Mature waiters in white tuxedos, gleaming brass machines and professional baristas pouring double espressos in handmade white porcelain cups. It is a time to reflect, take stock of the day and enjoy the moment. This is the daily ritual for the people of Buenos Aires.
No line-ups at the counter, no 16-year-old servers and no fully automatic espresso machines that produce the same mediocre espresso time after time. In this bustling city of 17 million you will find no giant 20oz cups to-go filled with way too much milk for a grown person to cover up the poorly chosen, poorly brewed bitter espresso.
When did what we refer to as a “coffee break”, cease to become a break? When did going for a coffee cease to become an experience? When did a waiter cease to become a dignified profession where one could support a family?
One of our favorite espresso experiences in Buenos Aires is the Café Martinez. They roast their own coffee, and offer several varieties and degrees of roast. You choose the variety and the roast that you want your espresso to be pulled from. They have experienced well-trained baristas who take pride in their work. You receive a small glass of mineral water and a hand crafted chocolate with every espresso. Playing in the background is either classic tango or neo tango fusion such as the Gotan Project or the Bajo Fondo Tango Club.
Another great coffee experiences can be found in Quebec City, Canada. In a dark and romantic café in the heart of the old city, you have the option to choose the variety, then one of four methods of preparation: espresso, filtered drip, French press, or an Italian stove stop that brews right at your table over a small flame, the perfect choice for a romantic rendezvous. Over time you become intimately acquainted with all the subtleties of one variety through the different brewing processes. It’s no longer just coffee, it’s an experience, and each experience is unique and original. We invite you to think about your memorable coffee experiences, and more importantly WHEN your next will be. Stay original… enjoy the moment.
Article comments
1 - alessandro nicolo
Bill, are you speaking more of the experience or the quality? If it's quality Italian cafes on average are sharp. I'm all for experience but if they mess up the way an espresso should be served it ruffles my fickle little arse. That said, what I've noticed here in North America (including my hometown Montreal and Quebec city) is that we are sometimes long on experience and short on the espresso - excuse the pun. Still, there are many great spots with decent espresso. Sounds like the place you mention in Buenos Aires takes their craft seriously. You depicted the modd well. I experienced so many in Italy that I can't mention them all. I once wanted to do a doc exploring how espresso culture is used in different countries.
2 - Bill Soukoreff
Alessandro, I would love to see something on espresso culture in different countries. Buenos Aires is very Italian in this regard. They tend toward the lighter espresso roast common in south Italy. I am more found of the Northern Italian darker espresso (but not burnt or sharp!) However there is espresso for every taste. I was talking more about the experience then quality. Quality is another topic, but even is the espresso roast may not be to my liking, if the technique and surrounding is good then I will consider it a good experience. Here in western Canada the coffee quality is extremely low. Black gold only seems to refer to oil. We miss the cafes (and Belgium style brew pubs)of Quebec City and Montreal!
3 - alessandro nicolo
Bill, well said!
4 - Yanqui Mike
Múy bien, Bill!
Now how 'bout some prices?
Do you buy beans?
Thanks,
Mike
5 - Dale
Great comments!
How about some locations (if any)in BC of places I can get a decent cup of coffee. I do not attempt to make my own and I do not like any shops nearby (Starbucks or the like).
Thanks,
Dale
6 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Hmmm...
Israel has a coffee culture. At least Jerusalem has a coffee culture. I can't say that the coffee is the most perfect in the world, but it is always worth sitting in a coffee shop on a Thursday night or Friday morning enjoying a good cup of coffee and some friends.
I'm not an espresso guy myself - I prefer latté - kafé hafúkh in Hebrew - but I'm picky over the quality of the food that comes with the coffee.
In J-lem there is a nice spot on Keren haYesod about a block south of the Dan Panorama, Little Italy. The name is kind of original (he he) but the food is good - as is the coffee. If you ever do get to Israel, look up my email address and give me a holler. I always look forward to a good cup of coffee with an interesting aquaintance...