Crafting Coffee

This weekend Stephanie and I went to a coffee shop called Two Rivers Craft Coffee in Arvada. The
reason I chose it was because I saw that they serve Novo coffee, which I thought seemed pretty awesome. I was not disappointed in my delicious latte and blackberry scone. Stephanie also enjoyed her chai and breakfast burrito. But we kind of already knew that we would like it, considering we knew we liked Novo coffee. But anyway.



I almost for got to mention the
cute little piece of biscotti
that came with my latte!

One thing that really makes or breaks a coffee shop for me are the baristas and TRCC did not disappoint. I just got the feeling that they really genuinely wanted to be there, explaining the menu and what your options were, but not in a I-really-want-to-get-you-out-of-here-NEXT! sort of way but like they wanted to make sure that you got the drink that you wanted. Also, I watched the girl make my latte and (I know that this is going to sound really cheesy) I just felt like she put a lot of care into what she was doing. Like she wasn't just making a cup of coffee but like she was crafting a work of art. That's what it is all about. In my opinion at least.
In addition to the baristas I really liked the shop in general. I had one heck of a time finding the place but that is partially due to my inability to follow the directions that my GPS on my phone gives me. When we arrived in the area I was kind of disappointed to see that it was in a sort of strip-mall area but I was pleasantly surprised when we walked in and the shop itself was small, trendy, but felt more intimate than some places. I told Stephanie that it was an urban oasis. Maybe that is going a little far but that's ok.

Two Rivers Craft Coffee: Another winner.

Post script:

Although this blog is supposed to be about the quest for wonderful cups of coffee I also have to tell you about this wonderful little bakery that we went to in Denver. It is called The Shoppe, it is on Colfax in the Capital Hill area and they had the most delicious cupcakes. I am telling you, they were great. My chocolate peanut butter cupcake had the most delicious whipped peanut butter frosting. But the best was the salted caramel cupcake. To. Die. For.

Check it out.

2914

People say not to judge a book by its cover but I would like to coin the saying "don't judge a coffee

shop by its name." (Think it will catch on?) I will admit that I was unimpressed by this one's name. 2914 Coffee. Located ironically at 2914 w. 25th in Denver. But I judged too soon because I later read the reason why this shop was named such and, call me a sucker for a cute story, but I judge this name no longer.

Anyway, back to my story. I went to this shop with my friend Kay, another coffee enthusiast (I am not saying that sarcastically. Unlike my other friend she really does like coffee). It really is the simple things in life that make you happy because Kay and I both agreed that one of the best things is too get your coffee in a real mug. I know. I am easy to please. I liked this place it was very chill and trendy but not pretentious. The service was good, barista friendly, great artwork and music. They had some delicious looking sweets but I resisted the temptation today. Overall Kay and I both liked it.

But, I am sure you could feel that coming, I am yet to find a place that is somewhere that I would go to just hang out at. I went to a coffee shop on Durango called the Steaming Bean and I suppose that is what I end up comparing these to. It was such a cozy place with tables, couches, a bar, great coffee, sweets and real food. I just connected with it. Unfortunately it is approximately seven hours from where I live. So my quest continues. 

Fall Flavors

I know that coffee connoisseurs often have lots of bad things to say about Starbucks but there are just some things that a girl cannot resist. As for this girl, one of those things is putting the flavors of fall into a to-go cup and Starbucks just  does it so well. I really couldn't care less for the pumpkin spice latte, what I live is the salted caramel latte. Friends, it is just wonderful. Welcome back and welcome to fall!

NoVo Coffee

I have never had a cup of coffee in Denver, aside from Starbucks that is. I decided that it was time to change that which was perfect timing because I had just met a fellow coffee lover who is opening a coffee shop in Dallas and was here in Colorado doing a little R & D. He told me that his favorite coffee shop in Denver had been NoVo Coffee. So my trusty sidekick (also known as my best friend Stephanie) headed to the Big City to check it out.

Side note: Stephanie does not drink coffee. Slightly ironic, I know, considering how many coffee shops I have dragged her to. I have found her distaste for coffee has proved useful in my endeavors though. More on this later.

We decided to go pretty late on Sunday afternoon and ended up getting there just before they closed. The barista, whom we found out was named Alex, was super nice though and had no problem making us drinks even though he had been cleaning up. One thing that I liked about NoVo right away was that the menu was super simple. I have been to other coffee shops where I could seriously stand there for at least an hour trying to read through the menu with the barista impatiently waiting for you to just choose something already (not that it really matters all that much in my case since I only ever get my usual nonfat latte anyway). I digress. I ordered my latte and Stephanie asked Alex what she could get that didn't taste too much like coffee. He ended up making her a caramel latte and we were told that they make their caramel sauce in house (pretty awesome) and also that they roast their own coffee beans here in Denver (also pretty awesome).

I quite enjoyed my latte and also the strawberry oat scone along with it but the best part is that Stephanie actually really enjoyed her coffee as well (kudos NoVo). We sat at the bar as Alex finished cleaning up and he started talking to us about the science behind making a great latte. He told us about steaming the milk, roasting the beans, pulling the shot. He even showed us the espresso machine and all the fancy things that it can do.

Maybe to some people all of that is unimportant but if there is one thing that drives me crazy is when baristas are rude. That is one thing that will make or break a coffee shop for me. But not only was Alex super nice he was also super knowledgeable and you can tell that he actually enjoys what he does. Granted he is one of who knows how many baristas that work there but if the other baristas are as passionate about what they do, no wonder NoVo has become so many people's favorite place.

The Coffeehouse

It all started when my sister started managing "The Coffee Shop."

That was not it's official name but that is what we called it. I loved that little place. It was not super fancy or even super cozy and cute but it was the spark that started the fire. I spent as much time there as I could and even worked there for a short while (my only stint as a barista). Before this time I had not even liked coffee. My Starbucks purchases consisted of Strawberries and Cream Frappuccinos. The coffee shop was only open for about two years but during that time we poured our love into that place and when the owner decided to close up shop my sister and I cried together.

But that was only the beginning of the story.

I went to college in Greeley, Colorado and while the coffee scene is no Seattle, Greeley is not lacking in coffee shops. One of my favorite past times became going on "hot dates" with my girlfriends at the different coffee shops. Since then I have also started seeking out coffee shops wherever I go. Recently I took a trip to Durango with my best friends and we made it a point to go to every coffee shop, just for me. So here I am, my friends.

As big of a fan I am now of coffee, my Starbucks purchases evolving from the Strawberry Frappuccinos to Grande Nonfat Lattes, there is more to it than that. I had a friend tell me once that if I were a place I would be a coffee shop. It is the atmosphere, the environment, the people, the smell. I just love it. And so I have determined that I will start a quest across my lovely state of Colorado (and anywhere else my travels might take me). I also am not super educated in all things coffee, either, but am determined also to find out more.

Wish me luck!