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Tags: Travel Gear / Coffee / Coffee Travel / Stupid Ideas / → All Tags
Travel Mug Solves Age-Old 'How To Avoid Getting Tongue Burns' Problem
The travel mug designers at Jolex have developed a new travel cup that promises to solve one of the central dilemmas in coffee drinking: what to do during that delicate period when the coffee is still scalding hot but you want to drink it anyway. The trick is usually to get just enough but not too much plasma-temperature coffee on your tongue. Experienced coffee drinkers can pull this off while driving, doing makeup, and blogging into their smartphone. The rest of us just look comical, jerking the cup back and forth trying not to get burned.
The new Brugo coffee mug, which uses an innovative design to cool off the coffee one sip at a time, is made for the rest of us.
Tags: Dunkin' Donuts Alternatives / Coffee / Free / Food Travel / Donuts / → All Tags
The Donut War Is On As Canada Moves Into Dunkin Donuts Territory
As committed lovers of all things donuts, we’re always happy to hear about another contender challenging Dunkin Donuts for the crown. Now that the Krispy Kreme kraze has cooled down a little bit, our money’s been on the Fractured Prune to grab the title of next big donut, but it looks like the winds are blowing southward—are Canadian donuts the next big thing?
Apparently, the Canadians actually consume the most donuts per capita and have more donut shops than any other country in the world. Who knew? And now they’re ready to take on DD on their home turf. Tim Hortons, the annoyingly un-apostrophe’d Canadian coffee-and-donuts mega-chain, is opening 13 locations in New York City today, and just to rub it in they bought ten more DD locations over the weekend.
The northern bakers are most famous for their very maple-y donuts and "double double" coffee (two sugars, two creams), and they also serve something called "timbits"—bite-sized round donuts that sounds an awful lot like what we call "munchkins."
To promote their invasion, Hortons is giving out free coffee to the first 500,000 commuters who stop by their new branch in Penn Station today. Let us know if you make it; we’re curious to know if these Canadian donuts are worth the hype!
Related Stories:
· Tim Hortons [Official Site]
· Dunkin' Donuts loses out to Canadian invaders Tim Hortons in war of donuts at Penn Station [NY Daily News]
· Dunkin’ Donuts Alternatives [Jaunted]
[Photo: taekwonweirdo]
Tags: Starbucks Alternatives / Coffee Shops / Coffee / Bizarre / Crime / Maine Travel / → All Tags
Maine's Topless Coffee Shop Reopens as Topless Tent
We've got good news for New England travelers who like their caffeine fix but hate it when their servers wear shirts. Turns out the nation's oddest Starbucks Alternative is down, but far from out.
The Grand View Coffee Shop, which was burned to the ground by a moral crusader last week, has already reopened. Owner Donald Crabtree erected a tent on the site of his destroyed cafe, and the topless waitresses have volunteered to work just for tips (to be fair, we'd bet they get better tips than your local Starbucks barista).
Topless Coffee one; moral crusaders zero.
Related Stories:
· Arsonist Destroys Maine's Topless Coffee Shop [Jaunted]
· Maine Opens Topless Coffee Shop; Hopefully With Frost Bite Insurance [Jaunted]
· Burned topless coffee shop reopens in a tent [Jaunted]
[Photo: AP]
Tags: Crime / Starbucks Alternatives / Coffee Shops / Coffee / Bizarre / → All Tags
Arsonist Destroys Maine's Topless Coffee Shop
Earlier this year we told you about what we thought was a pretty fantastic moment in the history of coffee shops. Grand View Topless Coffee Shop opened its doors in Vassalboro, Maine. As far as we know, Grand View was the only place in the country where you could order a cappuccino and crueller and have it served by a topless waiter or waitress.
An ingenious business plan if you ask us, but unfortunately, not all of Grand View's neighbors were so enamored. A fire destroyed the coffee shop early Wednesday morning, and police say it was set by an arsonist. The fire came just a few hours after the shop's owner, Donald Crabtree, had appeared before the local planning board to defend his operation, and followed several complaints about Grand View.
Undeterred, Crabtree vows to reopen his business, but for now, the nation has lost its most unique Starbucks alternative.
Related Stories:
· Topless coffee shop destroyed in arson fire [Boston Globe]
· Maine Opens Topless Coffee Shop; Hopefully With Frost Bite Insurance [Jaunted]
· Maine travel coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: Boston Globe/AP]
Tags: Rome Field Trip / Coffee / Starbucks Alternatives / Gelato / → All Tags
In Rome, Bars Are For Coffee
Is there really no place like Rome? This week Ellen Wernecke chronicles her first visit to the Eternal City.
My first morning in Rome, a well-meaning hostel manager gently shoved me out the door with a cheery "Now it's time to go sightseeing!" Dazed, I stumbled to the nearest hole-in-the-wall cafe and sidled up to the bar, grateful that "cappuccino" was in the local language.
Seconds later, an old man entered, exchanging what I can only hope were gruff pleasantries with the workers. He ordered a coffee (which on that side of the pond means a freshly pulled shot of espresso) and, after being handed a bottle, filled the rest of the glass with Sambuca. Dare you to try that at Starbucks.
Tags: Travel Gadgets / Coffee / Starbucks Alternatives / Travel Gear / → All Tags
Would You BYO Coffeemaker?
For travelers on an extreme budget, it's a Hobson's choice: Getting to know a place via the local cuisine can be one of the most memorable attractions to go there, but who wants to swallow their whole museum and excursion budget? We've had this debate with ourselves before, but never when it comes to coffee, which is why we're saying "no way!" to the Quick Cafe II travel coffeemaker.
Well, okay, in places where there is no coffee, it might be nice to whip up a quick, steaming cup. But if there isn't coffee, there might not be a power source either, meaning you just toted an 18-oz. white plastic brick all the way to the Savannah or the beach. And hey, you're on vacation! Why not give the local brew a try, whatever it is?
Make no mistake about it: A world without coffee is one we don't much like the idea of living in. But we might be able to get by without it for a few days. Would you carry your own coffeemaker?
Related Stories:
· Starbucks Alternatives: The Coffee Mill [Jaunted]
· How to Brew a Decent Cup of Coffee in Your Hotel Room [HC]
· Starbucks Alternatives [Jaunted]
[Photo: Amazon.com]
Tags: Fall Festivals / Fall Travel / Coffee / Hawaii Travel / → All Tags
Get Your Caffeine Buzz on the Big Island
Hawaii's oldest food festival kicks off on November 7 and runs through November 16 in celebration of the island's famed crop. The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, as the name implies, also attempts to reveal more about the community and its heritage in addition to just serving up tasty beverages.
The International Lantern Parade starts things off on Friday evening. Groups take to Alii Drive dressed in ethnic costumes. On Sunday, practice your coffee picking abilities in a timed competition. Both experts and novices are welcome as you compete for prizes, including cash.
On Thursday, November 13, head over to the Keauhou Beach Resort to witness the final round of the Gevalia Kona Coffee Cupping Competition. Growers from up and down the coast eagerly anticipate who will be honored with the award for finest coffee. Finally, if your caffeine high is still going strong, wrap things up on the final festival weekend with the Kamehameha Schools Kona Coffee Grand Parade. Try you best to sit still as floats, costumes and even Miss Kona Coffee march through town.
Related Stories:
· Kona Coffee Cultural Festival [Official Site]
· Fall Festivals coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: lrargerich]
Tags: Design Travel / Architecture Travel / Coffee / Coffee Shops / → All Tags
Repurposed Travel: Deptford's Recycled Train Cafe
A retired railway carriage in Southeast London has gotten a fresh makeover that's transformed it into a beautiful new gathering space. Called The Deptford Project Cafe, the rail car has been hand painted with retro song lyrics, bright colors and bold fonts by Studio Myerscough and Luke Morgan. The cafe is the opening move of a regeneration project to breathe life back into the Deptford Train Station area.
Besides serving locally sourced food and sustainably farmed coffee, The Deptford Project Cafe will also play host to art shows and a weekend creative market that will showcase art, design, music and film.
If you get there soon, you may also be able to catch one of their barbecues--and be sure to check out the bathroom dedicated to Elvis.
Related Stories:
· The Deptford Project Cafe [Official Site]
· Derailed Delight in Deptford [Joes[a]fiend]
· London Travel coverage [Jaunted]
Tags: Coffee / Coffee Shops / Biking / → All Tags
Caffeinated Travel: Mobile Coffee in Copenhagen
If you're strolling through downtown Copenhagen and need to get your caffeine fix, keep an eye out for the Espressomanden. Ole, the espresso man, is the proprietor of a very cool mobile coffee shop mounted on a cargo bicycle.
He can be found daily, parked on the streets of Copenhagen, and is available to serve coffee at weddings, receptions and company parties. You can also wave him down, taxi style, and he'll stop and pull you a tasty double shot.
The Espressomanden is completely self sufficient. The cargo bike can carry loads up to 150 kg and the coffee machines are powered by natural gas on board.
As it happens, Copenhagen is one of the world's most bike friendly cities. More than 50 percent of the population ride bikes as their primary form of transportation. Cargo bike based businesses are also taking off in a big way. If you don't like coffee, you'll also find fruit bikes, newspaper bikes and a whole bunch of rickshaws.
Related Stories:
· Espressomanden [Official Site]
· Espressomanden Ole [Copenhagenize]
· Copenhagen Travel coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: Copenhagenize]
Tags: Missed Connections / Hotels / Coffee Shops / Coffee / Bars / Restaurants / → All Tags
Missed Connections in Atlanta: "Cuz You's a Cutie"
Hey, did you see the video HotelChatter posted from the reopening of the Atlanta Marriott Marquis? We're definitely checking it out the next time we're in town!
Check in first if you need someone to party with--it worked for R. Kelly!--and then hit the town to find your hotel-bar partner in crime:
Octane Coffee and Lounge :: This Starbucks alternative offers free wireless, its own blog, ample seating and women with beautiful smiles. 1009 Marietta St., NW
Bulldog Bar :: It proclaims itself Atlanta's #1 Gay Bar, serving up guest-DJ stands and shy guys. 893 Peachtree St., NE
Two Urban Licks :: This spicy Southern joint may not have takeout men, but if you can take the heat, request seats near the rotisserie! 820 Ralph McGill Blvd., NE
Related Stories:
· R. Kelly and Cassidy, "Hotel" [Lyrics007]
· Missed Connections coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo of "Forbidden Love" dance as performed by the Atlanta Chinese Dance Company: bylander]
Tags: South Korea Travel / Starbucks Alternatives / Coffee / Coffee Shops / → All Tags
Starbucks Alternatives: The Coffee Mill
In Seoul, where the locals generally prefer their morning brew to be of the hazelnut-flavored and watery persuasion, finding a decent cup of coffee can be an endeavor. Cafes here are often pricey with plush, tacky decor, so stumbling upon a simple spot to while away a rainy summer afternoon is even more rare. Which is why we were delighted when we came upon The Coffee Mill.
Tags: Missed Connections / Bars / Coffee / Coffee Shops / → All Tags
Missed Connections in Boulder: Off the Links Edition
We were tickled by this week's story of kids being accidentally exposed to strippers on a Colorado golf course. But with all due respect to the fundraising caddies at this event, maybe a charity tournament like this one isn't the best place to meet someone, caddy or player.
Instead, why not head to one of these hot spots in nearby Boulder? We've even given each locale a possibility-of-seeing-kids rating so you can avoid any gaffes!
Walnut Brewery :: Taste a uniquely named microbrew like "Devil's Thumb Stout" or brandish your cigarette case at the bar. Kids? Only if you're in the restaurant section. 1123 Walnut St.
Catacombs Bar :: Stake out a pool table at one of the first bars in the city to serve liquor. You might meet someone tattooed and long-haired. Kids? Doubtful, though it sounds like a fun dark place to explore. 2115 13th St.
The Laughing Goat :: Bring your laptop and your scruff or enjoy a live show at this Starbucks-free cafe. Kids? Probably, as the place has its own MySpace page. 1709 Pearl St.
Related Stories:
· Missed Connections coverage [Jaunted]
· Boulder Hotels [HC]
[Photo: helloloveexperiment]
