Great Downtown Coffee

I am catching a ferry this morning at 10:40am.  In order to save big $$ on downtown parking I set out a little early to make it in the lot for the early bird daily special.  It did put me down here about two hours early, which is no big deal.  Give me my MacBook and a good coffee shop and I am ready to roll. 

I have walked past Downtown Cup a number of times.  It is the last door on your left as you are heading west across the pedestrian bridge to the ferry terminal.  Today is finally a chance to give it a shot.  This is not a full review but I will let you know that it is a very cool little spot.  It is definitely designed primarily for walk in traffic, with a large lobby (holding pen) and few seats.  It is wrapped with windows which provide a ton of natural light and a stimulating urban view.  It is a cool mix of energetic and relaxed.  People are buzzing coming off the boat, getting their juice before they ride the desk and the vibe is so laid back and very friendly. 

I have noticed that the baristas refer to many customers by name.  This type of loyalty is hard to come by in a town that literally has Starbucks on two corners of most downtown intersections.  Ok, that is an exaggeration, but there is one spot up by pacific place that has four Starbucks within a one block radius.

Here they grind each shot, pack the filter by hand and yes, bang the bageebers out of the filter on the ol metal bucket when the shot is done.  This is how good coffee should be made.  

Downtown Cup serves Stumptown coffee which is roasted in Portland.  Pretty stinking smooth.  I am having a tall (two shots) Americano and it is pretty stinking good.  There is a tiny bit of bitter on the tongue following each drink, but I think you need that to be sure you are still alive and not in heaven.  Sorry, that was pretty bad.

 

Anyway, next time you are coming or going on a ferry, jump into Downtown Cup and see what all the fuss is about.