Molten Java (Bethel, CT) pt. II

CAFÉ	Molten Java
LOCATION	Bethel, CT
VISIT	May 21, 2008
BEVERAGE	Cappuccino
RATING	|•••••••|

COMMENTS

Went back to this place the other day (prev. review) with my brother, and got a cappuccino, which they nailed just right.  Tight foam, excellent espresso (and they small-batch roast the beans on the premises)… This may become my favorite place in CT, but there are a couple places in SoNo with some potential I still need to try, and a couple places a little more inland… but am bumping up MJ’s rating a smidgit because that was one kick-ass cappuccino.

 

SoNo Caffeine

CAFÉ	SoNo Caffeine
LOCATION	Norwalk, CT
VISIT	May 22, 2008
BEVERAGE	Cappuccino
RATING	|•••••••|

COMMENTS

Nice atmosphere - random paintings and artwork all over the walls, random furniture… good music going..

They pull off a Nuova Simonelli, the beans are from “somewhere Italian in Hartford;” but despite the barista’s lack of knowledge on the beans source, the cappuccino was well put together, tight foam, good extraction (although the espresso could use just a little more work). Overall, good experience, especially for Connecticut.

 

Zumbach’s Gourmat Coffee, pt II

CAFÉ	Zumbach‘s Gourmet Coffee
LOCATION	New Canaan, CT
VISIT	May 3, 2008
BEVERAGE	Skim Latte
RATING	|•••••••|

COMMENTS

My expectations weren’t particularly high coming in to this place again, as my last visit a few years back was pretty bad.  Layout has changed slightly, I believe, but the place still seems overall a bit dirty.  They use an older model Nuova Simonelli, but it’s steaming wands were caked with old milk.  And the espresso gushed out.  And my drink came back with some significant bubbles.  And you can smell the staleness of the coffees when you walk in… the place is full of different coffees that they roast there, but apparently there are too many choices for it all to rotate out quickly enough.

I was hoping that his place would have changed or improved in some way over the last few years, but it looks like they are perfectly happy being quite disgusting, which is a shame, as they do have that roaster in there which has potential. 

 

 

La Prima

 NEW RATING: |•••••••|

It’s been a while since I’ve been back to La Prima, but my first visit was a little odd.  This time none of the baristas were smoking while pulling shots, etc.  Again, the cappuccino was excellent, and I think it is worth it to bump up my rating a bit, as I’m sure that first visit was not the norm.  And this place remains one of the best places to go for beans, although it’s a tough call when there is nice Intelly down the street as well @ 21st Street Coffee.

 

The Place

Tried The Place (Cecil, PA) a second time.  Still stand by my prior rating of their coffee, but I also had a couple of those made-from-scratch scones that looked so good the last time I swang by.  The scones are excellent; however, that latte could still use a little work, especially the milk prep (but the espresso seemed a tad quick as well).  Phone picture: