Starbucks [SB]

5.5

Now, this is really our last entry on Starbucks [SB], with the demise, well withdrawal of Howard Schultz from their retinue.

We really should be asking them to sponsor.

{Insert Starbucks Logo Here}

Yesterday, we went to Williams-Sonoma. There we found some lovely issues of their cooking classes. Before the only one of interest had been their Pub Burger, but we had just missed. It would be that we would take that one, and then be happy, and then move on to their other classes.

There they have.

Michcael Mina's Ultimate Burger Bar
Fourth of July Hot Dog Party
Summertime Cooking with Cast Iron
-and-
Instant Pot: Dinner In An Instant [How BC!]

We let that there be our guide to shopping that day. That they had ["Hot Dog Party"] a recent movie led us to decide to revisit Franco Negro at Qvorum for one Safari Suit.

Lardini. Think Tub-O-Lard [Us] and Having Dinner. [I]

After some shuffling, up and down the street of South Granville, picking up two hats at Lucky (one we already had, as we had purchased a duplicate our last trip in, to pick up a receipt), and a visit to Bed Bath and Beyond, kitty corner to some items of interest ... on Broadway [a taste their of their Light Keurig K-Cup from an industrial dispenser: they have 32 variety in store...], it was finally 12 pm and someone at Williams-Sonoma [WS] was in to demonstrate their Breville machinery.

This month they have their:
Breville Barista Accadamy
Monday, June 4th - Sunday, June 10th



as well asd ...
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner with Breville
Monday June 11th - Sunday, June 17th

As we already just one of their machines, the Australian Breville Barista Express [sort of a trainer model for the old, pre-Swiss-or-German Starbucks Replacement Machines, the next model we will buy is [and why we were there] of course, the Breville Dual Boiler. It could make better tasting coffee, and due to it's secondary boiler, and lack of a grinder [we already have one, which we never use] have a better chance to heat ... it has a flat surface ... some cups, on to cup. And who doesn't like some warm cups? :)

Now, as it had taken some two hours to get a coffee, we chose to ignore the superior Brevillle Oracle [which would be the one to buy], and the Breville Dual Boiler and instead focus and ask to taste the Austrailian Neospresso Shooter, which Neoespresso introduced, recently [well, last time we were in the Bay] which would at least offer the chance of Neospresso to deliver and brew a decent tasting coffee!

They - the demonstrator - chose to press a Roma, the darkest coffee they offer [so it was quite right to go to Franco Negro, a native of Italy, shortly after...] and after all they offer a "Hot Dog Party" which is exactly what you expect, when you enter an Italian Tailor Shop Cafe.

A bunch of men, standing around an Espresso Shooter, or sitting, as the case may be. What a delightful place, Qvorum.

Now, Starbucks, today, that was a different matter. After checking Starbucks yesterday, on South Granville, and of course reading all the news on Starbucks [some or none of which we have posted here] lately in the conservative and financial press. We noticed that heir marketing is not Starbucks, but rather White Sport, so circa the 1950s.

At Starbucks today, on Davie, despite coming in, completely appropriately [one Boys Co "Cream of the Crop" retinue T-Shirt, one Gucci Pendant [see review: here], we were interrupted by rude men, everywhere, butting or stepping in, and ignoring our flow of delivery, so that we were spilling the cream.

What is the point, then, of a self serve station?


Is not the point to allow for the "experience" of being a Barrista? Is it to be some sort of picnic (not to nit-pick) station?

If not for the perfect pour, the perfect flow, and the generation of Barrita art on your own cafe - see: 767 - whatever variety, why then .. the Liberty?

Even then, at another spot. if you can not walk perfectly in a curve or a line, without spilling a spot from the cup to the saucer, to sit down at your chosen table, and seat without being impeded by the other customers, who care nothing for your task, why then the coffee?

Do you really want something with a single, un-chosen, flaw?

Now at Starbucks, we must say, we noticed a rather Lower Ground [see: Higher Ground, the Barrista Cafe], of aah, customers. Even today, in the am.

Yesterday, we lost an iPhone [$200, $600, $800, whatever] from being friendly, to a laundry servant / valet, attempting to open the door for him, sitting outside on Broadway, not being accustomed to having one, on the table, but rather pocketed. Picking it up, we noticed it scratched, and what is the point if you have the scratch, of having a broken, or newer, inferior model. [They do not make a good one, today. Aah, Apple post S. Jobs.]

Now, we are down to eight [8] of their Pumps [see reviews: elsewhere], of which, under Schultz, they have .. exited the business. This represents only an 8-month supply. Can you believe, only having 8 of an item? What a travesty!

Today, then, is our last day of buying coffee at Starbucks.



Now, here is a perfect [a Real] 767. We were so surprised [and put down ourself], for seeing not only had Roman one, but also a very, very good looking one. Please excuse our earlier comments earlier, as the King of Saudi Arabia had a decent plane, both inside and out, but not many other, in our experience.



You will see a list of last Starbucks articles, recepies and advice here.

Yours,

John Paul Fiket

JP 2018/06/07
www.hifiart.ca