NYC-to-NJ CoffeFest

Arriving in N.J. late yesterday and I am already missing NYC… a lot!

My hotel in Jersey is 12 miles on a GPS  from my hotel in Manhattan… but it might as well be 1000 miles away in almost any  comparison of the two locations.

The Medowlands in Jersey should prove an interesting venue for this CoffeeFest – But make no mistake this is not CoffeeFest – N.Y.

Given the proximity to the millions of people who are  within a short drive or flight – this should be a great show for everyone who is exhibiting.  The weather also should co-operate if the forecast is correct.

Arriving the evening of the second worst snow storm of the year…I came in a week early to do some consulting in the city and also meet with two potential clients.  In the midst of working in N.Y.  I did make time  to see a little art.  First MOMA – my favorite… then on to the Met and finally – The Whitney.

I also visited many of the city’s new coffee bars.  NYC is finally… as one would hope – on the cutting edge of great coffee and espresso.  It was not that way only a few years ago when it was nearly impossible to get a great cup of coffee here – well that has definitely changed.

And finally the food in NYC.  Coming from Portland I have nothing to complain about – but when it comes to food – there is no place like New York. Just around the corner from my hotel near mid-town was an amazing diner that was open all night – the food was not gourmet but actually very good.  I will admit most of the food I ate was Italian and every meal was perfect.

The reason everyone loves to visit N.Y. is so obvious – Great people – art – theater – fashion – food – and now – great coffee.

Early Spring/School Week/ N.Y.C.

Great weather – great weekend & a busy week ahead starting today with the sold out class at ABC’s!   Once again great people… who traveled from far and near.  The weatherman tells us one more warm day in PDX. – It is truly like springtime here with temp’s in the 60′s.
Matt spent his Saturday in Astoria on the coast to open our former student Denise’s new coffee bar named “Street 14 Coffee” – I love this shot Matty sent from his iphone.  Opening day was packed.  Everyone loved the bar and big cudos on the WAC coffee too.

Mike from Espresso Supply  was in town from Indi to install our new “Della Corte Evolution” machine @ the school.  Given he is a major music freak we took him  to the Dharma Bums reunion show that was truly amazing.

We had such a great time.  Jeremy was “like always – overly amazing” – such positive energy for the sold out show at the Crystal Ballroom. 

Tonight and tomorrow night will find me finishing up a full length feature article for Fresh Cup Magazine for the upcoming SCAA edition.

Then Friday it is N.Y.C.!   I heart NY and plan to check out a few plays along with some of NY’s cool in the coffee scene thanks to a post and blog…http://twitchy.org/?p=442 that will be a significant aid in the search for the newest of the new wave.

The Whitney Biennial VIP opening is tomorrow night – but the show opens to the public and non-VIP’s like myself this weekend.

This is a very big deal in the art world so I am hoping the crowds will not be too massive week one.  If so I will catch it this summer.

The MOMA hosts a Tim Burton show and after seeing his hour long interview about his art on Charlie Rose – this is a definite must see also.
After all the fun it is time to truly go to work in N.J. for the East Coast 2010 Coffee Fest Show.  It will be great like always to see all of my extended coffee family after a long winter break from shows.  More later from NY or NJ.