Thursday, February 26, 2009
Restaurants Americano Dream: Ugly Mugs Joins the Race
Posted by Lee Stabert on Thu, Feb 26, 2009 at 5:20 AM
My life in Nashville involves a constant search for an americano as good as the one they make at LaVa Café in Philly, a small coffee shop across from my family's place that also happens to make some serious breakfast sandwiches. Call me what you will--yuppie! bobo!! democrat!!!--but if I'm gonna be paying for caffeine outside my house I usually go for espresso. A perfect americano is strong, piping hot and retains that beautiful espresso crema on the top. So far, Crema is my favorite locally, but last weekend I discovered some stiff competition. On Sunday, I headed with a friend to Ugly Mugs up in the new Walden development across from Rosepepper and Eastland Café. The americano was excellent--and they dutifully followed my instructions: not too much water, room for cream. One thing Crema, Ugly Mugs and Marché (also great americanos) have in common is Drew's Brews. That man knows his beans.
In addition to the tasty drinks, Ugly Mugs had a great atmosphere, and the place was bustling (especially with Portland Brew across the street closed for Jesus). I'll definitely be heading back.
And, like Rick Sanchez, they twitter. It's a great way to find out when their fresh baked goods arrive.
Comments (6)
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Thanks for the tip on Ugly Mugs. I've had good americanos at Sip in Riverside Village. The barista added the espresso to the water, not the other way around, resulting in a beautiful crema on top. Sip also uses Drew's Brews (I see a pattern emerging).
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I'm also an Americano drinker, and Ugly Mugs and Crema are my favorties too.
Also, the line about Portland Brew being closed for Jesus? Brilliant. As my husband and I like to say, we prefer to attend the Church of Brunch.
Americanos are my drink of choice, and one of the best I have found is actually in Murfreesboro: Jozara coffee in the shopping center by Pei Wei and Jason's Deli, at the intersection of Thompson Ln and Medical Center Pkwy.
I am not crazy about Crema's americanos, but I have not tried Ugly Mug.
So it's not ok for Portland Brew to be closed for Jesus, yet Ugly Mugs can have the 700 club on TV every sunday. I'd rather drink at Sips.
What's wrong with a business wanting to take a day off? If you like the coffee enough you'll buy the whole bean and fix some at home.
I agree that Drew's Brew's is good but Ugly Mugs doesn't know how to fix a decent cup of coffee.
Ugly mugs gets my vote. The owners are lovely, the coffee is great and the atmosphere is really good. Sip is a good spot in the summer when you can utilize the courtyard but is too small and pokey to be hoisting the baby seat around in there when in need of caffeine.
