Appearance: 5

Foam: 5. Such smooth micro foam with bubbles mostly not visible. Has the smoothness of a meringue.

Hot: 5. The cup is also so nicely warm in my hands! Pre-warmed I assume, and the thick wall holds the heat nicely.

Taste: 5

Ambience: 4

Finish: 5

Since Stone Creek closed its location on East Wash in Madison, it seemed like there was no place left for great cappuccino. Finally I remembered Madison Sourdough does a good job and I visited again. And it’s still over the top excellent! I think I forget because it’s a bakery first, and doesn’t have coffee in its name, but this is really one of the best places for coffee in town. Plus they have baked goods only rivaled by Batch Bakehouse.

A chain in London, but still feels less “corporatey” than the big guys. Spacious seating area with ample room to hang out and chat with a colleague or get some work done. Strong coffee, though not quite as rich/balanced as I would like. Nice foam + art.

Appearance: 3.5

Foam: 2, not existent

Hot: 4, good.

Sweet: 4, just as it should be

Taste: 3.5. Similar to the taste at Sol or 5th Element, or a lot of places, but not as balanced as Stone Creek or Necci. Not sure if it’s somewhat under extracted, or just a preference.

Ambience: 4, small place pretty full today with remote workers. One of them is on a video call with a client discussing things that are probably private…

Finish: 3, fine but no foam…

One barista who was a bit busy but hard to complain about. Good selection of pastries that look like Madison Sourdough or Batch. Not bad overall but I’ll go to Stone Creek for consistency.

Appearance: 5. Pretty flower! Very impressed–it’s hard to find a barista in Madison that can do this since 5th Element closed.

Foam: 4. Excellent, not quite as silky as it could be.

Taste: 3. Has some of the edge I associate with Sol Cafe in Chicago, or 5th Element, or Bee in Indy. I need to think of how to describe it better. I think my wife would call it cigarette ashes, but I don’t consider it as bad as that. I have never tasted that in Europe, whatever it is. Could it be overheated milk?

Ambience: 4. Bustling coffee house.

Finish: 4.

Appearance: 5. Beautiful flower.

Foam: 5. Nice body, sat on top of liquid, stayed to bottom of cup.

Hot: 5. Perfect

Taste: 5

Ambience: 5. Outdoors next to Roman Agora in Athens, how can you beat that? Much quieter than things closer to Monostriaki square.

Finish: 5

It’s good enough that o can’t tell if the ones in Rome were better.

Wanted to go to 5th Element Coffee this morning but found out it closed in August! Sorry to hear that. So decided to try out a long-time E. Wash place.

Appearance: 2. No art, lucky to have a pattern. At least no drips down the side. Random mugs, not classic cappuccino cups.

Foam: 4. Velvety, with some structure.

Hot: 5, no problem.

Taste: 4, mild but pleasant.

Ambience: 3. Relatively quiet, not clattery, especially for a small place. Walls are somewhat dark, low ceiling. More cozy than bright. Tables not crowded. A little beat up, in a way that could be pleasant or not, depending what you like and your mood.

Appearance: 5, nice flower. 

Foam: 4.5, thick and pleasant, not quite as silky as Rome. 

Hot: 5.

Taste: 5. Distinctive, reminds me of 5th Element in Madison. Maybe kind of fruity? 

Ambience: 3, small without a lot of seating, but not too noisy, and clearly a place that cares about the coffee.