So the Trib PM had a write up today on latte art. They interviewed the fine folks at Aldo Coffee and they also stopped in to interview me. Here’s an excerpt:
Self-taught latte artist Luke Shaffer, 31, owner of 21st Coffee and Tea in the Strip District, said he’s been doing latte art for a year and a half.
“One day, I figured out what I was doing wrong, kind of the light bulb moment, and all of a sudden it’s working,” Shaffer said. “Then you start showing off and doing stuff for customers because it’s fun.”
Some 21st Coffee regulars have come to expect it.
“We gave him a hard time one time when he didn’t do it,” joked Kalman Pelhos, 39, of Squirrel Hill. “It’s much like going to a French restaurant — you have a certain appreciation for the presentation and not just the taste of the food.”
“People ask, ‘Did you do that on purpose?’ and sometimes we joke around and tell them it was an accident,” Shaffer said.
Kevin also mentioned some sweet-ass pancakes that he had next door at Pamela’s P&G Diner- and we’d have to agree. Love the Pamela’s crepe pancakes- with whipped cream, bananas, and syrup. He said some other things that were quite humorous but not really fit for mass consumption. I’m hoping to get my hands on the unrated version.
We bought the Synesso because it was temperature stable and would allow us to take our drink making to the next level. The Synesso ended up being a dream to operate and the owners of the company, Mark and Sandy, have been a joy to work with. When I have a question about my coffee, I’m a phone call away from the folks who have actually been to the origin farms. When I have a question about my espresso machine, I’ve often spoken to an owner of the company. Talk about eliminating the middlemen!