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This morning I was going on my daily walk and thought I would stop at a small neighborhood coffee shop. Usually I pop into Starbucks or Peet's which I love during the day. I was so excited to find their mocha here at this very small place was so yummy and larger than most. I marched right home, researched other privately owned, special coffee bars. I also called 10 of my boomer buddies and they all love great coffee. I will continue to write about the best special coffee bars around the world.
Cafe Grumpy
Website: www.cafegrumpy.com
Extra special: Cafe and bakery next door
13 Essex Street NY 212.260.3454
4 locations: 2 in Brooklyn, 2 in Manhattan and another in Manhattan coming soon.
How could we not want to visit a coffee bar with this name!
My party picks:
Banana bread and lemon poppy Bundt cake
Rating: 
Daily Grind
Website: www.dailygrind.com
204 Lark Street
Albany, NY
Mon.-Sat. 10-6
Sun. 9:30-4:30
These doors opened in 1976. It is family owned and does a lot to give back to the community. After 36 years of roasting you know you will get a fabulous cup or two of coffee here.
Rating:
Espresso Vivace
Website: www.espressovivace.com
3 coffee locations
Brix
532 Broadway Ave. East
Seattle, WA.
206.860.2722
6 am–11pm daily
David Schomer and Geneva Sullivan are partners in espresso vivace. They have 3 locations, one European, one very modern and one a sidewalk bar!
Brix is a 2,000 square foot facility with a lot of sidewalk seating too.
Rating:
Coffee By Design
Website: www.coffeebydesign.com
43 Washington Ave.
Portland, Maine
207.879.2233
Mary Allen and Alan Spear opened in 1994. They wanted to focus on coffee and community. They both believe that selective is so important and know they can both make a huge difference. They have different locations.
Rating:
Star Lounge
Website: www.starloungecoffee.com
2521 West Chicago Ave. Chicago, IL.
M-F 6am-9pm
Sat. 7am-8pm
Sun. 8am-8pm
Owner Jesse Diaz roasts his own beans since 2008. He has amazing farmer relationships and his knowledge helps his success. Star Lounge is on the west side of Chicago. You walk into a large long bar and the walls are covered in a bright orange tone.
Blondee’s Pick:
Ginger snap train wreck
Rating:
October 17, 2023
