Bookend

Location: Pearl Street, Boulder

After an afternoon of jitters from bad cappuccino after another, we were pleasantly surprised to find something that actually resembled the drink we were looking for, and a great atmosphere to end the day (we really need to learn to pace ourselves or our hearts will seize like an oil-thirsty engine inside a month). The Book End sits on Boulders busy Pearl Street Mall, and an open brick entryway joins it with the Boulder Book Store. The place was busy, and in the duration of our time there, the line backed up a good 8 – 10 people a couple of times. This is no surprise considering its location. It is a decently-sized shop with great comfortably low lighting, lofted ceilings, bare brick walls, large wooden bar and bar shelves decorated with vintage canisters, and our favorite feature: A fully glass front that folds open on a nice day. Unfortunately today is around 50 degrees, which for winter weather is nice, but a bit chilly to have a wall of windows open.

The place looks clean but not sterile, the pastry case is simple but contains attractive pastries made in-house. The two women on staff are modestly dressed business casual and are friendly, but obviously concentrating on getting things done considering the level of business they were doing.

Now on to the important stuff...The coffee:

The Cap:

We ordered our “Single shot cappuccino for here”. After evaluating the machinery (a La Marzzocco) and an auto grind/tamp thingy (negative points for that one, but we're not leaving), my waited as I went to hunt for a place to sit.

The clientèle is a good mix of ages and interests, and there are several tourists from the mall intermingled. One can't really stereo-type the patrons here.

About 10 minutes later, it came up and we were relieved by what we saw. Although obviously spooned (definite negative pointage), we were reacquainted with the legendary, yet rare beast: Micro foam. What? We were starting to forget that it even existed.

It came in a simple, 8 oz matching white cup and saucer, no demi-tasse. The foam is pretty nice, but the shot is a bit off. The shots probably needed to be timed, but considering how busy they were, we will lend some understanding. We know how it goes.

The Re-Cap

Price: $2.70 + tax

Presentation: correct-sized cup, saucer, but no spoon.

Foam: Although spooned in, still beautiful.

Taste: grind seems off, but we will forgive.

Proportions: good.

Atmosphere: great. These people knew what they were doing. It captures the coffee shop feel very well.

Overall:
We really wanted it to be great, and it was almost there. The shot is what got them here, but we'd still give it a second chance and would definitely recommend going here at LEAST for the atmosphere, pastries and location.