Erwin C.'s Profile

Owner Lucy Valena has temporarily grounded her coffee cart and put down roots in Kendall Square. Voltage Coffee opened softly today but is already serving well-prepared coffee and tea. This is a welcome addition to the area for specialty coffee drinkers. The coffee program at the moment features beans from with guest coffees to come. Barrington Gold Espresso Blend is being pulled for espresso drinks and dual-Ethiopian blend called Vanitas brewed via the pourover method. A good number of "exotic" flavored lattes are also on the menu with names to match ("Devil May Care", "The Thieving Magpie", and "Atticus Finch" are a few). I'm also looking forward to tasting one of their hot chocolates like "Besos Fuertes" (ginger root). Food will be coming soon. The space is light and airy due to plenty of wall-to-wall glass and high ceilings. There are a number of small tables available for seating in a gallery area to take in all the hung artwork. As a resident of Mid-Cambridge, I'm glad to finally see a good coffee option in East Cambridge.

Just opened this week, Technique is a restaurant of Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Boston. The opening of the restaurant marks the passage of the first class to enroll at the school in April 2008. Here students experience their final training under the supervision of chef instructors. The menu features New England regional cuisine. There is something for everyone on this menu. A standout are the duck confit and shrimp scampi pizzas, which are wonderfully crafted and fired in the stone hearth oven. Your support of the restaurant also helps future Le Cordon Bleu students as gratuities are placed in a general scholarship fund.

Brought to you by the folks behind Diesel Cafe, Bloc 11 Cafe is a modern update to the industrial aesthetic you've come to know. The cafe is ideally located off the main square in the former East Asian Bank. An outdoor patio appears to be in the works but not to worry, the interior is brightly lit and spacious. The counter/bar/kitchen area dominate the center of the space with a fairly open design. You'll find a good selection of drinks, pastries, salads, and sandwiches. There is seating spread throughout with a small area in the front, a larger space towards the rear with bar seating and cozy spaces in the rear including two bank vault spaces. There's a fireplace back there as well.

Bloc 11 Cafe sources its coffees from Intelligentsia Coffee. I ordered coffee and a macchiato, both prepared from house blends. As I'm not a fan of drip brew, I was surprised by the smoothness in the coffee. Espresso-based drinks are prepared on a stunning lime green La Marzocco FB/70. The macchiato was attentively prepared with beans freshly ground and resulted in a nice drink. The cherry walnut scone was average.

The place was fairly empty while I was there on an early weekday evening. I enjoyed the opportunity to read in peace while enjoying the sounds of modern rock playing over the speakers. I would've enjoyed being online as there are outlets scattered about, however, I don't enjoy paying for access.

Bloc 11 Cafe is a welcome addition to Union Square. There are few hangouts I enjoy there aside from this and Sherman Cafe.

Pro: atmosphere, cafe menu, modern space.
Con: pay for wifi access.

Cafe Grumpy has now landed in Manhattan! Coffeehounds can now find welcome relief in Chelsea. The same Cafe Grumpy vibe is there but the experience has been taken to another level. Visitors will immediately notice the sculpted wood counter and minimalist stylings of the space. There are no shelves...no blackboards. Step up to the counter and peruse the coffee offerings on a printed menu (coffees from Counter Culture Coffee and Ecco Caffe are currently featured). Gone are the drip machine and french press service and in are two Clover coffee brewing machines. You are now assured of fresh coffee with these brew-to-order machines. Barista continue to prepare great espresso beverages on a 3-group Synesso machine. Seating is limited to a few small tables and there are a few standing bars. In the future, check out the free weekly coffee cupping events to be held Saturday mornings that will allow consumers an opportunity to further learn about these coffees. Cafe Grumpy continues to make waves in the NYC coffee scene.

when i first visited Cafe Grumpy almost a year ago, i couldn't have imagined i'd be back as often as i have. located in the Greenpoint area of Brooklyn, it's not the most convenient location to get to but well worth the journey. these days the cafe serves coffees from Counter Culture Coffee and Ecco Caffe. i've always been drawn to their espresso and French press coffee service. the owner makes delicious brownies and banana bread. over the summer they began carrying Balthazar pastries as well. the baristas pull good espresso drinks on a 2-group Synesso espresso machine. there are several tables with one large table with bench seating. art work is on display in the cafe, however, one would be remiss to not visit the gallery in the rear. on occasion there is live music and art openings. with a second shop opening shortly in the Chelsea area of Manhattan, you'll have one more reason to be "grumpy".

one of the most highly regarded spots in NYC for espresso and for good reason. it all starts with the bean which they currently source from Counter Culture Coffee. recently, they've also added French pressed coffee to the menu. earlier in the year, they replaced their workhorse Faema with a 2-group Synesso espresso machine. The baristas are well-trained (quite a few hailing from notable shops in the Northwest) and pull consistent shots and are likely to also feature some nicely poured latte art. the shop has recently undergone a facelift. my only complaint...location! but i always enjoy walking past the dog run in Tompkins Square Park.

one of the better cupcakes in the city. still...the cupcakes aren't always consistently moist. the buttercream frosting is wonderful albeit a bit too much. i'll stop by during off-hours when i can just grab and go. otherwise, not worth standing in line for unless you're a foodie-type. the only other thing i've had is the apple crisp...stay away...lots of crisp, little apple.

Max Brenner has brought his chocolate mecca stateside. Never been to any other locations and it's pretty eye-catching upon entering. All of his chocolates and choco-ware are for sale in the shop located at the entrance. The cafe/dining area is open and spacious. Brenner has a pretty good design aesthetic (check out the website). However, I found the "100% Pure Chocolate" pipes a bit Hershey-esque and his name plastered about kinda hokey. That aside, it's a cool place for the chocolate lover. Chocolate's been incorporated throughout the menu. I had the dark chocolate granita served in the Alice cup...it was refreshing but not quite dark enough for my tastes.