647784 Wed Aug 26 17:04:30 -0700 2009 15 14 Washington DC & Baltimore Area 0 4980942 I apologize if this has been hashed out already, but what are the best coffee shops in the touristy areas? Wed Aug 26 17:04:30 -0700 2009 1103992 polizei78 1 4980978 Besides Starbucks (which you may not be keen on), there is Swings near the White House. There is Peregrine Espresso near Eastern Market. There is Open City in Woodley Park. Don't bother with Caribou, though they do have nice interiors. Wed Aug 26 17:19:16 -0700 2009 4980942 12627 ChewFun 2 4981013 I have heard Dolcezza Gelato has excellent cofffee... Wed Aug 26 17:32:44 -0700 2009 4980978 204182 chicken kabob 2 4981140 I visited from SF a few months ago and loved Peregrine near Eastern Market. My friend and I must have tried half a dozen different things within a few days, and loved them all. It's not much for ambiance, but there's free wifi and the coffee is good. Everything I had on manual drip was great. Then I opted for one of their crazy espresso drinks, which included coconut milk and pop rocks. It was more interesting than "I want another now" delicious, but I could tell the espresso hidden beneath all the trimmings was done right. Wed Aug 26 18:19:28 -0700 2009 4980978 11577 Pei 1 4981267 I second Swings near the White House. I see notable White House staff there all the time. (Ok, once...since I don't drink coffee all the time.) They roast locally. The hot chocolate is also tasty. They also charge reasonably for pastries, not the crazy five bucks for a croissant you see nowadays... Teaism is tea not coffee but an interesting change of pace for caffeine near the National Archives and Lafayette Park (Farragut area). I don't like their faux Asian health food that much, but tea shops are hard to find. Wed Aug 26 19:19:12 -0700 2009 4980942 15027 jennwenn 2 4985108 Thank you for all of the replies. ChewFun: You're right, I'm not big on Starbucks or Caribou but will drink there out of addiction and convenience. I'll check out Swings for sure. Teaism sounds like a nice change. I'm not certain about espresso with pop rocks at Peregrine, but maybe their caps are good. Fri Aug 28 05:57:41 -0700 2009 4981267 1103992 polizei78 3 4985345 If you're a fan of black coffee, try one of the manual drip coffees at Peregrine. My friend and I tried one that was just classic black coffee, rich and smooth with a nice kick, and another that smelled like blueberries as soon as the barista poured hot water over it. I've had a lot of drip coffee at a lot of places, but never one that smelled so obviously of fruit. Even my friend, who's one of those people who would never be caught dead saying something like "I detect hints of strawberry in this wine" said the scent was unmistakable. Pop rocks, blueberries, I know I'm making Peregrine sound like a crazy place. But really, they do a fantastic job with coffee and espresso. They just also have some out of the box choices for those who are feeling adventurous. Fri Aug 28 07:32:25 -0700 2009 4985108 11577 Pei 4 4985353 What's "manual drip?" Is that a fancy name for a paper cone filter on top of a cup, into which hot water is poured? Fri Aug 28 07:34:35 -0700 2009 4985345 10624 MikeR 5 4985494 Ha, yes. Sorry, I've been brainwashed by the baristas. Fri Aug 28 08:15:36 -0700 2009 4985353 11577 Pei 6 4985810 Do they at least use those $15 all ceramic ones (Beehouse or similar) rather than a $2 plastic Melitta? ;) http://www.sweetmarias.com/prod.single_cup.php Fri Aug 28 09:38:42 -0700 2009 4985494 10624 MikeR 7 4985904 Yes they do (phew!) Fri Aug 28 10:00:54 -0700 2009 4985810 11577 Pei 1 4985113 Just had my first cup yesterday from Chinatown Coffee at 5th and H and it was very, very good Fri Aug 28 06:00:21 -0700 2009 4980942 11085 Marty L. 2 4985354 Isn't that the place that Nick Cho of the former Murky Coffee is working with? Fri Aug 28 07:35:12 -0700 2009 4985113 10624 MikeR 3 4986370 Yes Fri Aug 28 12:00:33 -0700 2009 4985354 12627 ChewFun 1 4991320 There's also a new coffee place on 14th Street (near P St.) called Mid City Cafe, which would be convenient if you're in the U Street neighborhood. They seem to be very serious about their coffee (reminds me a bit of Big Bear Cafe) and seem to have nice pastries as well. I'm looking forward to hanging out at this place, though I do wish it were a bigger space. Sun Aug 30 18:17:11 -0700 2009 4980942 74330 hamster 2 4993830 Old Town: Grape and Bean-clover machine http://www.grapeandbean.com/ Buzz-Alexandria is pretty cool and it's open until midnight every day! http://www.buzzonslaters.com/ Misha's in Old Town (Closes Early) Pretty cool coffee and atmosphere http://mishascoffee.com/ Mon Aug 31 14:35:12 -0700 2009 4991320 160154 Smiles2008