Pablo's Coffee

Maybe it's because I spend most of my time at work on the computer. Maybe it's because moving across the country has left a vast portion of my social life to Facebook, which I check countless times a day.  Maybe it's because I had just spent two hours in another coffee shop, screwing around on the internet wishing I had someone to talk to.  Regardless of the reason, I was genuinely pleased when I walked into Pablo's on 6th and learned that they did not have WiFi. When I started college, WiFi had yet to enter the realm of coffee shops, so I have deeply imprinted within me happy memories of good old fashioned coffee talk. Pablo's totally threw me into a warm & fuzzy flashback!  People were actually having real, legit, people-to-people conversations. They were engaged with one another, communicating in body language as well as words. Definitely no bluetooth-clad cyborgs screaming at the empty seat in front of them.  ;o)  (Though there are plenty of coffee shops out there for that sort of thing. I just support diversity!)

I received friendly service, and the barista, somehow picking up on this being my first time at Pablo's, cheerfully informed me that I got a free refill with my coffee. I found that to be quite sweet, as it's not every day that employees clue you in on free perks.  Too bad that I was in a groggy haze, desparately in need of my coffee. I failed to open my eyes wide enough to see which brew I was drinking. *Darn!*  I guess I'll just describe the esperience: It was simple drip coffee, but SO LOVELY. Great body, appropriate temperature, and brewed correctly without undue bitterness.  I haven't had coffee this solidly good since I was roasting coffee professionally.

...Then of course, I chose a seat near the back of the cafe... and what was right behind me? A ROASTER.  Hell yes. These folks roast in-house... and it shows in the coffee. =)

I always have great experiences in this locally-owned and operated neighborhood coffee shop. They are consistently buzzing with local energy and luckily seem to do better business than the Starbucks just a few blocks away. (Certainly their product and service is better!)