McCune Smith, East End

Admin
Mar 30, 2016
3 min read

My friend and I walked into McCune Smith (not nicely) near closing. We were assuming we would be pushed out as fast as possible and were not, though they had already started putting things away. The time we arrived definitely contributed to an incomplete experience of a fully functioning McCune Smith.

I myself am a very aesthetic person and was a bit disappointed with the less pretentious atmosphere of the shop and the casual atmosphere of closing shop. I was even more reluctant to stay when I heard their beans were from Dear Green Roasters, whom I had tried at Siempre and found underwhelming.

I was hesitant to stay, but feeling guilty for making an awkward scene and being further convinced by a free espresso tasting of the Dear Green. My friend and I settled into a booth after ordering.

I have a liking for the aeropress and v60 pour-over. I have found you are less likely to get a burnt cup of joe and a more flavorful coffee experience with a pour-over and so ordered one in the Dear Green Roast. My friend a hot chocolate connoisseur herself, chose her usual, and we decided on sharing a lovely oat biscuit from their cake display.

We were delighted to find some entertainment to pass the wait for our order (there was a bit of a long wait for our small order). A hand crafted coloring book and large wooden coloring pencils were available for adult and child alike, serving to calm us before we got our caffeine and sugar fix.

The shelves of McCune Smith are filled with a variety of coffee accoutrements and eco-friendly mugs, which are always nice to see. Though I often wonder how many a shop actually sells.

When we finally received our order (a good 15 minutes or more after ordering; the place was quite empty at half past five). We were presented by one of the owners a lovely display of coffee and hot chocolate. My Dear Green was served on a wooden palette with pot, glass, water, and une petite bonne for a bit of sweetness to accompany my black brew.

My friend received her hot chocolate with all the beauty of a handcrafted drink. A line of milky foam delineated the chocolate from the milk and was topped with a shaving of chocolate.

I was quite surprised by the nice brew that I received, while not as complex in flavor palette as some other roasts I have tried it was brewed to a perfect temperature for the cold climate and the presentation more than added to the experience.

The owner was kind enough to tell us about the special local milk he uses for his drinks, reminding me of my days working at Lokal, the healthful cafe in Williamsburg, VA. It is obvious that he cares about the product he serves, which makes up for the slightly lacking atmosphere of the shop.

Overall Experience: 7.5

Pros: Very friendly owner, whom cares about the product he is serving. Family friendly and a good place to study at the same time. Plenty of seating and open atmosphere. Great presentation of product.

Cons: Slow service, not a place for a coffee on the go. The atmosphere is definitely family owned and appeared a little disorganized.