Bagels & Beans, Amsterdam

Van Baerlestraat 40

1071 AZ Amsterdam, Netherlands

While it may go against the independent vibe of this blog, Bagels & Beans, an Amsterdam chain of eateries is unique in that each location sources all of its food as locally and sustainably as possible.  They are also the only chain restaurant or cafe I've ever been into that uses a fully manual espresso machine.

Bagels & Beans serves two drinks that I found are unique to this area in Northern Europe. Fresh mint tea and hot milk with chocolate chips.

Askum Coffee, Brussels

Askum Coffee House

Rue des Eperonniers 60, 1000
Brussels, Belgium

www.askumcoffeehouse.com

Coffee culture in Belgium is a bit lacking. Sure many bakeries and cafes have cappuccinos and espressos on their menus and more people order straight espresso than coffee (unlike Americans). But often, that espresso is going to come out of a fully automatic machine and texture and air in the milk foam is inconsistent, if existent at all.

That is why when I came across Askum Coffee House in Brussels I was very surprised. The owner, Askum, does his own micro roasting straight from is tiny store front. He exclusively carries beans from Ethiopia and works in only four or five roast varieties at a time.  His baristas work on a La Marzocco Linea, which is like a Cadillac of espresso machines. And given that I had yet to see a good semi-manual or fully manual machine yet in Brussels, I was heartened. Even better, they know how to work it well!  Good creama, good foam, good drinks!