favorite, the Climber’s Lemonade. It’s a refreshing summer treat. Want something other than dairy milk? Have no fear, this shop won’t charge you extra for soy or rice milks!

From the outside, Red Rock may not appear to have much going on, but looks aren’t everything. Swing by and give this café a try. You may find a new favorite that is conveniently located just off of the Diagonal in north Boulder.

Warning: Cupcakes from heaven and world class coffee. Bring your willpower with you! July 16, 2010

It’s a tiny little shop and yet it still manages to have seating, funky merchandise, a coffee bar and a desert bakery. This isn’t your average coffee shop. So, would you like to experience sensory overload on a cupcake? Do you need a custom cake that is delicious and made to order or feel like coffee from one of best roasters in the United States that calls Denver its home? If the answer is yes to any of these, (and it should be) then make tracks for Tee & Cakes in Boulder.

These people have to be magicians to create such an array of goodness in such a tiny shop. Maybe they are. This is one specialty bakery that takes on a “Ace of Cakes” vibe and creates custom cakes worth enjoying. They make beautiful wedding cakes but also venture out into the quirky and fun, like a stylized “Big Lebowski” cake. They’re good, but the real story for coffee shop hounds is the cupcakes.

These cupcakes are like edible pieces of heaven and can be a well deserved indulgence that won’t overwhelm your waistline like a whole cake would. The house favorites are the Banana Fudge (which is unbelievable) and the Coca-Cola but that’s only two out of an ever rotating array of fantastic (Red Velvet, Mocha, Triple Chocolate, Chocolate Mint and Strawberry Milkshake –just to name a few). For those who think that everything is better if it has chocolate or bacon coating it, Tee & Cakes has your number: a Chocolate Bacon cupcake (served on Mon. Thurs. Sat. & Sun.). The shop provides these little guys in adorable pink to-go boxes that make them a great gift idea… if you can bear to part with them.

Don’t stop reading; there’s more. This is the only coffee shop in Boulder that currently serves Novo coffee. Granted that you can find Novo in restaurants across Denver and in a growing number of high end coffee shops and restaurants across the U.S., having a coffee shop that serves their divine roasts in Boulder is a huge coop.

It’s possible that you haven’t heard of Novo. Surprisingly, they don’t actively promote themselves but even without real marketing by this small, family business Novo has been recognized in several journals (Forbes & Bon Appetit), newspapers (Westword, Denver Post), voted best Denver coffee roaster by Westword and online sources (MSNBC) as one of the top coffee roasters in the U.S.  After you have some of their Novo Espresso blend with its lighter, caramel, herbal flavor that is touched with nut and banana accents – you’ll understand why.

So stop by, but bring your will power with you. You’re going to need it.

Special Notes:Speed of Service and Cappuccino’s

Remember, it’s a small shop with a small staff and is focused on quality, not speed. Be prepared to wait if there is a line. Several cappuccino’s ordered from this location were very light on foam (only a quarter inch). So it may be a good idea to ask for yours “drier”.

Internet:

Not a good spot for meetings or working remotely. There is very little seating, but there are a few tables outside for nice days.

The Beans:

Espresso Novo and an alternating selection of Novo roasts for coffee.

LOGAN’S COFFEE: a great little coffee spot hidden in NoBo July 12, 2010

Many in North Boulder are already in the know but if you haven’t heard of Logan’s Coffee, then you are missing out. This little gem is nestled next to Lucky’s Market at 3980 Broadway Street and has a modern but warm ambiance that is enhanced by the lovely woodwork around the bar.  Even better, the quality coffee does not equate to a pretentious vibe. It’s a local coffee shop with good people who really like coffee and want to share the wealth.

It is possible that Logan, the owner, may be one of the nicest people you will ever meet. He’s often around and it is clear in their attitude and the friendly banter that bubbles from the bar that his staff loves working in his shop. Though Logan’s is on the small side, it is nicely arranged to maximize space and even when busy, is seldom crowded. The inside can seat over 30 people and on nice days (there are so many in Boulder) the outdoor patio area provides many additional tables.

For those who love a great cappuccino, try the House Cap. It’s truly a treat. Logan’s knows how to do perfect, meringue-like microfoam and the espresso is worth tasting. A note for newbies: the House Cappuccino at Logan’s comes with two shots in a 6-8 oz. cup and follows a more European styled cap that has creamy foam blended into the milk. This type of cap often ends up having less overall foam than a stereotypical cap. For those cappuccino hounds who like their drink heavier on the foam, just ask for a “dry” or “drier” cappuccino.

Special Notes: Cost and Credit Cards

At first glance a newcomer might think that the prices for drinks and treats are on the steep side but they aren’t: Logan’s has already figured the taxes into the menu price. Also, come with cash or local checkbook because they don’t accept any credit cards (no matter how much they may like you).

The Beans:

Coffee and espresso are from Boxcar Roasters (previously sold as Coffee Syndicate)

Internet:

Not a site to bring the office for a meeting and the plug in points are a bit limited, but the connection is solid and there is space to satisfy a small group of laptop users.

Simply put, if you are in North Boulder and jonesing for something caffeinated, Logan’s is well worth a visit.

Looking for the Hippest New Coffee Shop in Boulder? You’ll find it at Atlas on Pearl. April 4, 2010

Boulder is a city full of coffee and tea connoisseurs. For those individuals one of the newest additions, Atlas Purveyors, is a gem well worth a visit. Located at 1505 Pearl Street, this café has a lot of competition, but is thriving and with good reason: this is not your typical coffee shop. Atlas is a wonderful combination of amazing service, exceptional product, creativity, trendy vibe and solid deals.

1505 Pearl Street

Atlas’ drip coffee selection is limited but tasty. The Guatemalan roast is from Coda and makes a lovely, tangy, buttery, smooth cup. The espresso hails from Boulder’s Ozo Coffee, and is well worth a try. Simply put, the owners of Atlas have coffee know-how and high standards for their shop and your cup o’ joe.

If you’re more interested in tea, come to Atlas prepared to be wowed by the selection. There are over 70 teas to choose from and they can be served hot, iced or blended. Looking for a Latte tea recommendation? Try the Pearl Grey. It’s an addictive chai alternative.

Chalk Art at Atlas

Just as important, this is a space you will actually enjoy being in. The ambiance is a unique blend of classic and minimalistic decor, creative energy (there are two chalk board walls that are constantly evolving) and stellar background tunes. The only true downside of this trendy café is that it isn’t able to accommodate more people. As more café hounds discover it, premium table space will definitely become more limited.

Best Sellers:

Coffee:
The Americano

Tea:
Royal Coconut Pouchong Tea (a lightly oxidized oolong with coconut milk)

House Favorite:
Pearl Grey Tea (Indian black tea, blue mallow flowers, bergamot oil, and vanilla bean)

“Best Kept Secret”:
The Phoenix Blend Tea

Enjoy,

One Caffeine Queen