Aldo Coffee Company

Aldo Coffee in the Post-Gazette This Morning

We were expecting this article on our barista competition finalists to be in last week's paper, but as that didn't happen we just figured the story had been scrapped.   It happens.  Often.

So we were a bit surprised when we checked the coffee forums this morning and found a congratulatory note from Chief Coffee Geek Mark Prince about the article in the South section of this morning's P-G. 

Guess we have to stop complaining now about how the local press ignores all the great things that have been happening in the Pittsburgh coffee community the last couple of years. 

While we still lag behind other major cities in the breadth and depth of quality restaurants (although that's improved measurably since 2005 as well), Pittsburgh really can hold its own espresso and coffee-wise against any city on the East Coast.  There are a half dozen or so shops here that can go head-to-head with the best half-dozen from DC, Boston, Philly, Baltimore, Raleigh-Durham or Atlanta - and on a good day, even New York City.

Esmeralda Gesha Sets New Record Auction Price. Again.

Remember last year when we paid a little more than $100/lb for some Hacienda Esmeralda Gesha, which set a new auction record by selling for $51/lb?

Well, this year made last year look silly.  Seven roasters bought a total of 500 lbs. of this year's Esmeralda Gesha for... hold onto your chair...

$130 per pound.

We'll say it again.

$130 per pound.

No, there are no decimals missing or misplaced.  One-hundred thirty dollars per pound.  For the green coffee.  Which means after landing it, roasting it, packaging and distributing it, it would cost a cafe like ours about $250/lb to retail it.

Or somewhere in the neighborhood of $12.50 per cup.  So Esmeralda is probably not going to happen this year at Aldo Coffee.  We're not going to say it's impossible... but right now it looks unlikely, since we only know about two people who'd be willing to fork over that kind of cash.

In case you were curious, the second place Best of Panama coffee went for $11.80/lb.

If coffee is the new wine, then Hacienda Esmeralda Gesha appears to be the new Petrus.

When the Smoking Ban Does Finally Pass, We're Ready...

OK, so the anti-smoking legislation got knocked down yesterday.  It's inevitable that a smoking ban will pass.  It's simply common sense that you have to protect employees from repeated exposure to second hand smoke in their workplace. 

The temporary delay is simply another example of the peculiar way our state government thinks and operates if "thinking" can be ascribed to such a body (Matt, we're not pointing fingers your way.  Not yet anyway.) 

Figuring that passage was a no-brainer, given our more progressive nature as second-time "most liveable city", we had already prepared for the legislation by painting a "no-smoking" zone in the back.   The gray area is the five-foot "no fumar zone".  We would've eliminated smoking completely in front, had the law passed.

Now the paint job doesn't seem to make a lot of sense.  But we'll be ready when the law does pass... as long as they don't make the no-smoke zone ten feet or something.

Turkish Coffee

OK, I spoke too soon yesterday... a throwaway comment on being able to do Turkish coffee sparked an interest in that unique coffee preparation that we're ill-equipped to deal with.  So authentic Turkish just isn't going to happen here on a regular basis at this time.  We'll figure out some days where we'll do it as a special event, but the logistic don't work for a la carte ordering of same.

So, for Casey and Chris and anyone else interested, here's everything we know about brewing Turkish (variations to the main recipe found in the comments).  You can do it at home with a cheap camp stove rig and your cezve (ibrik) - which you can find at a couple of shops up in Squirrel Hill as well as Carson St. hookah joints (cost ~$5.00).

Just watch out for the second, third and fourth boils... they happen very quickly.  If you're using an electric burner and you spill... well, it doesn't smell too good.

Hey Muffuletta! Summer Menu Changes Coming

By this time Friday there will be a new set of menu boards behind the counter. 

So you won't be taken by surprise, we're eliminating the 20oz go cups on everything but drip and "simplifying" the number of latte and espresso offerings, which frankly, has gotten out of hand the past couple of years. 

This is fully in line with our goal to be focused on quality.  We do not believe that every ounce in a 20 oz drink can taste as good as every ounce in 12 oz or 16 oz version of the same drink (unless you're gulping it straight back like a shotgun can of Bud). 

Many chains are happy upselling you the biggest version of a latte they can get away with since the profit margins get signficantly higher the bigger the drink.  They assume you'll throw the last 4 or 5 ounces away anyway. 

We don't believe that's a proper way to showcase the quality of the Black Cat espresso you're purchasing.  In our opinion, that's what should be front and center.  You may disagree and if you do, please let us know.

That said, if you really really really really really need a 20 oz. latte, tell us and we'll make it for you.  It simply won't be on the menu.  Likewise, we can make just about anything else you can think of (although we're not doing cafe sua da and you'd have to wait a bit for Turkish or Syrian).

Meantime, the panini menu is already changed.  We've removed the Gen-Fen, changed the tuna from olive bread to ciabattina and added the best approximation of the Central Grocery Muffuletta we could find using local ingredients. It a much bigger sandwich than anything we've offered to date - so big it's about two cycles in the panini grill to really get it hot.

We're done with soups until Fall, except on Saturday (we're running the gamut of gazpacho possibilities). 

Additionally we've added our "semi-tropical fruit salad" as a regular item, as well as some incredible blackcurrant and creme scones from Mediterra Bakehouse.

We hope you enjoy both the new offerings as well as the streamlined menu options.  As always, your feedback is encouraged.

Photo credit: Bill Dawes, ColorPro.

USBC Finalist Photos

Superb coverage and photos of the recent United States Barista Competition provided by the folks over at Home-Barista.com.

We're still waiting for someone to post video of the finalists, but for now, the H-B thread offers some great closeups and explanations of the skills and signature drinks of the six US finalists.

One of Our Regulars Featured with Pittsburgh Civic Orchestra Tonight

Bernardo Katz (cappuccino, extra dry), is featured on cello tonight during the Pittsburgh Civic Orchestra's performance at Upper St. Clair High School.  Here are the details:

Pittsburgh Civic Orchestra
Upper St. Clair High School
1825 McLaughlin Run Road
Upper St. Clair PA 15241

May 12, 2007  "Legendary Masterpieces"
7.30 PM

OVERTURE TO CENERENTOLA (CINDERELLA) BY ROSSINI

CELLO CONCERTO OP. 104 BY DVORAK WITH GUEST BERNARDO KATZ

SYMPHONY IN D MINOR BY FRANCK

Lee Robinson Jazz Tonight

TONIGHT
Free Show, 8:00pm-9:45pm
Jazz & Adult Contemporary with
Lee Robinson on sax
Tom Reilly on guitar and vocals.

If you enjoy the music tip generously
If you enjoy the coffee & desserts, ditto.
If not, let us know.

Kool-Aid Pickles?

Saw this on Chowhound and read the NY Times article on it because we're drawn to outrageously daring food concepts like a honey bee to a cell phone transmission.

On the one hand, we can't imagine this pickle idea being tasty.  On the other hand... well, there is no other hand.  But the concept of Kool-Aid Pickles is so weird, we are compelled to share it with you.

Come September, when we start harvesting our own cukes... well, one never knows.  We might have to do a Jell-O Pickle dessert.

Aldo Coffee Is a Family Affair

Sonja, the latest member of our barista family to compete nationally, is back in town after her go at the USBCs.  She'll be back on duty tomorrow. 

She beat her postcard back to town.

Sadly, a member of our charter customer family is leaving town.  Dave, a.k.a. "Muffin Man", who's been coming here just about since we opened, is moving to a new job in Greensburg tomorrow and ordered his last cup from us at lunch.  Best of luck in the new digs and town, Dave.  Everyone here will miss you.