Rustica Bakery (4/9/11; 10:00am)

Hoping for an experience similar to our first outing, Rustica Bakery sadly disappointed. We really wanted to like Rustica, it's famed baked goods and prime location near Lake Calhoun makes it a favorite of many. The atmosphere was a bit overwhelming - long lines and wait time for beverages, minimal seating, and lots of chatter. Given that it was a beautiful spring day by the lakes in Uptown we should have anticipated that families would be out; however, we hoped for something a little more relaxed.  The baristas were fairly knowledgeable when it came to the brews the offered.  When we asked for one of their light roasts, she suggested a Burundi roast that hadn't even made it to the menu yet.  It was, sad to say, disappointing--the acidity and citrus aftertaste of the roast was too overwhelming for my taste. Impressed by the barista's brewing techniques (single cup drip), the various blends - both Burundi and Ethiopian - were bitter, light, and watered down. Rustica came highly recommended for their espresso beverages and, in particular, their single shot of espresso. It is possible that we left the espresso sit a tad too long because their was very little in the way of crema when we got to it, however, I'm pretty sure we could have recreated or surpassed this espresso with a home espresso maker. The cappuccino was decent - not great. As the picture shows, the barista was an artist with the froth. That said, the froth was bubbly and light and not the thick froth that one usually finds on top of a good cappuccino. Despite the recommendations, perhaps Rustica Bakery is better known for their baked goods and we both agree that it would be worth revisiting by sampling both the coffee with one of their treats.

Nina's Coffee Cafe (4/2/11; 7:30am)

Atmosphere: 7    Coffee: 6.14    Espresso: 9.5

On an early Saturday morning in April, we began our search for the best cup of coffee in the Twin Cities. Our first stop was Nina's Coffee Cafe, a quaint coffee shop on the corner of Selby and Western in St. Paul, MN. Nina's has the same feel as St. Paul: old, comfortable, and familiar. The exposed brick and multiple windows looking out onto Selby make it easy to lose track of time at this coffee shop frequented by many a St. Paulian. The early hour offered ample seating; however, a steady stream of people started to file through the cafe by 8am. Due to the popularity of this old standby, Nina's Coffee Cafe can fill to the brim (pun intended) during peak hours of business. A major appeal of Nina's atmosphere is their multitude of nooks and crannies: no standard seating for this establishment - high tops and couches dot the multi-level cafe. Additionally, Nina's provides other forms of entertainment: games, free wifi, live music, and a local bookstore downstairs.
The barista was eager to discuss her espresso knowledge and display her drink making skills (see picture). The double cubano is reason enough to visit Nina's on a regular basis. Espresso brewed with raw sugar and topped with a thick layer of milk, the double cubano offers a unique blend of bold espresso with a subtle sweetness. Nina's brews several coffee blends including a house blend - although we opted for the Ethiopian. Drip brewed, the end result is a distinctly Ethiopian citrus and floral taste. The cupping was less than desirable, however, and the Ethiopian blend lacked boldness in flavor. Considering these three factors (i.e., atmosphere, coffee, and espresso drinks), Nina's is a great establishment and we are eager to return for another coffee sampling experience perhaps accompanied by a good read from the bookstore below.