Handlebar Coffee Roasters 02-23-12

Hey SBCSOP'ers.  Hanging today at Handlebar Coffee Roasters on Canon Perdido and Santa Barbara.  It is in the old 3 Pickles Deli location.  I have seen this place just driving by.  It's huge with the cycling crowd for some reason.  Lots of tight biking jerseys here on weekend mornings.  Must be a connection with the name and all.  Three cyclers just rolled in on cue.  They have a real small and basic inside area with no seating.  All of the seating is outside in the alley next to the old Jimmy's.  Great today since its 72 and sunny.  Not a bad spot to hang out on a warm day.  Nice view of presidio.  Coffee is really nice.  I'd put it #2 so far after French Press.  Grades:  Coffee: A, environment A+ if sunny and warm NA for cold/rainy.

Hoping to gain some member momentum after the unsanctioned coffee blog promotion party on Tue.  Sign up dammit.  Stay tuned next week when SBCSOP goes on the road!

Good Cup 02-13-12

Hello SBCSOP followers.  That means you JP...  Live from Good Cup today on the Mesa.  Here with my first guest blog contributor.  The one and only Melissa Zannon.  I am learning quickly that she knows Santa Barbara coffee shops really well.  I am humbled.  I definitely plan on tapping into her vast knowledge for my future locations and general input.   Good Cup has a pretty nice setting.  We are sitting in some comfy loungy chairs which always helps.  Coffee is good.  They gave me a to go cup which doesn't help.  I guess they assumed I was taking it out.  This is never gonna be my "go to"because of the location.  I really like downtown.  Either way it is nice to try something different and I would come back if I am ever on this side of town.  Grades:  Coffee is a B- and setting is a B.

Cafe Zoma 02-10-12

Reporting to you live from Cafe Zoma on State Street today.  I figured what I would do is just park downtown and walk on State until a good looking coffee shop appeared.  It took about 30 sec to see the sign for this place.  I have read a few good reviews about it on Edhat.  There is one in Goleta too I think.  They have a nice combo of tables and couch area.  Pretty comfy.  The perfect location just next to Canon Perdido intersection.  I got a latte and some zucchini bread.  Coffee is very good.  So far I am thinking...Coffee:  B+, Work Environment: A-.