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.