Java Factory

Java Factory


They roast their own coffee. What else do we need to say?

Locally roasted coffee always has a bit of an edge in the race for the perfect cup. I didn't get a chance to stay long at the Java Factory (passing by on a walk around Halifax), but the smell of roasting coffee drew me in.

Located in the Pier 21 area of museums, cruise ship docks, and  beer breweries, it has a great location.

I didn't get a chance to try the foods, but the pasties and other offerings looked good.

And the coffee? Excellent!

Meal: Coffee
Date Visited: 17 August 2010
Rating: ****
Address: 1113 Marginal Rd., Halifax, NS B3H 4P7
Website: http://www.javafactorycoffee.com/

The corner cafe: Franz Blauensteiner

The corner cafe: Franz Blauensteiner

I passed this coffee house/cafe near my hotel at least twice a day. I was able to stop in once, after dinner and a full day of meetings. It
was a nice night out, so we sat down, just in time for the last call.

I had a nice little espresso and my colleague a glass of wine.

I meant to stop in again ... but it never happened.

Meal: Coffee
Date Visited: 26 May 2010
Rating: N/A
Address: Lenaugasse 1, 1080 Wien
Website: http://wwww.gastwirtschaft-blauensteiner.at

Enjoy at Clear Conscience Cafe

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

 Clear Conscience Cafe (C3)

It wasn't that cold of a Boxing Day, but walking from Kendall Square to Harvard Square (after stopping off at the MIT Museum) just seemed to long a walk ... so, before hopping on the MTA at Central Square, a hot tea or coffee was just what the post-doc ordered.

So, walking along Mass Ave., spying Clear Conscience Cafe (aka C3) was just perfect!

Nice selection of teas and some tasty smelling coffee. The pastries looked good and from the menu on the wall, there were a variety of sandwiches, including vegen entries.

Since I just stopped in for a hot cuppa tea, I can't comment on the food choices, but I can on the ambience. It had the things many coffee/tea places have, comfy seats, tables to play chess on, scattered discarded newspapers to read. But what set this one a notch above the rest was the nice, clean, well-lit aspect.

Add in friendly staff and a backdoor to the local co-op and you get an interesting transition from the old scruffy Central Square and the Peoples Republic of Cambridge to socialism with tidy bathroom and a double latte.

Meal: Tea/Coffee
Rating: *****
Date: 26 December 2009
Address: 581 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139
Website: http://www.c3cafe.net/

Coffee and Donuts at the Granville Island Public Market

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

Coffee and Donuts at the Granville Island Public Market

My Vancouver foodie contact said that if I went to Granville Island, I had to go to the Public Market and once I was there, I had to have coffee at J.J. Bean and a donut from Lee's Donuts.

Well, I went and, of course, made the required stops. First up, the donuts. What's not to like about fresh donuts? That's right, nothing, few baked/fried sweets are better than a fresh donut. Lee's had a big selection. My first thought was to get a selection (half-dozen) of the donut holes. But I couldn't decide if that would be too much or not. In the end, I went with my all-time favorite donut, the white cake donut with chocolate icing.

Taking my donut bag, I wandered back through the Market to J.J. Bean. There was a line in front of me, so I had a chance to observe the staff at work. Quick, friendly, and efficient, they kept the line moving and had me my coffee in no timie at all.

So, the results? The donut was fabulous! The coffee was pretty good too.

Lee's Donuts
Meal: Snack
Rating: *****
Date: 10 November 2009
Address: 1689 Johnston Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3R9, Canada
Website: N/A

J.J. Bean Coffee
Meal: Snack
Rating: ***
Date: 10 November 2009
Address: Granville Island Public Market, 1689 Johnston St., Vancouver, BC V6H 3R9, Canada
Website: http://www.jjbeancoffee.com/

ING Cafe, Philadelphia: Coffee and Cash!

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

ING Cafe

What an interesting concept. Financial services and coffee (and baked goods, etc.!). Would it just be a novelty? How long could it last?

I first ran across the ING Cafe a few years ago on a visit to Philadelphia. I had breakfast there and looked over the various ING brochures. The concept of the Internet only bank was still kind of new then and I was inspired to sign up for an account.

When I visited Philadelphia again in January 2008, I made sure to stop by the ING Cafe, but it wasn't open yet when I stopped by. Luckily, I had to make a return trip in February and this time it was open. Not only open, but they were having Sunday special and a coffee, tea, and two muffins were only $4.00! What a bargain!

ING Cafe brews up Peet's Coffee and has Internet access to check your ING accounts or for other purposes.

Additional locations in Chicago, New York City, Wilmington, and Los Angeles.

Meal: afternoon snack
Rating: ***** of 5
Date: 24 February 2008
Address: 1636 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Website: http://home.ingdirect.com/about/about.asp?s=INGDIRECTCafe

Looks like a bookstore ... but ...

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

No, it's not a bookstore, or even a library ... it's "Back to the Grind", a delightful little coffee house, breakfast nook, etc. in Riverside, California. Located in a historic niche in Riverside just around the corner from the Mission Inn, Back to the Grind has been around since 1996.

I stopped in for breakfast a couple of times during a trip to Riverside and it was always great. The library ambiance was conducive to reading and it was a great place for coffee, a danish and a bit of relaxation before starting the day.

Look closely at the bookcases in the picture and you'll find a host of curious little knickknacks and doodads!

Meal: breakfast
Rating: ***** of 5
Date: 23 July 2007
Address: 3575 University Ave., Riverside, CA 92501
Website: http://back2thegrind.com/

Pie in the Sky: Woods Hole, Mass.

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

One word: sea ice. Ok, that's two words, but it will give you an idea of how cold it can get in Woods Hole in February. I was there in mid-February 2007 and had a great time. Yes it was cold, but there sure weren't any crowds!

It's also true that there's not a lot open at that time of the year, but one year 'round option is Pie in the Sky. Just a quick, brisk stroll down from the Swope Center of the Marine Biological Laboratory, past Eel Pond and there you are.

The Pie in the Sky opens early and also has free Internet access for the online road warriors.

Great staff and coffee and killer baked goods will start your day off right - and they're open til 10 pm, so also a great place to end your day!

Meal: breakfast/snack
Rating: ***** of 5
Date: 11 February 2007
Address: 10 Water St., Woods Hole, MA 02543
Website: http://www.woodshole.com/pie/

Savory Metro - Coffee and more in Takoma

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

Sister location to the original Savory Cafe located just across the DC-Maryland line in Takoma Park.

Savory Metro is the perfect spot to stop for coffee, tea, or something more filling - eggs, baked goods, etc. on your way to or from the Takoma Metro stop.

I'm a tough sell when it comes to coffee. I like what I like and am especially hard on "neighborhood" coffee houses that try and pass off weak, cold coffee as an "alternative" to Starbucks. Savory Metro passes my test with a good cup of basic joe - nothing fancy for me - and they didn't look at me funny when I wanted my "here" coffee in a "to go" cup!

Internet access, bulletin boards with the types of postings you find only in the Takoma/Takoma Park area (or maybe Berkeley!). A great little neighborhood spot!

Meal: coffee
Rating: ***** of 5
Date: 30 January 2008
Address: 314 Carroll St NW, Washington, DC 20012
Website: N/A