Joe Van Gogh 1.31.09 10am
I realize that by starting this blog, I’m allowing some insight into the “pre-coffee” portion of my day (a site often seen by people who have life-long connections or commitments to me). This morning, we headed to Broad Street in Durham, NC. In a two-block section there are three locations that carry all three of the triangle’s local beans.
Stop one was Joe Van Gogh (1104 B Broad St. Durham, NC 27705). This is the first self-titled store for this particular local coffee provider. However, it is the same roaster as the legendary Cup-a-Joe cafes (Hillsborough/Raleigh).
This store opened in 2008 and has a much more modern, even cleaner feel that the other stores. It’s non-smoking and fairly small. The tables are made for one to two people, with a lofted space with a larger area for folks to work at. While the atmosphere might seem a little more sophisticated, the staff and clientele are laid-back and casual. The employees didn’t mind me snapping photos or even recording the sounds while they whipped-up espresso drinks.
This morning customers were sipping their coffee while reading the New Yorker, collaborating on their laptops and one guy was enthusiastically persuing tickets for the upcoming Phish tour.
Phil and I both ordered small cups of coffee to drink in-store…they were however provided in to-go cups…something that always bums-out the environmentalist in me. However, upon further inspections the cups were completely recycled materials…which from what i’ve read leaves less of a footprint than it would to have a dishwasher running to clean mugs on-site.
The coffee we chose was the Organic Ethiopia Yirgacheffe. The barista told us that it was full-bodied with hints of fruit. This is something I’m learning more about…I don’t like flavored coffee. But good coffee, real coffee without additives is often described to have the flavoring that I would normally stay away from. However, the proof is in the puddin…this coffee was delicious, very slight hints of citrus or zest, but it wasn’t added, it wasn’t artificial, just kinda in the background. I’ve had a similar experience with a coffee that was described (even titled I think) as chocolate. Candy flavored coffees remind me of the International Coffee House tins that my mom started keeping around when she found out I liked coffee…blech. However, when it’s true coffee, and only a descriptor, these flavors are not over-powering, but instead simply adjectives to define the variations of coffee flavor.
Another thing I liked about this particular coffee was the aftertaste. It didn’t make my mouth pucker like some super-acidic coffees do. It was an easy finish…if I can be so bold as to speak like I know what I’m talking about.
Following the tradition of shopping local, JVG also serves the finest pastries from Guglhuph Bakery (if you haven’t had…it’s a Bull City must). These treats serve as a perfect compliment to your morning coffee.
I frequent this coffee shop and have never found it to be jam-packed or super busy (as the other two sites often are). However, Phil and I both noted that in the hour that we sat there, folks came in and out at a steady pace. The two baristas on hand were working hard to get folks just what they came for in a timely fashion.
Now that my blood is pumping, my eyes are open and I’m half-way through the Indy crossword, it’s on to the next cup.
