It was quite brisk that morning (still in the low 40's)...
and I saw that Sterling Coffee Shop was only a few minutes away. I didn't know it at the time, but this was their third move, this time to a much bigger shop than before. I didn't read up ahead on some places, which surprised me because after reading about Sterling after our visit, I was pretty impressed. I'll explain in a bit.
The coffee house looked like it had been there for awhile. In fact, they had just moved in to this spot in mid December. It was not as "sterile" as other hipster coffee shops. It was more "genteel" and dare I say, "classy". They had a William Morris botanical print backdrop, lots of seating and super friendly baristas. Sometimes I feel that places like this could be super snobby, especially if they feel certain customers aren't cool or hip enough. Not here. Their service was really impeccable. They don't call out your name, they bring your coffee out to you. They even asked us our plans for the day. I know it's just their job, but this positive attitude set them apart from other places we've been to in the past.
I wanted the flight, which was only $5.75. I was expecting two drinks in the flight; there were actually three. Bert had a mocha and we all shared the baguette with cheese.
Bert's mocha was complex and rich tasting. The dusting of cocoa powder made this mocha stand out.
As for my flight, this was "part one" according to our server. It was a single origin espresso served neat with a side of sparkling water. A Peruvian blend, it was described by our server as "citrus forward". The taste was bright, clean and yes, citrusy. The other preparation was served with a little milk and a bit smoother and mellow than the drip.
The highlight was when another barista (whom I believe was one of the owners) came out and said, "Here's part two!", and promptly served me my espresso served in this unique glass. He explained that this was a different roast than the previous types I tried on the flight.
This particular glass is a Glencairn whiskey glass; it is Scotland's official Scotch whisky glass. This glass was designed after traditional nosing glasses used by master blenders. The special shape holds in the aroma, which contributes to the drinking experience. But at Sterling, instead of whisky, it's their espresso!
I liked how enthusiastic this man was about explaining how to assess whiskey with this particular glassware. So cool!
Had I seen this video before coming here, I would have tried to swirl it, ha ha.
Bert and I savored this last espresso. You just can't knock down a drink like it was some short of tequila shot. The way the glass is shaped, your nose is really in there and you can smell what you're aboout to drink. Then you really have to tilt back the glass to just to get a little taste. Not the easiest way to drink espresso but it makes for a totally rad presentation.
At least the guy here wasn't a dick like the man at The Lab (ha ha). No, the folks here were really nice in the best possible way. The clientele, while not racially diverse (well, there was us and one black guy that we saw but...) ranged from tattooed and pierced skinny jeaned hipsters to senior citizens. Everyone was pretty much doing their own thing. The vibe was pretty chill in here. As mentioned before, it was not a sterile environment but warm and inviting. Coupled with the excellent customer service (no condescending employees) and the drinks, it was a great way to start our vacation.
Articles (from PDX Monthly):
"How Sterling Coffee Roasters found the heart of Portland cafe culture" Jan. 30, 2018
"Northwest icon Sterling Coffee Roasters relocates"Dec 5, 2017
"Sterling Coffee Roasters will relocate to a larger space this fall" June 2, 2017
plus this older article from when the original location first opened:
"Inside Adam McGovern's influential Sterling Coffee"
along with:
"Coffee Guide: Coffeehouse Sterling Coffee Roasters" Portland Food and Drink, May 27, 2017
and lastly, an article from OregonLive when they first opened as a cart:
"Buzzworthy Coffeehouse Northwest baristas will open Sterling Coffee Roasters this Sunday" Feb. 13, 2010
Here is an interesting thread about coffee being served in "snifters" in which Sterling's espresso is served:
"Espresso in snifters"
Sterling Coffee Roasters
518 NW 21st St.
Portland, OR 97209
(971) 221-0265
www.sterling.coffee + reviews from you know where, tripadvisor, foursquare
Just up the street was a nearby bakery which we saw on our way to Sterling. We would make a quick stop there before heading out to a famous view point...
2 comments:
So much coffee...so little time CC!
So true Kirk! I tried
at least two coffee places each day.
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