And the winners are...!

At the beginning of this adventure my brother and I were not very familiar with the different coffees or the brewing process and still have much to learn. As we continued our quest we learned how much we still don't know and are excited to continue learning about coffee!

With what little we did know however, the "coffee" that won our hearts was found at Olympia Coffee Roasters downtown Oly. They're all organic and take time to perfect each cup. Second place for coffee was Batdorf and Bronson.

If we were beginners with the coffee aspect of coffee shops, we weren't beginners with the "atmosphere" of coffee shops! As far as environment is concerned, our highest ratings may very well forever go to Cutters Point on Lacey Blvd. They have practically everything we could ask for in a coffee shop but this of course could vary widely with who you are and what you do with your time spent in coffee shops. There are many unique coffee shops in town and we shared some awesome experiences. When we're not so busy and after we've learned more about coffee, Isaiah and I would love to do a different critique of the coffee shops focusing on their brews, drinking just black coffee or straight shots and experience the world of coffee we have much yet to learn about!

• Olympic Crest is the cheapest coffee shop
• Sizizis is open 24/7
• Batdorf has an awesome tasting room close to the farmer's market
• Olympia Coffee Roasters is the only 100% organic shop
• Starbucks is the most popular!
• C & D Gourmet serves their own home-made donuts
• Fusion is owned by Capital Christian Center and most proceeds go to the youth
• Burial Grounds is the creepiest shop in town
• Java Flow is said to be the first shop opened in Oly
• Cutters Point is home to most of my friends
• Mudbay sells awesome shirts
• Sertinos sometimes plays saxophone music
• Forza closed..

Not Your Everyday Joe Espresso

1550 Irving St. Tumwater (360)489.0419

Wifi: Belkin_N+_A0867C

Coffee: Dark Roast; Dillanos Roasters

Hannah (6) The drink is a nice consistency but a little too sweet. Also tried a normal latte with no flavor: it's alright.

Isaiah: (7 1/2) Great drink, mine was a little sweet as well but not in a bad way. Overall the coffee flavor is very good. They use a powdered chai and flavors come in vanilla or spiced.

Foam art? No
Heat: 140, extra hot 150
Size Range: 12oz, 16oz, 20oz
Price: I-$4.27 (16oz) H-$3.26 (12oz)
For Here? Yes

Environment: This is not like most typical shops we've visited because it's not a drive through or in a store shop bu a sweet convenient little shop with extended seating into a cozy stair well. The owner is pretty nice and knows her patrons. They support local businesses and also offer military/student discounts.

Baristas: Very personable and friendly.
Seating: Good seating; comfortable; poor outlet availability.
Music: I think it's alright; Christmas music right now.

Parking: Pretty good.
Population: Three at 11:45am (Thurs)
Drive Through? No

Hannah (7 1/2) It's a nice little shop that's been fixed up very well. The coffee could be better but it's a surprisingly comfortable environment. It's a good support of local business which is nice.

Isaiah (7 1/2) Very smal but very friendly shop. It's very clean and not cluttered or cramped for it's size.

C & D Gourmet Coffee Company

203 A- 4th Ave Olympia (360)943.14.34

Wifi: C & D Gourmet Coffee Company 2

Coffee: Bohemian Blend; Batdorf & Bronson Roasters

Hannah (7 1/2): Excellent Coffee, but too sweet! Nicely done drink other than the amount of flavor added.

Isaiah (8): Exceptionally good. I have no complaints; they definitely know how to make a great coffee!

Foam art? Almost
Heat: 145 (by feel)
Size Range: 8oz, 12oz, 16oz, 20oz
Price: I-$4.20 (16oz) H-$3.11 (12oz)
For Here? Yes.

Environment: A cute little shop. A very friendly, laid-back environment. It smells a bit like oil because they make their own donuts. It's warm and cozy and the guy even gave us a sample of donuts.

Baristas: Very friendly
Seating: Pretty good for this small shop. Two couches and two tables. Outlet availability if fair.
Music: Nice.
Parking: Awful; downtown parking.
Population: Three people at 10:20am (Thurs)
Drive Through: No

Hannah (8 1/2): I like this coffee shop pretty well except that I'm leaving here smelling like oil. It's a cute shop with home-baked goods in the center of downtown. I like it.

Isaiah (8): Great little shop, definitely quiet and relaxing. Less of a "hang-out" place and more a place to stop in while window shopping. It's very nice and friendly. The guy who works here even bakes the cookies and muffins himself. He even uses his own chicken's eggs and uses a lot of organic products.

Burial Grounds

406 Washington St. Olympia (360)359.4285

Wifi- Burial Grounds

Coffee: Firecracker Espresso; Roaster X

Hannah: (4) Actually one of the only lattes I really don't feel like finishing..Didn't enjoy it at all.

Isaiah: (5) Distinct cocoa-like flavor of espresso, but wasn't too fond of it. It was hard to finish.

Foam Art? No
Heat: By feel.
Size Range: 12oz, 16oz, 20oz
Price: I-$4.61(16oz) H-$3.47(12oz)
For Here? Yes

Environment: It's open and friendly, hospitable, but morbid. There are high ceilings, moderate outlet availability. Super awesome seating; definitely comfortable. The theme of the coffee shop is death which is timely as we're visiting this coffee shop right before Halloween.

Baristas: Open to conversation, friendly and familiar with patrons.
Seating: Some of the best in town!
Music: So so..
Parking: Awful
Population: 5 @ 2:30pm (Tue.)
Drive Through? No

Hannah: (6) Personally I don't prefer the morbid decor, but the coffee shop has some excellent features. The roasters they buy from specialize in dark roast but the coffee just didn't taste good in my opinion.

Isaiah: (6) Very good seating, I like the option of free-to-use computers. Very Metal-band feeling and decor. Wasn't too happy about the dark roast taste though.

Olympia Coffee Roasters

108 Cherry St. Olympia (360)753.0066

Wifi: Olympia Coffee Roasters

Coffee: Big Truck; Olympia Coffee Roasters.

Hannah: (9) Excellent drink. All I have to say.

Isaiah: (9) Just about perfect. They've definitely got down the art of espresso.

Foam art? Yes!!
Heat: By feel.
Size Range: 12oz, 16oz, 24oz.
Price: I-4.43(16oz) H-3.68(12oz)
For here? Yes

Environment: It's a warm and inviting coffee shop. Classy. It's quite enjoyable though not in a practical sense. It's small and definitely coffee oriented. :) We like the windows allowing for a glance at the coffee roasting. Four tables, having two seats apiece make it tight.

Unique or Unusual: They only have 3 syrups here: vanilla, hazelnut, and chocolate.

Baristas: Awesome. Super friendly, super generous. Offered to give us free shots to try them and a tour of the roasting area.
Seating: Not good, there's not enough.. only 2 tables with outlet availability. (Cool tables though!)

Music: Horrible
Parking: Awful
Population: 8 at 12:30pm
Drive Through? No

Hannah: (9) Though they don't have some of the things we typically look for in a coffee shop, we don't just consider those things plainly. We look for unique and/or awesome coffee experiences, and this one provides that. They have amazing coffee and are super friendly and hospitable. They take their coffee seriously and take the art into mastery.

Isaiah: (9) ^agree.. Definitely an awesome experience and they care about their coffee. Anyone can just make shots but these guys I feel are true pros, and the friendliness is very welcoming.

Starbucks

4700 Avery Lane, Lacey (360)491.8927

Wifi: Network 8 (attwifi)

Coffee: Espresso Blend; Starbucks Roasters

Hannah: (9) This is surprisingly awesome! It's a wonderful drink. They usually add too much vanilla but this is perfect.

Isaiah: (5 1/2) Tastes like a normal cup of chai. Really not too much to say about this one. If anything, it tastes just a little watered down but it's not bad.

Foam art? No
Heat: 165, extra hot 170
Size Range: 12oz, 16oz, 20oz
Price: I-$5.26 (16oz) H-$3.15 (12oz)
For here? Yes


Environment: This Starbucks has the best outdoor seating of all the coffee shops we've been to this year. The interior is nice and typical for Starbucks. It's hard floors and high ceiling make it louder and less relaxing but the set up is organized and there is excellent outlet availability.

Baristas: We didn't have much interaction but they seem friendly.
Seating: Tables and 4 lounge chairs which is nice because most Starbucks only have 2 lounge chairs.
Music: Nice background; it's hardly noticable.
Parking: Great.
Population: 10 at 6pm Mon. not including outdoors
Drive Through? Yes


Hannah: (8) I really like this shop. It's a very nice Starbucks and for our short summers, it has great outdoor seating. Free samples too! They seem to be very efficient here.

Isaiah: (8) This Starbucks is an alright place to hang out. Nice environment and the baristas are friendly enough. I could come here to play board games or read a book. Theere's plenty of outdoor and indoor seating.

Sertinos Cafe

625 Black lake Blvd Olympia (360) 786-9300

Wifi: Sertinos

Coffee: Espresso Elite Blend; Cascade Roasters

Hannah: (8 1/2) Really great. I would say a near perfect cup. Perfect temperature and foam.

Isaiah: (8 1/2) I've never tasted a better powdered chai than this. (I usually prefer liquid chai but ordered powdered because that's the standard.) But they do offer liquid chai which I'm sure would have even been better. It's truly a wonderful chai.

Foam Art? No.

Heat: Between 140-160 Extra Hot 170-180

Size Range: 8oz, 12oz, 16oz, 20oz

Price: I-$4.39(16oz) H-$3.09(12oz)

For Here? Yes

Environment: This warm and relaxing shop has the feeling of a classy restaurant. The combination of a deli and coffee shop make this a neat place to come. It is in much contrast to the other coffee shop in the mall being quiet and simple. The baristas serve your drink or food at your table with is nice too.

Baristas: Happy to serve. They provide a 1st-class atmosphere.

Music: Classical jazz which is nice for the shop giving it a different and consistent atmosphere.

Seating: Food and laptop friendly seating. There are lounge chairs and tables both.

Parking: It's the mall, so the parking isn't so great.

Population: 10 people at 4:30 Tuesday

Drive Through? No.

Hannah: (8 1/2) I thoroughly enjoy coming here and have always been satisfied. This is a great place to meet someone at a well-known location. It provides a relaxed and calming atmosphere. They serve some great selections of food here too (including cheese cake!) and a number of sandwiches.

Isaiah: (8 1/2) I love the atmosphere: Very relaxing but

doesn't feel too quiet. Excellent service and coffee. They have a nice fireplace and great variety of seating. If you come to or near the mall, this is the coffee shop to go to!