Local 123 Airstream @ Flowerland Nursery in Albany

[Melanie Wong]

Saw a photo of a friend this morning at Local 123's new trailer outpost, permanently stationed at Flowerland Nursery. Apparently it started up a month ago. Who can tell us about it?

http://local123cafe.com/content/flowe...

[chocolatetartguy]

Is this the same trailer that used to set up outside the back entrance to the University Art Museum before the current restaurant opened?

[Glencora]

Closed Tuesday. Maybe the people at Local 123 didn't realize that Flowerland has always been closed that day...and still is. Thought it might have changed, but no.

[abstractpoet]

As per Local 123's website:
"Please note that while the nursery is closed on Tuesdays, the coffee trailer is open 8am-2pm."

Was this not the case today?

[lmnopm]

I stopped by a few days ago for a cup of drip coffee. It was not brewed to order. I was shocked when within 10 seconds of ordering, I received my cup of coffee. No choice of coffee, either. It was fine enough, and less $ than the main homestead. Choice of 2 sizes.

[abstractpoet]

Hmm...maybe they're just doing French press at the trailer then? They have that as an option at the cafe, too, for cheaper.

[lmnopm]

If it was french press, it was kept in a warmer, because the coffee was served in an instant.

[abstractpoet]

Yeah I think they do that in the shop too -- I think they have it brewed already in the press and just pour it out. Seems like in the shop, anyway, there's enough turnover (since the "Local Cup," as they call it, is the cheapest option) that it isn't horribly over-steeped...

[Tumkers]

They open the front gate so you can get to the coffee and sit in a little area, but wall off the Flowerland portion on Tuesdays.

[Melanie Wong]

I managed to get up early enough this morning to stop by before my appointment in El Cerrito. Flowerland Nursery is across the street from China Village (still closed), and the airstream trailer looks quite at home, as if it has been there for ages amongst the greenery and pink flamingoes. Though an overcast, foggy and cold morning, the colorful nursery setting made it feel warmer. Hours have expanded, now 8 to 5 every day but Tuesday when it closes at 2pm.

Morning pastries are from Starter Bakery and you can get your kouign amann ($4) on here. I had a raisin bran muffin ($1.50), a petite size just right for me that I like better than the ginormous ones out there. While I prefer Flying Goat to Four Barrel, the cappuccino was competent.

More photos (click on "slideshow"):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/melaniew...

[bunnysitter]

I'm taking my coffee up the street to La Bedaine for a delightful kouign amann ($2), palmier ($1) or fruit tart (3.). No need for the cute little box because I eat them right away on their outside benches.

[Melanie Wong]

Splendid idea!

[lmnopm]

Will he heat up the kouign amann?

[bunnysitter]

The kouign amann I brought home to reheat and savor with my Graffeo coffee. I would call first before you make a special trek as I don't know what the baking schedule is. He and the wife are lovely.

[lmnopm]

I'm on that block pretty much every day. Not a special trek. I usually see the kouign amann on the counter.

[escargot3]

yeah, i saw that sign when i was at Local 123 on Friday. sounds like a really dynamic concept.

[Glencora]

That is so cool. Time to use my Flowerland gift certificate. Will check it out soon.

[Melanie Wong]

Noticed a switch to Four Barrel from Flying Goat on the website.

[abstractpoet]

They haven't been Flying Goat-exclusive for a long, long time, and I think they switched to all Four Barrel several months ago. I kind of miss the Flying Goat, actually — it seems like there are several other places serving Four Barrel.

As far as the trailer goes, I heard they have some pre-made sandwiches on weekends, and that they were planning to do both coffee- and fruit-flavored popsicles at some point this summer.

[eethan]

Flying Goat was what captured my love for Local 123, and the past few -- but far between -- visits with Four Barrel served haven't seemed as special to me. (Especially since, as you say, several other places serve a well-pulled Four Barrel shot.)

[bbulkow]

Red Rock's single origin bar when the tall guy is pulling. Yum.

[Melanie Wong]

I kind of feel the same way.

eethan, if you want to do back-to-back comparisons, head up to Healdsburg. You can go to the original Flying Goat, then walk a block over to Moustache Cafe for Four Barrel.

[escargot3]

love that suggestion, MW.
And in between snag a yummy morsel at the bakery...

[Melanie Wong]

Flying Goat makes some terrific baked goods. And Moustache Cafe bakes French macarons and cupcakes, among other things. But no reason to not also stop at Downtown Bakery or Costeaux Bakery, both a stone's throw away.

[escargot3]

twist my arm...