Barista

Reviews 8

A

A Private User

Many have said it before me, but Barista has the best coffee in Portland. Period. It probably has some of the best espresso in the world, at least that Ive tried. This is remarkable when you consider that Portland is already blessed with many excellent local roasters and coffee shops. Two things combine to make Barista truly superior: top-notch coffee and excellent preparation by professional baristas. Barista always offers three espressos so you can choose one that suits your taste or try something new; they sell many more varieties of beans for home brewing. You cant find that type of selection anywhere else that Ive visited. This location doesnt have much seating--the original idea was to serve a great shot of espresso, and then massive popularity followed. Its not a great place to sip coffee for two hours while you read, so go elsewhere for that. Lines can get long during rush hour, but the baristas are extremely efficient. To answer the (few) previous negative reviews regarding service: I think maybe the problem with the service was the person writing the review. Ive worked in customer service my entire life and I am very critical of bad service. I have never once received or witnessed anything but excellent, patient, enthusiastic service from the baristas at Barista! Other excellent service moments: after they were closed (I mistakenly thought they were open an hour later), Barista still sold me beans when I had to leave for a trip the next day. In the confusion, I forgot my ceramic, reusable cup. When I returned for the first time two weeks later, they immediately brought my cup out from under the counter, where it had been waiting for me all that time. And of course, they always remember my drink, and not for any special reason, like Im part of some imaginary hipster cabal where we all have the same tattoo artist or drummer or something. No, these baristas are just really good at what they do and genuinely care about pulling the best shots. Thanks for helping me wake up every morning!

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K

K Komaki

Barista is very highly recommended! A choice of espressos (ask for an opinion on the best espresso to choose: it may depend on what drink you are planning to order), and all perfectly executed drinks. The milk is always spot-on, the presentation visually gorgeous, and some of the best drinks I have had the pleasure of tasting have come from Barista. Also, they have a great selection of beans from various roasters; some of which are delivered by air freight and not all that easy to get in Oregon. Variety is a refreshing change from the many bars only serving Stumptown (although this has changed recently, there are new roasters popping up constantly). In response to "Captain Anonymous": this poster is not comparing apples to apples. If you get a drink that is pulled with Hairbender, it is about the same price as other places in town. If you want an espresso pulled with Intelligentsia, then expect to pay a bit more, as the beans have to be flown in and are more expensive. No big surprise. Not to mention that often you have the (5-time?) NW regional champ behind the bar in Billy Wilson. Barista is definitely a cant miss if you are in the neighborhood or visiting Portland and love your coffee.

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JK

JKay GreenStarsProject

Great coffee drinks made with great coffee beans, from various roasters. (4/5 green stars) Made a detour to visit Barista and had a latte and it was very good. That’s all really. I’m also giving Barista 4/5 “green stars” for social and environmental impact, based on these reasons: • Coffee beans are from roasters that have direct trade relationships with farmers and most encourage sustainable growing conditions. • For example, Intelligentsia, a pioneer in the direct trade movement. • Or Stumptown, who pays up to four times commodity prices for their green coffee and use compostable packaging. • Other roasters represented at Barista, including Ceremony and Ritual are also responsible about sourcing beans. • I believe that Barista’s regular milk is not organic, unless they’ve changed this. • However, they do have alternatives such as rice and almond milk. • Their mochas are made with Valrhona chocolate. Ever written a green star review? Please contact me if you have done so, or if you’d like to know more!

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A

A Private User

We are spoiled by the GREAT coffee that permeates this town. It isnt hyperbole to say that PDX is really one of the best coffee towns in the country. Barista is therefore the absolute CREAM of the CROP of coffee shops in Portland. One of the biggest things for me is that they let the customer choose from 3 rotating roasts procured from the absolute BEST roasters in the country. Why be stuck on Hairbender if you dont particularly care for it? Oh, and the baristas here are consistently the best trained as evidenced by the recent NW Regional Barista Competition (Yes, there is such a thing) Oh, AND they are all very friendly and willing to explain all the nuances of the coffee without being elitist should you decide to order a latte "extra hot". Need I say more? Just go order a cappuchino yourself here and you be the judge.

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A

A Private User

I feel an urge in the depths of my coffee-loving soul to share my new discovery with you. If you ever find yourself wandering on NW 13th & Hoyt, do yourself a favor and stop by Barista. Its a new shop, owned by Billy Wilson, a master of the art of latte. He used to be part owner of Albina Press in N. Portland and now you can find him here, serving award winning coffees from multiple roasters side by side, which is very rare. Another draw for the coffee enthusiast (read: nerd) is that they use a variety of coffee brewing techniques and funky machines that youve probably never seen before. They even have a vintage restored La Marzocco and you can see straight into its steaming, brewing guts. And the building is really cool- Its got a good, cozy old-Portland feel to it.

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ER

Erin Lima

Im not kidding, and Im not exaggerating: best. coffee. ever. anywhere. Dont take a coffee newbie here: its expensive, and they wont appreciate it. Dont take your friend here if they say "oh, maybe Ill just get a tea"... no. You get coffee at Barista. The best coffee you have ever tasted. Personally, I like the Mocha. Its is the only place in Portland, and probably the world that I would order a sissy-coffee drink like that. You see, their mocha isnt milk chocolate sweetness, its a dark, hard-hitting, bitter concoction of amazingness. You know that scene in the movie Elf, where he walks into a coffee shop and says "you did it!! Worlds best coffee, congratulations!!" ... thats what I want to say every time Im here.

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A

A Private User

I hate coffee. When I actually have it I have to make it taste not like coffee. I mean tons of cream and sugar substitute. Barista made me a Cafe Mocha. For the first time I did not have to add anything to my coffee. I actually liked coffee for the first time. I think I really liked it. Weird. That is artistry. They lured me in because they were playing the Fugees, then Tribe Called Quest, then Gang Starr.....I love me some old school hip hop and I have high respect for a Portland joint that loves it too. Lets face it, Portland isnt exactly Hip Hop central. You do pay a premium for their luscious coffee. An 8oz cup set me back $4.50. Worth it for most, but I got to ding it a little bit.

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A

A Private User

My boyfriend and I walked into this coffee shop after painting at Ready, Paint, Fire nextdoor. I was extremely dissatisfied with the price of the coffee, the flavor, and the general atmosphere. Not only did I pay $4.75 for a 12 ounce cup of flavorless coffee, they had no additional flavors to choose from like in a regular coffee shop. I was stared at when I walked in with my boyfriend holding my niece, assuming they were shocked at how we were dressed. I felt extremely uncomfortable and the coffee was unacceptable. Dont go into coffee shops if you know they will judge you.

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