Newton Coffee Review

 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.

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:

COMMENTS

Great place.  Orinoco beans, Nuova Simonelli with naked porafilters.  Cappuccino was excellent, extra tight foam, smooth espresso.  Feelin’ the atmosphere.  Baristas are great.  ‘Nuff said. 

Will be difficult not to stop here anytime I’m in the neighborhood now.

COMMENTS

Use beans from Kiva Han.  Espresso extraction seemed alright, but the milk prep was quite bad.  The barista used a spoon to hold the foam back while pouring, and then topped it a large spoonful of the big-bubbled foam.  That’s the kind of milk treatment one would expect at certain national coffee chain stores, but not in a real gourmet coffeehouse.  This milk-straining practice is a pet-peeve of mine; in almost all cases, it seems very wrong.  Additionally, the steaming pitcher also had “2%” written on the side, so I may have even been given the wrong milk as well.   But, as said before, the espresso was done alright, so it was drinkable, and probably worth a second trip.  Maybe I just got the wrong barista.

COMMENTS

I’ve been curious about this place for quite a while, but haven’t stopped in until today.

Place is an “Argentine Coffeehouse,” and has a lot of character. Somewhat small, but cozy. Pull off a one-group Nuova Simonelli, and use beans from La Prima. Was in the mood for a macchiato, so went ahead and ordered one even though I usually start a place with a latte. Espresso extraction was good, but the milk steaming could use some work. Lots of air, and some big bubbles. Overall, the drink was good, but just missing that je ne sais qua. However, the deserts and pastries appeared to be loaded with it… looked mighty tasty. The coffee is good enough for a second try, but those pastries I believe are demanding a return visit. Although the coffee wasn’t the best I’ve had in Squirrel Hill, I would still highly recommend giving this place a try, even just for the fact that it is distinctly different than any other coffeehouses in the area.