It’s “Check to See If AAIO is Reading” Day
“Latte art proficiency is rare in the United States,” Talk About Town reports. But A2’s Cafe Zola has its very own latte artist, who recently reached the finals at the Free-Pour Latte Art Competition despite being a “self-taught barista” who learned his rosette-pouring skills on the streets of Saline.
Who would have thought that such a lofty skill would have its humble origins at a coffee shop in Saline? I wonder if he can tell fortunes from the pattern that the espresso forms when poured in the mug. But more seriously and importantly, I wonder if the dude can pick up chicks this way…”baby, why don’t you come back to my apartment and check out my pouring skillz…” Shit, maybe I should learn this ‘art’.
posted by Dr.Mandrake on March 21st, 2005 at 1:06 pmI love when a barista is trying to make a rosette or fern-like thing, but end up with something obscene. One day at Zingerman’s the barista (Reine) made a big cock on the foam of my cappuccino, which was pretty funny.
posted by OFWinsurgent on March 21st, 2005 at 1:23 pmOK, so we have a guy who can make shapes in coffee. Let me ask this then: Why can no one pour a proper f-ing pint of Guinness in this town!?!?
By the way, latte art award or no, Mera at ERC would kick all baristas’ asses in a kung fu fight. And she’d do it in a straw cowboy hat.
posted by Evan on March 21st, 2005 at 3:57 pmI guess they’re trying to make up for the crappy coffee by making it look good.
God, I’m sick of this town.
posted by David on March 21st, 2005 at 4:28 pmEvan, Mera is officially entered into my list of “things to like about Ann Arbor” (I’m trying to create one in order to feel better about life).
posted by Lazaro on March 21st, 2005 at 5:23 pm“I wonder if he can tell fortunes from the pattern that the espresso forms when poured in the mug”.
Yes, but it costs extra.
“But more seriously and importantly, I wonder if the dude can pick up chicks this way…”
I’m married and have a beautiful girl… I made sure to get the “chick” thing out of the way before I became a coffee geek.
“Mera at ERC would kick all baristas’ asses in a kung fu fight”
Love to meet her… too bad she has to work at Ann Arbor’s finest sub-corporate coffee chain.
I’m glad I only work in Ann Arbor.
-JIm
posted by JIm on March 22nd, 2005 at 6:44 pmWell, Jim, I gotta say congratulations on your award winning coffee designs. I’m just being a smart ass there, but you have to agree that it would make for a pretty good pick up schtick. I didn’t even know there was such an art form out there - now that I do I’ll have to stop by Zola and check it out (and pay extra for the fortune)….thanks Jim.
posted by DrMandrake on March 23rd, 2005 at 8:31 amEvan - Preach it, brother.
posted by Jen on March 23rd, 2005 at 10:59 amre: the Guiness.
posted by Jen on March 23rd, 2005 at 11:00 am