Quixotic Coffee
769 Cleveland Ave S, St. Paul, MN 55116
Would I go back? Yes
I parked a block away adjacent to the cute street of Cleveland Ave. Busy, yet quaint, it made me fall more in love with St. Paul. Quixotic Coffee sits in the midst of it all. I started my morning there with a currant scone infused with earl grey from a local bakery. YUM. Have I mentioned how much I love that we accept eating cake-like things for breakfast? Its awesome. This coffee shop is great. They have ample seating and a very minimalist style going on. I enjoy the amount of bar-style seating they have. Not all coffee shops have this and its something I really like to see. I, however, chose the couch because why not? On the walls they have hanging by an industrial wire, beautiful photographs. My guess is they come from local photographers. Although its something I've definitely seen before, it worked very well with the shop. The photos gave the store a warmer feel that I really enjoyed.
My friend and I both got a pour over. Quixotic has a fairly minimal menu which is a green light for me because that means they do the classics and they do them well. A good pour over is always a gem to find. Each cup they pour they fresh grind the coffee. Thumbs up for that. Good work. I was able to see the barista make it right in front of my eyes at the front of the counter. I appreciate being able to watch artistry. Yes, coffee is an art. A tasty art. It was an extremely enjoyable cup of coffee. If I'm ever in that neighborhood again, Quixotic will definitely be on my list to go to again. It will be a good addition to your day of shopping at the local bookstore (not that I did that or anything).
May your coffee be caffeinated,
Sarah
J & S Bean Factory
1518 Randolph Ave, St. Paul, MN 55105
Would I go back? Yes
I love St. Paul. Its a city with old charm and character, something you can't find everywhere. Most of the coffee shops I have explored have been in Minneapolis so I was excited when I got to venture back to St. Paul to try J & S Bean Factory. This place is so funky and eclectic. I had to get a coconut latte because when I find a place that makes them I always pounce on it. They are my favorite in the summer. The latte was delicious, but what made it so great was the mugs they serve their coffee in. The mug you see in my photo was one of many kinds and designs. They have a mismatch of mugs and that is so fun. When you think of your coffee mug collection at home, most of us don't have a set of twelve identical mugs. We have a mismatch of designs and each have story of where we got them and why, etc. I can imagine the people of J & S being able to tell similar stories about their mugs. It was a perfect morning to sit outside so my friend and I took advantage of the very large outdoor space they provide. I felt like I was in someones backyard; it was great. The shop is nestled at the end of a cute neighborhood street which made it feel even more quaint. There were lots of people outside, but I didn't feel like the table next to me was going to hear my conversation, it was very comfortable.
Something I have yet to try of J & S is their bean selection. That's what they are known for. An adjoining room to the coffee bar hosts a wall full of different beans they roast in house. You can even take a peak into another room where they roast the magic. They always have a special roast for the day. I am definitely going to go back and buy some beans and do some tasting. Nothing like a cup of black coffee to charm the senses. A place like this would be good to try your hand at black coffee because they have so many choices. You can choose one that resonates with you. Good work J & S! I'll be back.
May your coffee be caffeinated,
Sarah
