Atlanta etc.: Marilyn Wolf's Food Blog and Restaurant Blog

Coffee is one of those small luxuries that can pick one up beyond the effect of caffeine. I stopped by Crema in Dunwoody for a very enjoyable experience. Their drive-thru service is impromptu yet very efficient. They work without a built-in window, working from an outside table. My coffee was tasty and my server was very gracious. Keep up the good work, folks!

Spiller Park at Toco Hill made the perfect spot for me to enjoy some coffee and check my email. All seating it outside. The staff has a nifty setup that allows them to remain safely distant but still very easy to talk to. My double espresso was rich with flavor: acid balanced with sweetness and a bit of tartness. I sat outside and enjoyed the warm afternoon.

I learned about Old School from a billboard and decided to make a stop. It turned out to be located in the old high school in a nicely renovated and modern space. The staff was very friendly; it seems to be a local haven for creative typesl My coffee was excellent and refreshing, just what I needed for my road trip.

The Chancellor of University of Nebraska - Lincoln has provided coffee for everyone on campus. Thanks so much!

Witty convinced me to try French press for my office. The device is pretty simple: coffee grounds in the bottom followed by hot water; wait until brewed, then lower the plunger to stop brewing. Cleaning out the press is a little messy, though. I am told that just a few coffee grounds each day are enough to plug a kitchen sink over a short period of time. Wiping out the cylinder seems to be the best choice for cleaning.

I gave Witty some of my coffee from Maui Grown. Expert that he is, he produced this beautiful cup of espresso with the wonderful crema on top. He tells me that he was very happy with the taste and recommends a lower brewing temperature, in the 190s, for this roast.

I have lived off grocery store coffee for several months now. It isn't bad, but fine coffee is a great treat in the morning. I ordered beans from my favorite grower, Mauigrown in Lahaina, Maui. I needed a grinder and chose a Bartaza Encore. Setting up the grinder took a couple of minutes thanks to the careful replacement required for the rubber seal. Once that was done, I turned the machine on and ground enough for a cup. The result was excellent: smooth, rich flavors without being overpowering. Winter mornings will be a little brighter.

I ordered cold brew at Starbucks and was greeted with this fancy cup. Shuvra tells me that this is their new strawless design. The cold brew was excellent, smooth and rich.

What visit to Canada would be complete without a visit to Tim Hortons. Tim sings the siren song of fried dough in every corner of this great country; who can resist? I made my visit in Canmore on the way into Banff National Park. My coffee and donut were, as always, satisfying and tasty. My sugar high perfectly complemented my Rocky Mountain high.

Steam Dot is a hip coffee spot in downtown Anchorage between the two convention center buildings; I think they have other locations around town as well. My cappuccino was expertly crafted. The foam was smooth and beautiful. The caffeine helped me get through the day's paperwork in style.

I was in a rush with no time to stand for breakfast, let alone sit down for a plate of food. Desert Oasis came to the rescue with a ready cup of coffee... and this wonderfully soft, homey cookie. The staff greeted me with the utmost hospitality. Too bad I didn't have time to hang out in their hip space.

Mom and I wanted a relaxing break in our afternoon and Grounds for Celebration did the trick. Mom and I each ordered coffees. The coffee was excellent and the atmosphere was very relaxing.

You can find a new video at the Atlanta etc. YouTube channel here on my coffee break at the Danish Technical University.

Stella Geels is an inviting coffee spot in the historic Pearl Street neighborhood of Denver. It has been located in a comfy house for a good 20 years. People were scattered inside and outside to enjoy their coffee and the beautiful day. I enjoyed my coffee, too.

I got up early to drive through the Colorado mountains. I found myself in Coal Creek Canyon on a small road with houses but few tourists. The view from WOnderview at the top of the ridge was spectacular. But that Kind bar I had eaten two hours earlier wasn't holding up. That is when I spotted Coal Creek Coffee. To be open 8:30 AM on Sunday morning was astounding. The staff was very nice, as were the patrons. One of the locals asked to be sure that they still had "hippie sugar" which turns out to be turbonado. That was a good one. My muffin didn't make the photo---too hungry. But I managed to slow down a little to enjoy some of my coffee while I surveyed the collection of board games. After a few minutes, I got back in my car to take in more mountain beauty.

French Twist Cafe provided the perfect spot for a good breakfast, fortifying coffee, and space for morning work. It is located in a quaint two-story house in downtown Sykesville; upstairs is the spot to go for tables. As you can see, their two-barreled crepe stand would be a proud part of many a French crepe purveyor. I ordered two crepes. This is my savory Breton crepe with cheese, buckwheat, and a touch of black pepper. Superb! And this is my mandantory Nutella and banana crepe. Wonderfully sweet and satisfying.

My transfer at Sky Harbor allowed me to enjoy an espresso at The Refuge. This coffee house is operated by Catholic Charities. I have renewed my acquaintance with espresso lately. I enjoy its simplicity and minimalism. I try to gulp less and appreciate more.

Another meeting, another cup of coffee. This meeting gave me the chance to try TGM Bagel, an outpost of The General Muir, in the Tech Square food court. My everything bagel was great in all respects: the toppings had that everything zing and pop, a surprise in every bite; the bagel hit just the right balance of chewiness and softness; the bagel crust was great, too. The coffee was rich without being biting.

Good Karma is tucked away in always charming Avondale Estates. I stopped in for coffee but I was very impressed by their bakery operation. They have a very strong vegan menu. They also serve full breakfast and lunch items, such as scrambles. This case of baked goods is all vegan and they all look great. Doing vegan baking well requires skill. True vegan food is hard to find at restaurants and a resource like Good Karma is a treat for people who eat vegan.

After a long day of travel, coffee seemed like a good idea. Fairbanks has a lot of small drive-thru places selling coffee and pastry. I walked up to the drive-in window at Forget Me Not and ordered the Mayan Mocha. I enjoyed its combination of Mexican chocolate, milk, and a hit of espresso. The blue Alaska sky overhead made it taste even better.