Coffee Lingo

Here are a few Major words I've heard and link to The Coffee House Dictionary by Brian Connors.
Words of the Coffee House

• Tall – the smallest cup size
• Grande – The medium cup
• Venti – The Largest cup
• Mocha – coffee and chocolate
• Latte -A drink made by pulling a shot of espresso into a cup and filling it up with steamed milk, topping it off with foam (The Coffee House Dictionary by Brian Connors)
• Barista –the person who makes the coffee
• Breve – means the coffee is made with half and half, not milk
• A Double – has two shots of espresso
• Espresso - An extremely strong method of brewing coffee that involves forcing high-pressure hot water through finely ground, dark-roasted coffee. The resulting shot actually has less caffeine than the typical cup of regular drip coffee, despite what you may have heard. (The Coffee House Dictionary by Brian Connors)

http://www.geocities.com/connorbd/coffee/coffeewords.html

Space Analysis

As you walk in there is a smell of coffee and baked foods. The color is a relaxing earthy tone set by the dim light. Instead of being faced with a room as you would expect you are greeted by a stairs leading up to motinis. To the left is the cafe. To the right is the lounge. The cafe floor is multi-colored with tiles. The tiles have deep earthy colors. The counter runs like an L through the cafe. Along the left wall is where they keep the coffee. They are stored in beautiful golden holders. They look antique. On the counter infront of that wall are the machines to make the coffee. The long L part of the counter is where they have food and where they get bagles ready.

Behind that part of the counter is another room where the cooking that requires a stove is done. It is where breakfast and sandwiches are made. That room has bright white colors. The faces that dwell back there pop out to see the man next to me. They are happy and like his hat. I thought that was funny.

Facing towords entrance is a small section that has self serve coffee in thermuses.

Now we venture to the lounge. It's a cool place. Most coffee houses try to do the homey thing where it's inviting and they want you to stay for hours on end. This place actually accomplishes that. There is a fire place in the far left corner. Next to it are two peach colored arm chairs that look as inviting as a story book picture. On the wall next to it is a green sofa. That is also a comfortable place. Throughout the room are several tables and chairs. I think if all of those chairs were full it would be as packed as it could get. Before the sofa and fire place you have to go down a ramp. On the wall of the ramp is a section of pictures. They are pictures of customers and drawings that young children have done. At least I am hoping they were done by younger people.

After that are two tables seperated by two large windows. When the some comes into the room it truely seems like a home rather than a coffee shop. Spirits are lifted and generally a good vibe is felt. Wheather it is from caffiene in insain amounts or the sunshine I don't know. I just know I want to stay there and eat a bagle. (which are phanominal by the way)

On the wall facing the stairs is a bathroom. Several tables are scattered in the are as well. The other wall has a beautiful stain glass window of yellow and orange blocks. When the sun comes in through there a calmer mood seems to take place, but it is still a happy one.

Things I forgot:
Drive through window in Cafe
The stairs to the emergancy exit in Lounge
The wall with the menu in cafe
What's on the menu
The refridgerater along the wall in the cafe(for pops etc.)

Photos on last Blog



With this blog I went with the feeling of the place. I thought that was an important because the feeling is a big part of the coffee house. The colors I thought were a big thing to that. The colors were lively yet relaxing. I thought this made for a very homey and comfortable setting so I made that my focus.

I may be biased because I think coffee houses are a good and normally safe place. Also being a nineteen year old female I may be bias.

The fire place

The fireplace rests in a corner. There is a lamp next to it. The two orange chairs each have tables next them. They are set up so that if two people choose to have a conversation they can be face to face or have their privacy. It is the part of the room that the eye is first drawn to even though it's in a corner. It sets the tone of the entire lounge.

THe only conflict I can see it creating is too many people want to sit there.
It is important because it really makes the place feel like home.

Inside the Mt Cup

So here is the deal with the photos. The outside sofa, while dirty was just interesting to me. I bet it is a big hit in the spring.

The bookshelf is next to the fireplace. It is just a very homey setting.

The stairway is going up to Motini's, it's the first thing you see when you walk in the door.

I did the floor because the colors also help the homey feel. The dog was also a plus.

The photo witht he ATM is the best angle I was able to get of the cafe section since they don't want the one wall taken. You can also see the drive through window in the back.

The menu just shows that they have a LOT to offer. In it is Alyse Dionne. I like that you can get a small coffee for three dollars then a full meal for $3.25.

The rest of the photos have paintings and photos that decorate the Mt Cup. They, like the green sofa, are just another way to make the place homey.

Another Visit

I went into the Mt Cup today and it was very successful. Not only did I get the questions I wanted to know answered, I got pictures and new information.

I went in and the place was packed. This was at 3:30 in the afternoon on Saturday. So now I know when is a good time to go and talk to people for interviews. That's one down.

The other was when are they going to have a performer. Unfortunatly they said they don't have any bookings because of the weather. Teri, the girl I spoke to who was working there, said she hoped to have people to perform in March. She also said that every thursday at 9:00 PM was jazz night. She said that was in Motinis, but I knew it would be already.She also gave me her name and number so I can call to see when performances would be or for anything else.

I decided to hold off on the favorites question until interview times.

She also gave me the name of the other manager and told me when they would be in.

When I asked if I could take pictures I was a little suprised to hear that I could, but not of everything. Outside was fine. Inside, I could not take pictures of the antique coffee holders. I was a little bummed about that because I thought it was the coolest thing in there. I couldn't take a picture of the main counter either. So the room where the cooking was done was greatly limited. I got a picture of the menu though. I also had to get permission to take people's pictures. Since it was packed I didn't take that many but thought it might be a good idea to get some people in. So I took 2 shots with people in it. For the most part everyone I spoke to was really nice. Some didn't want to be bothered but said they would do it. So that was nice.

I took a few pictures of what I could of the spots taht didn't have people in it. After that I decided to leave and go talk to Starbucks for my essay. I will try to take pictures there too so I can visually point out the diffrences even though I can name a few already.

Something I found very intresting from this visit was Teri said "Myles doesn't want photos taken of this wall..." So I am assuming he is still apart of the Mt Cup. I just found that intresting.

I plan to get my pictures up soon and I will put my aweful map up. Mostly for amusement. No, I figure I need to now since I couldn't really take picutes of the rooms as a whole without getting someone I didn't ask or the two things they didn't want me to take a picture of.

This makes it much easier to come up with interview questions now. I have much more than I thought I would and need to write them down. I also need to organize my findings in my note book. Lots to do from a fifteen minute visit.

Things I want to get out of my next visit

I would like to get some things taken care of when I visit this weekend. These are things I want to know so I guess it is blog worthy.

1. I want to take pictures since my map is horrible.
2. I want to know what the busiest times are.
3.When they are having a performance and who is performing?
4.What would they say is the best food/coffee there?

After I find these things out I would like to be apart of it. So I would visit on the busiest time and when they had a performere and try their coffee. I think this will also help me get over my interview thing.

After that I would like to ask simlar questions to a Starbucks. See how diffrent some things are. I think that would be cool. I hope to do both this weekend.

I would also like to try and be at the Mt Cup when I do my Object/subject analysis.

Box 11

Subculture: Mt Cup

Reasons for choosing:
I like coffee and this way I would be both an insider and an outsider since I don't know the local place, but I do know coffee houses in general.

Fixed Positions:
I am a college student so my world revolves around coffee. I will automatically hold it in high standings. I am also a female and I know more females than males who like to go to coffee houses. It's a good gossip spot as you can tell from previous blogs. Schedual is also something to consider. I hope I wont miss busy times or times that had something out of the norm due to my scheduling.

Subjective Positions:
Coffee has been a part of my family since I can remember. My grandmother drinks it, my mother drinks it, my sister drinks it and my aunts drink it. It was great fun on the holidays to get up and have a morning social with a hot cup of coffee in your hands. I will view it as a social event where for the most part pleasent conversations occured. It is viewed to me as a good time.

Inside the Mt Cup

Well this weekend I actually managed to go inside and order coffee and food. I will give you a walk through then explain my personal observations and feelings towards the place.

February 3, 2008 12:15 PM


When you step through the doors you are directly in front a flight of stairs. If you just look up the stairs you can see martini glasses hanging upside-down. This is the entrance to Motinis, also created by Myles Ogea.

If you look to your left you have a the food side. Along the wall facing you there are coffee bean cases. I noticed most of them were empty. The top half of them were glass, the bottom despensers were a rusted gold color. Along that doorwas the drive-through window where a young woman was stationed with a headset and walkie talkie on. Glancing to the right of the cooking room you had a clear refrigerator which offered glass bottled pops and juices.

Both walls had counters infront of them. They were a dark cherry color.The counter along the right had the register and signs explaning specials. Straight behind this counter was a door where they prepared the food. On the counter straight a head they had the coffee makers which seemed very tall. The young woman making my coffee disapeared behind them. The drinks were made behind the counters. Looking through the door there was a sign for the sandwiches they made. I thought this was strange since the menu to the rest of the shop was beind me, next to the window that revealed University Ave. I was amazed to see that a small cup of coffee was $3.00 but the SunRise breakfast with a bagle, egg, cheese, and a choice of meet was $3.55. The walls and the desks were dark and looked like they've seen many busy days.

The floor had multiple tile types but for the most part were darker maroons and oranges. Some of the tiles were white which I found off setting. The floor looked as though it could stand a good mopping. Next to the stairs was a station to get just regular coffee. There was also a tray to put dirty dishes on. Next to that was a little wall space before the stairs which they pinned up local happenings.

Now had you walked into the door and looked to the left you would have seen almost a diffrent building. Some of the colors carreid through like the orange, cherry wood and maroon. Even some purples and blues mixed in well with the decore. The first ting I noticed was a teal couch that looked very comfortable. On it were 2 pillows and a person. To get into that room you had to walk down a ramp. Once you did that and looked at the far corner you could see a fire place with a cozy looking arm chair. They had several comfy looking chairs as well as wooden seats at tabeles. Along the wall of the ramp were pictures and photograpsh. Some looked like children drew them but the photos were mostly of college aged kids. They were just tacked on the wall with no pattern.

Along the back wall was a door placed high up. Leading to it were two wide stairs and a platform. Directly in front of the door was a chair placed on the platform. I don'tknow why it was there. Along that wall was one table for two. That is where I sat so i could see the rest of the place. I thought it was funny that there was a door and on that door was a sign that said "please leave bath room door open when not in use. Otherwise the pipes will freeze. Thank you." I thought this was funny because it was closed the entire time I was there. I was also amazed by how many doors that place thad. Next to the high door that lead outside was another door painted tan. I don't know where that one went.

The floor was carpeted with a flat grey carpet. The walls were tan and orange but not bright. The place was darker than I had imagined it. Tables and chairs littered the place with no ryme nor reason. Most of the comfortable chairs were along the walls.

So that is the map of the Mt Cup for the most part. I was not able to go up into Motinis but I have been told that I will be able too. I just can't buy booze.

While I was there I listened to the types of conversations. Two people by the fire place looked to be having an intense conversation and the woman,who was in the late thirties, was trying to explain something. The young man,who looked of college age with a multi-colored hat, would shake his head in protest. I couldn't hear what they were saying. In the middle of the room were a group of girls who wore mixed outfits and looked like this was the first stop they made this moring if they indeed had slept the previous night. They were discussing Muncie-Gras which is the only reason i suspect otherwise. They were very loud. I remember laughing when one girl was trying to make sure she heard correctly and asked "so she showed the whole boob or just some of it?" I don't remember the response. I tried to tune out of their conversation even though they were almost shouting it. That made me wonder how the older man in the corner was working so well. he had a table for four filled up with books and his back pack. He was older, and completly bald. He had a blond goatee and kept to his books. The only time he looked up was when an older women of some gerth came up and spoke to him. Her two children just stared at him while she asked how he was doing.

As for the coffee it was okay. I tried something I had never tried before, Cafe Brevier. It was half coffee and half foam. Which I didn't know would be foam since she said it would be cream. I am not a fan of the foam. So I just stirred it until the foam sank and added sugar. It was good coffee. I also got a bagle with cream cheese which I really liked.

So all in all the food was good, the service good, the set up was unique and a little run down but it was a nice coffee house. I will be excited to go back and actually start up a few interviews to see the best days to come. Mys sister said that the Mt Cup gets pretty packed sometime. That would be a day I would like to see it.

The Art and Diversity of Coffee

One of the reasons I was so intrested in my subculture was because I love coffee. I think it is a creative sort of thing. Not only does the creator have to mix and blend flavors together to be pleasing, but they have to present it in a nice way. This video is just a fun video of showing how food can be art.



As I said earlier another thing to coffee is blending it. My mother got several blends for christmas. Some were great but one that sticks out particularly was the peanut butter bannana. Sounds gross and by smell alone it was aweful. I was not willing to try it.

These are the kind of thigns that make coffee houses so intresting. People are constantly changing their recipeis to try and please their customers. This is why there are such diverse groups at coffee shops. You have the business men who come to drink the "regular" coffee, the younger crowds who come for candy like coffee and then you have people who come for the social event and will try anything. Maybe banana would be a hit wiht a certain group.

I just thought that was an intresting observation and the video was a cool way to show some of the art and diversity.