MoCa Coffee - Cleveland,Oh

MoCa Coffee

Address: 10435 Clifton Blvd Cleveland, Oh

Phone: (216)961-6799

Wifi: yes (free)

Outdoor seating: yes

Hours: Mon-Thu 6:30 am - 10 pm, Fri 6:30 am - 11 pm, Sat 8 am - 11 pm, Sun 8 am - 10 pm

Parking: street

I found Moca coffee on a random internet search for coffee houses in Cleveland. They don't have a website but they have rave reviews on Yelp, they have a Facebook page and are on Google +, so I thought we'd go and check it out while Chad was off from school. They have only been open a year but they are working towards being one of the up and comers in the Cleveland coffee scene.

Walking in the first thought in my mind was 'where is everyone?'. The decor was stunning. Dark floors and interesting and creative artwork on the walls, but no other customers. I knew we had found a gem the instant we walked up to the bakery counter that was immaculate, filled with bakery that was made in house...I repeat IN HOUSE. It ALL looked good. I ordered an iced vanilla soy latte and Chad ordered an iced Americano. When I saw the barista reach for the toddy I was fine with it, I actually do prefer hot shots but it's ok. When it came to me pure white I knew I was in trouble. During the time we were ordering and looking over the bakery area, Chad was chatting up the barista (of course) and he was SO nice and helpful. He took his job seriously and spoke about coffee like I love for baristas to speak about coffee, like they really love it. Like the coffee is actually flowing through their body, mixed with their blood. He was proud of the coffee shop he worked in and he was excited to tell us about the freshly made bakery and the coffee. Here is the rub, it's PHOENIX coffee. Now I am actually NOT a fan of Phoenix coffee. I think it's so great that they are a local roaster and they are keeping it local. I love that they do things for the community and that they promote local commerce. I just can't get past the taste of their coffee, there is this aftertaste that lingers on your tongue.

Anyway I knew right away that they toddy hadn't been brewed for long enough. I've done this a few times myself. You didn't brew the toddy until late and by the next morning you're out so you have to use the toddy that isn't done brewing yet so it's super weak and light. So light that it doesn't change the color of the latte. The only thing that kind of bothered me is he still served it to me. There was no color change when he added the toddy, my drink was pure white. But the 'I don't want to hurt anyone's feeling' part of me kicked in and I didn't say anything (this is my achilles heel). Chad really liked his americano and I REALLY liked my chocolate chip cookie.

We brought Noah with us and hung out for a little while having some family time. It was a nice day and we were able to people watch a little from our window seat.

The results? I would definitely come back, sure my coffee wasn't great but these reviews are about the overall experience and while the coffee is the big part of it, it's not everything. Next time I go I will request hot shots as opposed to the toddy and I am hopeful that it will be worlds better. This is one of those hidden Cleveland gems that I hope will rise in popularity, they certainly deserve to.

Air Play Sports (Sterling,Il)

Air Play Sports in Sterling, Il

Hours: Mon-Sat 7am-6pm

Address: 115 E 3rd st Sterling, Il 61081

Wifi: Unknown

Phone:815-564-2787

Outdoor seating: Limited

Chad's family lives in the town of Sterling,Il, just west of Chicago. Up until a year ago or so, there wasn't a coffee house in this cute little town. Which is a shame since there is such potential for a it. Enter Air Play Sports. They began as (you guess it) a sporting goods store. They sell various things but mostly frisbees and kites. Then about a year ago the owner decided to open up a coffee shop in his store. If anything, this place fills a niche. When there isn't any competition in the area,the chances are pretty good you will do well. Sure, a sporting goods store and coffee shop don't really go together but oh well. You call it odd, I call it eclectic. I've been there a handful of times with Chad when we're in town but this is the first review I've done on them. I've been putting it off on purpose because a place like this doesn't really fit into the normal coffee shop mold. They are in a smaller town, and the clientele is different than it would be in a bigger city. If you ask the barista behind the counter to put some latte art in your drink or ask them about microfoam, there is a good chance they will look at you like you have recently grown a second head. And really, I think that is ok. It's a small town, how many of their customers will even know if the milk isn't frothed correctly? (other than me) My guess is not many. But in the end you have to cater to your crowd.

First and foremost, the coffee isn't good. I'm sorry. I really am. I'm sorry to say that, but it just isn't. The barista behind the counter ground the espresso fresh for my latte (very nice!) but then I saw something that made my stomach turn. There was no tamping. NO. TAMPING. Ok, so the idea behind tamping is to create an area where the water can penetrate the espresso evenly. When the water comes out, it's under pressure and it needs to saturate something that is compact and hard or it will create a weak espresso shot. When you tamp there should be around 30lbs of pressure to press the grounds into the portafilter evenly. But I digress...there was no tamping, and because of that, my espresso came out like water. And the frothing of my milk? *shudder* Not good. Not. Good. I wanted to say something, but I didn't want to come across like a snob. So I drank my latte and I tried not to make the pukey face. When I went this last time, I went with Chad's mom and she got a latte as well. We ordered 4 thumb print cookies with caramel on the middle. What they lack in barista skills, they more than make up for in the bakery. Every time I get something from their bakery, I am always impressed. During the fall season they made this pumpkin muffin with cream cheese in the middle. I am drooling just thinking of it. A-MAZING.

The owner is super nice and accommodating, when we wanted to sit outside, he had his son (?) get us a table and chairs from the storage area. It's a family run place and you can tell their customers are very important to them. They are well known in the community.

Sure it's weird to have a coffee shop in a sporting goods store. But in the end the town of Sterling really needed something like this. They needed a little coffee place where you can meet your friends and relax. They need a place to get a latte and a pumpkin muffin and watch the cars go by. They need a place like this so girls like me have a spot to take their future mother- in- laws to sit and gossip.

I will be back to Air Play Sports again, if anything the bakery and the fact that there really is no where else to go in that area, will keep me coming back through the door when we're in town. The baristas could use some help, some training and some education on how to pull the perfect espresso shot. That would be the last thing that could really complete the package for them. The cherry on top of their sweet sundae.

Cravings Cafe Rocky River,Oh

Cravings Cafe
19701 Lake Rd
Rocky River,Oh 44116
440-895-0098
Wifi: yes
Outdoor seating: yes



Good Morning! After a longer than anticipated hiatus, I am back with my review on Cravings Cafe in Rocky River.

I actually had a groupon for this place that I had bought a few months ago, but since I am not often in the Rocky River area it took me a little while to get around to actually using it. So when a free morning arrived in my planner, I packed up the baby and Chad and we went out on a little day date to check out this coffee shop. When I first bought this groupon, I actually hadn't ever heard of this particular coffee shop. It's pretty close to Erie Island, Starbucks AND a Caribou that are all on Detroit. But it's tucked away on Lake Rd away from the main drag so maybe it has a loyal local following.



When first coming in we were warmly greeted by the young barista behind the counter. I ordered our typical drinks (Americano for him and soy latte for me) and waited. I decided to throw in a blueberry muffin and a orange Pelligrino while I was at it to try and eat up the $15 I had for my groupon. They had a few cold sandwiches to choose from but for $6.50 each, I passed. It all came to around $8.50 for everything which is pretty decent.

While I was waiting I got a chance to check out the decor. With bold red walls and black ceilings, it was definitely a dramatic look. The paintings on the walls were beautiful and I could tell the person in charge of the decoration had excellent taste. Hopefully that same person wasn't in charge of the music, because then my opinion would have to drop a bit. BBC Radio piped through the speakers and I have to say, wasn't exactly the right soundtrack to a relaxing morning in a coffee house.
Half the time the music sounded a bit like they were having some sort of inauguration and other times I got to hear about the war in Afghanistan. While informative...not my taste for coffeehouse tunes.

Chad's Americano was not good. Not. Good. I am not sure how long those espresso beans were ground before he ordered his drink, but if I had to guess from the taste I would say at least a day. Espresso beans should be freshly ground as your drink is being made so you can get the best taste possible. This espresso was stale. And weak. I'd say there was only maybe 3 shots in his large when there should be at least 4. My latte was a bit of the same with the stale flavor. I really do wish I could say it was a good. Mainly because the barista was so dang sweet and nice. I wish I could say the drinks she made for us were amazing. But I can't. And the muffin? I am pretty sure it was an Otis Spunkmeyer muffin with the wrapper taken off. Really? With ALL of the amazing local bakeries in town and you're going to serve us vending machine muffins? Lame.





Also there was something else going on that is worth mentioning. I can only hope something like this isn't a regular occurrence, but the owner was there talking about his finances at the front counter. Chad went up to get another 2 shots of espresso to try and help his ailing Americano, and apparently the financial records were out on the counter. That is just bad business. And while we sat there, on top of hearing the BBC's breaking news, we were treated with the news of how this guys is getting screwed by his vendors. The young girl behind the counter that he was talking to was trying to be helpful but my heart went out to her, really it's not her problem. And it's not OUR problem, I would have rather not hear about his financial woes. Because frankly, I don't care.

So overall I don't think I will be coming back to Cravings Cafe. Even if it was closer, I'd rather not spend my money on stale espresso. I do think if they tweaked just a few things then they could have a chance of going against the heavyweights of coffee in their area. They have got to get a better roaster, that coffee was tragic. It's best to stay away from the flavored coffees as well, as I noticed there were a lot of various flavors to choose from. Flavored coffee is for the 7-11 crowd. Not for anyone who wants to be taken seriously in the coffee world. And some better music selections. Also contact the local bakeries, I am willing to bet for just a bit more they could have an amazing selection of pastries. And lastly, keep your business issues to yourself. Your customers shouldn't be hearing them and it's in poor taste. The Cleveland coffeehouse scene needs more local businesses to step up to the plate and deliver, this place just isn't there yet.

Moko Coffee Cleveland,Oh

Address: 1505 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44115-2110
Phone: (216) 589-0194
Hours: 7am-5pm Mon-Fri
Wifi: Yes
Outdoor Seating: no
Credit Cards Accepted: yes




I've been meaning to venture into Moko coffee for some time now. Other than the fact that it's only a few blocks away from work, it also boasts being the only coffee shop in town to serve Intelligentsia coffee.

For those of you who don't know, Intelligentsia is a coffee brand that began back in 1995. Their shops are in Chicago, LA and New York. Their Black Cat Espresso is what they are known for, syrupy and sweet it stands out in a league of its own. They use Direct Trade with their coffee producers, traveling to the farms every month out of the year to make sure what is served in each one of their shops is the best both in quality and ethically.





Ok, so back to Moko. They are situated in the heart of Playhouse Square, and because of that, only open Mon-Fri 7am-5pm. Walking in, I was really not impressed. Gotta be honest right?? Maybe this place is relying on the fact that their coffee is amazing and letting everything else fall by the wayside, but for me, I want the whole experience. I want to sit in a comfortable environment while drinking my great coffee. Too much to ask? I think not. Their pastry case was disgusting. It looks like it hadn't been cleaned since they opened back in 2007. There was an old biscotti with several layers of mold on it staring up at me from the bottom shelf just begging to to thrown away. Chad asked for bagels (they were still on display) and they were out. Um, if you're out, you should probably put your display bagels away...just sayin'. Chad ordered an Americano and I ordered a soy latte in a ceramic mug. Well...there were no ceramic mugs so I got paper..wa waaa. Lame. The espresso machine was tiny and sad, and it took him at least 5 minutes to get both of our drinks together. Now, word in the coffee community is they have a La Marzocco espresso machine. But what they had the day I went it, it was definitely not that. Maybe their machine was broken and this was the temporary replacement? I am hoping so. When I tried to watch him make my latte, my stare was caught and I was shot a dirty look. So I was left hoping my shots were coming out correctly, since I was now flying blind. While waiting for our drinks to come out, we wandered around the place a bit. Very cool framed posters from the various shows that have come to the Playhouse lined the walls, and fliers for local events cluttered a corner table. Oh, speaking of corners, there was a corner there that time forgot. There was a fast food 'McDonalds' type garbage can along with boxes and garbage around it. The back door was left open so I could see even their stock room was a disaster.

When we got our drinks, I was happy to see a little heart on my latte.



Sure, it's something basic, but at least it was something.

We sat upstairs in the balcony, which is an awesome seating area. Very quiet and comfy. But again, random empty boxes were thrown in a corner, and what looks like an air vent hole in the wall, just without the vent...so it was just a hole in the wall. A coffee burlap sac was randomly thrown on the wall, as you were walking up the stairs.



We did get a great view from the balcony, as we drank our coffees and people watched.






I actually really loved Chad's Americano. The Black Cat Espresso is amazing, sweet with a maple flavor, completely unlike any of the other espressos around. Chad, didn't like it though. Anything sweet as far as coffees go is a no-go for him. My soy latte was good, perfectly balanced and not too hot. I think he put just a little bit more vanilla that he should have though. When you're espresso is that good, you want people to be able to actually taste it.

In the end, I don't think I will be coming back to Moko. I wasn't comfortable there and while my coffee WAS good, my skirt wasn't blown up like I was expecting it to be. Maybe I would go back just for a regular coffee, just to see how it tastes. But I don't think I would hang out again.

That biscotti still haunts me...

R.I.P Willow Coffee House Lakewood,Oh

Chad came home last week and informed me with sadness that Willow Coffee House had closed its doors. I reviewed Willow some months back, and left feeling as if I had found a Lakewood treasure. Sure, their espresso machine was tiny and I didn't get the feeling the owners loved to geek out on coffee, but it was the atmosphere and the customer service that I loved the most. I have been into many coffee shops in my lifetime, but I can say with complete honesty that none of them could even compete with Willow's decor and atmosphere. You walked in the back room and there was a fountain, the floor was painted to look like a forest pathway and there was foliage on the walls. Willow Coffee was magical. One of the owners was an artist and he merely wanted to have a business that allowed him to do what he loved, be around people and paint. While Chad and I weren't regulars by any means (it was a bit far for us) we went when we could. We knew they were struggling, and it came as no surprise to see them close their doors, but it is still sad. In these trying times, it takes a lot for the small business owner to stay afloat. Willow Coffee House will be missed in my household, they will be missed by the coffee community. Good Luck for the owners future endeavours.

Decidedly Different in Vermilion,Oh

Address: 590 Main St
Vermilion, OH 44089

Phone: (440) 967 4664

Credit Cards: yes

Outdoor seating: yes

Wifi: No

Today was the day of the Woolleybear Festival. For those of you that don't know, it's the biggest one day festival in Ohio. Sure, it's a festival for an insect that just happens to be furry and cute...it's still pretty fun. I ventured into Vermilion, my hometown, for the Woolleybear and of course, had to check out the only coffee shop in the town that I haven't been able to review. That being said, there are only 2 coffee shops in this little town, it's not exactly a hot bed of caffeinated activity.

Decidedly Different is situated right off the main drag in Vermilion. It's about a block away from the lake and it gets a lot of local traffic. There is a coffee shop (Huggy's) across the bridge as well but there doesn't seem to be any sort of competition going on. It's a small town after all.

Now before I write this, it doesn't need to be said that I am a coffee snob. I like to watch my espresso shots come out and make sure they are perfectly timed before I feel comfortable drinking them. If I can hear my milk steaming across the room I feel physically uncomfortable. I am not happy with just a latte. I want a perfect latte, and I want it quickly. Knowing this about myself, I had to try and check my little quirks before I went in. Vermilion is a small town with most residents that are happy with just having a cute coffee shop in town. I am not the typical coffee shop customer and I know that I will need to lower my standards a bit before judging.



First off, the place is really cute. There are a handful of tables and chairs that are the typical mismatchy type that a lot of coffee shops have these days. There is local bakery in the display case like fresh biscotti and delicious brownies with frosting. They had some drip coffee (1 regular, 1 decaf and of course a flavored coffee) as well as the standard espresso menu on the wall. I asked if they had soy milk, and they didn't, they had almond milk. I am not a big fan of almond milk, but due to my intolerance of lactose it was my only option. I also ordered an americano for Chad. The young girl working there was one of the owner's daughter. From what I have read this place is owned by 2 local couples. When I was there I saw 2 women working, and some high school age kids helping out. Everyone was very very nice and helpful. The young girl helping me didn't really have a clue about coffee and even when one of the customers asked how one of the coffees tasted, she couldn't offer any help. If you're not a coffee drinker, and haven't tasted your product I am sure it is a bit challenging. And while she was nice, I had to repeat my order a few times. The young cashier also seemed pretty distracted by her boyfriend that had come for a visit. I know I know, it's young love. But dang it mama wants her coffee and I want my taste buds to be happy so SNAP SNAP!



They had a small, rather sad looking espresso machine. I couldn't make out the brand but it wasn't anything to be impressed by. As I watched by shots come out as slow as molasses, I became more and more worried about my drink. I won't even TALK about the fact the shots came out into a dingy looking measuring cup. I won't even mention THAT. When my milk was being steamed by the biggest milk pitcher ever created, and I could hear the shrill scream of the steaming echo in my ear drums, worry became dread. When I finally got my latte, I had to ask for more flavor syrup to try and mask the bitter taste of the espresso. Chad was able to drink his latte with a shrug but even he admitted that it was "just ok".

I know that Decidedly Different is a small town coffee bar, and I know there is something to be said for a locally owned business that is doing well in this economy. Also, I can't overlook their customer service. When I find that is there is good customer service going on, I can overlook a lot. The women working there weren't coffee snobs, they weren't worried about the perfection of my shots or the overall drink quality. But, the cost was reasonable and they truly seemed to enjoy their job and their customers.



So, I am a bit torn with this. Sure my drink tasted like bitter ass and my milk was burnt to hell, but they did it all with a smile. So, the truth is that I won't be coming back to Decidedly Different. But you know what? For their customer base, they are probably a perfect business. Some people want flavored coffee and a cozy place to hang out...I just want something more.

The Root Cafe in Lakewood, Oh

Hours:
Mon-Tues 630am-11pm
Wed-Thurs 630am-10pm
Fri 630am-11pm
Sat 7am-11pm
Sunday 8am-10pm

Free Wifi: yes
Outdoor Seating: No
Credit Cards Accepted: Yes



Today's review is on a Lakewood hangout, The Root Cafe. The quick background of this place is basically it used to be a Phoenix Coffee. The new owners snatched it up and began to revamp it and make it into the coffee shop they envisioned. Very quickly they found out that the space they were working with just wasn't enough, so they moved just a few spots down to where they are now. On some nights they have bands or open mic nights. Because of their late night crowds, the also have a beer selection (including Great Lakes). From the reviews I have read, apparently there is a big late night turnout. That being said, The Root is also a big high school hangout. But luckily, I didn't have to listen to whats going on in the 90210 while I was there. The afternoon crowd was definitely a group of regulars and older local residents reading the paper and laptop surfing.

I really have to say that I actually kind of like Phoenix Coffee. It IS a little confusing though. They use Phoenix cups and Phoenix coffee but they aren't owned by Phoenix. Um...so the question is my friends...what makes them different than our local coffee chain? It could be the food menu. They serve fresh vegetarian edible delights like brown rice stir fry and vegan chunky vegetable soup. Their bakery selection was hard to pass up as well. Chad and I decided to "share" a molasses cookie (I say "share" because I am pretty sure our halves weren't equal:)





I ordered a toffee soy latte and chad went with his americano. There were two young girls working there and one older woman (though I am not quite sure she was older, her head scarf just threw me off). The girl who made our drinks was nice enough. Though,when I was struggling with what to order she didn't offer any suggestions. Which, I have to say, is disheartening. I want to feel like you care if I get what I really want, even if you really don't, you can fake it. Ask me what I like, ask me what I am in the mood for. Do I want something sweet? Maybe fruity? But to stare at me while I decide is a letdown. The girl that rung us up was a different story. She couldn't crack a smile to save her life and I am pretty sure if I was grading on customer service this girl would fail. She would fail miserably. Nevermind the fact she acted like she hated life when she was helping us, then started laughing a joking with her co-workers as soon as we walked away. Nevermind the fact that she never said thank you or have a good day...or...anything.



I have actually been into The Root once before with a friend of mine and there were 2 other girls working there. I thought maybe they were both having an off day. I mean, when I go to work I check my issues at the door but maybe not everyone can do that. Again, the girl who rung us up that day couldn't smile when I cracked a joke or...make it seem like she even liked her job. If you're in the coffee business, you aren't getting rich. People that survive in the coffee business LOVE coffee and they LOVE their job. I didn't get that feeling from that girl at all.

I have to say that other than the girl that made our drink, I have yet to have a good customer service experience at The Root. Sure you can steam milk ok, but would it kill you to be nice to the customers that aren't regulars? I saw the same girls that were rude to me show excitement and happiness when regulars came through the doors. I know I am not a regular, but I can guarantee I won't become one if the staff doesn't cheer the hell up.



Onto my drink. The first time I went to the Root, my latte was perfection. The girl that made my drink even gave me some latte art in my to go cup. And for those of you who don't know, latte art is a lot harder in a to go cup than it is in an actual ceramic latte mug. But this time, my milk was overly aerated and there wasn't even an attempt of art on my mug. And it was a ceramic, the main reason I asked for that was to get something pretty on my drink. I can even appreciate the attempt, that way I can see that you're trying, that you care. I don't care if it looks like two butt cheeks squished together, you tried. And come on...it's just funny to see butt cheeks on your coffee:)



Today my latte was ok. The milk wasn't hot enough and the tiny air bubbles were Starbucks quality. It tasted waaaay too sweet and I couldn't really taste any of the espresso. Chad's Americano had nice crema and he said it tasted "amazing". I could hear the girl steaming the milk from across the room, which is always a no no. If I have to raise my voice so the person next to me can hear what I am saying...there are some steaming issues happening.

I do love the decor of Root. There is an old church pew in one corner and the window seating (perfect for people watching) and most of the items look recycled. The table legs of the window tables were made of iron tree sculptures. The place looks very clean and eclectic. I love how the sun comes through the windows and seems to light up the whole place.

In the end, I will probably come back to the Root. It's sad that only a few people know latte art and their customer service is sub-par, but the first latte I held from this place had a big fat heart on it, and that is why I am going to come back. Because one barista took 3 seconds out of her drink prep to make sure I had a nicely made drink I will return. It's the little things that make me happy, give me a heart, and I'll come back for more:)