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| - It has been a while since I wrote a review on The House, with the exception of the e-zine that I am the editor of, but that review was not about their amazing comestibles.
Recently they have added some new single origin gems, all from local Fratello Coffee Roasters, that tickle the palate like little that I have cupped in a long time. In particular the Ethiopian Sidamo Ardi and the Nicaraguan Finca Limoncillo, Direct Trade, Micro-Lot, Red Pacamara.
The Sidamo is a dry-processed medium to full bodied light roated highly aromatic delight. When being ground the room fills with a nose of cocoa bean and that flavour profile follows through on the palate. Starting first with an espresso, without even having been dialed in properly, a sweet chocolately taste draped my tongue without even a hint of bitterness. It was as if it was impossible to ruin no matter how off the grind or extraction was. Once correct, it was a delight that produced a finish of peach and cocoa that lingered for some time. No bitterness whatsoever.
When cupped as a cappuccino, the milk supplanted the peachy profile with one of butterscotch on the front palate that evolved into a cocoa/caramel on the finish. This is one of the best caps I have tried ever.
Pacamara is a hybrid bean developed by the Salvadorean Coffee Research Institute. It is a cross between Maragogype (the bean is the size of an elephant) and Pacas which is a mutation of the heirloom varietal known as Bourbon. It is a sturdy bean and HUGE. On the palate one is impressed with a citrusy sweetness accompanied with hints of caramelized brown sugar. Fratello claims maple syrup but my personal view is brown sugar. Regardless, this is fabulous coffee.
Unfortunately, both these coffees are very expensive and The House will only be serving this occasionally. If either happens to be in the hopper, then insist that this is what you be served.
The House has come a long way in the last year. Most of their staff are now properly trained in making great coffee and the ones who need training are not there alone. The sandwiches and soups are easy to take and the service is as good as one can expect.
Derrick, you listen to your customers and their needs and it shows in the improvements, considerable improvements, you have made. This one of my favourite places for coffee in the city.
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