Cheap Eats: Method Coffee
February 28th, 2009 by Jennifer Zyman in Restaurants, cheap-eats
Although he is the owner of Method Coffee Bar & Tea Lounge (1593 North Decatur Road. 404-549-8942. www.methodcoffeebar.com), Don Lowell insists Dale Donchey is the mastermind behind the operation. Donchey placed third in this year’s Southeastern Regional Barista Championship and is going to Portland for the Nationals in March.
The coffee shop’s name comes from its devotion to methodology from beans to brew. Method sources all of its coffee beans from Intelligentsia, the lauded Chicago roaster whose “direct trade” sourcing philosophy and commitment to quality has made it the preferred bean for discerning coffee drinkers. The coffee shop serves an ever-changing handful of varietals in a range of prices, which the seasoned (and super friendly) baristas will describe to you in such romantic detail you’d think you were discussing wine with a seasoned sommelier.
While the coffee shop brews its espresso on a top-of-the-line La Marzocco machine, its use of Chemex coffeemakers is the draw for aficionados. The Chemex method employs a heat-resistant, non-porous glass carafe with a special unbleached paper filter. The coffee grounds are slowly saturated with hot water resulting in a clean cup of coffee where each note shines. Method “pre-doses” (or pre-measures) each bean varietal accordingly to achieve the perfect strength and balance of flavor. Each dosage of whole beans is stored in an individual glass bottle until it is ground to order and brewed drip by precious drip before your eyes.
Tea is another area where Method excels as they treat and present their impeccably chosen whole leaf teas with great care. An assortment of Vosges sipping chocolate—like the spicy Aztec—is perfect for chocolate junkies and kids alike. And a short, but sweet list of locally made pastries from tattooed baker Larisa Slaughter provides that much needed nibble as you linger, sip and type.
(photo by Jennifer Zyman)
February 28th, 2009 at 10:14 pm
I miss Caribou. And Burrito Art. And Jaggers. Emory village has degraded beyond recognition in the past 10 year.
As for Method, I had a $3 regular coffee there once. That was enough.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
You can chalk the Emory Village decline up to one gentleman- the landlord. Stuart Meddin is a giant, greedy douche.
March 4th, 2009 at 2:42 am
Just a note: I brew with a Chemex and the unbleached filters at home, and they are nearly brown-paper-bag brown. Looks like a bleached filter in the photo (Chemex makes those too).
Pen
And since what’s a note without a PS: I’ve been thinking of trying “cold-brewed” coffee at home for the coffee that I ultimately drink iced instead of hot.
Really enjoy your writings. Thank you!