The Hidden Coffee Gem

If there's one thing I miss about Seattle, it's the rain. Seriously. There's nothing I loved more than a steaming hot cup of coffee filling the underside of my umbrella with caffienated mist on a rainy day. Consequently, the other thing I miss about that city was its coffee culture. Don't be fooled, just because Seattle is the birthplace of Starbucks doesn't mean it was without local flavor as well.

When I moved temporarily from Seattle to Tampa, I was distraught to discover that coffee had yet to find its way to Florida. I went from hyping myself up on Sumatra and Verona to brewing Juan Valdez at home. It was a dark place in my life.

It's not just the quality of the coffee however - the atmosphere of the cafe is equally important. Here on the other coast we unfortunately have to deal with bright and sunny days, but at least we have a plethora of coffee shops. Viva la Revolution! Sure, Starbucks has taken over the city (my friend Mark was tickled pink when we were on our way to meet Ana at the Union Square Starbucks, and I had to ask which one...) but the explosion has been good for the local culture as well.

Case in point: Ninth Street Espresso. I discovered it today and am christening it as I write. The smell of the place is phenominal - like a freshly brewed pot of coffee. The atmosphere is enough to make me forget about the lack of rain. And the espresso, oh the espresso tastes like liquid orgasm! I feel like I ought to have on my flannel and I half expect Pearl Jam or Soundgarden to walk in at any point. Talk about diamond in the rough...this is an emerald on the island.

The very best part is that it's in Alphabet City - where the snobs of the West Village refuse to go. The clientel seems laid back and the baristas are geniunely friendly, as opposed to frigid like their Starbuck's counterparts. Oh yeah, the lack of Frappucinos is a gigantic plus. Anyway, the place is so good that it makes me feel like rain on the inside.