For all the coffee fanatics everywhere... sometimes Starbucks gets a little too corporate feeling and you just wanna find a nice cafe somewhere to get a good cuppa joe and read the paper or visit with friends. This is an attempt to root out all of the hidden wonders in this rich area and share them with the world. My latest finds will be featured and feedback will be encouraged to rate these fine establishments. In addition, recommendations for coffee shops outside the Northern VA/ Washington DC area are welcomed. Great coffee websites and other java-friendly folks will be featured. Be sure and scroll to the bottom to take the current quick poll! Also, rate my lens before you leave - thanks!
And remember... check out all the cool Coffee gifts listed below for that caffeinated person in your life!
What You'll Find at Cuppa Mocha Mud
- The Brewing News
- Java Joys to Explore
- 2nd Shot of Java Joy
- International Java Joys to Explore on Your Journey
- Little Perks
- Quick Poll
- Coffee on YouTube
- Great Stuff on Amazon
- Netflix Movies
- To Drink Cold or Hot Coffee Today, that is the question...
- New Did you know? Random Facts
- Informational Coffee Links
The Brewing News
Nothing makes a cup of coffee taste better than the accompanying morning news. Check out the latest in the world around you while you sip away...
- Robots Made From Recycled Typewriters (PICS)
- Jeremy Mayer is finding new ways to turn trash into beautiful robotic art. He's been making robots o...
- Worst Hate by Numbers Ever
- Gladstone takes on a 5 armed toad and loses.
Java Joys to Explore
Looking for a new mocha haunt? As I love to travel both domestically and internationally, one of the first places I try to find is a local coffee shop - check my favorites out!
- The Mudd Puddle, Frederick, MD
- I had the opportunity to go to this unique coffee shop over the weekend while antique shopping in Frederick, MD. I was really looking forward to my experience here as I had looked them up online before going.
My only disappointment is that they took my order and money and then promptly forgot about me. Twenty minutes later, I wandered up again to find out how my order was coming along and it was as if they had never seen me. I almost had to pull my receipt out again!!! Come on, folks, I was just up at this same counter 20 minutes ago and there hasn't been anyone else in here since then! Anyway, they rectified the situation completely by giving me my order FREE! So, of course, it tasted even better! Now, if I had been on a tight schedule, I don't know that I would be as pleased.
As for the decor, it was extremely eclectic - every wall seemed to be made from a different material. One had exposed beams, others were plastered/painted (one had a mural of a sidewalk cafe on it)... it helped me pass the time waiting as I checked out an artist's work that was hanging everywhere. There was a hodge-podge of tables, couches and chairs too which made it fun! The building is old and that added a special aura to the experience.
I got a special coffee drink (I forget the name) that was supposed to taste like an Almond Joy. It had chocolate, almond and coconut syrups in it along with the espresso, milk and mandatory whipped cream. Deeeelish! It was a good imitation to be sure and one I would revel in again. It was served in a regular coffee mug so the $3.50 price tag seemed a big steep. Most of the specialty coffee drinks were around $4. Regular drinks were in the $2 range. Sandwiches were running $4-$7 - I decided to go with The Ultimate Grilled Cheese sandwich. I was delighted to find out they made it with pesto! That added an extra zing - along with the Italian flatbread. It was a sandwich I could savor again and again!
I look forward to another visit at the Puddle - hopefully, my face is imprinted in their memories now and I won't be easily forgotten... however, if it got me another free meal, I might not be too offended. - The Bean Scene - Ashburn, VA
- The Bean Scene is located right off of Waxpool (I think it is still Waxpool at this point)near the Ashburn Ice House in the new plaza they just built. It is run by an Asian couple who are extremely friendly and helpful. The wooden chairs in their shop were personalized with the coffee cup "stamp" by the owners. The oversized comfy chairs are easily moved around to acccomodate larger groups (as we did the other night)and the assortment of books and magazines are an obvious invitation to stay and enjoy your cup of coffee down to the last drop. No rushing here. The soft lighting creates a nice touch that exudes warmth and welcome. Definitely a thumbs up establishment! More info on prices and menu features to come... stay tuned.
2nd Shot of Java Joy
- Mello Out - Middleburg, VA
- Their specialty is homemade marshmallows; however, a cup of coffee is a great reason to stop at this cellar shop too! A couple of patio style tables are located throughout the shop space but it is not an ideal sit-down coffee shop. It is a fascinating place to visit though as it is literally located in the cellar of a building - go down two sets of steps and see the original cellar walls as you go. The prices are comparable to other coffee places but the menu is not large. Definitely a place to visit at least once! Middleburg alone is worth visiting even if you don't stop for coffee.
International Java Joys to Explore on Your Journey
coffee shops enjoyed around the world
Most likely there will not be many links for coffee shops overseas but I will attempt to list any I find out about or get a review on at this spot.
- Butlers Chocolate Cafe - Dublin, Ireland
- I discovered this delightful place on a recent trip to Dublin, Ireland. It appears you can order their chocolate online but not their ground coffee. Check out the menu though and you'll be on your way to idyllic Ireland before you know it!
Little Perks
Quick Poll
Tell us like it is
No answer is a stupid one (ahem) - let us know what you think!
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Coffee on YouTube
Great Stuff on Amazon
Mocha Madness
Enjoy a good book while you sip your mocha... or find out more about the goodness of coffee.
Brisingr (Inheritance, Book 3)
Amazon Price: $15.13 (as of 10/13/2008)
The Shack
Amazon Price: $8.24 (as of 10/13/2008)
Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1)
Amazon Price: $6.04 (as of 10/13/2008)
Netflix Movies
Curl up in your couch with a blanket, a hot cuppa java, watch a good ol' classic movie and you have the makings for an awesome evening!
- 001- Casablanca
Of all the "gin joints" in Morocco, Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman), with husband Victor (Paul Henreid) in tow...- 002- The Godfather
Director Francis Ford Coppola brings Mario Puzo's multigenerational crime saga to life in this Oscar...- 003- One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
The first movie since It Happened One Night to win all five major Academy Awards (picture, director,...- 004- Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Beware the knights who say "Ni." The Python comedy clan skewers King Arthur and his knights as they...- 005- Citizen Kane
Orson Welles reinvented movies at the age of 26 with this audacious biography of newspaper baron Cha...- Try Netflix free for 14 days
To Drink Cold or Hot Coffee Today, that is the question...
Find out the outside temp to determine what your drink choice today!
New Did you know? Random Facts
Informational Coffee Links
- Coffee Trivia
- Did you know that one pound of ground coffee beans makes approx 50 cups of coffee? or that the first coffee house opened in Berlin in 1721? Read these and 27 other great coffee trivia.
