Coffee in Europe

Last week, I traveled to Europe for the first time. I went on a study abroad trip with my college for a conference in Belgium. After the conference we traveled to Croatia, Bosnia, and Serbia. After a flight that left Toronto at 6pm and arrived in Brussels at 7am, consisting of 7 hours airtime and no sleep, I needed coffee. We put our belongings in a storage room in our hostel and went to a cafe called EXKi. After eating my croissant with Brie cheese (delicious) I decided I wanted to buy a coffee to sip while we walked around. I also wanted to see how Europe did their fancy coffee drinks, so I ordered a Mocaccino Frappé. Maybe it was the language barrier between me and the workers, but they seemed confused as to how they should be making it. The drink ended up being a highly concentrated chocolatey espresso drink over ice. In America, Frappé usually means it would be blended. I was confused but didn’t mind so I hoped for the best, paid for the drink, and left. Not that the drink was bad but it wasn’t the most enjoyable because of how strong the chocolate flavor was. My theory is that people don’t order those drinks often in Europe so they weren’t too sure how to make it. From there on out I stuck to regular coffee, or at least regular European coffee. Coffee in Europe is not your typical large cup of filtered coffee grounds. Instead they drink espresso. While I was a little confused how to order at first, I got down the pattern of asking for a coffee with milk, which I then expected to come in a cup that was 3 inches tall. I was not opposed to this in any way... I love me some espresso. Plus, drinking the bigger sized American coffee takes me a couple hours to finish whereas European coffee takes me about 20 minutes to finish. I started to branch out and try cappuccinos and macchiatos, and I truly enjoyed them. They were different from the ones I was used to but I liked it. They didn’t have all those flavor shots and sugars weighing down the true taste of the coffee. In Bosnia, the coffee was a lot more bitter. But in Croatia, I was able to find the best cup of coffee I had on this side of the Atlantic. We were on our way to explore the market and shops and stopped to grab breakfast. We stopped at a little bakery on the road closest to the Adriatic Sea and I ordered coffee with milk and a chocolate custard braided pastry. I would go to this place and eat this exact breakfast every day of my life if I could. The coffee wasn’t bitter and almost tasted slightly sweet with the milk that was used. I wanted that cup to last forever it was so delicious. This was only my first time in Europe, so I can’t wait to begin exploring more coffee shops in Europe, and beyond, the more I travel throughout my life. Until then, I’ll have to put up with American filtered coffee and ordering my oversized lattes and macchiatos with way too much sugar.

The start of my coffeehouse adventures

Recently I thought back to the first cafe I went to. I was 11, and it was jazz night. I was with my friend at the time and her grandparents, people who were always taking us out to try new things. I remember walking in and feeling like I’ve discovered a whole different world. I loved how everyone there was relaxed and enjoying themselves. I ordered a vanilla cappuccino and a pastry (or at least I think I did) but it was 9 years ago, so my memory is a bit hazy. That was the moment I realized I had found my new favorite place. It wasn’t until my freshman year of high school when I truly started to regularly hang out in coffee shops and cafes. Me and my friends would often go out to the movies or to a school function and then end our night at SPoT Coffee in Williamsville, NY. They often had open mic night or small new bands performing on Thursday nights. Normally they have funky music playing, never mainstream pop. Both added to a cool atmosphere we always enjoyed. This coffeehouse gave me so much in my 4 years of high school. I went there for celebrations, serious talks, to cram for exams and to just enjoy the company of my best friends. Now I have found so many new and exciting coffee shops near my college and even in my hometown, as I begin to explore the space around me more and more. But truly I owe it to that day in sixth grade when I found a place I love, and always will.

A New Homey Place in Town

The Stoneyard Breakfast Company is a new place in Brockport, New York, with a unique history and new atmosphere. Stoneyard Breakfast Company used to be one of the biggest bars in town and was named Rocco's.

Rocco's shut down at the end of 2015 due to alleged underaged drinking according to Executive Editor, Kiara Alfonseca from The Stylus.

"A proceeding investigating the complaints, made by Brockport Chief of Police Daniel Varrenti, was held Dec. 23 by the New York State Liquor Authority. Following the hearing, Rocco’s liquor license was removed," Alfonseca said.

Rocco's was a place where students from the College at Brockport would go on the weekends, and students say it was often overcrowded and not very safe. The Stylus also reported that Rocco's was known for various incidents "including a murder, and multiple cases of disorderly conduct and fights."

Now, the Stoneyard Breakfast Company, sold to and remodeled by the successful owners of the Stoneyard Brewing Co., has a completely new vibe.

A former patron of Rocco's explains how she thinks the place has changed and improved. She has asked to stay anonymous for undetermined reasons.

"The restaurant was such a transformation from Rocco’s. Instead of a table top for people to dance on in the middle of the floor, classic wooden tables created an inviting atmosphere that made eating there feel like you were at home," the patron said. "The owners of Stoneyard Breakfast Co. did an amazing job at taking just your average dive bar, and turning it into an unique and extravagant place to our already incredible town."

In my opinion one of the best additions to this new restaurant is the wall of mugs that you choose from to make your coffee. Every mug is different, giving you the option to pick one that speaks to you best, just like choosing your favorite mug from your cupboard at home.

The restaurant was decked out in holiday cheer with Christmas lights and a Christmas tree in the middle of the restaurant. It felt like home and the food was delicious too. Most of the food came out in a skillet giving it a rustic feel, and my whole table, including my friend Kayla Green, enjoyed their meals. 

"I thought the food was amazing and the menu was unique, not your typical breakfast foods. The price was average and I thought it was worth it overall. I would go back again because there's a lot more I want to try," Green said.

I would have to agree with Green and I believe it's another hidden treasure in Brockport, NY. Stoneyard Breakfast Company will definitely see us again, and I hope they see you there too.

Hot Skillet Cinnabon 

A weekend of "firsts."

Trying new things for the first time is a risk, but usually the outcome is beneficial to you.

This weekend I went to SPoT Coffee in Buffalo, NY, and I tried a Macchiato for the first time. I was picturing your average Caramel Macchiato, however, I received a tiny ceramic cup which looked like something you might play with at a tea party.

Photo Credit to Aubrey K. from Yelp.com

I figured I would try it even though it looked strange, and it was nothing like I expected. It was just 2 shots of espresso and foamed milk on top. Not the sweet creamy caramel-y latte tasting drink I am used to.

However, now I understand the espresso drinks a bit more and will always clarify before purchasing.

Someone else who had a first experience this weekend was my friend, Katie Watts. Watts had SPoT coffee for the first time and was there to laugh with me and share the experience I had with the Macchiato.

Watts came home with me for Thanksgiving break because she is from the United Kingdom, studying abroad at The College at Brockport for a year.

Watts had the opportunity to experience the true life of an American family.

"I went to Niagara Falls for the first time, I went to Buffalo for the first time... I had my first Friends-Giving, I had my first Thanksgiving,  I feel like I had a proper first taste at what it's like to live as an American and live in an American family which was really fun," Watts said.

Some of the other places she was able to go to for the first time were Marshall's, Hobby Lobby, P.F. Chang's, The Elmwood Village, Delaware Park, and one of Downtown Buffalo's newest restaurant additions, The 716.

"I got to experience proper chicken wings in Buffalo so that was really fun and really tasty," Watts said.

A lot of the food in America is really different and Watts says she has enjoyed tasting so many new things. Besides true Buffalo chicken wings, Watts had cornbread, banana cream pie, a Tim Horton's iced capp, monkey bread, and of course a Thanksgiving dinner, all for the very first time.

Watts said the Thanksgiving dinner was similar to a British Sunday Roast, and that there were many similarities in her experiences as well.

Watts is glad to have had the opportunity to experience life in America, and she can't wait to tell her family back home all about it as well. She even already began to share by FaceTiming her family and friends while at Niagara Falls, so that they could experience the moment with her.

Katie and I agreed that the most fun moments of the weekend were the unplanned adventures we encountered, as the spontaneity led to even more firsts.

"I feel like this week has been the best week I've had since being in America and like its been so much fun and I've never been made to feel so welcome in one of my friends houses here before," Watts said.

This weekend has reminded me that there is always room for firsts. I was born and raised in Buffalo, but I was able find new adventures in the same places I had already been, just with new people.

An Escape from Discrimination

Christopher Rendon is a student at the College at Brockport who loves to go to coffee shops.

Rendon took the time to explain to me why he feels as though coffee shops offer a non-discriminatory atmosphere as opposed to other places, such as McDonalds.

In his opinion, the people are what make the difference. He explained to me how workers in coffee shops are attentive and caring, as opposed some unkind people he has met in other places.

Rendon has been discriminated against for being Mexican, but he has never felt judged for the color of his skin in coffee shops.

Rendon told me his favorite coffee shop is one at home, Caffé Bene, and how he was able to relate it to a place in Brockport, Java Junction. He explains how these places have comfortable furniture, and they feel like home, so they create an environment which he enjoys spending his time in.

Finding new beans.

As I visit New York City for the fifth time, I am still amazed by the hundreds of unique people who surround me.

From the Halal street vendors to the hyperactive New York Stock Exchange Workers to the Billionaire CEO’s, I got to see it all. New York brings a different experience every time you go, especially when you start to get away from the typical tourist type of places.

Even though Time Square is one of these tourist places, the one thing I love to see is the different street performers. Now I’m not talking about the people who dress up like Disney characters. I mean the ones who are performing for the love of their talent, or because their homeless and have to perform in order to get dinner to their mouth.

Among my favorites this trip around was the man painted silver, a saxophone player, and the guy who did a side flip over seven people.

The people there all have a story, and not the type of story you hear every day.

Just as there are a lot of different people, there are a lot of different places to go. Of course there’s the chains like H&M and T.G.I. Friday’s, but there’s also a lot of unique places hidden in the nooks and crannies if you zoom into the map on your phone far enough.

That being said, of course you can find a Starbucks on every corner, but there’s hundreds of other coffee places that you have probably never tried before, and they are probably right next door.

When me and my friends arrived at the city last time around, we came out from the subway station by Central Park, ready for breakfast.

I voice commanded Siri, “Coffee near my location.” Of course, several popped up.

I could have chose the closest Starbucks to my location, but we ended up walking a block over to a place called Paris Baguette. Now although this is also a chain,we had never tried it before (since it’s only a chain near the coast in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania).

We never made a better decision in our life. No lie, I got the best frappe and cheese danish I’ve ever had. But I never would’ve had it if I didn’t step back and say, let’s look for something new, something that’s not Starbucks.

Now don’t get me wrong, I do love Starbucks. If it wasn’t so overpriced and a little more accessible to my location, I’m sure I would have it on the daily. I am a gold member after all.

Just because Starbucks is a chain, doesn’t mean you can’t have a unique experience while you’re there. After all, it is what you make of it and how you interact with the people while there.

Something which I saw in New York when I was grabbing my Starbucks for the 8 hour bus ride home, was an effort to de-chain the place.

By this I mean the Starbucks I went to was trying to do something which the other places weren’t, or at least which I had never seen before. They were hosting tasting of coffees from around the world.

I thought this was a nice twist on Starbucks because educates people on the different coffee’s representing all the different cultures which New York is home to.

Not enough people care to know the difference between the coffee’s of different regions, so it’s nice to see that extra step to connect with people and let them taste the difference between each culture. The sign they had out also educates people on the differences between the coffees so even if they can’t come to the tasting, they can learn about the history and background behind the beans.

This is a small step of knocking down the typical chain atmosphere of Starbucks, and it goes to show that every place no matter what can offer a new and interesting experience.

That being said, I encourage you to go out there and try something new. Email me your findings at coffeemaniacglobal@gmail.com