Irah's Coffee Yogurt Lounge (Goose Hallow)

There's a lot going on at Irah's: coffee, froyo, oatmeal bar, digiboo movie rentals, tvs with sports and news. It's almost as if the theme is designed to distract, but things all come together in this neighborhood shop and I quite like it, thank you very much. This has quickly become my favorite spot to grab a quick latte (they brew espresso with Illy coffee pods) on my way up to Washington Park with my canine companion. At only $2.25 for a latte (when I brings my own reusable cup), you can't beat it. I also like their chipper and chatty staff that always keeps things interesting while I wait for my espresso.

Bottom line: good, cheap espresso that is better than Starbucks but has a slight risk of inexperienced barista rookie mistakes.

My message to Irah: lose the televisions. They're not cool.

My message to you: check it out on an early morning for coffee on your way up to the Rose Garden or in the evening for a stroll around Goose Hallow.

Cafe Velo - My Newest Caffine Obession

Today at the Portland Farmer's Market I decided to try a cup on Cafe Velo's coffee. Usually I am a huge fan of Starbucks (I know, I can hear you locavores cringing) but I was volunteering and couldn't stray that far from my post. So I went for cup of Cafe Velo's drip.

They had about 6 or 10 different varieties of coffees from which to choose. I had a Guatemalan medium roast, which was poured into an individual porcelain drip. I don't know if was the coffee, the individual drip, the super nice staff, or some combination of the three, but this was a seriously delicious cup of joe.

They serve Stumptown Coffees and a mint tea. Check them out next time you are at the PFM or if you see their Cafe Velo mobile around town (Sunday Parkways?).