tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5739744319331098388.post8577423985872260644..comments2023-10-23T16:33:34.837-04:00Comments on The Masticating Monkey: My Many Frustrations with Capital Region Coffee ShopsMasticating Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00586980632713973459noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5739744319331098388.post-64421787229887685052015-11-06T00:35:04.072-05:002015-11-06T00:35:04.072-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.CrystalSChildershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14836630367252199331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5739744319331098388.post-12475353566640171472015-08-05T10:23:33.209-04:002015-08-05T10:23:33.209-04:00Gaaaaaaah! I just found this post again and saw my...Gaaaaaaah! I just found this post again and saw my original response to it. 18 months later, and everything is still terrible!!!! I know these are first world problems. But how am I supposed to ever finish this freaking paper when there are no satisfactory coffee houses at which to write!! Won't somebody think of the writers?!?!?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5739744319331098388.post-29325392322406581712015-03-09T02:03:29.080-04:002015-03-09T02:03:29.080-04:00I am always searching online for articles that can...I am always searching online for articles that can help me. There is obviously a lot to know about this. I think you made some good points in Features also. Keep working, great job!<br /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCD600xpb5yT-Z79fbw42RiA" rel="nofollow">Buy Facebook fans</a><br />mayazoehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15424160001444581838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5739744319331098388.post-89644371255492621682014-07-10T12:39:10.820-04:002014-07-10T12:39:10.820-04:00Thanks....Thanks....methttp://www.google.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5739744319331098388.post-49493129234259172342014-07-06T16:05:01.882-04:002014-07-06T16:05:01.882-04:00I Interesting post. I have been wondering about th...I Interesting post. I have been wondering about this issue,so thanks for posting.<br />To get new information visit here <br /><a href="http://www.kaffa.com.au/" rel="nofollow">mobile coffee vans brisbane</a><br /><a href="http://www.kaffa.com.au/" rel="nofollow">mobile coffee van brisbane</a>mobile coffee van brisbanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13858898055580811627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5739744319331098388.post-29376003074277355352014-02-19T20:52:10.938-05:002014-02-19T20:52:10.938-05:00Uh oh. Is Daniel B. going soft, talking about lea...Uh oh. Is Daniel B. going soft, talking about learning to adapt? <br /><br />Anyway, I can see where you're coming from--we've adapted to some extent (I've drank more Starbucks coffee than ever, but that's only when we don't feel like leaving our coffee-depressed suburban region)--but I also feel like these issues seem so silly and easily fixed that I have to hold out hope that some places will either improve or new places will move in that "get it," so to speak. <br /><br />But I can definitely believe you about the coffee, and we also need to try Tierra more. I do like a lot of things about that place, but am still not sure about it as a consistently solid working spot. Masticating Monkeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00586980632713973459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5739744319331098388.post-11172166446385419062014-02-19T17:41:37.062-05:002014-02-19T17:41:37.062-05:00Yes, more whining! It's really interesting to...Yes, more whining! It's really interesting to think about Lark Street, supposedly one of the hottest streets/parts of this city, and how little actually is happening on it at night, other than some bars.<br /><br />And the whole spraying of Windex, sometimes well before a place closes, is super annoying. No, I don't want any Windex in my drink (or even in the air while I try to concentrate), thank you very much!Masticating Monkeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00586980632713973459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5739744319331098388.post-37849681220466131932014-02-19T13:51:49.181-05:002014-02-19T13:51:49.181-05:00I think we all need to whine more. I'm especia...I think we all need to whine more. I'm especially aggravated by the lack of open hours in the evening. I live around Lark Street and I have to go out to the suburbs for a cafe/coffeehouse that's open after 8pm and that just isn't right. Not to mention that even with early closing hours, often the staff is squirting everything with Windex an hour before closing so that they can leave right after they lock the door. *fume* I'm not that picky about coffee itself either, but I would definitely like to get a cup once in awhile in town *after dinner*.LorreShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17094896522878088873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5739744319331098388.post-14817932027272027752014-02-16T21:24:02.700-05:002014-02-16T21:24:02.700-05:00When I go out to work at Prof Java, I simply place...When I go out to work at Prof Java, I simply place my order at the counter and have them bring it to me. That solves one problem.<br /><br />The saving grace of their food is that occasionally they'll have hot chocolate chip cookies, and I think they are like three for a buck (or maybe it's two). But regardless, they are crazy cheap. As cookies, they aren't amazing. But even average hot cookies are pretty freaking good.<br /><br />Personally, I like Tierra, even for working. However, I like it more when school is out of session. And I love it that they also serve beer. They are also doing great things with coffee, be it the Chemex or their nicely pulled cortados. <br /><br />During the winter months, the loft is always cozy and warm. But in the summer, you'll find me close to the vent by the window. <br /><br />I hear what you're saying, and by in large, I agree. It's just that after enough years one learns to adapt. More than anything else, I'm encouraged that the quality of coffee is increasing. You wouldn't believe how hard it was to find even a passable cappuccino in the Capital Region seven years ago.Daniel B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12353177111795607733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5739744319331098388.post-15959050583372000122014-02-16T13:47:47.591-05:002014-02-16T13:47:47.591-05:00We're definitely on the same wavelength here. ...We're definitely on the same wavelength here. The only places where I've encountered this same issue is in rinky-dink towns in the Midwest. But here, as you said, I think there is a market for a coffee shop like we desire. Problem is, I think so many restaurateurs and business owners out here are copycats who can't expand their ideas beyond those they see right in front of them already in this region. Masticating Monkeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00586980632713973459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5739744319331098388.post-73672464426316997462014-02-15T14:40:59.881-05:002014-02-15T14:40:59.881-05:00I have had a UG employee tell me that it's ok ...I have had a UG employee tell me that it's ok to skip the food line to order a beverage. Of course, at the time I had already been waiting in the stupid food line for 20 minutes, so I was somewhat less than pleased to receive this news.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5739744319331098388.post-50266326950187044702014-02-15T14:35:35.061-05:002014-02-15T14:35:35.061-05:00You are 100% correct. The coffee shops here almost...You are 100% correct. The coffee shops here almost universally suck -- in fact, I think you give them too much credit. Profesor Java's is closest to being acceptable, if they would just let go of their stupid table service routine (we can order at the counter and then sit down, thank you). and upgrade their food options a bit then I would be pleased. All I want is a place with good coffee, good sandwiches, and a comfortable atmosphere for work. Every other city I have ever lived in (and I've lived in a bunch) have at least one or two coffee shops that fit the bill. The capital region has ZERO. None. Zip. Zilch. Coffee shop owners, take note: you are doing a terrible job. Potential coffee shop owners, take note: the bar is very low, you could do way better than any of these folks with very little effort, and many of us would flock to you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5739744319331098388.post-15449547621304985492014-02-13T12:10:25.999-05:002014-02-13T12:10:25.999-05:00So the places that come to mind: Caffe Vero does o...So the places that come to mind: Caffe Vero does offer almond milk (and I believe for no extra charge), and Hudson River also has it, from what I can recall (can't remember if it was an extra charge there--I think maybe not).Masticating Monkeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00586980632713973459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5739744319331098388.post-51808037257792071712014-02-13T11:59:28.303-05:002014-02-13T11:59:28.303-05:00Our location certainly doesn't help--the only ...Our location certainly doesn't help--the only good thing is the proximity to Ala Shanghai! We mostly chose this spot for proximity to K's job, but we're considering other areas. Near Lark is tough, though, unless we can find a place for our two cars.<br /><br />I think the way things are so spread out in this region doesn't help; I was just thinking about that a day or two ago. Of course that doesn't prevent all the Starbucks from being constantly packed, which I like to think means other places could do well, too, in those areas. Masticating Monkeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00586980632713973459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5739744319331098388.post-20361174710086095032014-02-13T04:40:47.550-05:002014-02-13T04:40:47.550-05:00Could part of your general frustration stem from t...Could part of your general frustration stem from the fact that you chose to live in Latham or Watervliet? If you're going to live in the Capital Region, it might be worth investigating living off Lark Street, maybe on Willett near Washington Park or on one of the streets south of Lark. That way you'd have lots of walkable options. But more to your point... yes, Albany is a government town, and places close early. The region is also very spread-out and not heavily populated, and although there are a number of colleges within it, doesn't attract many creative types. Hence the early closures and the lack of many really good cafe/coffeehouse options. I go to The Daily Grind and Caffe Vero once in a while, but when it comes to coffee, I'm afraid that 90% of the time I make it at home and rely on mail-order from Graffeo in North Beach to obtain it.caravan70https://www.blogger.com/profile/16389706101718558079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5739744319331098388.post-54976409043586001602014-02-12T12:51:21.167-05:002014-02-12T12:51:21.167-05:00To go along with your soy/almond milk argument...d...To go along with your soy/almond milk argument...does anyone have go to places that even offer almond milk? That's my choice when I'm making coffee at home but have never seen it in a local coffee shop.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5739744319331098388.post-56112663356484082112014-02-11T15:31:09.468-05:002014-02-11T15:31:09.468-05:00This is good to hear. I don't want to be THAT...This is good to hear. I don't want to be THAT GUY. But the whole setup there is kind of wonky and annoying. Maybe more of a Panera-style arrangement could work?Masticating Monkeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00586980632713973459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5739744319331098388.post-50894647925504546192014-02-11T14:36:54.225-05:002014-02-11T14:36:54.225-05:00At Uncommon Grounds in Albany, there always seem t...<em>At Uncommon Grounds in Albany, there always seem to be so many people in line to get food, and then sitting down to eat, that even though there's no table service the wait time in line can be a little long. (I also always wonder if I need to wait in line behind the food orderers if I'm just getting a drink--is it okay to cut the line in those circumstances?)</em><br /><br />In my experience, it is fair game to cut if you're just getting a drink. Perhaps less clear cut (oof) is the "while I'm waiting for my sandwich, can I just go ahead, get my drink, and pay." I say that's also fair, but some may disagree. (The line situation at UG Albany is frustrating -- I think anything that moves people along faster is a good idea.)Gregnoreply@blogger.com