San Diego Joe

Ending The Coffee-Wine Divide

jpflds — Tue, 14 May 2013 12:06:00 -0700

Since I began searching for great coffee as an alternative to Starbucks and Coffee Bean, which are...

Find Me on Instagram

jpflds — Fri, 10 May 2013 12:16:28 -0700

Hi there! Just a quick note. I don’t create a blog post on everything I do, but for more daily...

Caffeine Crawl Coming to San Diego in 2014!

jpflds — Fri, 03 May 2013 16:51:00 -0700

That’s right. The rumors are true my coffee loving friends. Caffeine Crawl is coming to San...

Ryan Bros Coffee in Barrio Logan across from Mercado del Barrio...

jpflds — Wed, 01 May 2013 14:07:00 -0700

Ryan Bros Coffee in Barrio Logan across from Mercado del Barrio and just around the corner from the location of the new San Diego Public Market.

While Ryan Bros is younger than Pannikin Coffee & Tea and Cafe Moto (just blocks away), they aren’t the new kid on the block by any stretch of the imagination. These three brothers have been serving up a smooth cup of joe for over 22 years in San Diego with the mantra, “Life is too short to be bitter.” After ordering a shot of their Espresso Gold, also known as “crema gold” for the beautiful gold crema that can be seen in each shot, I realized they really do deliver a shot that is true to their mantra. Earthy, but smooth; a blend of Central American and Indonesian beans.

Speaking of Indonesia, the brothers actually grew up there…I didn’t ask if they hung out with President Obama, but they did grow up being exposed to a connected world view, one they hope to bring to the burgeoning San Diego coffee culture. I spoke with Tom Ryan, who took some time out of roasting and running a busy business to speak with me on my impromptu visit. A warm personality with a firm hand shake, it was easy to strike up conversation. He’s excited to get involved in more events and activities around coffee in America’s Finest City and was excited to hear of a few new kids on the block and that many of them are like-minded.

I hope to be touching base with Tom from time to time. The friendliness of his demeanor permeated his staff; as seen by Baristas having fun posing for a pic. If you haven’t ventured in to visit this early pioneer of specialty coffee in San Diego, do make it by to taste what they have on ‘tamp’. The openness and warm woods of the coffee house will invite you in and the smiles you’re greeted with will make you feel happy to stay a while and spend a little more quality time sipping your favorite espresso or tea for that matter. Although my blog is coffee focused many Roasters, like Ryan Bros, offer a beautiful selection of quality loose leaf teas.

I look forward to staying in touch and stopping by Ryan Bros when I head down to the San Diego Public Market on Wednesdays or Sundays. Just another great must stop for coffee in San Diego.

Until next time, happy coffee-ing my fine coffee loving friends!

Extraordinary Desserts in Hillcrest on 5th Avenue. They...

jpflds — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:26:00 -0700

Extraordinary Desserts in Hillcrest on 5th Avenue. They serve Zumbar Coffee for their espresso and Lion’s 100% Kona for their drip. Write-up coming soon!

theantidote: Attridge & Cole Coffee Co. Citroën H...

jpflds — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 13:12:36 -0700

theantidote:

Attridge & Cole Coffee Co. Citroën H Van

(via swissstash:)

Heart this photo set…

Seasonality & Home Brewing 101

jpflds — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 17:02:00 -0700

Did you know that if the coffee you buy does not mention from which country the bean was sourced,...

Macchiato Mondays! Coffee & Tea Collective in North Park is...

jpflds — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 15:10:05 -0700

Macchiato Mondays! Coffee & Tea Collective in North Park is serving an African/Central American blend espresso that, personally, rocks my world. Let’s just say it’s “Berry” delicious ;).

Cafe Ipe and Revolution Roasters in Leucadia. Surfing Saints,...

jpflds — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 18:52:00 -0700

Cafe Ipe and Revolution Roasters in Leucadia.

Surfing Saints, Art Projects Gone Wild & A Moment of Zen

If you’ve ever wondered what happend to the Surfing Madonna by Artist Mark Patterson, wonder no longer. It is gracing the sunny courtyard at Cafe Ipe in Leucadia.

For those of you who are regulars and avid consumers of local news, you’re probably thinking, “Duh!” Tell us something we didn’t know already.

Okay, well here goes… Get out your notepads and pencils…it’s about to get really technical for a moment. Ready? Okay. They have this amazing chewy almond cookie thingy that pairs beautifully with a simple shot of their Revolution Roasters espresso, AND it is gluten free. Easy on the taste buds and the wheat intolerant tummy. If you knew that too, well bless your heart (heavy on the sarcasm). They do have a food menu, with some delicious looking sandwich options, but as you know I’m a bit coffee-centric. If I can’t dip it in my coffee or have both in my mouth at the same time, it’s just a peripheral white noise of sorts.

For those who may have heard of this gem and still haven’t made it out for a visit, it is worth the trip my friends. I have a standing invitation to visit on a Saturday when Roaster Dan Scheibe and his wife are working their magic, doing, what Pam Kragen of the UT quoted him saying, “an art project that’s gone wild.” I have to say, Dan. I like your art. I’d say you have a real ‘palate’ for the good stuff and you can paint happy little trees all over my tongue canvas anytime. Okay, so tongue canvas doesn’t really have the appeal I was hoping for there, but you get me. Quickly, go to your happy place. Think latte art. Pretty pictures of hearts in creme…okay, better? Good.

Carrying on… Cafe Ipe is a little treasure tucked away it seems from North Coast Highway 101, until a passing train crashes your conversation disturbing the zen of its garden courtyard filled with blooming pink flowers and umbrellas that shelter you from the high afternoon sun. The train is nothing more than a comma in the conversation, however, as the warmth of the garden courtyard quickly draws you back to your company and the idea you were sharing.

It was in Cafe Ipe’s courtyard sipping coffee with friends, new and newer, that I realized, what a rewarding journey this choice to share my experiences in coffee has been so far. What incredible people I’ve come into contact with just by setting out on this path.

If you’re reading this, thank you. If you have a favorite Roaster, Coffee Cafe or Coffee House you’d like me to feature here, please write me at sdjoecoffeeblog@gmail.com.

Until next time, “Coffee Coffee,” and for those that do, “Surfy Surfy.” Just do me a favor and watch out for the “Sharky! Sharky!” ;)

Happy coffee-ing!

"I have lots of things to teach you now, in case we ever meet, concerning the message that was..."

jpflds — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 17:58:35 -0700

““I have lots of things to teach you now, in case we ever meet, concerning the message that...

Cafe Ipe post coming soon, but today… today I bought my first...

jpflds — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 16:19:00 -0700

Cafe Ipe post coming soon, but today… today I bought my first bike. I’d like to say thank you to my neighbor, Matt Myers, for hooking me up with Rob and Nicole at TREK Kearny-mesa who took care of me. Rob is also a fan of Bird Rock Coffee Roasters in La Jolla. I’m looking forward to my first bike visit with friends soon. Just waiting on my car rack and it’s a go. TGIF!

James Coffee Co. online store just opened. David James Kennedy...

jpflds — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 18:05:00 -0700

James Coffee Co. online store just opened. David James Kennedy is a small batch Roaster out of Poway, CA. He made his debut on San Diego’s coffee scene a week ago today roasting and brewing up an earthy cup of Joe with a spiced finish at Coffee For A Cause. To learn more about this local coffee roaster who also does amazing metal work, go to jamescoffeeco.com. I will be featuring him soon. I have a standing invite to come see the magic behind the scenes. Stay tuned!

I’m pretty sure a coffee addict with fresh botox...

jpflds — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:51:58 -0700

I’m pretty sure a coffee addict with fresh botox injections could work up a pretty nasty furrow when hearing these five words…

Coffee For A Cause II Thanks Jared Armijo-Wardle of Caffe...

jpflds — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 12:56:18 -0700

Coffee For A Cause II

Thanks Jared Armijo-Wardle of Caffe Calabria for putting this beautiful video of the event together. And thank you to EVERYONE who came out in support of the EOD Warrior Foundation from the Roasters, our volunteers and guests to our hosts at InterAmerican Coffee, who provided such a neat historic venue for the event.

Please share this short two minute video with friends and family and stay tuned for future events like this via Twitter or Facebook.

Coffee luv to you all! xo

This is where I’ll be today! We’ve sold out, so...

jpflds — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 09:01:17 -0700

This is where I’ll be today! We’ve sold out, so thank you to all who have helped share this event even if you’re unable to attend yourselves. You’ve helped to create a real community impact in San Diego.

I will be posting photos via Twitter (wifi allowing) and we have a very special person from Caffe CaLabria who will be putting together another video slideshow for us that I will share with you all. If you wanted to come and were unable to this time around, we hope to keep partnering with local causes/charities in San Diego County going forward in creative ways. And we hope to see you in the future.

Thank you for supporting me and tuning into my blog. I’ll be getting back to the business of sharing my experiences at local Roasters and Cafes with you soon.

Cheers,

Jess

My niece found this video and shared it with me. The apple...

jpflds — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 13:18:40 -0700

My niece found this video and shared it with me. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree lol. “Crappuccino” jokes aside… would you drink this coffee?

Your Sunday Funny. It’s a mini-nerdgasm. :D

jpflds — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 11:45:25 -0700

Your Sunday Funny. It’s a mini-nerdgasm. :D

In Search of Coffee & Gluten Free Pancakes

jpflds — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 12:06:38 -0700

As many of you know, after a slew of testing I found out that I’m intolerant of gluten not to...

Preventative Measures: Some coffee addicts may turn into...

jpflds — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 09:18:09 -0700

Preventative Measures: Some coffee addicts may turn into homicidal Chuck Norris at the mere suggestion that there is no coffee. If you value your life, just slip out of the house before they wake, buy more coffee in whatever form you can find it just so long as it is brewed and ready by the time they wake up. Whatever you do, do not provoke their inner Chuck Norris unless you have a death wish, or they’ve had their coffee.

Ever happened to you? Then you get me.

jpflds — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 09:01:42 -0700

Ever happened to you? Then you get me.