Houndstooth Coffee: Austin, TX

Well, it's been awhile! Living in small town U.S.A. doesn't allow you to visit top coffee spots in the country very often. I do hit up a few small joints and a lot of Starbucks, but these experiences are what I prefer to blog and critique.

I have been to Houndstooth once before in March, but I had students with me and didn't get to stay long.

Here I am again today, staying this time for a spell. I have ordered my go-to drink: cappuccino. You can tell a lot about the quality of the place by the quality of their cappuccino.

The store itself has a cool decor. Hanging-down lamps, silver-topped tables, and wire chairs. The ladies working wear full aprons over their outfits.

They have a custom espresso machine. They also clean the milk pitcher after each use. Never seen that before, but they definitely seem to know what they're doing.

My wife ordered an iced mocha. It tastes like they use pretty fresh, natural chocolate, and the ice cubes in the cup are rather small. Leaves a bit of a milky aftertaste in the mouth, but it's mixed with a slight bitterness.

My capp was a little disappointing. Although the baristas are meticulous, I don't think the espresso is right for this drink. It would be ok in a macchiato, but there are not enough other flavors. I can't taste the sweetness of the milk or of the espresso. There's not quite enough foam there.

To improve this place, I think they should explore other options for their espresso blend.

I'll be back next time I'm here. This still seems like the best place in Austin.

Benetti's Coffee Experience--Raytown, MO

This coffeeshop (located in Michaela's hometown Raytown) is hidden in a suburb of Kansas City on Raytown Road next to Raytown High School.  It has been open for four years.

My cappucino here is unique:  instead of steamed milk, they use half & half, which gives it a little bit of a smoother, sweet taste.  My only critique is that using cream makes it harder to get good foam, so it becomes more like a latte.  Sometimes it's too liquidy, sometimes it's good.  Could be more consistent, but give this place some  time, and they will get there!

In my opinion, this is by far the best coffeeshop in Kansas City.  Check them out:

http://twitter.com/#!/benettis

http://benettiscoffee.com/

Today, my cappucino was a little on the liquidy side, but the espresso, as always, tastes great!

Michaela got brave and tried a Slammer:  4 shots of espresso, 1 flavor shot (she chose vanilla), cream, shaken with ice, and strained.  It was reminiscent of a martini--only non-alcoholic, of course.  Very tasty and refreshing!

Michaela's little brother even got a special Italian soda from the owner!  They are great here.

Thanks, Benetti's!  We will be back next time we're in town.

Coffee Ethic--Springfield, MO (June 26, 2011)

We visited our favorite coffee shop in Springfield, MO.  The Coffee Ethic is located downtown on the square, and opened about when I started attending graduate school in 2007.  For being fairly new, they are making it happen!  One of our good friends is a barista there, Dave Soper.  We had a nice long chat with him, too.

Here are some links:

http://www.thecoffeeethic.com/

http://twitter.com/#!/TheCoffeeEthic

I judge coffeeshops and baristas by their cappucinos.  It always depends, of course, on who makes it.  I don't remember who made this particular time (I've never met her before & forgot to ask her name).  The cappucino had good foam, with not too much suds.  I forgot to take a picture of it, but next time I will, and I'll name-drop the barista!

Michaela got an iced mocha, and was happy with it as usual.  She said the chocolate and espresso flavors were awesome.

Thanks for the great coffee, guys!  We'll be back!