I like coffee. If I’m making a cup at home I use a Bialetti espresso maker. I haven’t gone all nerdy and started trying to tell the difference between different coffee beans, but if I’m lucky enough to be in a café that appears to be run by people who are passionate about coffee I’m happy for them to lead me to untried exotic blends.
That’s what happened recently when I was in the Third Floor Espresso at 54 Middle Abbey Street, Dublin 1. I got taking to Colin Harmon, who owns the shop and also writes a blog called Dublin Barista. Instead of getting off the Luas at Busaras I’d started getting off at Jervis so I could pop in and have an espresso. Walking on to Connolly to get a DART is pobably good for me.
After asking me what I thought of the coffee he’d just made me (which I loved) Colin said that in a couple of days he’d have a blend that he felt would be perfect for my coffee maker. It was Machacamarca and I think (working from memory here) it came from Bolivia. A few days later I bought some and I really like it.
I’m not going to try and describe it. I’ll leave that to people, like Colin, who not only are experts but are passionate about producing a consistently great cup of coffee every time. If you’re a coffee-phile, then the next time you find yourself in the O’Connell Street area or anywhere around the quays, take time to drop buy and get a great espresso or a damn fine cappuccino for €2. That’s great value considering it’s served by the Irish Barista Champion 2009 who has also won fourth place overall, World Barista Championship Atlanta 2009!
I think I’ve visited the Third Floor Espresso about a dozen times now and I’ve always liked the coffee I was served. Colin isn’t always there (I guess even coffee lovers have to sleep) but everyone who works with him seems to have the same devotion to delivering a excellent cup of coffee every time.
Enjoy!
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