Starbucks Alternatives: Napa Valley Roasting Company
Calling a cup of coffee 4-star is a bit too hyperbolic. It makes us think of all those dirt-bag delis in midtown NYC that claim they have the "World's best cup of coffee!" But at Napa Valley Roasting Company they do in fact create individual coffee blends for 4-star Napa Valley restaurants like French Laundry, Bouchon and Martini House.
This coffee cadre of buyers, roasters, brewers and baristas located in St. Helena take the art of coffee seriously. Manager Douglas Dunlap explained to us that they purchase their beans from regions of the world that are having the best seasons. All coffee is roasted in-house, in small batches of 20 pounds at a time for better consistency.
But don't think you can't sit down in the comfortable sunny space without the woman next to you quizzing you on the flavor profile of your cup of Sumatran. The shop is very laid back, offers free wifi and is an early morning meeting place for locals. Buy a pound of the French Laundry blend and head home to brew it yourself--and cry into your mug about never scoring that impossible-to-get reservation.
Related Stories:
· Napa Valley Roasting Company [Official Site]
· Starbucks Alternatives coverage [Jaunted]
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by DanielR
