A Touch of Rebellion
“If you like your coffee with a touch of rebellion, consider giving Rendez-Vous Cafe a try,” gushes the News about the South U. coffeehouse. “[T]his coffeehouse might be a little different from the other eight million in Ann Arbor.” Well, if by “eight million”, you mean “three that aren’t Starbucks or Espresso Royale,” sure. Among the details that set it apart: “the music would most certainly be found in the ‘World’ section at Borders.” Edgy! Actually, we sort of like the Rendez-vous, whose late closing time and retro cafe furniture are a nice change from most A2 coffeehouses, but we usually avoid it because of the smoking section.
Rendez-vous has among the best coffee in town, but that’s not really saying much. I like how they have a big selection of brewed coffee, but at any given time, most of the containers are empty or lukewarm.
posted by Zach on January 19th, 2006 at 4:16 pm… i prefer a little Bailey’s in my mocha latte so I guess I have to stay down at Cafe Felix.
posted by Sketchy on January 19th, 2006 at 5:20 pmRebels don’t even drink coffee, man. They drink something hardcore and bad-ass, like Liquid Plumr.
posted by Dave on January 19th, 2006 at 11:23 pmTo clarify for any children in the blogging audience: rebels do not actually drink Liquid Plumr. Liquid Plumr is a caustic deadly poison.
Espresso Royale house blend, on the other hand, is in fact safe to drink.
posted by ann arbor is overrated on January 20th, 2006 at 12:01 amWhy avoid a coffee shop just because it has a smoking section? The smokers are all upstairs, so it’s not like secondhand smoke drifts downstairs and around the corner to your table.
posted by jack on January 20th, 2006 at 3:30 amDoes Des Preston still hang out at Rendez-vous? He used to tape some of his radio shows (Gray Matters) for RFPI there (Radio for Peace International — shortwave out of Costa Rica).
posted by A Different Jon on January 20th, 2006 at 5:50 amYou can definitely smell the smoke downstairs most of the time.
posted by ann arbor is overrated on January 20th, 2006 at 8:20 amI used to patronize Rendezvous a couple times a week, even before I started smoking. Although I’ve been immune to the smell for years, thanks to all the punk rock shows in small unventilated venues I attended in my youth.
For an insomniac, it’s a great place. It’s also a great place if you’re a regular, since people will watch your books/bag/laptop if you need to hop downstairs for something. And sometimes you end up becoming friends or ahem, dating, other regulars. But revolutionary? Ha. That’s cute.
The chicken pesto is a pretty good sandwhich, though. I don’t drink coffee, and always wondered if there was anything even in the containers I never saw anyone fill. Now I know. Thanks, Zach.
posted by Anonymous on January 20th, 2006 at 10:42 amWell, maybe the sissy kind of rebels YOU hang out with don’t drink Liquid Plumr. Arrr!
posted by Dave on January 20th, 2006 at 11:16 amHow’s their espresso?
posted by BC on January 20th, 2006 at 1:47 pmThis city has, hands down, the *worst* coffee I have ever had…and I lived in Cincinnati, which, surprisingly, had a very small but good roasting community. If there is a barrista in this burg that can pull a decent shot (or 2-3…and that’s not just pressing a button and having the machine barf out “espresso”), blend it with some properly steamed milk (I’d like to have a choice besides the 2% that Sweetwater’s/Carribou automatically default to) or heated water, and concoct the right ratio of espresso to liquid, I’d love to shake her/his hand (and become their best customer). Any real alternatives to Sweetwater’s, Starbucks, Espresso Royale, and Carribou would be greatly appreciated.
Also, are there any decent small roasters in the area?
Thanks.
posted by Transplant on January 20th, 2006 at 8:55 pmZingerman’s roasts their own coffee. Best espresso in town in my opinion. Everything else tastes bitter and lame to me. I walk the dog over and get a fortissimo (3 shots in a cappucino) just about every day instead of breakfast.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know, their sandwiches are expensive…(ad nauseum), but they rule.
posted by OFWinsurgent on January 20th, 2006 at 9:35 pm…. ad nauseum…I’m thinking we need a blog titled “Zingerman’s Is Overrated”.
posted by Sketchy on January 20th, 2006 at 10:56 pmI like Zingerman’s, damnit. Except during November and December. Every other month of the year they have a bread on sale, and it’s awesome.
You don’t have to necessarily eat the overpriced sandwhiches. You can get people visiting town to take you out to lunch there, though. That tends to work out nicely.
posted by Jen on January 20th, 2006 at 11:05 pmERC baristas are artists. they make the best cappuccino in town.
posted by peter honeyman on January 20th, 2006 at 11:56 pmThe blue mountain coffee at the Jamaican Jerk place was really good the first time I had it. Expensive though. The second time didn’t live up to my imagination, but the first time was so good I’ll definitely give it a chance to redeem itself. Has anybody else had it?
posted by cadmium on January 21st, 2006 at 1:40 amAnother observation about Zingerman’s coffee…while I love the coffee and think there is not anything else in town that comes close, I don’t like the vibe of hanging out there. I only get it to go, so if you’re looking for a good hangout coffee place, Zingerman’s wouldn’t be it.
posted by OFWinsurgent on January 21st, 2006 at 10:38 amPeter, is ERC Espresso Royale or, I hope, some other acronym that has escaped me?
posted by Transplant on January 21st, 2006 at 10:59 amLast I checked, Big Ten and Jefferson Market offered Small World coffee, which is excellent. Big Ten staff pull great shots, but you do drink it in a liquer store.
posted by Scott TenBrink on January 21st, 2006 at 12:18 pmHmm, after a recent visit to Ann Arbor after one year away (which lasted from 15. December until 9. January), I’m going to have to side with Transplant. I didn’t do a systematic tour or anything, but most of the coffee I had sucked, especially the place on State Street next to the Nickels Arcade (I think it’s an ErC, but I’m not positive). Ordered I think a Latte and had it served in a pint glass with what must have been five parts milk and one part coffee - otherwise put, the most tasteless cup of coffee I ever had.
Ambrosia was where I drank coffee most often, and it was better there, though I’m not sure if my judgement was not influenced by what has to be the nicest staff in the world and the genuinely friendly people who hang out there on a regular basis.
The woman who served my sister and I behind the counter at the coffee shop on the NE corner of South U. and East U. on the other hand - the day they were closing for the break around 2:45 - was a total b**ch. She served up her watery, bad cafe au lait with a friendly “We close at 4:00!” … well no soup for you either, honey.
Zingermans had the best cafe au lait I tried anywhere, and good espresso as well, with the usual caveat that the prices are through the roof.
In the end, the best solution I found was to swallow and buy one of Z.’s 1lb bags of freshly roasted coffees and then dig the old coffee maker at home out of the storage closet (as my parents don’t drink coffee), clean it, and then invite over the people I wanted to drink coffee with. But that wouldn’t work on a year-round basis.
posted by Daniel on January 21st, 2006 at 1:00 pmSay what you will, Daniel, about Zingerman’s prices on other stuffs, but coffee is certainly not “through the roof”. Isn’t it 16¢ per cup more than Sweetwaters? Well… I think it’s worth the extra double-digit-pennies (gasp!) they charge.
Big Ten, nay, Morgan & York do pull the finest espresso in town. The downside compared to the Z is it’s a driving distance away, the (big) upside is shopping for booze while enjoying my caffeine.
posted by FAA on January 21st, 2006 at 4:31 pmThe downside of having a coffee at Big Ten, like the upside, is shopping for booze (and cheese) while enjoying said coffee. Turns a cup of joe into a 45 dollar experience….
posted by David on January 21st, 2006 at 4:55 pmERC = espresso royale caffe, but i guess i should qualify because it’s been a while since i got a good cappuccino anywhere but the downtown ERC on main st., and even there you can really only rely on the old-timers (who i love, but i never know their names, ah me) who make a single cappuccino that is deliciously and esthetically strong, perfectly flat with tiny bubbles (they BANG the pot of steamed milk on the counter to break up the big bubbles) and (from the best of them) a nice depiction of an apple. in short, a visual and gustatory delight. see my flickr for a picture or two.
posted by peter honeyman on January 22nd, 2006 at 12:43 amThis coffee discussion reminds me: why are there no Dunkin Donuts in Ann Arbor? Are there even any doughnut places, besides Tim Horton’s in the Michigan League? (i.e. places that are actually open late) What are drunk students to do?
posted by Steve on January 22nd, 2006 at 11:44 amGo to the Fleetwood. Everything else seems to shut down pretty early (relatively speaking, that is).
But I’m with you on the lack of Dunkin Donuts, although late night drunk food takes all forms. In Western Mass we had the Whately Diner (truck stop) or Dunkin Donuts. In PA we had Eat n Park (kind of like Steak n Shake only the food’s better).
posted by Pants Rule on January 22nd, 2006 at 12:16 pmi actually like rendez-vous because they have a smoking section. i can’t really think about coffee without thinking about smoking. as far as i know, the divorce between coffee and cigarrettes has only happenned here in the states. lately, however –i guess because of the influence this country has everywhere else– it has become something of a growing trend (see spain for example).
posted by t on January 22nd, 2006 at 12:35 pmYeah, the News article seemed to think the smoking section was a plus. I’m not sure if it attracts more business for them than it repels, but it definitely keeps me away.
I never appreciated Dunkin Donuts until I moved here and couldn’t go there any more.
posted by ann arbor is overrated on January 22nd, 2006 at 12:40 pmI used to work at the Black Dog Bakery in Massachusetts many years ago, and had the unfortunate assignment (mercifully brief) of making the donuts. Ugh, you could never get me to eat one again in my life.
If every Dunkin’ Donuts, Tim Horton’s and Krispy Kreme were to spontaneously combust, I would respond with hearty applause.
posted by OFWinsurgent on January 22nd, 2006 at 2:09 pmAnother vote here for Zingerman’s for best espresso/cappuchino. And yes, at $3.50 for the equivalent of a medium (tall), it’s more expensive than anywhere else.
Re bread, here’s a question I’ve always wanted to ask at the bread counter at Zingerman’s: How does the day-old bread in the day-old bread bin differ from the day-old bread you sell as fresh? I’ve never understood why in the world they get one of their two daily bread deliveries at 7pm — one hour before they close. So it basically sits on the shelf til they open the next day. Kooky.
posted by Sam on January 22nd, 2006 at 2:25 pmThey only have so many ovens, thus they have to schedule the various breads for baking, different breads are delivered at different times of the day…Paesano, which should be eaten very fresh, gets to the deli at 6 or 7 pm (in time for dinner). They sell bread as “fresh” for 24 hours…beyond that it’s day-old. Lots of other places that sell their bread only get one delivery per day.
I don’t work there anymore, but that’s the scoop.
posted by OFWinsurgent on January 22nd, 2006 at 3:05 pmAlso, they are open until 10, not 8.
posted by OFWinsurgent on January 22nd, 2006 at 3:32 pmThere are good doughnuts at Washtenaw Dairy, ERC on South U (from Washtenaw Dairy), and that place in the Kerrytown shops next to Monahans whose name escapes me right now. But none of them are open particularly late.
posted by ellen on January 22nd, 2006 at 4:44 pmWhat I would not give for a Dunkin Donuts on campus. My goodness. I get coffee from there every day on the way to work during the summer, and then suffer mightily when I come back to AA for the school year. Not only do I prefer the coffee, the fact that you can get a cup practically twice as big for half the price appeals to the broke artist in me.
posted by Boston Fan in Michigan on January 22nd, 2006 at 5:54 pmTim Horton’s in the League works for me. But their coffee is frickin’ hot.
posted by Dale on January 22nd, 2006 at 7:28 pmneither is open late at all, but Dimos has decent donuts as does the Dexter Bakery, which has apple fritters straight from heaven.
posted by stella on January 22nd, 2006 at 8:41 pmI suppose suggesting Ypsilanti establishments would be out of order, since we’re all boo cars rahrah public transit around here at AAIO… but, if you have the means and the yen, Dom’s Bakery on Washtenaw is great for late night donuts, and The Ugly Mug on Cross St. has what I personally feel is the best tasting local coffee around.
posted by Annie on January 22nd, 2006 at 10:32 pmThere’s a big 24-hour doughnut bakery on Washtenaw, most of the way into Ypsilanti, on the right. It’s not an elite unbleached flour granola place, but they have a wide variety of pastry types and flavors available most of the time, and you can’t beat the hours.
posted by Larry Kestenbaum on January 22nd, 2006 at 11:11 pmhow ’bout a shout out for white castle?
chicory coffee and french crullers … oh my. oh my my my my my.
posted by peter honeyman on January 22nd, 2006 at 11:52 pmI have to say that I enjoy coffee houses with a smoking section, otherwise they tend to be too bright & cheery. I hear even some of the French coffee houses are being pressured into becoming smoke free. BTW, you guys are loosing your edge. You should all know by now Dunkin’ Donuts is far too pedestrian for AA, but where do you suppose all the police get their doughnuts, maybe somebody should follow them and find out.
posted by Andrew on January 23rd, 2006 at 12:37 amAndrew - have you been to Rendezvous? It’s not cheery, but the flourescent lights aren’t exactly dim.
Best smoking section + coffee shop in my book is the Ugly Mug in Ypsi. Especially in terms of lighting - dim enough, but lamps at every table in case you need work done.
posted by Jen on January 23rd, 2006 at 8:36 am… I vote for the Speedway on Stadium Blvd with their Hazelnut flavored creamers and Krispie Kreme selection. Of course, their smoking section is outside…
posted by Sketchy on January 23rd, 2006 at 10:25 am… here ya go, just the ticket:
http://app.sightspeed.com/current/viewmedia.php?mid=njevr95fbdsxeaunc45xpjq6l64q77bn&erid=agz2&locale=en_US&refid=1
posted by Sketchy on January 23rd, 2006 at 11:21 amAs ellen noted, Washtenaw Dairy has good doughnuts - I would say the best (or at least my favorite), but that doesn’t help either (a) the late-night drunk crowd or (b) the people who get around campus by bike or foot and don’t have a car crowd.
These are of course the cake doughnuts, not the puffy kind. If you’re a Krispy Kreme fan, you probably won’t like them all that much really.
By the way, just out of curiosity: I grew up around the corner from the Dairy on S. First, and I seem to recall getting doughnuts there that were not only fresh, but also warm, when I was like 7 or 8 - as if they’d been made fresh right at the Dairy. These days, when I’m in town, they’re fresh enough, but no matter how early I swing by there, never warm. Perhaps I’m just getting lazy but my question is: Are they making them there at the Dairy or getting them from somewhere else? Anybody know? And if so, from where are they getting them?
BTW, I just remembered something else (sitting here in Germany): If you’re in the mood for a drive around 6am sometime, check out the Dexter Bakery too - their doughnuts (and also their big prezels) are definitely made on site and tastiest right when they open their doors (which used to be 6am, probably still is…).
posted by Daniel on January 23rd, 2006 at 11:34 amI love livng by the Dairy, but I can’t fathom why so many people think they have good doughnuts. The glazed ones have this weird clear glaze, and the plain ones are just okay.
posted by ann arbor is overrated on January 23rd, 2006 at 11:45 amWhile we’re talking doughnuts, where are the bakeries in this town?? I want a decent ladyfinger to drown out the wretched coffee this town has to offer. . .
posted by bennyprofane on January 23rd, 2006 at 12:02 pmYou can still get warm doughnuts at the Dairy, but the only good ones are coconut.
posted by Dale on January 23rd, 2006 at 12:18 pmThe plain and cinnamon-sugar ones rule.
posted by Brandon on January 23rd, 2006 at 12:35 pmThe Dairy does still make their own doughnuts. If you are lucky (or get there right at 5:00am when they open), you can find warm ones, but they cool fast. They sell 100 dozen on a regular day, as many as 500 or 600 dozen/day on football Saturdays. They are a particular type of doughnut though and not to everyone’s taste. Dimos has the best “Dunkin Doughnuts”-style (only better) doughnuts in town. I think Eastern Accents on 4th Avenue downtown has the best pastries. They make their own puff pastry and their turnovers, cream horns, and cakes are great.
posted by Juliew on January 23rd, 2006 at 1:16 pmmmmmm, warm donuts…that’s when you can squeeze about a tablespoon of grease out of them.
posted by OFWinsurgent on January 23rd, 2006 at 4:36 pmOk, I may be a heathen (actually I am a heathen, but that’s another story) but I think that the Washtenaw Dairy is one of the most overrated places in this whole area. We tried the coffee icecream on a hot August night and found it so sorely lacking that we’ll likely never go back. Even my S.O., who was desperately trying to get me to like living here, was surprised by the lameness as he’d heard so much about it from all of the locals…
On the other hand, Morgan and York is not overrated. I went there today to sample the coffee, which was very good (ok, what wouldn’t be good with whole milk…that’s the only milk serve) and I really loved the place. Welcoming staff with zero attitude (a nice switch from the Z), nobody elbowing me to get to the cheese section, nobody whining because there was too much coleslaw on their sandwich last time they were in, etc, etc. I loved it.
posted by Transplant on January 23rd, 2006 at 8:04 pmSorry, one more thing. There is a massive donut craze going on in the Pacific Northwest that hasn’t made it’s way far east for my liking. Seattle and Portland both have these awesome donut shops where they make amazing donuts of all flavors and styles. In particular, I love Voodoo Donut in Portland, which has the slightly pornographic slogan “The Magic Is in the Hole”. I think they have a contest to see how many donuts a male can fit on…anyway. You have to love a donut shop that sells a maple bar with bacon on it and is only open from 10pm to 10am. http://www.voodoodoughnut.com/ Seattle’s Mighty O Donut and Top Pot Doughnuts are of the same ilk. Some enterprising young person would make a mint selling donuts late night to the UM crowd. You have to wait like 30 minutes (in the rain at 2am) for a donut at Voodoo…
posted by Transplant on January 23rd, 2006 at 8:15 pmDidn’t there used to be Dom’s on Main Street? If memory serves me, it was on the corner of Main and Liberty.
posted by Kozzie on January 25th, 2006 at 11:26 amespresso is not easy:
properly stored fresh beans ground to order
dose 14+ grams for a double (I use 19g)
hand tamp
shots 20-30 seconds
1.5 - 2 oz double shots
keep your machines clean & maintained
milk is easier:
posted by JIm on January 26th, 2006 at 4:59 amheat once (don’t leave it in a cooler and re-heat M & Y!)
don’t burn it (140-160 degrees = too hot to hold a hand to the side of the pitcher)
I’ll second the vote for the Ugly Mug of Ypsi having the best espresso near Ann Arbor.
They have a blog too: http://www.uglynews.blogspot.com/
posted by JIm on January 26th, 2006 at 8:53 amKozzie, you’re right–there used to be a Dom Bakeries on the corner of Main and Liberty, where Starbucks is now.
There also used to be a 24-hour Dunkin’ Donuts knockoff (it had the same plastic chairs and menu, everything but the name and logo) on Williams between State and Maynard. It was short-lived. They didn’t do very good business. In fact, even though I always used to complain about the lack of Dunkin’ Donuts (and 7-Elevens) in Ann Arbor, I only went there twice in the year they were open.
There also used to be a Dunkin’ Donuts on Stadium, across the street from Westgate.
Doughnut shops in Ann Arbor fail. I think the only way you’re going to get a real doughnut (cake doughnuts don’t count, in my book) is to start a doughnut co-operative.
posted by Chris on January 26th, 2006 at 4:42 pmLet me pose this question: How does one “miss” 7-Eleven? They aren’t cheap, what is the draw? Rubbery rotating weiners? Microwaveable yucky food? Large, over-priced soda pop? I don’t get it.
posted by OFWinsurgent on January 26th, 2006 at 4:55 pmActually, I miss the Slurpees…..
When I first moved down here, I was surprised at the lack of 7-11’s. In my home town there were about 7 (or so).
posted by Kozzie on January 27th, 2006 at 6:09 pmZingermans roadhouse has the best doughnuts I have ever had.
posted by Bob Dobbs on February 4th, 2006 at 11:42 amThe Ugly Mug rules. If you dont smoke though, where a hoody so as not to get “smoked” yourself. Thank god they keep their goodies under glass! Ugly Mug’s smoking section makes it off limits to stay, unless outside and free of smokers. Bombadills is wonderfully smoke free and coffee is adequate aand the food is great.
posted by eileenie on February 23rd, 2006 at 2:56 pmBaked goods, try Terry Bakery in downtown Ypsi.
Rendezvous lives up to its name. many employees weve had found their future husbands an wives here. its true, just ask the owner, nizar.
posted by Maher on March 1st, 2006 at 9:49 pmi grew up in ann arbor and now livew in boston– lemme tell ya, if i NEVER EVER see another dunkin donuts again as long as i LIVE it’ll be too soon– whew, its too bad so many good places have gone under adn turned into dirty rotten star-bucks-es in ann arbor, i was amazed and befuddled when i went home last year and saw all the yucky chain kawfee shops, yick! i guess attention from palces like Cosi, Starbucks, and Caribou are the PRICE one pays for living in an “over-rated” city. . . . . . . . ——-sigh——– but really, now, how can you say you don’t have donuts when you’re surrounded by cider mills?
and i miss DOMs alot, too. i worked there in high school a couple of sub shifts for friends. and i miss the bagel factory, too. man, ann arbor was overrated to BEGIN with, but without all these little places its gettin’ dreary. . . .. at least rendevous and fleetwood are still there. well, its happenin’ all over, local stuff falling down like dominos in front of big ol’ chain stores. . . . . much of it because of the SMOKING BAN, which puts clubs, bars, and cafes taht don’t sell $20 essential oil martinis with golden french fries on the side OUT of BUSINESS in SHORT order. God, man, what a puritanical country- what person do YOU know who goes to a Bar or a pastry-laden espresso house for their HEALTH?
zingerman’s used to be alot CHEAPER- and BETTER- too. everything was bigger and sloppier and just more down home and better. ah entropy.
(and i hope des preston still hangs out at rendevous, cause thats the best way i know to look him up when i visit my mom. . . . .hey des, this is katt if yr out there hello!! hello!! hel-lo lo lo lo lo lo. . . . . )
posted by katt on April 13th, 2006 at 1:25 am(lets hear it for old computers! hitting the “submit” buttonm before we spell check- oh well, maybe typos are teh modern dialects. . . .)
posted by katt on April 13th, 2006 at 1:26 amHi, I just moved here, and having lived in the pacific northwest for the last 15 years, and having grown up Cuban–drinking espresso since I was 3– and used to popping down to little italy in NYC when I was in High school, or to the neighborhood cuban-rican diner, I MISS IT.
And YES, the best coffee in town, is actually in YPSI. The Ugly Mug is good coffee, but it is very smoky. I have asthma, so I can’t go…But Bombadill’s coffee rocks, in downtown ypsi, and they’re friendly, have good grilled sandwiches and soups, comfy couches/chairs, open mike on week-ends, etc. Really nice local coffeehouse, with actual GOOD coffee.
Cafe Lanuka (I know I spelled this wrong) in Depot Town is ok too (which means 10x better than starbucks, or ERC), but they’re not open late. But their grill and ice cream are very good.
posted by pioneerspirit on January 29th, 2007 at 11:00 pmanyone been to Big City small World Cafe, on the corner of spring and miller?
I worked there a long time ago for about 3 years….I think sometimes everything was really good and sometimes everything was really bad… it was thats kind of place….anyway, its really adorable.
I would trust Jefferson Market, their coffee,along with everything else they make, is always delicious.
posted by ponni on June 10th, 2007 at 8:37 amAnn ARBOR>>>>NEEDS a dunkin donuts–something for all pockets to afford>>>>>
posted by barbara o'donnell on January 4th, 2008 at 7:15 pmCan I get an Amen?
posted by ryan on January 4th, 2008 at 9:12 pmWe had a Dunkin’ on W. Stadium for a minute.
posted by Stella on January 5th, 2008 at 7:20 amOn 9/11, driving in total shock, it somehow became really important for me.
“The world is batshit mad but look, there is a good ol’ DD. I could sit and have an ordinary cuppa joe and a donut if I wanted one”.
It was gone a few weeks later.