Sunday, June 14, 2009

How to make French Press Coffee

Making a french press coffee is one talent that everyone needs to master.

This video gives some pointers on how to get started. It takes practice as the video points out. But true coffee lovers internationally like this way of making coffee. Cheers

Johnny Ray
www.sirjohn.org/bloglist

Friday, June 12, 2009

McDonald's Coffee Bar

McDonald’s New Coffee Bar
The coffee business is getting very competitive and attracting many players. McDonalds is no exception. The one close to home has made some major renovations to put in a new coffee bar. They grind the espresso beans on site and it really is good. The cost is reasonable but the atmosphere needs some updating for them to compete with other coffee bars out there. I know some McDonald's have free wifi or a service where you can pay to get on. I couldn’t find it there and had to come home to post this blog. They also had no where I could plug in my computer. If they spend the kind of money they did to attract coffee drinkers and truly want to attract the die hard coffee drinkers like me, they need to make a few more changes. Any way, they do offer a good product. Also, on hot days, their iced coffee is very smooth and good. Yes, it gets hot in Florida.
It would be interesting to hear others comment on McDonald in their town. How do you like the new coffee bar addition?
Johnny Ray
  • Johnny Ray's blurbs on his recent Novels and a complete list of his blogs


  • Ps; I’m building a new site at www.mortgagecalculatorblog.com come check it out

    Thursday, June 11, 2009

    Wings coffee shop and book store

    I love to explore new coffee shops. Today I'm at wings on 4th in St. Petersburg, Fl.


    This is a very quiet and relaxing place. A great coffee bar offering all that you might want. They have free wifi, which in my case is a must. The book store is small, but focused on inspirational books. The store is stocked with gift items in the spiritual realm. Just a nice place to hang out and write. And, of course drink some great coffee.

    I started off with a dark chocolate blend of coffee the girl at the counter talked me into. Now, my next big love after coffee is chocolate--dark chocolate. This coffee is one I can drink a lot of . However, I think their espresso machine is starting to sing my song.

    The weather outside is beautiful, but I'm happy sitting here drinking coffee and writing.

    Johnny Ray

    www.sirjohn.org/bloglist a complete list of my blogs

    www.sirjohn.org/blog2 my other coffee blog

    Wednesday, June 10, 2009

    Coffee moments remembered

    When was the best time you remember smelling and tasting great coffee?

    I was drinking my coffee this morning and enjoying a few minutes to let my mind drift to previous times that I've enjoyed some great coffee. I think everyone has those moments. You know, when you wake up to the smell of someone else brewing coffee and the smell so enticing that you have no choice but to get out of bed. Or, the time you are walking a street and the smell hits you hard, so hard you have to stop at a new place. Perhaps it's that first cup at the office that gives you the strength to hit it one more day.

    I remember walking the main street in Breckenridge, Colorado after a full day of skiing. Yes, it was cold, and anything warm was appreciated. However, the smell of coffee coming from one coffee shop after another drove me totally crazy. And when I thought the smell from out on the street was overpowering, the full blast of coffee aromas on the inside was like an addicts dream. While the hot cup made my hands warm, the sensation of the hot strong coffee making its way down to my stomach breathed a new life to a frozen body.

    Perhaps this is why there are so many coffee shops there. But then again, maybe they are all joining forces to fulfill the needs of other coffee addicts like me. Whatever, they have made many memories for those skiers like me that enjoy the after skiing time as much as the time on the mountain. That is, as long as they keep brewing.

    I know others have memories of great coffee moments. What is your story?

    Johnny Ray
    www.sirjohn.org/bloglist

    PS, I'm adding a new blog on how to gill a steak , check it out www.sirJohn.org/blog4

    Monday, June 8, 2009

    Coffee at Panera Bread

    Another day with lots of writing needing to be completed means another cup of espresso. Okay, maybe two or three. Okay,okay maybe a few more than that, but counting is considered rude,even if you do it to yourself, right?

    One of the great joys in life is going to Panera Bread for the coffee. I actually like the hazelnut coffee blend there. It is full of flavor and the smell is incredible. It's also hard to beat the price. If you bring your own cup you can get a cup of coffee for $1 and all of the refills of coffee you want. They have a free wifi service. They have free bread samples. They have great people that are always friendly and smiling. They . . . do it right!

    Now, lets talk about the food. The bread is fresh and they absolutely know how to make a sandwich. With an addition of a great soup, there is no reason to go any where else. Yes this is my office for the day. Look for me, I'll be wearing me hat, drinking another great coffee and typing on my laptop.

    Johnny Ray

    Friday, June 5, 2009

    Dunkin Donuts visit

    I waited with anticipation on the free donuts morning. I enjoyed the walk and the beautiful weather. However, on entering the store everything changed. I had my 10 year old with me and he was looking forward to this time together. The counter girl had an attitude. It's not my fault they are busy, is it? They only wanted to give one free donut. I said, "wait a minute we are both buying a drink," trying to be friendly. Her attitude became worse. I had to cancel the order and re enter two separate orders with her attitude still very unfriendly. They were out of jelly donuts , as if it was my fault again. When we finally received chocolate covered donuts, they were in a bag with no wrapping paper, the chocolate topping smeared on the side of the bag. I ordered an espresso. I'm not sure about everyone, but espresso is served hot, not slightly warm. That is when I noticed they do not have any milk or creme to add to your espresso on the counter. It made the girl upset again that I had to come ask her for some. I finally obtained the help of a manager to ask her to get me some. I received a phone call and the music was so loud I could not even hear above it. I asked for a manager and she never forwarded by message to him. Finally I saw the manager walking through the store and waved him over to me where I explained my experience. After hearing the story, he left to have some words with the counter help. That is the last I heard from them and perhaps the last time they will hear from me. I think he also knew I'm a syndicated travel writer. Knowing that over 10,000,000 readers might be reading about this experience, you would think he would come back to talk to me. And to think, I actually came to this store to give them a very good recommendation.

    What to see and do while traveling the world starts with finding the perfect coffee shop and wine bar.

    Travel the World and Experience Local wines and Coffee Bars Do you love to travel and explore the world?  What better way to do it than to f...