Rao's Coffee (Amherst, MA)

Rao’s is the epitome of a college start up coffee shop that has successfully branched out into a profitable business. With its artisan pre-made sandwiches and baked goods lining the glass counter top, wide-eyed young college student order over caffeinated coffee drinks with an extra shot of espresso to wake them up for their 12pm class. High wood ceilings and multiple door entries help delude the ever present chatter of young adults and increase the open, yet homey atmosphere, that transcends across the coffee shop into the outdoor patio. The robust, and densely rich coffee and freshly baked goods aside; what is truly great about this particular home roasted coffee shop is that it is tucked almost immediately behind a Starbucks.

Starbucks with their corporate drinks, streamlined service and overly sugary drinks is the modern, trendy, hyped up version of the college town coffee shop. [Don’t get me wrong- convenience is sometimes key when it comes to grabbing a cup of Joe, and I definitely partake in the trend while reading in Barnes and Nobles.]  The fact that this particular coffee shop goes toe-to –toe with the barrista beverage giant while situated behind it off the main street of a college town is something truly to applaud. They have updated their cafe and made it a very modern environment that welcomes that passing by student to sit down and work on their laptops after a yoga session next door. Pastries and coffee or an earl grey tea with homemade granola, either way they are ready for people from all walks of life.

Rao’s house coffee: -(Colombian) it is acidic, rich, strong, and hints of chocolate flavoring depending on what brew you choose.

Orange/ cranberry walnut scone sprinkled with brown sugar over the top-  Crumbles while maintaining a dense consistency. Its great!

Bike racks at the front and back help support this indie vibe that they so desperately are trying to promote. There are coin operated parking and garage available behind and slightly in the front.  

(****4 Stars) Coffee/ cafe- Breakfast/ Lunch

Rao's
17 Kellogg Ave
Amherst, MA 01002

(413) 253-9441

North Hadley Sugar Shack (Northampton, MA)

The North Hadley Sugar Shack sits right on the side of a winding road in center of Massachusetts maple country. It has the main shack where they produce maple sugar candied treats all year round. The main house where they have a restaurant and gift shop where they sell their manufactured products, a side shack of the main house where a running maple syrup distiller operates during the height of the season for tourist, and an animal village where youngsters can feeder and pet farm animals. A local hot spot it attracts locals and tourist looking for fresh maple syrup with a home made meal.

Not much compares for me besides a hot cup of coffee or freshly squeezed orange juice. Lucky for me the Sugar shack has both. I split their maple glazed donuts which were a bit plain without the maple glaze honestly, Waffles and sausages that were okay and I had the Eggs/ bacon and toast which was the restaurants saving grace. Fresh brown eggs scrambled with large strips of apple smoked bacon with rye toast.

Overall, it felt like a local spot with curios for tourists and fresh grade A-meat to buy in bulk for locals. The side built barnyard is great for kids and the maple sugar shack suggests a treat for the adults. Not pretentious  and full of local charm, it is a quite retreat in the deep of the Pioneer Valley.

(3.5 out of 5 stars ***1/2) Breakfast/ Brunch- great for kids and large groups.

North Hadley Sugar Shack
175 River Drive  Hadley, MA 01035

(413) 585-8820

Cushman Market & Cafe (North Amherst, MA)

Out of a John Denver song, next to the rail road running through North Amherst, waits the rustic Cushman Market and Café. This historic market is much more than a corner store where you can pick up your milk and eggs. The land was originally purchase in 1892, by George Cogswell and built a grocery store on the site where the current market continues to run.  

I adore the re-inventive design that is a constant theme of integrating the old growers packaging labels as the palate for the cozy, comforting charm of the relaxed local café. It’s outdoor patio is picturesque next to the clang-clang of the railroad tracks. Plenty of Parking on the side, back and across the street along the petite park with picnic table and rock wall. A great way place to break up your Saturday morning or afternoon.

The establishment currently is split in two between a small, but well stocked, market featuring an excellent wine and beer selection. As well as, a café serving the fresh, fine food made from local ingredients from nearby farms. Their coffee beans are locally roasted. Drinks are made with local Mapleline milk which is delicious.

Coffee Regular- French Roast was just what I wanted it to be- robust, rich, and with a dash of nutmeg and cinnamon was the perfect pairing to my chocolate croissant. The croissant was flaky, with a smooth dark chocolate granache filling. It was such a tasty treat on such a dreary day.

On my second venture to the cafe a few weeks later, I tried out their Lemon cupcake and Chocolate cupcakes. The lemon was simply garnished with a sugared lemon rind and was a bit dry and needed either more lemons or moist to zest up the actually cake. The Chocolate cupcake on the other hand was reminiscent of a hoho….decadent and moist its white butter cream frosting made this moist little morsel a decadent treat. (I dream of going back for another....)

(5 stars *****) Organic/ fresh breakfast and lunch artisan (FREE WIFI- good signal)

More information can be found on the markets website: http://cushmanmarket.com/

Cushman’s Market & Café’ (North Amherst, MA)

491 Pine St, Amherst, MA 01002

(413) 549-0100

Northampton Coffee (Northampton, MA)

The atmosphere is clean, wide spacing and family style table in the center draws patrons to socialize in a very homey, local coffee shop environment with light eclectic music playing in the background.

Plugs- but charged WIFI....do these establishments not understand the coffee/ tea hipster culture? Nope, they understand turn over and the necessity of more customers= more money! Such a shame....

Oatmeal raisin cookie....so good I am still fantasizing about it. Rich, crunchy yet moist, dense, and filled with chocolate and dried cranberries. It was one of the best cookies I have ever had....period. Paired amazing with my small chai latte, though I had a sip of their coffee and it is rich, full, with a smooth blend that is both refreshing and comforting. It is a single-orgin fair trade coffee that is a little over priced, but decent.

The establishment also serves a variety of pastries and wine/ beer for an afternoon delight. Too bad they have not tried pairing with a local creamery to get the Wine and Cheese nights started.....then I would be tempted to go back.

3 stars (***)

Northampton Coffee- (Northampton, MA)
269 Pleasant Street Northampton, MA 01060

(413) 587-8987

Weinrich's Bakery- Willow Grove, PA

On a spur of the moment adventure, I decided to venture to Philadelphia (boyfriend in tow) to bring in the New Year. We traveled down toward Philly and stayed in ....for the night before New Year's eve. The morning before the New Year, Jon is the die-hard coffee fiend. He would happily sync himself up to a coffee drip 24-hours a day, purposes for us to grab a second cup of coffee before our train comes. Across from the Amtrak train station and around the corner sits the Weinrich bakery.

The Weinrich bakery has been in operation for almost 100 years, the Willow Grove location has been opened since 1952. The original family migrated from Germany and has been operating a bakery every since. Over the years they branched out to other locations as the family grew from New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.

The Bakery in Willow Grove is 100% a landmark of entrepreneurial dedication and sophistication. The authenticity is genuine and the family itself is a treat (3 generations) they are all working hard to serve exceptional service and above average bake goods and coffee. I had walked in by chance and was greeted by the matron of the establishment who gave me a full tour of her family photos and a quick tale of how the bakery at Willow Grove came to be.     

Jon and I grabbed two coffee's a bag of their butter sprinkled cookies and two cinnamon rolls (MADE FROM SCRATCH!!) that were to die for. Delicious....simply delicious. Overall, an unexpected delight that I hope one day to replicate.

(5stars*****)- Cafe & Bakery- Dine in or Take-out

Weinrich’s Bakery

55 Easton Road  Willow Grove, PA 19090
(215) 659-7062

Opened: Tuesday- Saturday

Black Sheep (Amherst, MA)

In the heart of the city of Amherst, MA, off the main street, sits a quaint bakery/cafe that houses a plethora of tasty freshly made treats daily. Ranging from delicate desserts to fresh made sandwiches, this hipster/college hang out is the kind of San Francisco wannabe deli that make me ache for the west coast's famous Tartine off 18th street.

I tried the Californian Sandwich, as more of a novelty, then for any other reason. I was pleasantly surprised by the roasted warm sun dried tomato paste with red onions, spinach and coupled with thinly sliced chicken. I was looking forward to tasting a pesto flavoring within the paste as described and was disappointed not to experience anything close.The house regular iced coffee was rich and robust which helped speed me along for the rest of my afternoon. However, the variety in coffee was weak and I did not notice a selection in Tea's which would help diversify their clientele.

The Apple Pecan Muffin, I tried on a second visit as more of an early morning dash to work. The muffin was not only a refreshing treat, it was a sweet comfort that was not overpowering nor was it bland. It was warm, fresh, and exactly what I wanted. I look forward to trying more of their baked goods soon.

Four Stars ****

Black Sheep
79 Main St
Amherst, MA 01002

(413) 256-1706

http://blacksheepdeli.com/

Shelburne Falls Coffee Roasters- (Easthampton, MA)

GREAT COFFEE, good waitstaff, comfy seating...wish there was more...there is some outside seating but you would have to come early. The house coffee is slightly sweet, a type of organic Guatemalan, which I had over ice due to the 65% humidity outside. All their coffee is FAIR TRADE from all over the world. At least 20 different selections which gives the educated coffee drinker an array of choices to tempt your palate.

Light food selection, mostly baked goods and biscotti's. You walk in the door and are hit with the vibrant smell of roasted coffee as with the cool air conditioner. Music is chill and relaxing...could be a couple of degrees lower, but it has a good vibe with a consistent beat. Relaxed and casual, you can drop in for a scrumptious cup of coffee on your way to work or sit for hours in a sitting room type of atmosphere. $0.25 refills, why wouldn't you want to chill for hours on a lazy Sunday afternoon?

(4 stars) Coffee/ baked goods

Shelburne Falls Coffee Roasters

47 Union St
Easthampton, MA 01027

(413) 527-0597
Hours: 6am-5pm daily!!!
www.ibuycoffee.com