How does deep taste?

It all started like this: a group of Vickie baristas/ managers/ roasters all gathered around the cupping room table, philosophizing about the experience we were about to undertake (Big questions like: How does deep taste?). Our mission: to taste 12 of the best espresso blends (including ours of course!) from across the country, blind, and experience them fresh and unbiased by our expectations.

And this is how it ended:

With empty spit cups, shot glasses and bags of coffee (not in the picture: with headaches, rooms spinning, and and fingers twitching).

But somewhere between the early joking about the coffee descriptions and the near faint inducing caffeine overdose, we stumbled upon something fairly remarkable: the realization that the coffee industry is really moving forward (and not just here in the coffee drenched NW), but all over, and we have a unique place in that. I think we all walked away excited: about our own espresso and about what is ahead. What does deep taste like?. We will see.

Honey

New this week: The most wholesome breakfast treat ever to grace Victrola- A honey, fig, and hazelnut yogurt parfait. Mmm. Macrina granola and Nancy’s whole milk yogurt goodness. $3.65+tax

Like Eating Lemon Bars in a Rose Garden

While general cupping decorum insists that one must not shout out what one thinks something tastes like before others have had a chance to try the coffee for themselves, this past Wednesday, upon trying the yet to be released- but soon to be on the shelves Yirgacheffe Beloya, I exclaimed, “This coffee is just like eating lemon bars in a rose garden”. I couldn’t help it- it really is like eating lemon bars in a rose garden- sweet, floral, and citrusy- early summer incarnate.

Don’t worry, if you don’t trust my palette, official tasting notes (as well as regional information and pricing) are all to come soon.

BTW: Speaking of delicious one of Victrola’s newest wholesale accounts (with both espresso on tap and retail bags of Victrola’s beans) is serving up some of the tastiest cupcakes in town.

Check out The Yellow Leaf Cupcake Company online or visit them at their delightful Belltown location: 2209 4th Avenue, Seattle

Second Run, “The Guat” Goes to Victrola on Pike

For all of you single origin espresso lovers up at Victrola on 15th, I have good and bad news. First, the bad- after three (very) short weeks up on Fifteenth, the surprising and delightful SO Guatemala Huehuetenango will have, by the time you are reading this, probably already disappeared from the cafe, grinders, signs, retail and all.

And, you, smart reader, probably taking cues from the title of the blog have already figured out the good news: “The Guat” is headed down to Victrola on Pike. Not only is this good for all of the hip regulars at V2, it is also good for all of you members of the 15th and Beacon crowds, who were just waiting for an excuse to go and hang out in the lovely cafe and roastery.

Newbie

While being a Vickie barista may make you popular, it usually doesn’t happen as quickly or as with as much panache as it has happened this time. Ok, I may be exaggerating a bit, but last week our brand new barista, Stephen, graced the pages of the Seattle University’s newspaper the Spectator, with an analysis of Victrola’s steadfastness during the economic downturn.

Some of his quips immortalized in print are: “People are downsizing what they drink!” and “A lot of people really identify with their drink-you know, they are a vanilla cappuccino!”. – Hmm. Wise words for such a new Vickie.

Don’t think that Stephen’s witty little comments are limited to the page. Just the other day, after describing my pain resulting from a new workout routine involving racing up the neighborhood water tower, Stephen chimed in, “Yah, I am sore too, I have been doing this new workout with a Navy Seal”. I exclaimed, or something like, “Wow, you have been working out with a buff Navy Seal, I am but a small shadow to your immense stature of coolness.” Then he told me it was on TV.

Come meet him for yourself. He is around both Victrola on 15th and Beacon Hill.

No Mo’ Wi-fi on the Weekends, Again

Victrola on 15th first rolled out the “wi-fi free” weekends back in 2005, as a response to the sea of laptops on Saturdays and Sundays. After a year or so hiatus, the policy is back- and I love it, and so do many of you. Not only does this free up tables, it also brings the clamor of laughter and the robust chatter back.

For those of you who hate it- I am sorry. Luckily, ya’ll still have the whole week to work and play and surf the web in one of the city’s favorite cafes. We welcome you and love it that you come.

Engaging mouthfeel. Really?

Perry’s “official” Victrola roasting notes describe the new Brasil Cerrado, Fazenda Esperanca, Catuai Varietal as “rich, sweet, and nutty” with “mild acidity” and “rich and engaging mouthfeel” topped off with a “chocolatey finish”.

Really?
I pressed some yesterday and yes, it is that good.

$8 for a 1/2 pound. mmm.

Victrola’s Very Own Vinyl Saturday Nights

Starting this weekend: blues, booze and guitars. This Saturday, Marcie and Amanda will be firing up the old toy record player and playing their favorite albums from their own collections. Yippee!

Next week, bring in a record and they just may play it.

Do you remember “The Guj”? Now we have “The Guat”!

The “Guj” , or Ethiopia Sidamo Guji, was so popular as a single origin shot, that we perpetually ran out of it. Well this time we are prepared for ya’lls excitement. Beginning officially on Wednesday, April 8th, (a secret barista stash is available before, in limited quantities, if you ask for it) you can spice up your regular drink with a lemony, milk-chocolate shot of goodness.

While you can nearly always find a bag of the Guatemala Huehuetenango, Finca Vista Hermosa, on our retail shelves, this espresso roast is something special. Our roaster, Perry, extended the roast development time to produce a balanced and sweet espresso.

Head on up to 15th ave, and savor “The Guat”.

The Delightful and Talented Troy Chapman to Play at Victrola on 15th

The tc Trio is one of Victrola’s long-time favorite groups. They are good whether they are playing their own compositions or favorite jazz standards. You never know, they just may inspire you to embrace the blustery beginning of springtime or to drown your wintry sorrows with their sweet melodies. Beer & Wine served until close!

Troy Chapman Trio – music @ Victrola on 15th – Thursday April 2, 8-10pm – music at Victrola Coffee & Art 411 15th Avenue East, Seattle, WA 98112

more info at http://www.myspace.com/troylchapman OR www.billet-deux.com