The Albina Press

 

9

69

kate m.

Portland, OR

If I was going design the perfect coffee shop, I'd start with a great wide open space with big windows and comfy seating.  The baristas would be friendly and chatty as they me my latte, able to foam even nonfat milk to the point of perfection.  They wouldn't smirk when I asked them to throw in a couple of Splenda (don't be a hater) and the art on top would be rivaled only by the local art hanging on the walls.  If I was feeling really over the top I'd put the baristas right in the middle of the space so you could watch the coffee porn from any angle.  And finally, I'd put this coffee house of my dreams within walking distance of my house and they would invite the neighbors in for free drinks before they open (that was last week!).

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Elite '08

41

132

Lorri E.

Portland, OR

Mmm hmmm, they went and did it again.  The *new* (sparkly) Albina Press kicks some major coffee booty in Portland, once again. A fine new Stumptown coffee-scented shop - the new one pays homage to the old one--with expansive white walls (functioning as art gallery, of course), old wood floors - and a TON more space.  Oh, I love it.  Really nice environment, next door to Sapphire.  And it goes without saying that my special treat of a mocha was creamy, smooth, rich, and complex.  

A minor disclaimer in that I should mention a friend of mine happens to date one of the baristas there, but I would have loved it anyway even without that 6-degrees connection.  Go in and have Matt or Billy brew you a cup that puts all other coffees to shame.  Mmmm.  Yummy.

p.s. I know the Albina Press can be known for being a tad on the coffee shop snobbery side (ok, more than a tad) but I am willing to overlook any signs of pretension to savor that perfect cup.  I saw no pretension, just a beautiful new coffee shop, on a great Portland Street, with people who love good coffee.

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Elite '08

13

78

Brent F.

Portland, OR

Same great French press coffee and espresso
talented baristas who care about what they're doing & have mad skills
awesome new space and location
Tables, couches, good flattering light fixtures, a wooden bar with extra-high stools that overlooks the sexy baristas who work there
The coffee bar is in the middle of the space.  You can walk completely around 360 degrees (where else can you do that? huh? huh?).  You can see everything they're doing from any angle, and watch as the reddish brown espresso flows from the 4 group Linea with LED lights.  

Great windows that bathe the space in natural light.

The original Albina Press (N) is only blocks from my house, but I'm tempted to spend a few days a week at the Hawthorne location because the space is just so damn comfortable.  I know this place is gonna be popular in a few months, or maybe weeks.  Get here while its not too busy and they still have lots of time to chat with ya.  Next door to the Sapphire Hotel (great drinking/date spot) and a few blocks from Mt. Tabor park.  Great hood, great location.  Best coffee in this area for sho.

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5

33

Sara G.

Portland, OR

The weekly Sunday coffee stop landed at Albina Press on Hawthorne this morning, and was a perfectly enjoyable time. My latte was topped with thick, creamy foam, and the BF's coffee was only $1, including a refill, and brewed in a French press. Delicious all around. The atmosphere at this Albina location is open, airy, with a really cool setup of the espresso bar- a huge area that is in the middle of the store, so you can watch all the coffee magic and mystery taking place. These guys definitely know their coffee and espresso, and the place practically oozes coffee snobbery, not necessarily in a bad way. The people are friendly enough and not afraid to smile like other some baristas. Cough, Stumptown, cough.  The art hanging on the wall is really cool as well. We sat here for a few hours and enjoyed some great peoplewatching- mostly seemed to be neighborhood regulars with some Hawthorne tourists mixed in. Although, this place is far enough east on Hawthorne that it doesn't have the dirty hippy tourist vibe we all LOVE so much. We should be able to color-code words for sarcastic emphasis.

I didn't sample any food items here, but they looked tasty, and the place is clean. This review should really be a 3.5 star review, because it really lacks a defining vibe or feel that a truly great coffeehouse comes to possess. Maybe in time- this seems like a newer location- Albina will season itself into a great coffeehouse. For now, though, it is a solid choice for settling down with your laptop, book, or friend for an enjoyable time.

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