What’s All the Hubbub About? Delicious Coffee, That’s What.
Posted by Samantha Lazar on January 18, 2010
What’s big and red, rolls around, and serves up some of the best coffee in Philadelphia? If you live or work in University City, live a caffeinated lifestyle, and haven’t discovered it yet, you’re in for a treat. 26-year-old Penn grad Andrew Crockett first parked his big red HubBub Coffee truck on 38th Street in late October, and his brews have been steadily developing a loyal following.
Coffee from a truck may dredge up images of watered-down battery acid, but the stuff HubBub brings for sale is no ordinary cup o’ joe. The truck is outfitted with fancy coffeemakers and a La Marzocco espresso machine handmade in Italy. It gets its beans from the highly acclaimed Stumptown Coffee, and independent roaster based in Portland, Oregon. HubBub serves everything from your humble drip coffee to specialty fancy-pants drinks, as well as a few baked goodies (try the upscale rice crispy treats). ...
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Related Categories: Dining + Food, Coffee Shops
The Penn Bookstore: Books, Gadgets, Apparel, Accessories, Coffee, Events…
Posted by Samantha Lazar on November 30, 2009
The Penn Bookstore, as anyone who’s walked by the mammoth building on the corner of 36th and Walnut knows, is a lot more than just a bookstore. Sure, it has books – lots and lots of them. Anything that an ordinary Barnes & Noble carries can be found on the first floor, including a cute kids’ book nook. Since this is a university bookstore, head upstairs and you’ll find shelves upon shelves of neatly organized course books.
But the store is filled with tons of other less bookish goodies, too. The first floor houses the Penn apparel section, which is filled with Red & Blue paraphernalia for proud Penn students, alums, and families. The hoodie selection alone will make you swoon as winter approaches. If sweats aren’t your thing, there’s a seemingly endless assortment of t-shirts, cashmere sweaters, water bottles, bags, bumper stickers, and cold weather gear of all sorts – hats, gloves, scarves, you name it. There’s also more expensive keepsake merchandise, like watches, glassware and chairs all emblazoned with the Penn logo. Next to the apparel, running through the center of the store, are tables overflowing with note cards, beautiful appointment books and diaries, hot items, and gift ideas. Upstairs you’ll find the well-appointed café (hot and cold beverages, snacks and energy boosters to keep you well-fueled while browsing), comfy chairs for reading, and dorm essentials, electronics, notebooks, binders, ink, paper… you get the idea....
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Related Destination: Penn Bookstore »
Related Categories: Coffee Shops, Retail, Universities + Colleges
Milk & Honey Market: Bringing the Best of Local Goods to Baltimore Avenue
Posted by Samantha Lazar on October 5, 2009
Ah, the long-awaited Milk & Honey Market has finally opened! West Philly has been anxiously awaiting its opening for months now, and everyone seems excited that the paper is off the windows, its shelves are stocked, and its sandwich presses are pressing. The shop, on the corner of 45th and Baltimore, is something of a market meets café meets up-scale deli, and is quickly becoming a neighborhood favorite.
The market’s ethos is that everything must be local, which works both to support Philly’s businesses, as well as to bring the best of Greater Philadelphia to the West Philly community. There’s the requisite fresh milk and organic honey from local farms, of course, as well as specialties from all the big names in town – ice cream from Bassett’s, cheese from Di Bruno Brothers, Breads from Metropolitan...
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Related Destination: Milk & Honey Market »
Related Categories: Dining + Food, Coffee Shops, Goods + Services
Earth Cup Café: Coffee in its True Form
Posted by Samantha Lazar on August 12, 2009
University City has no shortage of cute cafés, but I’ve found a new favorite: Earth Cup (formerly Sam’s Place), at 45th and Pine. Sam’s place was a neighborhood institution, serving up coffee, bagels, and ice cream to generations of West Phillyites for over 25 years. When it was preparing to shut its doors in 2008, long-time customer Natasa Borcanin swooped in to save the day. A professional barista who is truly passionate about coffee (as are all the super-friendly staff), she gave the shop a makeover, turning it into Earth Cup and specializing in organic, fair-trade custom blends.
Earth Cup’s mission is to showcase coffee in its true form, and all their grounds are as fresh as can be – nothing in your cup will ever be a week past its roast date....
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Related Destination: Earth Cup Café »
Related Categories: Dining + Food, Coffee Shops
Tangled Up In Blue
Posted by Kelly White on July 5, 2009
Lovers are pink. Madmen are blue. At least that's what the chalkboard designates at University City's latest coffee lounge. Fans of specialty coffee roasters Counter Culture were foaming at the mouth waiting for Lovers & Madmen to let them in. Set across the street from the vibrant pinkness of Distrito, the coffeeshop beckons with a blue exterior....
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Related Destination: Lovers and Madmen »
Related Categories: Dining + Food, Coffee Shops
Madrid Café
Posted by Samantha Lazar on June 25, 2009
If you’re in the neighborhood of 45th and Locust and looking for a place to grab a quick breakfast or lunch, or to sit and get some work done or chat with friends, think of Madrid Café. The small café opened just a few months ago and is pretty bare-bones, but it gets the job done.
I was told that people come in mostly for breakfast, but I stopped in for lunch instead and was pleasantly surprised. ...
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Related Categories: Dining + Food, Coffee Shops
Capogiro Gelato
Posted by Samantha Lazar on June 24, 2009
After living in Italy for a year, American ice cream just doesn’t do it for me anymore. Not even a pint of Haagen-Dazs or Ben and Jerry’s can compare to just one bite of the rich, creamy, fresh, flavor-infused ambrosia that is Italian gelato. I used to think there was something about the air in Italy that made their gelato (don’t call it ice cream!) taste so delicious. But I was wrong – Capogiro, which just opened a new branch on 39th and Walnut, makes gelato that’s every bit as transcendent as what you find in the gelaterias of Italy....
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Related Destination: Capogiro Gelato »
Related Categories: Dining + Food, Nightlife + Bars, Coffee Shops
Gold Standard Café
Posted by Samantha Lazar on June 22, 2009
Opening just a few weeks ago, the classy and cool Gold Standard Café (from the former owners of its namesake, the Gold Standard Restaurant, and Abbraccio) is a welcome addition to West Philly. Its prime location at the 5-way intersection of 48th and Baltimore makes it super convenient as well as perfectly situated for people-watching. The casual outdoor tables are just in time for summer iced coffee sipping, but you can also grab a seat in the front room at a high table or in front of the giant windows....
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Related Destination: The Gold Standard Café »
Related Categories: Dining + Food, Coffee Shops
Naked Chocolate Café
Posted by Samantha Lazar on June 20, 2009
A picture is generally worth a thousand words, but when the subject is the Naked Chocolate Café, a picture is worth at least five thousand. But even a photo essay wouldn’t do the chocolate shop and café justice – to get a real sense of it, you truly need a whiff and a taste. Stop by the Naked Chocolate Café, which opened its University City branch at 3421 Walnut St. last November, and judge for yourself....
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Related Destination: Naked Chocolate Café »
Related Categories: Dining + Food, Coffee Shops
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