"coffeeshop" news and stories

Though the South Beach, Florida store in question was closed for renovations this past Sunday, some mothers gathered at a Starbucks and held a "nurse-in" to protest the expulsion of a woman named Nicole Coombs from the store. Coombs claims that she was asked to leave for breast-feeding her 4-month old son. The Starbucks manager, however, maintains that Coombs was asked to leave for changing her baby's diaper on one of the tables in the cafe.

Coombs states that the store manager asked her to leave while she was breastfeeding. She said she would leave as soon as she was done, because she was so outraged that she did not want to remain in the store. Then, according to Coombs, she proceeded to change her baby's diaper. She does not deny that she changed the baby on the table where people ordinarily eat. Now, the store manager says that he did not say anything to Coombs about breast feeding, which is perfectly acceptable in the store. He contends that he approached her as she changed her baby on the table and asked her to stop. When she refused, she was asked to leave.

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It's the latest thing, dontcha know? As follower of coffee shop culture and aficionado of the cupcake craze, I come to you, the leading expert in the field (says me), to announce: mini-cupcakes in coffee shops are the latest things. Bagels? Yes, they're a staple of at-the-desk breakfasters everywhere, but they're so over. Cinnamon rolls are on the way out. Oatmeal cookies - hey, everyone loves oatmeal cookies - but how can you choose cookies over itsy bites of creamy buttery frosting and soft spongy bits of cake?

I found these delicacies at Sydney's, 1800 NW 16th, the hippest thing in Portland, Ore.'s coffee destinations. The ones at Small World Coffee, 14 Witherspoon St., during my trip to Princeton, NJ were even better. As I hit my favorite coffeeshops from one coast to another, I keep seeing the ubiquitous mini-cupcake and I'm here to tell you: this trend rocks. And now it's how you'll know your coffeeshop is truly with it.

[Photos Sarah Gilbert]

I'm the sort of woman who falls in love easily. Never fear, my husband's honor isn't in any danger. No, I fall in love with proprietors of cafes, coffee shops, and bakeries. I flit from one to the next, never falling out of love exactly, but giving my heart - and my dollar - far more fully to whoever's the newest sweet-o-my-heart.

This week, my one true love is Li Doyle, whose name I only know from Googling her. Her establishment is Patisserie Cafe Lili (which should, if I do my French right, be Cafe Patisserie Lili, but - oh well), and it's in the tony antique-shopping neighborhood of Sellwood here in Portland. It's a few miles from my house, and would normally be way out of my way - except for when I make a pilgrimage to "The Bins," the Goodwill outlet (Portland's ultimate thrift experience - oh how I love it).

During my last pilgrimage, I needed coffee, and saw this friendly-seeming cafe only a few blocks away. I parked and ran to the front door only to realize it was still in a pre-grand-opening mess. I walked back to my car, disappointed. I'd opened my door when the owner ran out. "Let me make you a drink!" she said eagerly.

How could I refuse? She chatted eagerly, showing me her almost-completed kitchen and proudly telling of her accomplishment in opening this retail outlet (she's been baking wholesale for years). She fixed me a latte despite her unprepared state. She refused money, making me take my dollars back, and asked me just to come back once the cafe was opened.

It's open now, and you can bet I'll be visiting frequently, far though it is from my daily grind. I'm in love with Li, and while it lasts, she'll be getting all my attention and - most importantly - a good deal of my money.

I like to call the Red and Black Cafe in Portland, Ore. the Socialist coffee shop. It's a subversive place full of ratty couches, angry radicals and server-owners who are forever forgetting what you've ordered. But the food, well, it's worth all the trouble. Like this homemade organic granola, served with its own pitcher of milk. It's crunchy, nutty, with plump raisins, and just the teeniest bit sweet (never with refined white sugar), the very epitome of health. And delicious to boot. Get it with a pot of one of the house blend herbal teas... even though that will take an extra 10 minutes and you'll have to remind your server at least twice. You'll still thank me for turning you on to the Red and Black.

[Photo Sarah Gilbert]

I'm typing from my favorite coffee shop, the one I typically escape to when my babysitter shows up. I work, I write, I sip delicious coffee and enjoy not having children hanging from my arm. Usually, the coffee here is of the highest order: freshly brewed, just-roasted, and the lattes are some of the best in miles.

But today, the coffee is disappointing, watery and lukewarm, and the service non-stellar. I had to search for my own utensil for the apple crisp (on "special!"), and it's not like he was busy - he was just wrapped up in chatting with his musician buddy and not paying attention. So, what should I do:

1. tip generously as usual (because after all, free wifi) and ignore it;
2. let go with my chintzy 50-cent tip (that was my change, which I left on the counter), letting that speak volumes; or
3. bring it up with the owners when I see them next, gently (I've made a point of complimenting the really good baristas in the past)

WWSD (What Would Slashfoodies Do)?