As I write, my hands are shaking
Written: Jan 09 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Potent flavorful coffee, friendly atmosphere
Cons: *Potent* coffee, lack of seating
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| JohnGalt73's Full Review: Peet's Coffee & Tea |
As I sit here writing this opinion, my hands are shaking ever so slightly in that way that tells you the caffeine is working a little too well. That's what a cup of Peet's can do, but if you're a coffee "junkie" like me, or even if you just enjoy a good cup of coffee, Peet's is a great place to get a cup to go or to sit and relax. Unfortunately, the one thing that Peet's truly lacks is ample seating. Some locations are a bit better than others, but I've never seen one that couldn't use more seating. For some, the coffee at Peet's may be a bit too potent. Thankfully, they also have a good selection of teas and also serve decaf (but as one of my friends says, "Decaf?!? Are you trying to kill me?").
Peet's has locations in California, Oregon, Chicago and Boston. I've made pilgrimages to the original Peet's in Berkeley, and have been to a few others in my travels, but this review is primarily based on the one in Harvard Square, Cambridge.
Food:
The regular coffee is strong and flavorful. Don't order a large coffee - one my friends described the ensuing sensation as feeling "the need to run through the woods and chew on small animals." It's a lot of caffeine. That said, the coffee is really, really good if you like it that way. Peet's doesn't serve a mild roast or flavored coffees - just freshly brewed coffee from their own freshly roasted high-quality beans, and delicious espresso drinks. The lattes and mochas are much milder than the regular coffee, and nothing beats an iced latte in the summer. If you prefer tea, Peet's has a good selection of teas at the counter, brewed fresh with loose tea leaves (not with tea bags unless you ask).
Additionally, Peet's sells its various coffee beans at the counter, and offers a free cup of coffee with a pound of coffee. There's also pastries available, but these vary substantially by location since Peet's buys them from local bakers. Some are quite good, and others make you wonder why you bothered. I usually pick up a bagel or sandwich from another shop and bring it in with me. The staff doesn't seem to mind. One thing Peet's could improve is the consistency, quality and variety of food they offer.
You can also buy coffee mugs, espresso makers and other accessories or trinkets.
Service:
The staff at Peet's is generally very friendly and well-informed about coffee. One thing I'd recommend is trying out the Peet's coffee card. You can put cash on a card and then use it towards coffee purchases. When you "refill" the card with $10 or $20, you get a free coffee. It might save you a few seconds at the register, and you can use it at any location. Peet's also has a good system where your order and name are entered and appear on a screen over the espresso machine. This keeps the employees from yelling back and forth at each other and is a heck of a lot more efficient (some Starbucks and other shops are really disorganized). Another nice touch: there are usually free newspapers on the counter.
Decor:
Peet's locations seem to have a fairly consistent design. Oak-stained counters and furniture, often with tall chairs at the sides of the counter. The music is almost always calming and classical, which is great if you're going to sit and read or work for an hour or two. The music tends to blend in a bit with the sounds of a cafe - the hiss of the espresso machine, the scrapping of chairs on the floor, and the hum of conversation. It's a simple formula that seems to work well for Peet's. It's not fancy or hippie at all. It's just a good cafe.
The Harvard Square shop has full windows on 3 walls with lots of seating that gives you a clear view of Mt. Auburn and JFK Streets. Some seats can give you that kind of "fish bowl" feeling, when you're eye-to-eye and 2 feet from passerbys, but it's still a fun people watching spot. The other customers are often a friendly lot, and surprisingly so for Boston. Because space is at a premium, you often end up sitting with a stranger if you're by yourself. There are enough regulars that I've become acquaintances with a retired gentleman who is always in there reading the WSJ in the morning, an English grad student who spends more hours there than I do reading or writing, and a German national who is working for a few months in Boston (and this all by sitting randomly next to them).
My only significant gripe - seating. Peet's is a great place to sit down for a while - if you can find a seat. Some locations have 5 or fewer seats. Harvard Square has about 20, but it still gets crowded. Hopefully, as Peet's expands and opens new locations, this will change.
Special Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations:
If you're interested in coffee, why not invest in it? Peet's is going public this month at $10-$14 share. Those of us who are regulars hope to see some improvements (more seating, outdoor seating, better food) as a result.
Peet's Coffee & Tea
100 Mt. Auburn St.
Cambridge, MA 02138
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
JohnGalt73
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Member: David Friedlander
Location: Durham, NC
Reviews written: 17
Trusted by: 5 members
About Me:
I'm an IT market research analyst, and an aspiring chef, sommelier and world traveler.
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