On my first visit to Cordial back in August, at the Berryville location, I ordered an affogato – espresso and vanilla ice cream – and a plain waffle with blueberries and maple syrup. The affogato arrived first and looked the part, with several half moons of ice cream swirling amongst a sea of bubbled dark espresso turned chocolate brown. The espresso had excellent grassy and citrus notes and not a hint of over extracted bitterness. The combination was a very good concoction of milk, sugar, and vanilla resulting in a very solid reboot of my energy levels.

A short while later, a single waffle with blueberries and a votive of maple syrup arrived ready for consumption. Golden brown and light of foot, this circle of carbohydrate and dotted blue was a solid effort. Well made and simply presented, the exterior crunch and soft interior were ready for action, but the flavor was absentminded. Adding maple syrup quickened the tempo and the blueberries were plump and at their seasonal heights. However, I’d recommend choosing one of their rotating flavored batters for a more dynamic experience.

On my second visit, this time at their Marshall location, I ordered a cappuccino to brighten my morning. The milk was frothy and light and the medium house roast was a blend of several bean types. Nothing in the cup was over extracted or bitter and I left feeling more peppy.

On my third visit, this time while reviewing the Porsche Cayenne, I ordered a mocha and it delivered very solid chocolate flavors through the same medium blend house roast on a sunny weekday afternoon.

Staff members on all of these visits were skilled in their craft and personable, happy to answer questions and knew a number of their customers by name.

Cordial Coffee is representative of how much the coffee space has changed over the last ten years here in the U.S. Smaller more rural communities are now supportive of establishments serving drinks made from high quality locally roasted beans. During several visits, customers included writers, workmen, young parents, and retirees coming by for an afternoon boost from their favorite concoction.

Cordial Coffee’s two outposts in Berryville, VA and Marshall, VA are worth a stop should you find yourself in these towns, be in need a caffeine boost, or hanker for a flavored waffle in an appealing and characterful environment.

8375 West Main St.
Marshall, VA 20115
(540) 270-2402
www.cordialcoffee.com

8 South Church St.
Berryville, VA 22611
(540) 277-2156

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The shop has high white ceilings with colorful bicycle rimmed chandeliers layered with coffee mugs. Milk chocolate walls, espresso colored flooring, and iron and wood tables and chairs give off a warm glow with the light streaming in from the outside. And of course, there are plenty of bicycles in for service.

As The Plains, VA is a convenient and pretty location off of Route 66, I have visited Happy Creek Coffee a number of times over the years for a caffeine pick-me-up and to enjoy the excellent backroads surrounding the community.

On a visit in the spring, I ordered their vegetable soup – potatoes, leeks, bean, celery, onions – and a latte. The soup arrived piping hot with decent chunks of vegetables in a water based stock. While under seasoned and in need of more depth, the vegetables were soft in the mouth and nourishing. As the temperatures were still chilly outside, the soup did a good job warming me up. The hot latte was a complete success, with properly frothed milk and very good espresso flavors delivered in a white porcelain cup and saucer. Happy Creek roasts their own beans, achieving a medium roast house blend, and sources beans from high quality growers.

On a recent visit in late August, while reviewing the Moto Guzzi V7 iii Racer, I ordered a hot mocha and a single scoop of coffee ice cream. The mocha arrived table side with some lovely heart shaped artwork, deeply frothed milk, and solid chocolate flavors reaching down through the cup. The Trickling Springs coffee ice cream was creamy, with good coffee flavors and balance. Both were a solid combination for this rider with a strong sweet tooth.

So, if you find yourself in the hamlet of The Plains, VA while out and about, I would certainly recommend a stop at Happy Creek Coffee & Tea (with ice cream).

Happy Creek Coffee & Tea
6485 Main Street
The Plains, VA 20198
(540) 253-2084
www.happycreekcoffee.com
https://goo.gl/maps/tsiLrhEw99RcZsC29

Notes:
-They have other locations listed on their website.

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My first visit, on a busy Sunday for brunch, had me ordering a mocha, an apple turnover, and their Salmon Bite. The Bite is an open sandwich of Finnish multigrain bread, dill mayonnaise, capers, smoked salmon, soft boiled egg slices, and fresh sprouts.

All of the ingredients worked very well together and yet each had an opportunity to sing their own tune. Judging from other tables their Salmon Bite is a hit. The apple turnover was good, but it didn’t really distinguish itself. I tasted superior ingredients and enjoyed the apple filling, but I had hoped for a flakier crust with more definitive butter flavors.

On my way out I ordered an apple filled croissant with sprinkled cinnamon sugar, a raspberry pastry, and a piece of their bread pudding to go. With dinner at home I had the apple croissant and it fulfilled the promise of flaky pastry and soft apple filling rounded out with cinnamon and sugar. As it was smaller I still had room for the bread pudding. Made from their french baguettes, the pudding was a delightful blend of vanilla, cinnamon and raisins.

On my second visit while reviewing the Alfa Romeo Giulia, I ordered their egg and cheese breakfast sandwich, a blueberry danish, and a latte. The sandwich bread had a lovely crust with just enough give, along with soft interior, to hold the fluffy egg and cheese combination.

The warm blueberry danish had lots of strong blueberry flavors combined with a flaky, buttery crust. The latte was very good with very frothy milk and strong coffee flavors. I was properly caffeinated by the end.

On both visits, staff members were courteous and helpful with dishes appearing quickly from the kitchen. Having sandwiches arrive on a wooden serving board and pastry on a rectangular slate was a nice touch. As my car and motorcycle reviews take me into this area of Maryland again, I certainly look forward to another visit.

Roggenart
6476 Dobbin Center Way
Columbia, MD 21045

http://www.roggenart.com

https://goo.gl/maps/NA8vA4KdzV8BXAAH8

Notes:
-Parking on weekends is a challenge.

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Brown Mustache Coffee, located inside of Old Fox Books, is a shop of burgundy walls, exposed beams and brick, some artwork, comfortable tables and chairs, and plenty of books. The location offers good light as well and there is a patio out back. Coffee is sourced from Ceremony Coffee Roasters, also located in Annapolis, MD. They provide coffee beans to a number of independent coffee shops in the greater Washington, DC area. Pastry and food stuffs are sourced locally and taste as though they have only walked a short distance.

My first visit was on a quiet, overcast Friday morning during a walk around the historic part of the city. Located due east of the State House on your way to the Naval Academy, the cafe has some lovely signage and images to reel you in for java and some browsing. The cafe has a resident furry scholar – who looks to have some Swiss Mountain dog in him – who was happy to receive pets and scratches from folks passing close by as he managed the human staff.

I ordered a mocha and an old fashioned glazed donut sourced locally from Carlsons Donuts and Thai. Its sugar glaze covered the entire donut – which is the way things should be. The donut itself was a classic composition of brown crust, dense cake, and some vanilla flavors. The mocha was quite satisfying too – providing a helpful boost of caffeine, good chocolate flavors, and attractive artwork.

For my second visit, on a cold windy morning in January, I stopped by and ordered a latte and a blueberry muffin, sourced from Hawthorne Fine Breakfast Pastry. The latte had some very nice artwork and good coffee and milk flavors. Given the temperature outside holding this cup of warmth was a joy. The blueberry muffin was solid with a nice sugary crust on top, plump blueberries inside, and a moist crumb. The muffin was a traditional size too, which was welcome as too many have been supersized. It was just right with my latte.

I did some browsing on this additional visit and Old Fox Books has an eclectic mix of titles for adults and children, along with a festive winter mood of holiday cheer to keep cold days bright and positive.

The staff on both visits were welcoming, knowledgeable and well versed in spinning the coffee hits and confectionery love. I like the fact that Brown Mustache Coffee source edibles from local purveyors and makes reference to them on their website. Celebrating what is local and good is important.

Brown Mustache Coffee and Old Fox Books are worth a visit should you find yourself in Annapolis and in need of a pick-me-up of caffeine and sugar. Being right in the heart of the historic district there is plenty of Federal ambiance to soak in and enjoy in the streets around the State House.

Brown Mustache Coffee
35 Maryland Avenue
Annapolis, MD 21401
http://brownmustache.com

Notes:
-Parking can be a tight around the State House.

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Ordering is to the left after getting through the front door with a quiet area farther down the narrow hall. The LPs and music are downstairs in a large room with a vintage pioneer receiver and speakers – kudos for the warm musical notes these period receivers can deliver – and there are large pockets of records racked up in several spots for viewing. Some of the vintage vinyl – jazz, blues, 80s rock, country – is for sale.

Overall, Hopscotch has a gently worn-in mid-century feel, which makes spending time here comfortable and relaxing. There are tables and chairs outside for days when the weather is good or at least sunny. In addition to their coffee drinks and bags of beans for sale, they do have a small selection of baked goods on offer – cookies, muffins, pastry – from a local bakery.

On my first visit, I ordered a mocha and it delivered on the promise of smoothly integrated chocolate and coffee flavors all the way through the cup. Given the freshness of the beans – Hopscotch’s house blend – I could easily taste distinctive berry flavors along with some faint herbal-like notes. The barista did a nice job with the latte artwork too. I had to do without any baked edibles on this visit as a local school group wiped them out of everything 20 minutes before I arrived. Such are the risks out on the road.

I headed downstairs to look around and enjoy the mood on what was a chilly, wet day. A few other patrons were present chatting, doing a bit of work, or listening to what was playing – which was at the right volume. There’s a pinball machine in one corner and they’ve got a variety of mixed media artwork on one two story wall and some additional work hanging from the ceiling.

On my second visit, this time while evaluating the Scrambler Ducati 1100 Special, I ordered a cappuccino and coconut macaroon cookie. There was a line, so I chatted with a few folks about the Scrambler while we waited for our barista to whip up our drinks. As it was sunny, I opted to sit outside at one of two metal tables under an awning. As on my previous visit, my mug had attractive looking artwork which melded nicely with the coffee below. Once again, the house blend emphasized berry flavors and herbal notes. The macaroon was crunchy on the outside, with a softer, chewy interior. The cookie was a good companion to my cappuccino.

The single staff member on my first visit was welcoming and knew everyone by name. Like the shop itself and its patrons ahead of me, he was relaxed at his craft serving each customer as they ordered and paid for their caffeine laced concoction. On my second visit, the experience was exactly the same with a barista who enjoyed working the machine and spinning some latte art with a bit of milk or cream.

Should your journeys send you through Winchester, VA – and there’s plenty to do in this area of Virginia – a stop off at Hopscotch Coffee & Records will keep you topped up with caffeine, vintage music, and cookies – assuming a squadron of kids has not gotten to them first.

250 Millwood Ave.
Winchester, VA 22601
(540) 514-5356
https://squareup.com/market/hopscotchcoffee
https://goo.gl/maps/FQ5QYGhrubLGA5fZ9

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The location has been a coffee shop for many years and from a previous life there are some wonderful old fashioned bins for coffee beans that make a great backdrop and help shape the mood of the place. Tables and chairs are all on the same level with the bar and there’s a lot of light streaming in through the windows.

On my first visit I had a mocha made with their house blend and decided to enjoy it at the shop so as to appreciate the quality artwork in my cup. The mocha was that rare combination of wonderful coffee aromatics, balanced chocolate and coffee flavors, and a complete lack of bitterness.

On my second visit, I ordered a cortado and a chocolate toffee pic – a mini tart. The cortado was concentrated, smooth, without a hint of bitterness, and came with some very nice artwork. The tart had a very nice buttery crust, with the filling driven by chocolate, and rounded out with some gentle toffee flavors. Just the right size as an afternoon pick-me-up with the cortado.

On another visit, I tried their affogato with two ristretto shots and a croissant which they heated for me. The combination made for a very nice afternoon boost. The vanilla gelato was creamy and a very good counterpoint to the ristretto shots – which worked their magic.

As a community service, over several other visits, I tested their cinnamon buns, chocolate chip cookies, and muffins. Locally sourced from two different bakeries, all had very similar characteristics – high quality ingredients, great textures, and clean flavors. As a guy with a big sweet tooth, I give all of them very good marks. For those with a gluten allergy, a separate case has some tasty looking options.

King Street Coffee is located in the historic district of the city, so a stroll with your coffee of choice before beginning your adventures is an easy task. In addition, they have some dedicated, paved, and relatively level parking, which is helpful for motorcycles. A small detail, but an important one for those maneuvering heavy cruisers at a walking pace. Good street parking is also available.

The baristas are very knowledgeable and approachable. All – young and old – seem to feel good being there. Combined with their excellent coffee, tasty baked goods, creamy gelato, and reasonable business hours, it’s easy to see why they always have a steady stream of customers walking through the door.

As my car and motorcycle reviews take me through Leesburg it’s safe to say I’ll be stopping by for a shot of high test go-go juice to keep in step with whatever motoring wonder I’m traveling on or in down the road.

King Street Coffee
110 S. King Street
Leesburg, VA 20175
571-439-0407
www.kingstreetcoffeeleesburg.com
https://goo.gl/maps/beLd8yCV4mb1ZUn77

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Battle Grounds Bakery & Coffee in Harpers Ferry, WV is a coffee shop and cafe right on High Street as you head down the hill into the historic downtown area.  As the name suggests they serve up a variety of coffee options, muffins, pastries, ice cream, and a nice selection of sandwiches on artisanal bread.

During a recent visit I had their General Lee BLT on whole wheat bread and an affogato.  The lettuce and tomato were bright, fresh and flavorful and the bacon was crisp, meaty, and not too salty.  Given the bacon’s flavor profile, I am guessing it was produced without nitrates.  The whole wheat bread was what a classic example should be – flavorful, soft chewy crumb, nice brown crust, and scents of ground wheat.  Taken together, the sandwich was a pleasure and offered up the right amount of depth while still being light.  As I was riding my Ducati, eating a lighter meal mid-day is the best approach. 

My affogato was a combination of medium roast espresso and creamy vanilla ice cream.  While served in a plastic cup, don’t let the basic presentation give you the wrong impression.  On this warm day, the mixture of high quality espresso, well rounded flavors, and creamy sugar were well received and a great pick-me-up.

On another visit I had their General Lee BLT again on whole wheat with a lemonade.  The sandwich was exactly the same as the first, so they get the nod for consistency.  The lemonade was fresh – squeezed lemons, sugar, ice and water.  The mixture was very satisfying and not at all too sweet or tart.  Simple ingredients done simply, which means the individual elements need to work to a standard, not a price.

Harpers Ferry has a number of tourist oriented eateries and this is not one of them.  During both visits, there were a number of people who came and went who were local residents and staff from local establishments.  Their orders covered a range:  coffee, sandwiches, and baked goods.  It’s always a good sign of quality and local vitality when a shop captures the happy medium around serving a diverse customer base. 

Thus, if you are in Harpers Ferry, VW to enjoy the historic battlefields, outdoor recreation, or take in some nice driving and riding roads and you need sustenance and a boost, Battle Grounds is a good spot serving quality coffee, pastry, sandwiches, and a bit of Americana.

Battle Grounds Bakery & Coffee
180 High Street
Harpers Ferry, WV  25425
+1-304-535-8583
https://www.facebook.com/battlegroundsbakery
https://goo.gl/maps/YAW9dz611soXxPDVA

Notes:
-Parking can be tight on weekends in the historic area.  There is satellite parking with shuttle/bus service.
-There is some dedicated motorcycle parking in front of the train station.  Please note the granite curb getting into these spaces.
-Parking is paid with the popular Parkmobile app only.  

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Beans in the Belfry

Being a former church with high ceilings, the light streaming in through the colored glass was wonderful and the mixed country decor made for a very casual and comfortable space – even in full leathers with assorted gear to unload.

On my first visit, I had a hot mocha and a cream cheese chocolate brownie.  As I decided to enjoy both there, my brownie came garnished with fresh whipped cream, a strawberry and some powdered sugar.  The mocha was very good, with a satisfying combination of chocolate rounded out with balanced coffee flavors.  There was not a hint of bitterness to be found anywhere in the mug.  The brownie and accompaniments were also satisfying.  I enjoy my brownies slightly soft and a bit airy, with deep flavors.  This one was soft and moist, with good chocolate and cream cheese flavors.  The cream was very light and the strawberry was fresh and bright.

On my second visit, I had another hot mocha and it was made to the same standard as on my first visit.  I also ordered a croissant which they served warm, with a small roll of butter, and a sprinkle of basil.  The extra presentation effort was a nice touch.  The croissant was very good – buttery texture, nice crumb, and a gentle exterior crust.  Staff members were very courteous and some local patrons made a recommendation for an alternative route than I had originally planned.  Welcome advice.

Criticisms – only one really.  I do enjoy artwork on my mocha and this would be a welcome addition.

Beans in the Belfry is a nice stop in Maryland just west of Point-of-Rocks and across the Potomac River from Lovettesville, VA before heading up into the Catoctin Mountains, north towards Frederick, MD or if you are biking along the C&O Tow Path.

Beans in the Belfry
122 W. Potomac Street
Brunswick, MD  21716
(301) 834-7178
www.beansinthebelfry.com
https://goo.gl/maps/J4A72BaZ8UeG5T9F9

Notes:
-On street parking does require paying a meter.  .25 cents gives you 1 hour of parking. Bring quarters.

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