R&R Coffee Cafe

Date Visited: Saturday, June 18^th, 2011
Heard About Via:  Twitter

R&R Coffee Cafe
11425 Black Forest Road #6
Colorado Springs, CO 80908
(719) 494-8300
http://www.rnrcoffeecafe.com/

Attire:            Casual
Company:      My Husband

RATING – 4/4 Stars

The Coffee/Baked Goods:      4 – Gotta Go!
Service:                                   3.5 – Savor It…
Atmosphere:                           4 – Gotta Go!
Cost/Value:                             $ - Got a few bucks

Ratings Key

General                                               Cost/Value (based on a party of 2)
1 – No go…                                         $ – Pinchin’ pennies (less than $10)
2 – Try it…                                          $$ – Got a few bucks (less than $20)
3 – Savor it...                                       $$$ – It doesn’t hurt to drop a few (less than $50)
4 – Gotta go!                                        $$$$ – I just got a bonus ($100 +)

Greeted by an old western building, R&R Coffe Café sits right off of Black Forest road in the heart of a large bed of trees.  Upon our arrival, we could hear the conversation and laughter into the parking lot, as one of their dining areas had open walls.  The coffee shop was endearing and charming upon entering, with coffee permeating the air.  We were greeted by a small line of eager customers ready to order their morning coffee and breakfast.  Like any savvy store, tempting baked goods lined the wall in which the line was formed.  Between the cake, scones and blueberry muffins, we decided to sink our teeth into the blueberry muffin.  As I approached the register, I was greeted with a very kind smile and helpful attitude, I could tell that they were all very busy and focused on ensuring the timely delivery of their customer’s meals and coffee drinks.  I ordered 2 cups of coffee with a blueberry muffin.  The cashier directed me to the coffee dispensers that stood behind me and handed me a bag and a sheet of plastic to grab my blueberry muffin from beneath the glass display dish.  While all of this was going on, I started to hear bluegrass in the background, I thought they must have turned on the radio, nope, I turned around to find a group of young teenage boys playing instruments and singing in the corner of the dining room.  They sounded amazing and it tied the whole wonderful experience together!

The Coffee/Muffin
The coffee was excellent, I had to sample all of the roasts and really enjoyed the Costa Rican decaf, but there was no way that I was going to be drinking decaf, so I went for the Forest Mist Blend.  This blend was sweet & mellow, with tones of roasted oak.  It was soo smooth and silky, very good blend and I am tempted to purchase a bag of it next time I am up at R&R.  We had to get the muffin because #1 it looked amazing and #2 I was not counting calories on Saturday (shhh…don’t tell my trainer).  The blueberry muffin was extremely MOIST, not too sweet and was baked to perfection!

So Great…
The atmosphere!  This coffee shop embodies the Colorado western charm that everyone hears about and wants to experience when in Colorado.  This is a MUST for locals and a place you need to bring any family and friends who visit you while in Colorado Springs.  The coffee bean bags draped on the ceiling, the red, warm paint, the locals coffee mugs hanging above the barista stand, the music, the outdoor setting and so much more really make this an experience that cannot be missed!

The Bummer…
The ordering process.  Like most small joints, the ordering process still resorts to a pen and paper, nothing against that, but I felt because of that, there was a bit of disorganization.  I am sure it is not like that when they are slammed like they were this past Saturday, but my steamed soy milk ended up at the back of the line behind 15 mocha lattes.  I ended up waiting almost 15 minutes to get some steamed soy milk, I think a POS system and communication between the casher and the barista would have helped.  The only other change I would make would be to add MORE blueberries to your blueberry muffins.  They are AMAZING, but lacked the flavor of the blueberries throughout the yummy muffin.

Great Job you guys, it was fun!

Gold Hill Java

Date Visited: Wednesday, June 08, 2011
Heard About Via:  The Independent Newspaper

Gold Hill Java
332 N. Tejon St.
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Mon – Wed: 6am – 7pm
Thur – Sat: 6am – 9pm
Sun: 8am – 7pm
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gold-Hill-Java-Downtown/189475914431289#!/pages/Gold-Hill-Java-Downtown/189475914431289?sk=info



Attire:            Casual
Company:      Just me!

RATINGS
I wish I had the time today to try their delectable fudge and food, but I didn’t.  Just ran in to get a quick cup of joe, I will be sure to be back to try the rest of their goodies!




Coffee:                         3 – Savor It...
Service:                         3 – Savor It…
Atmosphere:                2/3 - Try it/Savor It…
Cost/Value (Coffee):   $ - Pinchin’ pennies


Ratings Key
General                                               Cost/Value (based on a party of 2)
1 – No go…                                         $ – Pinchin’ pennies (less than $10)
2 – Try it…                                          $$ – Got a few bucks (less than $20)
3 – Savor it...                                       $$$ – It doesn’t hurt to drop a few (less than $50)
4 – Gotta go!                                        $$$$ – I just got a bonus ($100 +)

REVIEW

I am not going to pretend to use fancy terms so that I might blow your mind with my knowledge of coffee, but what I can tell you is that I have been drinking way too much of it for way too long, and this cup of coffee was GOOD.  I don’t think that we acknowledge enough that a lot of our impression about the food/drink hits us the second we walk into the door.  We are making a snap judgment about the joint that we just entered and BOOM – 30 seconds, the food or drink is GOOD before I try it.  Ok, ok, maybe that is a little bit extreme, but that is what happened to me today…

The Cup of Joe

It was HOT!!!  Kinda number one when we’re talking about coffee here.  I can’t tell you how many places I have been in town when all I want is a hot cup of coffee, yes even on days like today, and the darn thing is cold.  Um, excuse me, but if I pump coffee out of this dispenser, I want to see STEAM buddy?!  Well, today at Gold Hill Java, I got STEAM!  To top it off, my cup of coffee was only $1.50, I asked for soy milk because I am lactose intolerant and I was not charged an extra $3.00 to add soy.  Oh the joy that stuck me at the register…  I dabbled in all of the flavors that were before me and settled on the “Wildhorn Blend.”  I like my coffee dark and rich, I also really enjoy a BOLD pop on each sip.  This coffee delivered may great flavors upon first sip: smooth, smoky, small hints of vanilla and roasted nut…mmm…very good.  Lacking?  BOLDNESS.  I wish there was more depth to this blend…but overall, very good!!!


So Great…

Great location, I am pretty much anything downtown is in a good location, only because there is where I am 80% of my week…  No, I am kidding.  This is a great location because it is right on the corner, the sign is easy to spot and I absolutely adore the building this coffee shop sits in.  When you walk in you don’t feel cramped or suffocated, their remodeling has certainly brought an “airiness” to the place over the old stagnant feel of the past coffee shop.  It is very contemporary now, I kind of felt like I walked into someone’s kitchen, but in a good way.  Cozy, no.  Feelings of calm and clean, and oh yea, I think I need some fudge with my coffee today?  Yes. 

The Bummer…
I really did not spend enough time in here today to fairly rate this.  I would suggest to them, that for having a grand opening, it is a shame that they were not offering a promotion of some sort to drive in customers…  I will be sure to return!