Coffee Crazed
Let's face it: The best part of waking up does not include Folgers coffee in your cup
Whether you're trying to get through a 10-page sociology paper, read 100 pages for bio or just need a little warming up on a cold day, don't do it with coffee from a can. It's kind of like drinking vodka from a plastic bottle — it's cheap and it tastes horrible. Instead, opt for some local coffee shop brews and get it fresh.
Ken Davids, editor of The Coffee Review online, says, "The green color of the coffee bean, the way in which it is roasted and how it is brewed all contribute to the quality and character of the final experience of the coffee."
Just ask Ashley Somerhalder, barista at Milton's Coffee and Wine, 920 Massachusetts St. She says the reason Milton's coffee tastes so smooth is the bean they use, Thanksgiving roast. Thanksgiving beans were rated No. 2 in The Coffee Review
online 2004's 12 best coffee beans and are Milton's most popular order. Buy a cup to go for $1 or hang out at your table and enjoy a bottomless mug for only$ 1.50. It's inexpensive and delicious. Now that's more like it.
But Milton's is just one of many Lawrence coffee shops that serves fresh tasting coffee. Henry's, 11 E. Eighth St., makes coffee from PT's Coffee Company beans out of Topeka. PT's is a Kansas micro-roaster, meaning they roast their coffee beans in small batches. That, in turn, creates a smooth, full-bodied coffee taste.
So just remember, if you need a cup of coffee to make it through your 9:30 a.m. class; keep it fresh, find it local and stay away from the can.
Coffee Café Glossary
Café au lait
One part brewed coffee mixed with one to two parts of steamed milk.
Brewed coffee
Coarse-ground coffee steeped in hot water.
Caffe latté
Cappuccino
One part espresso mixed with two parts steamed milk topped with froth.
In the shop
Equal parts espresso, steamed milk and froth.
Espresso
Hot water forced through finely ground dark coffee.
Caffé Macchiato
Espresso mixed with a spoonful of froth.
Mocha
Espresso mixed with steamed milk and chocolate syrup.
At Henry's
What's your favorite coffee drink?
"Grande dark brewed coffee. Just black and premium, that's how I like it." Jerod Meagher, Leavenorth freshman, says.
"Double tall latte. Every time." Noelle Alexander, Santa Fe, N.M., senior, says.
At Starbucks
Photos by Kit Leffler
Barista Ashley Somerhalder, Topeka senior, prepares a mocha while working at Milton's Coffeehouse on Massachusetts St. Friday afternoon.
Super short supper
Lasagna Rolls
12 lasagna noodles, cooked
4 oz. (1/2 cup) shredded mozzarella cheese
15 oz. ricotta cheese
1/2 cup frozen spinach, thawed and drained
Salt and pepper to taste
Pinch of parsley
Pinch of nutmeg
Pinch of basil
16 oz. pasta sauce of your choice
In a medium mixing bowl, combine cheeses, spinach and season with salt and pepper. Add basil, parsley and nutmeg and mix together. Lay lasagna noodles flat on a cutting board. Place 2 tablespoons of the cheese mixture on the end closest to you. Carefully roll halfway, flatten a little with a gentle pat and then continue to roll to the end. Repeat this with the remainder of the cheese mixture and pasta.
Heat pasta sauce, either on stovetop or in microwave. Place 3 rolls at a time in a microwave-safe dish; cover and microwave on high for one and a half minutes. Repeat with remainder of rolls. Pour hot pasta sauce over each roll. Top with parsley and sprinkle with cheese.
Maha Masud
Source: Debra Sawyers: Sawyers-Specialties.com © Copyright 2001 - 2005
St
Milton's Coffee & Wine 920 Massachusetts St.
Food: Eat breakfast (7 a.m. to 2 p.m.) to fully enjoy the lively atmosphere and tasty coffee. Breakfast options include omelets, Applewood-smoked bacon, biscuits and gravy, French toast and pastries. For lunch or dinner (11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. or until 2:30 p.m.Sunday) try its unique house salad with the jalapeño-lime blue cheese dressing. Other favorites: three-meat Italian sandwich, black bean burger with guacamole and oven-fired pizzas.
Price range: $3 to$ 10.
Date-worthiness: Private tables, not-so-private scene.
Booze: Wine, beer, cocktails and occasional drink specials.
Attire: Casual.
Seating: Sit outside in the sun, inside at a table or belly up to the bar.
Bring Mom along? Absolutely. She'll love the local art and comfortable feel of this classic Lawrence restaurant and coffee shop.
—Britta Florman