Julia Mayer of The French Press, working her magic on your Examiner's behalf.
The French Press, the cafe that took over the space formerly occupied by Java Jones on State and Figueroa, in conjunction with a fair trade crafts store about four months ago, makes some amazingly good coffee. We'd heard super-positive feedback on The French Press, from local media, Yelp, from other online venues, and from (gasp!) real people.
Not only did the coffee live up to its promise, the proprietors, Julia Mayer and Todd Stewart, were more than accommodating in taking some time to talk to your Coffee Examiner.
Mayer related how the pair were given a chance to share the space at 1101 State Street with Arcobaleno Trade, a shop dedicating to fair trade practices and products. Mayer told us that she'd long had a wish to open her own coffee establishment, after working in coffee for many years. But Mayer and Stewart had a mere 15 days to decide whether to undertake the insane commitment of entrepreneurship, or to wait and give it a go under less pressured circumstances.
We all lucked out that they came to their ultimate decision.
The French Press, says Mayer, is "doing things a little differently."
For one, the shop is brewing all of its regular (non-espresso) coffee via, you guessed it, French press, versus the typical method of a drip brew. To skirt the relatively long process, they don't brew the coffee to order; rather, they steep it in small batches and pour it into a receptacle, as to eliminate a wait for customers. Another interesting wrinkle is that The French Press uses (and sells) beans from Verve Coffee Roasters, a Santa Cruz-based establishment that Mayer long has had a relationship with. Artisan beans and a more work-intensive brewing process (not to mention a downtown State Street location's rent) more than justify the $2.10 for a large coffee in our view.
Even better, we indulged in a cappuccino (extra dry), and it was perfect and lovely, possibly the best we'd had since, well, a former life. We went for a small ($2.75), as we like our drips big and our espresso drinks tiny, but the largest size'll run you $3.50.
So, a truly lovely Friday the 13th, thanks to The French Press. No triskaidekaphobia here, no sir.
Comments
What is Extra Dry Cappuccino?
Basically means mostly foam, less milk (versus most caps, which are 1/3 foam., 1/3 milk, 1/3 espresso). Try it, or at least a "dry," if not "extra"! I can near guarantee fans of espresso will love it.
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