The Coffee Studio - The search for great Chicago coffee shops

I've been on a quest for good coffee shops since we moved back to Chicago last fall. I have to say my favorites are still in Brooklyn, but I've found one here that's pretty cool. It's called The Coffee Studio and is located in the Andersonville neighborhood. It's laid back but with a sleek design that's warmed up by brick and wood. My NFEF latte (my espresso order is ridiculous enough to say, much less write out) was very tasty and the staff was cool although perplexed at my tourist-like photo taking (it was too early to hype my blog pre- caffeination).

There's also a great Italian deli/grocery store called Piatto Pronto one door down. Great to pop in and buy espresso for home and some anisette toast and other Italian pastries for coffee dipping. Not as good as my Mom's, but they make me feel nostalgic.

Will report more about my Chicago coffee experience as we get around.

I Heart (free coffee in) NY

Check out www.freecoffeedays.com for all of the locations where you can get free coffee in Manhattan for the month of February.

De'Longhi Artista Series — Mike Perry

One of my favorite typography illustrators is Brooklyn based, former mid-westerner, Mike Perry. If hand-drawn type makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside, you surely have his book Hand Job in your library (mine was an awesome b-day present from Julie M., my BFAW [best friend at work]). When I found out that he did a limited edition DeLonghi espresso maker, I thought, oh goody! You can see the other DeLonghi Artistas on their site.

My love of coffee has poured over to my virtual life. I've finally reached a high enough level on Farmville to be able to buy coffee beens and harvest an entire crop of coffee! Yippiiii!

And yes, I'm a fair-trade virtual farmer.

All About Faces

My wonderful friend and former colleague, Mike Brotebeck, has some of his paintings up at the Starbucks on Broadway and Roscoe in Chicago. Be sure to check out his Etsy page if you'd like to commission a portrait of a loved one (or yourself!). Cool beans Mikey!

Can I have a C with my coffee?

I know, this isn't exactly a coffee post, but I for one really enjoy a nice cookie to dip into my extra foamy latte. I just discovered these cool Helvetica cookie cutters by Beverly Hsu.

Coming down off the B & A buzz

Sigh…I have Brangelina and their possible impending split on the brain. What will become of the children?! What other hot couple can I fantasize about now?

Since I'm clearly in denial that there's anything else in the world to worry about much less three web sites I currently need to build, a business I need to get off the ground and a suitable apartment to find, here is a little distraction with a coffee dedication to good ol' Brad & Angie.

Brad a pretty face in a Japanese coffee commercial

Another pretending to be an office drone like the rest of us

But, of course, he's a sexy mo'fo of an office drone (I bet the armpit sniff was improvised).