Day 2, San Francisco

My homie, Elliot Sun hipped me to the new shop in his neighborhood, Contraband.  he stays on Russian Hill and its just down Larkin from his place.

the synesso was a good sign...

my shot of Ethiopian Yirgacheffe single origin espresso in a real shot glass wasn't.  not that there really is a prob with it.  my reaction made me feel like a Portlandia sketch but i wanted a demi...

coffee is always better with a big pellegrino.  see the bianchi in the background, marinating?

Ethiopia Yirgacheffe, Grade 3 Single Origin Espresso.  the pre-infusion lasted way too long.  i counted 12 seconds, at least.  definitely extracted a ton coffee before he moved the paddle to 9 bars.  he didn't pay much attention.  i was also interested in the sideways tamping style.  wanted to ask about it but didn't.  my espresso was decent.  i had a lot of Grade 3 Yirgacheffe from Seattle Coffee Works so i kinda knew what to expect.  again, few distinguishable characteristics.  passable.  not as floral as i would have liked.  no real fruit to speak of.

The pourover was Kenya Peaberry.  Blueberry, drying effect like grapefruit or even walnuts?  tasty.  

The shop design was pretty sick.  modern, lots of laptops, reminded me of the Pike Street Fish Fry.  if i lived in this hood i would frequent this place.  Synesso, laptop friendly, outdoor seating, single origin espresso.  maybe i would bring my own demitasse?

Me, Elliot, and his wife Danica went back later in the afternoon...

i ordered a Bali Organic pourover.  bitter, sharp, no cocoa, no berry.  i think they buy from the same lot as Seattle Coffee Works because the coffees had the same descriptions and labels.  This Bali was not like my Bali.