Cincinnati Coffee Reviews: The Coffee Emporium, Starbucks Atrium, Bean Haus
So, I had this idea this past week to put up coffee houses I have been to, and my reviews of these coffee houses. I tend to visit 'the bux' fairly often, so I think I will even put my reviews of those Starbucks I have visited in here, because (despite corporation...) there are unique-ness-es to each bux. I have had good coffee and experience, and I've left with a bad taste in my mouth (no pun there. Seriously).
I am a coffee drinker. When I say that, I mean that I drink coffee, and good coffee. My roots are in Seattle. Born in the northwest, I think there's something in me that knows good coffee, that detects the carefully-roasted and preparation of the drink. I have enjoyed drinking it since I was 12 years old (my first mocha @ DesMoines, WA QFC parking lot drive-thru espresso), worked coffee for 5 years, and drink it almost every morning from my personal press. There's the qualifications.
THE COFFEE EMPORIUM
3 Locations, Cincinnati Area
***** - 5 stars
http://www.coffee-emporium.com/
Downtown Location: Mi Esposa and I went to this independant shop on our tandem bike for a neat coffee experience early this summer. I ordered an Iced Coffee, she an Iced Latte (I saved a couple bucks with one of those "ghetto latte" ideas. 'Yes, lots of room for cream, please.').
The atmosphere is nice in the Emporium. Overstuffed chairs, hardwood floors, a large area for sitting to have lunch, wi-fi, and huge windows to the downtown skyline. What is neat about the Emporium is the window to the left as you walk in: a view of their indy rostarie. I love these! They were not working on the green to brown when we were there, but I imagine they are doing it weekly to keep up with the business.
We waited in line for a few minutes, as there was a lunch rush at the time. I ate a turkey sandwich from the menu as well, which came out in about 7 minutes. I would reccomend the food.
The coffee itself was well-prepared. I remember the coffee being fresh (as in, it wasn't brewed 'within the week' as some places i've visited, yuck!). It was strong, most likely brewed the same day. A medium-strong iced blend on my part. Ask Mi Esposa about hers.
STARBUCKS - ATRIUM ONE, 4th & MAIN
CINCINNATI, OH
***1/2 - 3.5 Stars
OK, so how can I review my old workplace? I still have the relationships with the folks, that's why.
Most likely you can get in and out of this bux in a few minutes even during the morning rush. Take that morning coffee break here. If you want to avoid the lines, go after 10:30a, before 12:00p.
Like all bux' now, 30 minutes a pot for the coffee and then they re-brew. Very nice for the fresh-seeker. The lattes are plentiful in the morning, so you may be waiting a little bit for those to come out, and there's only one espresso machine.
Why few stars? Atrium has a grab-and-go feel to it, being a businessperson-focused store. Good for business meetings, not the best for a hang out time or date, I would say. That's part of what i'm rating, the "hang-out-ability" if you will.
Say hi to my friends when you go in. If this becomes your regular spot, you'll recognize baristas as well as customers as Atrium has the most regulars I have known of any of the bux' I worked.
BEAN HAUS
*1/2 - 1.5 Stars
Covington, KY
Bean Haus, I give you 1.5 stars for your creative name (On Mainstrasse, a community of shops and bars in Covington) and the overall decor of your shop. Beyond that, I can give no more.
We had just moved to Covington, and decided to visit our local coffee shops for a treat. When I first walked in, I liked the atmosphere and decor of Bean Haus. As I ordered my coffee, I noticed an array of teas behind the counter (curious to try them on 'another visit'.) Mi Esposa ordered an iced latte, and I ordered a dark roast cup of the day. Things went kinda downhill after this.
The barista proceeded to make Mi Esposa's iced latte with toddy (i've seen it done before). As the barista poured, Mi Esposa asked if she could get it with espresso instead.
"Oh, I wouldn't shock your shots like that. That would be wrong!"
Hm. Mi Esposa asked if she could get it this way anyways, and the barista refused. "Try it like this, and let me know if you want me to change it." So we took our drinks after made and sat down. Mi Esposa's coffee tasted more like brown milk. No flavor at all. We asked for more, and she was 'shocked' we asked for more. My coffee was ok...hard to remember with our experience otherwise, though.
It wasn't so much the coffee or the customer relations of the barista, it was a combination of both that made us uncomfortable in this Coffee Haus. The total came to about $8 for our drinks. I would have gone down to Covington's Scribbles (R.I.P.).
Thus concludes
I am a coffee drinker. When I say that, I mean that I drink coffee, and good coffee. My roots are in Seattle. Born in the northwest, I think there's something in me that knows good coffee, that detects the carefully-roasted and preparation of the drink. I have enjoyed drinking it since I was 12 years old (my first mocha @ DesMoines, WA QFC parking lot drive-thru espresso), worked coffee for 5 years, and drink it almost every morning from my personal press. There's the qualifications.
THE COFFEE EMPORIUM
3 Locations, Cincinnati Area
***** - 5 stars
http://www.coffee-emporium.com/
Downtown Location: Mi Esposa and I went to this independant shop on our tandem bike for a neat coffee experience early this summer. I ordered an Iced Coffee, she an Iced Latte (I saved a couple bucks with one of those "ghetto latte" ideas. 'Yes, lots of room for cream, please.').
The atmosphere is nice in the Emporium. Overstuffed chairs, hardwood floors, a large area for sitting to have lunch, wi-fi, and huge windows to the downtown skyline. What is neat about the Emporium is the window to the left as you walk in: a view of their indy rostarie. I love these! They were not working on the green to brown when we were there, but I imagine they are doing it weekly to keep up with the business.
We waited in line for a few minutes, as there was a lunch rush at the time. I ate a turkey sandwich from the menu as well, which came out in about 7 minutes. I would reccomend the food.
The coffee itself was well-prepared. I remember the coffee being fresh (as in, it wasn't brewed 'within the week' as some places i've visited, yuck!). It was strong, most likely brewed the same day. A medium-strong iced blend on my part. Ask Mi Esposa about hers.
STARBUCKS - ATRIUM ONE, 4th & MAIN
CINCINNATI, OH
***1/2 - 3.5 Stars
OK, so how can I review my old workplace? I still have the relationships with the folks, that's why.
Most likely you can get in and out of this bux in a few minutes even during the morning rush. Take that morning coffee break here. If you want to avoid the lines, go after 10:30a, before 12:00p.
Like all bux' now, 30 minutes a pot for the coffee and then they re-brew. Very nice for the fresh-seeker. The lattes are plentiful in the morning, so you may be waiting a little bit for those to come out, and there's only one espresso machine.
Why few stars? Atrium has a grab-and-go feel to it, being a businessperson-focused store. Good for business meetings, not the best for a hang out time or date, I would say. That's part of what i'm rating, the "hang-out-ability" if you will.
Say hi to my friends when you go in. If this becomes your regular spot, you'll recognize baristas as well as customers as Atrium has the most regulars I have known of any of the bux' I worked.
BEAN HAUS
*1/2 - 1.5 Stars
Covington, KY
Bean Haus, I give you 1.5 stars for your creative name (On Mainstrasse, a community of shops and bars in Covington) and the overall decor of your shop. Beyond that, I can give no more.
We had just moved to Covington, and decided to visit our local coffee shops for a treat. When I first walked in, I liked the atmosphere and decor of Bean Haus. As I ordered my coffee, I noticed an array of teas behind the counter (curious to try them on 'another visit'.) Mi Esposa ordered an iced latte, and I ordered a dark roast cup of the day. Things went kinda downhill after this.
The barista proceeded to make Mi Esposa's iced latte with toddy (i've seen it done before). As the barista poured, Mi Esposa asked if she could get it with espresso instead.
"Oh, I wouldn't shock your shots like that. That would be wrong!"
Hm. Mi Esposa asked if she could get it this way anyways, and the barista refused. "Try it like this, and let me know if you want me to change it." So we took our drinks after made and sat down. Mi Esposa's coffee tasted more like brown milk. No flavor at all. We asked for more, and she was 'shocked' we asked for more. My coffee was ok...hard to remember with our experience otherwise, though.
It wasn't so much the coffee or the customer relations of the barista, it was a combination of both that made us uncomfortable in this Coffee Haus. The total came to about $8 for our drinks. I would have gone down to Covington's Scribbles (R.I.P.).
Thus concludes
Hi David,
ReplyDeleteI recently saw your blog about our coffee shop and was bothered by your experience there. Let me personally apologize to both you and your wife that you did not receive the service and positive experience that we work to achieve. Your wife's iced latte should have been made as requested, with espresso, and without the additional attitude that you received---and again I apologize.
We would like to make this right both with you and our staff. Would you be willing to contact me on my cell phone, 859-802-3228, so I can get additional information from you so we can work to rectify the problem? We would also like you to come back and try our shop again on us. Even though you never have a second chance to make a first impression, we would like to take the first step to make your next experience a more pleasant one. I look forward to talking to you in the future.
Cordially,
Tim Eversole
Bean Haus
640 Main Street
Covington KY 41011
859-431-2326
859-802-3228 Cellular
Hi,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Tony Tausch. I own the Coffee Emporium in cincy. We're passionate about our coffee. I'm glad that you got that feeling. If you ever come to OTR store while I'm roasting. Please don't hesitate to poke your head in. I love to show people the magic of taking a fairly inert seed and turn it into the magic elixer that we know and love.
best regards, tony