Octane Coffee – Atlanta, GA – November 28, 2009
Posted December 7, 2009 at 12:24 pm
Address:
1009-B Marietta Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30318
Phone Number:
404 815 9886
Web Site:
View Web Site
The 2009 United States Barista Championship in Portland not only singled out the top espresso craftspeople in the country, it also identified several coffeehouses that might be worth visiting. Eight months later, this is how we arrived at Emory Village two months ago. The next time I’m in Atlanta, I’d gladly fill one of their seats again.
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![Emory Village](_blank">Octane Coffee</a></strong>, a six-year-old coffeehouse from Tony and Diane Riffel in Atlanta’s <strong><a href="http://www.wadatlanta.org" target="_Blank">Westside Arts District</a></strong>.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.foodgps.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/octane-coffeehouse.jpg"><img src="http://www.foodgps.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/octane-coffeehouse.jpg" alt="octane-coffeehouse" title="octane-coffeehouse" width="525" height="394" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-22536" /></a><br />
The spacious industrial-chic interior hosts multiple counters, worn black couches, communal black-and-wood tables and an opaque boomerang-shaped screen over the back bar. If caffeine isn’t strong enough, Octane also sells bottled craft beer and glasses of wine.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.foodgps.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/octane-coffee-wall-menu.jpg"><img src="http://www.foodgps.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/octane-coffee-wall-menu.jpg" alt="octane-coffee-wall-menu" title="octane-coffee-wall-menu" width="525" height="394" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-22537" /></a><br />
Octane hosts one of the more fashionable menus, with coffee colored letters filling an entire wall.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.foodgps.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/octane-coffee-la-marzocco-espresso-machinejpg.jpg"><img src="http://www.foodgps.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/octane-coffee-la-marzocco-espresso-machinejpg.jpg" alt="octane-coffee-la-marzocco-espresso-machinejpg" title="octane-coffee-la-marzocco-espresso-machinejpg" width="525" height="394" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-22538" /></a><br />
The centerpiece of Octane’s bar is undoubtedly their tricked out La Marzocco espresso machine.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.foodgps.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/octane-coffee-21st-de-septiembre-espresso.jpg"><img src="http://www.foodgps.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/octane-coffee-21st-de-septiembre-espresso.jpg" alt="octane-coffee-21st-de-septiembre-espresso" title="octane-coffee-21st-de-septiembre-espresso" width="525" height="394" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-22539" /></a><br />
Octane uses beans from Durham’s <strong><a href="http://www.counterculturecoffee.com" target="_blank">Counter Culture Coffee</a></strong>, including 21st de Septiembre, a single-origin coffee from Zaragoza in Oaxaca, Mexico. The espresso had a spicy chocolate flavor, minimal bitterness and sported tan crema.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.foodgps.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/octane-coffee-shakisso.jpg"><img src="http://www.foodgps.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/octane-coffee-shakisso.jpg" alt="octane-coffee-shakisso" title="octane-coffee-shakisso" width="525" height="394" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-22540" /></a><br />
Octane offered four French press options, including Shakisso, an Ethiopian from southern Sidamo, in the Dewa Valley. The murky brew had some citrus notes and was fairly satisfying, but not as rewarding as the espresso.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.foodgps.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/octane-coffee-cappuccino.jpg"><img src="http://www.foodgps.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/octane-coffee-cappuccino.jpg" alt="octane-coffee-cappuccino" title="octane-coffee-cappuccino" width="525" height="394" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-22619" /></a><br />
We returned to Octane on November 30 to work before our flight home. The Cappuccino ($3.35) gave us a chance to experience the 21st de Septiembre with local organic <strong><a href="http://www.sparkmanscreamvalley.com" target="_blank">Sparkman’s</a></strong> milk. The milk contributed to a sweet, creamy cappuccino, though the milk may have overshadowed the espresso’s flavor. FYI: At Octane, every espresso drink is automatically served as a double.</p>
<p>The Octane concept seems to be working. Not only was almost every seat filled at the original location, but they opened a branch at <strong><a href="http://www.emoryvillage.org" target="_blank){kind=link}
That wall of type was designed by Stefan Kjartansson, and uses his Black Slabbath font.
I work with him
.