That little coffee shop in Portland charged me $8 for a pour-over and I'm still mad about it

I walked into this place called something like 'Third Wave Ritual' on Division Street last Saturday thinking I'd get a decent cup. Nope. The barista asked me like 15 questions about bean origin and roast date before even touching the grinder. I just wanted coffee, not an interrogation. Then she spent 4 minutes pouring water in circles while explaining the 'bloom phase' like I was in a class. When she handed me the cup she said 'notes of stone fruit and jasmine' and I tasted nothing but bitter and disappointment. $8 for a 10 ounce cup that I had to wait 12 minutes for. Has anyone else had a totally overhyped pour-over experience at one of those fancy third wave spots?

2 comments

2 Comments

hayden1441mo ago

Oh great, so you paid extra for a coffee lecture too.

the_eric1mo ago

@hayden144 pretty much nailed it. I read a review of that same spot on a coffee blog last month, and they said the baristas all take themselves way too seriously. Sounds like you got the full treatment. $8 for a 10 ounce cup of bitter fruit notes is rough.