Wow! Its been a long week, and Ive been visiting coffee shops like crazy as I try to stay awake for my last few days of class! I was downtown the other day and stopped by the Starbucks on 4th and Seneca. A homeless man was seated in a seat right by the front door, and asked me to get him a donut and coffee as I walked in. I realize this is a public place, but it still made me uncomfortable.
This shop was really big, but most of the seats were filled, and there was a line. As I waited I looked around the shop. It is a typical downtown mix of people: Business men, students, a few transients and an older couple reading the paper. The store was slightly messy, there were empty cups on many of of the tables, a few spills on the floor, and newspapers strewn all about.
The line moved quickly despite it's length, and I ordered an Americano. The barista was nice, but in the name of being efficient, didnt try to converse with me.
I noticed they had six baristas working, which is more than Ive seen at any other shop. I liked that they were all working hard taking orders and making drinks. None of them were standing around.
My Americano tasted delicious, but my bliss was interrupted when the homeless man yelled at me as I walked away. Oh brother.
Showing posts with label Starbucks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Starbucks. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Starbucks- Madison and Summit
I stopped by Starbucks on Summit and Madison, below Nordstrom Tower, this morning to grab a drink. The store was packed, as it was 9am, prime coffee time. I waited nearly ten minutes before they got to me, but I got to watch all of the people bustling around. There were students studying, an older couple chatting, and nurses and doctors in scrubs. I enjoyed the up-beat atmosphere.
The store was very clean, no spills or stains anywhere. When it was my turn, the barista who took my order was EXTREMELY nice. Wow, was she was cheerful. If my coffee didnt wake me up, this girl's enthusiasm sure did. She took my order for an iced latte, asked how my day was going, speculated about the weather and told me she liked my hair. I was pleased to meet such an enthusiastic barista! I thanked her and put all my change in the tip jar.
My latte took a few minutes to come up, but when it did, it tasted great. On my way out, a barista who was sweeping the lobby held the door for me.
I must say this was the best customer service I have had so far. It truly brightened my morning. I will DEFINITELY be returning. I encourage anyone who needs a pick-me-up and is around Capitol Hill to go here.
The store was very clean, no spills or stains anywhere. When it was my turn, the barista who took my order was EXTREMELY nice. Wow, was she was cheerful. If my coffee didnt wake me up, this girl's enthusiasm sure did. She took my order for an iced latte, asked how my day was going, speculated about the weather and told me she liked my hair. I was pleased to meet such an enthusiastic barista! I thanked her and put all my change in the tip jar.
My latte took a few minutes to come up, but when it did, it tasted great. On my way out, a barista who was sweeping the lobby held the door for me.
I must say this was the best customer service I have had so far. It truly brightened my morning. I will DEFINITELY be returning. I encourage anyone who needs a pick-me-up and is around Capitol Hill to go here.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Ordering at Starbucks!
Now for ordering at Starbucks!
The correct sequence for ordering Starbucks drinks is:
Size (Venti*, Grande, Tall, Short)
Iced or Hot
Decaf or Regular (you dont have to specify regular, only decaf)
Milk Preference (whole milk is standard)
Flavor
Extras
Drink
So....for example:
If I wanted a small mocha with peppermint syrup, non-fat milk, and whip cream, I would say
"I would like a tall non-fat peppermint with whip mocha."
or, if I wanted a large Americano decaf, with ice, room for cream, and caramel syrup, I would say:
"I would like an Venti Iced Decaf caramel syrup with room Americano."
*Note that Starbucks uses the word "VENTI" for their large drinks, not veinte, as per Tully's.
All the tips for ordering at Tully's can be applied at Starbucks as well...and remember, DONT PANIC! It's just coffee!
The correct sequence for ordering Starbucks drinks is:
Size (Venti*, Grande, Tall, Short)
Iced or Hot
Decaf or Regular (you dont have to specify regular, only decaf)
Milk Preference (whole milk is standard)
Flavor
Extras
Drink
So....for example:
If I wanted a small mocha with peppermint syrup, non-fat milk, and whip cream, I would say
"I would like a tall non-fat peppermint with whip mocha."
or, if I wanted a large Americano decaf, with ice, room for cream, and caramel syrup, I would say:
"I would like an Venti Iced Decaf caramel syrup with room Americano."
*Note that Starbucks uses the word "VENTI" for their large drinks, not veinte, as per Tully's.
All the tips for ordering at Tully's can be applied at Starbucks as well...and remember, DONT PANIC! It's just coffee!
Photo courtesy of mostghimi, flickr.com
Monday, May 14, 2007
Starbucks- 12th and Columbia
This morning I began my quest for the perfect coffee shop. I visited a Starbucks near my university that I visit often, though this time I went in with a more critical eye.
I decided to start with a Starbucks because the chain is so prominent in Seattle, and I want to determine the consistency and quality at different Starbucks around Seattle.
I entered this particular Starbucks around 7:30 am. Despite the early hour, the shop was already filled with students typing away at laptops and intensely reading textbooks. (I should mention here that Starbucks charges internet users $3.95 for 24 hours of internet access, internet is free at various other coffee chains.)
There were few places left to sit in the shop, and the line was nearly fifteen people long. The line was cleverly snaked between shelves of merchandise, which, like a good consumer, I perused while waiting to order. By the time I reached the register, I was almost tempted to buy one of the new Spring-inspired floral mugs, but I reminded myself if I was drinking my coffee at home in my new mug, I could not be writing this blog!
Anyway, despite the length, the line moved quickly, and I was ordering within five or six minutes. There were five baristas working, all of whom were very friendly and helpful. I was impressed by their positive attitude and efficient manner. The manager on duty was immacualtely dressed, and even wore a tie under his apron!
I ordered a grande (medium) Americano, one of the most basic drinks, simply espresso shots and hot water. Americano's are very revealing when it comes to the quality of the espresso beans and espresso machine, because you can taste the espresso so strongly.
A good Americano begins with fresh beans, which are ground and pulled into the cup on top of the hot water. Some coffee shops pull the shots first, and add hot water second. If done carefully, either method can produce a satisfactory result.
At 12th and Columbia, the barista, obviously in a hurry to get through the line of drinks, pulled the shots into the cup using an automatic machine (I must take a moment to tell you that all Starbucks now use automated espresso machines), and then added hot water to the center of espresso. This is not the best way to prepare an Americano. When you pull shots from a machine, a thick, lighter-colored layer appears on top of the espresso. This is called the "crema" and has a slightly sweeter taste than the espresso. The crema is necessary to ease the intital bitter taste of espresso, and pulling the hot water directly into the crema destroys it. A better method is to pull the shot into the cup and gently pour hot water down the the side of the cup to preserve the delicate crema.
Unfortunately, due to the barista's hasty drink-making, my Americano had a slightly bitter taste. Lucky for me, Americanos are one of the cheapest drinks on the menu, more expensive only than drip coffee.
All together, the Americano was drinkable, the atmosphere was comfortable and clean, and the staff was friendly (kudos to them, by the way, for dealing with stressed-tired-caffiene addicted students all day).
I would definitely visit this coffee shop again, but maybe only for drip coffee, which is hard to mess up, even when trying to move quickly.
I decided to start with a Starbucks because the chain is so prominent in Seattle, and I want to determine the consistency and quality at different Starbucks around Seattle.
I entered this particular Starbucks around 7:30 am. Despite the early hour, the shop was already filled with students typing away at laptops and intensely reading textbooks. (I should mention here that Starbucks charges internet users $3.95 for 24 hours of internet access, internet is free at various other coffee chains.)
There were few places left to sit in the shop, and the line was nearly fifteen people long. The line was cleverly snaked between shelves of merchandise, which, like a good consumer, I perused while waiting to order. By the time I reached the register, I was almost tempted to buy one of the new Spring-inspired floral mugs, but I reminded myself if I was drinking my coffee at home in my new mug, I could not be writing this blog!
Anyway, despite the length, the line moved quickly, and I was ordering within five or six minutes. There were five baristas working, all of whom were very friendly and helpful. I was impressed by their positive attitude and efficient manner. The manager on duty was immacualtely dressed, and even wore a tie under his apron!
I ordered a grande (medium) Americano, one of the most basic drinks, simply espresso shots and hot water. Americano's are very revealing when it comes to the quality of the espresso beans and espresso machine, because you can taste the espresso so strongly.
A good Americano begins with fresh beans, which are ground and pulled into the cup on top of the hot water. Some coffee shops pull the shots first, and add hot water second. If done carefully, either method can produce a satisfactory result.
At 12th and Columbia, the barista, obviously in a hurry to get through the line of drinks, pulled the shots into the cup using an automatic machine (I must take a moment to tell you that all Starbucks now use automated espresso machines), and then added hot water to the center of espresso. This is not the best way to prepare an Americano. When you pull shots from a machine, a thick, lighter-colored layer appears on top of the espresso. This is called the "crema" and has a slightly sweeter taste than the espresso. The crema is necessary to ease the intital bitter taste of espresso, and pulling the hot water directly into the crema destroys it. A better method is to pull the shot into the cup and gently pour hot water down the the side of the cup to preserve the delicate crema.
Unfortunately, due to the barista's hasty drink-making, my Americano had a slightly bitter taste. Lucky for me, Americanos are one of the cheapest drinks on the menu, more expensive only than drip coffee.
All together, the Americano was drinkable, the atmosphere was comfortable and clean, and the staff was friendly (kudos to them, by the way, for dealing with stressed-tired-caffiene addicted students all day).
I would definitely visit this coffee shop again, but maybe only for drip coffee, which is hard to mess up, even when trying to move quickly.
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