Features

How do you like your coffee?

REVIEWS BY PATRICIA B. GROSSMAN

Photo: Julie Wiatt

Coffee workers mural, by Cheryl Foster at Mayorga Coffee Factory in Silver Spring.

Can you smell that? It's coffee brewing. Here in Takoma Park and Silver Spring, we have seen the arrival of two posh coffee houses in one year and an expansion of coffee offerings at neighborhood spots. Which is your favorite?

Caribou Coffee Company

New to Silver Spring is the Caribou. The atmosphere is cozy, like a ski lodge, complete with fireplace. They carry a full line of coffees and espressos. Try their mini fruit cheesecake for $3.25Ñit's pure joy. Located in the Blair Mill Shopping Center, 1316 East-West Highway, Silver Spring. Hours: Monday through Thursday 6 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday 6 a.m.-10 p.m., Saturday 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday 7 a.m.-8 p.m.

Einstein's Bagels

Right next door to Starbucks, across the street from the Silver Spring Metro, is Einstein's. While they are of course known for their bagels, you get a real bargain on their house coffee blends: a bottomless cup is $1.29. 8397 Colesville Road, Silver Spring. Hours: Monday through Friday 6 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 7 a.m.-5 p.m.

Everyday Gourmet

In the center of Takoma Park is Everyday Gourmet, a small, unpretentious coffee shop with the best baked goods around, all made from scratch daily. Their scones are huge! Everyday Gourmet is also the first shop in Old Town to carry Mayorga's locally roasted, certified shade grown coffee. (See right column for more on Mayorga.) Stop in and buy a bag to take home, and for complete indulgence, try one of their huge truffles ($1.99), which come in a variety of flavors, including Chocolate Decadence, Kahlua and amaretto. 6923 Laurel Avenue, Takoma Park. Hours: Monday through Friday 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Kefa Café

See the review of Kefa Café, located at 963 Bonifant Avenue, Silver Spring. Hours: Monday through Friday 7 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Kirsten's Café

Located on bustling Georgia Avenue just above 16th Street is a nice little eatery called Kirsten's Café. Standard homemade pastries (scones, muffins, brownies and the like) and a modest selection of coffee drinks are available daily. Of particular interest is a listing of daily gourmet lunch dishes posted by the front door in calendar form for the whole month. How's that for planning ahead? 9326 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring. Hours: Monday through Friday 6:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 7 a.m.-2 p.m.

Mayorga Coffee Factory

See the review of Mayorga, located at 8040 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring.

Mocha Hut

At the Takoma Park-DC line on 14th Street is the Mocha Hut. A relaxed atmosphere is an understatement for this coffeehouse. While their cappuccino at least is slightly bitter, their oversized yogurt-based muffins ($1.50) are worth a trip. 4706 14th Street NW, Washington. Hours: Monday through Friday 7 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Savory Café

Local artists display and meet regularly at the Savory. Good coffee and interesting conversation reign at this café. On Sundays there's brunch and a pastry buffet, and "wifi" high-speed internet access has arrived. 7071 Carroll Avenue, Takoma Park. Hours: Monday through Thursday 7 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday 7 a.m.-10 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Starbucks Coffee

Starbucks' specialty drinks bring in people who don't even like coffee. Their frappuccinos taste like iced milkshakes and their iced mochas like dark chocolate milk. But their regular house blend is so strong and robust, it gives me stomach cramps if I drink it before eating anything. (Some roasters say that Starbucks burns its beans, so that they can mix various grades undetected.) Starbucks has two locations in the Silver Spring areaone across the street from the Silver Spring Metro (8399 Colesville Road) and one in the Woodmoor Shopping Center (10103 Colesville Road). If you're looking for easier parking, I suggest going to the Woodmoor location. Hours: Monday through Friday 6 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday 6 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Sunday 7 a.m.-8 p.m..

Whole Foods Market

In a grocery known for health foods, there is also a coffee shop at Whole Foods featuring a nice selection of coffee drinks and a quaint area with tables and umbrellas, like an indoor café. Adjacent to the café is a fresh juice and smoothie bar. It's one of the few places that still serves biscotti. This spot is a must for when you want to take a break from food shopping. 833 Wayne Avenue, Silver Spring. Hours: Monday through Saturday 8 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m.-9 p.m.