Friday Five: Fall Inspired Coffee

It was T.S. Eliot the prolific English language poet of the 20th century, who reflected on the passing of time by saying, “I have measured out my life with coffee spoons.”  For me, in the fall, I can measure the passing of the fall and winter months by the number of coffee sleeves in my recycling bin.

If you haven't noticed, or you have been living under a rock, you can feel the chill in the air when you wake up in the morning.  It's foggy in the early hours of the day and there is a frost on the ground.  The leaves are beginning to turn colors and the sun, while still bright and shiny, is slow to warm up.  It is the perfect time of year to stop by one of our many quality coffee shops on the harbor and pick up a dressed up cup of joe. 

If you are like myself, and not an avid coffee drinker, you might have trouble deciding what fall combination of flavor to add to your regular latte or mocha.  So my husband and I took it upon ourselves to canvass the harbors' coffee shops and taste what fall had to offer... here is what we came up with! 

The first thing we realized is that the standards are out there, in abundance and everyone has them.  Eggnog? They all have it.  Pumpkin Spice?  Tons of it.  However, if you want to fall of the metaphoical coffee table and take a leap into something unique you have to ask your barista for a fall drink that is something special. 

Let me start with something simple but lovely.  Gingerbread.  The word conjures up Christmasy thoughts and you can almost smell it baking in the oven.  Starbucks does a nice version of this classic wintertime treat, but I am almost positive you can find it at Consistent Cups which is right down the street and local!  With just a hint of nutmeg on top,  a gingerbread latte will get your fall morning off to a good start.  This blogger liked the spicy quality, but was looking for something a little sweeter.  Not too big on the coffee flavor, as I myself like a little coffee with my creamer.

Pumpkin anything... I know this sounds crazy, but these Baristas are putting pumpkin with everything.  Pumpkin White Chocolate, Pumpkin Pie, Pumpkin Cheesecake, Pumpkin Cupcake, Pumpkin Eggnog...the list is essentially endless.  We went for the Pumpkin Cheesecake at Coffee Brake.  No kidding, it tasted like Cheesecake, and this girl knows her cheesecake.  Instead of a regular cake for my birthdays as a kid, I always requested Cheesecake, so I know exactly what I am looking for when it comes to the creamy, cheesy flavor of classic cheesecake.  The latte was a great mix of the pumpkin flavor and creamy cheese and satisfied the craving for all things fall.  I believe I have also seen this flavor on the reader board at Spill the Beans and Fresh Pot Espresso. 

Ah Eggnog.  You must have known we would get around to it sooner or later.  Eggnog is that mysterious liquid that only shows up to the party when there are presents to be exchanged.  It hibernates through the spring and summer and only comes out to play when the ground is wet or white and the chilly air forces our tanned arms into sweaters and coats.  It is Bourbons friend and pairs well with a shot of espresso.  No flavor required with an Eggnog latte, the milk is the flavor!

New to the fall scene is Apple Pie spice.  Much like its cousin Pumpkin Pie Spice, this fruity and spicy combination has an aroma that is intoxicating.  We had this combination out at the beach, Pacific Beach to be exact.  It added much warmth to the hands and throat with its sweet flavor that reminded us of homemade apple pie (a particular favorite of my husbands).

Brown Sugar Cinnamon White Chocolate gets a whole-hearted thumbs up from this writer and her husband.  We picked this flavor combination up by the recommendation of the barista at Coffeeman.  A must for fans of sugar cookies and chocolate, it has a delicious sweet quality that manages to smell like Christmas and taste like fall all at the same time.  I happen to love white chocolate with anything, (no seriously, if I am ordering a coffee without white chocolate you should probably take my temperature as I am most likely deliriously ill) so when you add my favorite flavor to brown sugar and cinnamon it was like a party in my mouth.  A great way to wake up the senses on a cold fall morning.

What are your favorite fall lattes and mochas?  Let us know your favorite flavors and where to get them on the Harbor so we can add them to our list for next time!

(The Kids and) I Do LUNCH

I feel like some magical cosmic convergence happened yesterday. I left my house exactly on schedule with both kids in tow (probably a miracle) just in time to stew in a line of cars waiting to drive over freshly pressed oil. Some time during those extra 30 minutes of waiting to eat, my brain had fainted dramatically and refused to make any productive decisions because it-was-probably-going-to-die. Like. Any second. I started believing it was right until I was beckoned by a friendly navy blue logo shouting "LUNCH customers only. Park here." Thank you, sign.

You know how they say "Never go grocery shopping hungry"? They should said "Never pass up LUNCH when you are hungry". Erin (Owner. Sandwich Chef. Server. Cacti enthusiast.) knows how to feed people. I rushed through the inviting dining room and stood in wonderment before the giant menu board filled with food descriptions. I'm not really sure I actually read anything. I just trusted my eyes to directly connect to my gut and followed it's orders. There is no wrong answer on that board. With power words like BACON in multiple menu items, I did not feel worried. I felt like I should high-five that massive menu. I didn't because I've never met Erin before and didn't want to give her the wrong impression.

My belly chose the Turkey and Swiss with Cucumbers and Sprouts, and a cup of Aunt Bev's Wild Mushroom soup. I'm glad it was in control, because if I had been in a more stable state I would have stood in front of that menu for far to long. Everything sounded great. I do wish I could've stopped to think about taking a photo of the tower of a sandwich and well coiffed soup placed before me. Unfortunately, I didn't remember to document it until I finished a good bit of my sandwich. That, and my 2 year old heartily volunteered to slurp up my soup, whether I gave him my spoon or not. This is not a normal cold-cut sandwich. There is real, quality flaked turkey on wheat with at least half of a cucumber embraced by a generous cloud of fresh and lightly peppery sprouts. And mayo? Not normal mayo. I am pretty sure there was something special in there. Mustard? Sunbeams? It was delightful, summery and satisfying. The mushroom soup was not what I expected, but exactly what I needed. The broth is very light and refreshing, but still creamy and filling. It was well seasoned and hearty chunks of different mushroom shapes were tender, meaty, and earthy. Just how a mushroom should taste.
 

I learned a few things while I devoured each crumb of my meal. I learned that Erin has traveled, studied, worked and eaten her way through some impressive places and then found her way back to Aberdeen to build a restaurant around a sense of community and thoughtful, seasonal dishes. I learned that each recipe on the menu can be traced to a beloved family member. And I learned that Erin is ridiculously patient with prying and redundant questions posed by my four-year old. Thank you for talking about cacti for 15 minutes while I shoved a sandwich in my face. You are a life saver.

If you are looking for a quiet place away from the office, I recommend stopping into LUNCH to savor your sandwich, salad, or soup in peace. The dining room is spacious but Sam Benn Park is right outside the window and would be a great place for a picnic. If you are simply too busy to slip out for a break, LUNCH is open at 7:30am. Grab your coffee from their full espresso bar, munch on a pastry, oatmeal or other breakfast goodie and ask them nicely to pack your lunch for later. Nothing says "Productive Morning" like knowing what you'll be eating before noon! OR, are you currently reading this from work? (We won't tell) Feel free to salivate over their online menu with your coworkers and have Lunch deliver to you. There is a $45 minimum order, but once these menus start circulating, you'll find someone to split the bill. If your commute does not bring you through Aberdeen, fear not! LUNCH now offers a selection of pre-crafted gourmet sandwiches at the Tully's in downtown Hoquiam, Tinderbox Coffee Roasters in Westport, and Central Station Espresso in Central Park. Wherever you find LUNCH, be sure to share it with friends and enjoy the rest of your afternoon with a full belly

Wonderful food awaits at LUNCH Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 4pm. Call

(360) 537-6095 to reserve a large table or just stop by 1006 North H Street in Aberdeen. Your tummy will be glad you did.

Hey There, Harborite! Stephen Poulakos

Name/Age: Stephen Poulakos

Where do you live: Seabrook, WA

Profession/Day job: Director of Town Development | Seabrook Land Company

Loyal to: Grays Harbor, WA…..Period.

Best Harbor Moment: Our company(Seabrook Land Company) winning West Coast Community of the Year by Pacific Coast Builders Conference (PCBC)in San Francisco--2011

Favorite Coffee Stand: 59 Main (Pacific Beach, WA)

Favorite Local Business: Seabrook Cottage Rentals

Grunge, Metal or Country: Grunge--Nirvana, Kurt Cobain

Beach, Forest or River: All (3) + Mountains of Olympic National Park! ;-)

Favorite outdoor adventure or day trip: Ruby Beach, Olympic National Park

Best way to stay dry on rainy days: Curl up in front of wood burning stove in Boxwood Cottage

Define the Harbor in one word: Resilient

If you could change one thing about the area, what would it be: Loss of Historic Buildings

Grays Harbor's best kept secret: The Coast & its growing tourism industry!