The Crown

The Crown Cafe | 215 S Main St Breckenridge, CO 80424 |
http://www.thecrowncafe.com

Free Wi-Fi: Abso-ma-lutely
My drink: Small Light Roast shortly followed by Hot Skim Chai for dessert
The Damage: $1.50 for the Coffee
The Scoop: I imagine that if Disney princess Belle needed a pick-me-up in beverage form amidst all her beast-taming and book-reading, she’d go to the Crown Cafe. This is an indication not of Crown’s appeal to young girls in plastic princess slippers, but to anyone looking for a regal kindof tavern that happens to sell as many stimulants as it does depressants. The Crown Cafe’s espresso machine is located directly beneath a top shelf bar of decadent liquors which are situated a short distance from a mouthwatering ice cream freezer and gleaming pastry case. Right away, you can tell that the morning crowd and night crowd, the old and the young, the thirsty and the hungry are all accounted for.

Never have I been to a coffee shop decked out in cherub sculptures, sparkling chandeliers, elaborate gilded oval mirrors, and high-back velvet chairs. The Crown is almost like stepping back in time except for the multitude of contemporary board games scattered about and the mass of laptops in use.

They have a full menu of food (think bistro cuisine). Admittedly, I tend to go to coffee shops for coffee and coffee, alone. However, after a full day of bike-riding, my evening attendance brought with it an appetite. After ordering a very standard grilled Swiss on multi-grain bread, I have to say my food was not much to brag about. But, the coffee (roasted locally in Vail, CO) was delicious and my Chai was divine: Oregon Chai- the perfect balance of spicy and sweet. My baristas seemed a tad cranky after a full day of servitude; but, having worked in the service industry, I can forego the ‘tude on account of the brilliant atmosphere. I recommend going to this cafe during an off-hour. Breckenridge is a popular strip for tourists, particularly big families with full-mouthed kiddies so try to avoid them if you want a little peace and quiet with your caffeine.

You’ll Probably Like This Joint If: You like to pretend you’re royalty when you sip.

Overall Rating: * * * *

Rocky Mountain Coffee Roasters

Rocky Mtn Coffee Roasters | 285 Main St Frisco, CO 80443 | www.rockymountainroasters.com

Free Wi-Fi: Yessir!
My drink: Small Light Roast
The Damage: $1.25 WITH FREE REFILLS ALL DAY
The Scoop: I’m not entirely sure how I made it two months in Colorado without spotting this winner. Nestled in a cozy log cabin setting behind a cute (albeit slightly cramped) patio with a rustic fountain, Rocky Mountain Coffee Roasters is located on the biker-friendly Main Street of Frisco. I was pleased to not only receive my delicious coffee for a mere buck twenty-five, but to also hear a warm, “You can grab free refills all day too” from the barista. I’m not sure if this was a Wednesday special or a daily bestowal upon lucky costumers, but the starving actress (me) always welcomes a bargain.

The setting was precious with its marble menu slabs hanging over the bar, its numerous weathered couches and high rise bar tables, most of which were laden in open laptops of the local regulars. As I walked in, one of the bleached blonde, nose-ring studded baristas was creating art on the daily special chalkboard (specifically, a personified coffee bean with a top hat). And if I might say so myself, the male barista was not too hard on the eyes. Always a bonus for the single ladies. And, what’s that? You’re not feeling coffee this morning? Perhaps you’re a little hungry? That’s fine. They’re got ice cream. And breakfast sandwiches. And I overheard a customer say that their cider was the best around.

To top it off, the self-service bar included three kinds of coffee: a house blend, a flavored blend (with chocolate!), and a decaf PLUS- free cinnamon sticks, a feature I’ve been hardpressed to find at most coffee shops. There are over 30 grind-your-own coffees for sale and, if that wasn’t enough, they roast their own coffee right in the store so you know you’re getting the freshest coffee around. Had I not needed to rush to a prior lunch engagement, I would have settled in for an extensive morning at Roasters. I plan to return to try a bagel hummus sandwich. I give it one hundred thumbs up.

You’ll Probably Like This Joint If: You’re anything from a coffee snob to a coffee novice with an appetite and a Macbook. They appeal to a wide demographic, a hard feat in the coffee world.

Overall Rating: * * * * *

What Are You Eating With Your Coffee?

This morning…
I’m sipping: Timothy’s French Vanilla K-Cup Coffee with a splash of Coffeemate Fat Free Hazelnut creamer and one pack of Splenda.

I’m gorging down: A little Kroger brand smoked turkey sausage with my very first attempt at an egg in the basket (also known as: “hen in a nest,” “cowboy egg,” “Rocky Mountain toast,” and “that thing that Natalie Portman eats in V for Vendetta”). In an effort to keep the meal healthy, I nixed the butter and used whole wheat bread. Learn to make your own right here! Delectable, quick and easy.

I’m hearing: Ray LaMontagne’s You Are The Best Thing

I’m reading: About ten healthy snack decisions on Women’s Health.

Birthday Brews

One of my favorite parts about birthdays combined with living far from home are the presents that trickle in through the postal service far after the birthday has taken place. As far as I am concerned, belated birthday gifts are not an indication of laziness or forgetfulness so much as a kind way of extending your birthday celebration. Instead of saying, “Oops. Here you go! My bad!” they say, “No, Candace. Your birthday is not over. Not yet. It has only just begun.” So, when a whopping package from my best friend since kindergarten showed up at my workplace this week (about two and half weeks post-23rd birthday), I was thrilled. Ecstatic. Overjoyed.

And why do I bring this up on my coffee blog? Well, clearly I received a mug as you can tell by the picture.  And Mugs= coffee. And Office related mugs= Extremely happy coffee drinkers.

So, this blog’s for you, Sheldon, O grand giver of coffee mugs (and uni-ball pens and moleskin journals and brilliant mix cd’s and delicious pumpkin cookies). Sheldon who, four years ago, introduced me to cinnamon-topped Chai Frappuccinos with a shot of vanilla. Please know that even though I NEVER pick up my phone, I love you dearly. Enough to dedicate an entire blog entry to you.

And for the rest of you, let this be a valuable lesson. Give the gift of coffee to those you love. It will brighten their day immeasurably.

Happy Free Pastry Day!

Who could turn this down? It’s a free pastry! Today only, in light of their lineup of new “better for you” pastries, Starbucks is offering a free pastry with the purchase of your beverage. Don’t forget to print out and bring the invitation along with you: Click this mess. The offer only lasts until 10:30AM, so head on over. Enjoy!

My unchanging Starbucks pastry of choice: Pumpkin Loaf.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rhuntington3/2475904771/

Welcoming A New Mug To The Family

This little autobiographical mug was on sale for two bucks at Urban Outfitters. Grab yours today, Halpert fans.

Dazbog Coffee

Dazbog Coffee | 120 Blue River Pkwy in Silverthorne, CO | www.dazbog.com

My drink: Small Coffee
The Damage: $1.72
The Scoop: I typically don’t do coffee chains. It is half-coffee-snobbery and half-a desire to support communities through locally owned businesses. I like the idea of being able to get a cup of joe that is unique to that particular place. That said, for the sake of settling my own curiosity as well as maintaining the thoroughness of this blog, I decided to give Dazbog a go. And because I fortuitously stumbled upon a five dollar bill in the parking lot, I figured it was a win-win, no risk situation.

Dazbog Coffee is my first so-called “Russian” Coffee experience, though I’d say it is about as American as you get seeing as how it is attached to a Good Times restaurant and a gas station located right off the highway. The store boasts of being “Russian Roasted Coffee” that “Became the American Dream.” Aside from some foreign lettering on the walls and cups, the set-up is more like that of a McDonald’s (it didn’t help that the barista was running back and forth between the Daz Bog cash register to ring up lattes and the Good Times register to ring up chicken tenders). Don’t get me wrong, not all coffee shops need to be plush couches and easy listening. But, sometimes cider and fluorescent lighting just don’t mix. I will say, I dug the hand-off section of the bar. Very modern. Very hip.

My barista did not want to be my barista. In spite of my easy requests and excessive “please” and “thank you” usage, the nose-ringed eighteen year old with English as a second language failed to crack a smile once. Even burnt coffee tastes better with a grin. Or a “How are you?” Or an “Enjoy!” So, points off for slack baristadom.

And lastly, how was my drink? Well… it was okay. Definitely hot. A little blah and almost corklike in flavor until I doctored it up to the nth degree with Splenda. Probably has something to do with my going to the store at 8:00 at night. Still, a store that stays open until 10:00 should have good coffee brewin’ til at least 9:45PM. But, I’m not going to write off my java in one trip. I’d like to give it another shot during the morning rush when the coffee should be at its peak.

You’ll Probably Like This Joint If: Your idea of a good coffee shop is the McCafe.

Overall Rating: * 1/2

What are you eating with your coffee?

The beauty of java is that it has the potential to be the staple for a glorious morning ritual. I personally have found myself to be far beyond the point of immunization when it comes to caffeine. But, just the idea of a piping hot beverage pries open my lids enough to propel me to whip up a cute little breakfast (my favorite genre of food) and turn on the tunes before the day eats away my privacy and sanity.

And thus a new blog segment is born in promotion of morning rituals around the world: What are you eating with your coffee?

This morning…
I’m sipping: A little 5280 Blend from Howling Coyote Coffee.

I’m gorging down: a delicious egg white and cheese bagel sandwich. I recently told a friend how much I missed bagels (I am a fully converted English Muffin consumer on account of bagels’ nasty calorie counts) when low and behold, the clouds opened up and what should appear to me in the grocery store but the Alternative Bagel, a yummy (somewhat overpriced) bagel for the calorie-conscious. It’s definitely not your standard Einstein Bros bagel smothered in melted butter and a mountain of whipped cream cheese (mmm). But, it’s better than popping a near-microscopic mini bagel just to get your bageltastic kicks.

I’m hearing: Ingrid Michaelson’s new single “Maybe” because she sings my heart.

I’m reading: The daily devotional from the United Church of Christ.

For The Java Novice

Having been a barista, I am well acquainted with the furrowed brow of the “My great aunt Betty dragged me here and frankly, I’d rather have a Coke” non-coffee drinking customer. For the beloved newbies and anti-beaners, I give you the brilliant “Coffee Drinks Illustrated Diagram.” Thank you, Lifehacker and designer Lokesh Dhakar.

Howling Coyote: Free Coffee Today!

For the locals around Summit County, Colorado, Howling Coyote Coffee Shop (my favorite coffee shop in the area- soon to be reviewed!) is offering free coffee all day in exchange for a strongly encouraged (but optional) donation to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Get some!

Howling Coyote is located at 40 COVE BLVD, Dillon, CO, 80435.