The Very Best Espresso in Charleston?
700 Capitol Street is where to get it. Photo by Walker DeVille
Let’s get to the most important thing about daily city life. In a word: coffee. Where to find it at its finest in Charleston? Not just any coffee. We speak here of espresso, the fine art blazed by those lovely Italians who unlocked the greatness hidden in the bean. Alas, there is much espresso moyenne about: average, tepid. Starbucks, je vous accuse! Once, their best barristas pulled each espresso by hand with finesse. Now, monstrous, automatic $6,000 pod machines rule. I do not send you to the several Starbucks in the area.
Neither do I point you to Taylor Books on Capitol Street, an otherwise estimable establishment (very European in sensibility!). Yet their coffee is not of a (permit me a young person’s parlance?) kick-ass intensity. For that, run to Sofia’s Gourmet Coffee, 700 Capitol St. Have the lovely lady pull you an espresso — smoky, rich, intense as a Belgian dark chocolate. A dash of cream? A trace of sugar, if you need it. Not too much! Let the espresso speak. Then, go to the free computer and post a comment to this blog, espresso essence on your tongue. The caffeine has begun to make your mind spin with creative vigor. Your lust for life is enlarged. Now, don’t you feel better?
