Coffee Lovers around the US. It's just a matter of time before Philz sets up shop in Bloomington, Peoria, or Poughkeepsie.
"Philz Coffee is an American coffee company and coffeehouse chain based in San Francisco, California, considered a major player in third wave coffee. Philz Coffee focuses on making drip coffee. Philz Coffee has 36 locations spread amongst the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and most recently Washington." (From Philz Website)
Philz also has long lines and a lengthy menu. Not for the uninitiated. Natasha S of Washington D.C. is a typical Philz patron. "This is the FIRST Philz Coffee I ever tried. And I will NEVER forget that amazing moment. It was like falling in love for the first time."
Today was my first time, too. And yes, it was amazing. On a rainy day in Berkeley I went to meet Haoyun Wei, a visiting scholar from Beijing who has one Ph.D in Optical Engineering and will complete his second Ph.D in Chemistry at UC Berkeley this summer. We spend an hour together each week chatting. By giving Haoyun a chance to speak English he has come to understand the language better. Today I introduced him to "as the crow flies". Here he is enjoying his small cup ($3.50) of Philz' Silken Splendor.
Haoyun is 38, married, has a young son. On Black Friday Haoyun went with friends to the Livermore Outlet Shops to buy a bag for his wife, who is in Beijing. Haoyun took several photos of the bags, sent them to his wife, who told him exactly which one to get. It was sometime after midnight. He stood in line for almost an hour before being able to pay for the bag. Welcome to America, Haoyun.
Back to Philz. Why Philz takes so long...here's a barista in midpour.
The baristas always pour from a foot or so above the coffee. Each cup gets its own filtered pour.
I had a cup of Jacob's Wonderbar. Had to have cream. The barista asked me if it was ok. Perfect! Please come visit. We'll hang out at Philz, that is, after finals are over, laptops closed, and the students go home for Christmas, the only way we'd ever get a seat.
