Starbucks

An average americano coffee from this Starbucks this morning, but I didn’t finish it. Weak and no distinct flavour.
The girl did ask if I wanted space left for milk. That was a first for me. Why don’t all coffee houses ask this? That said the amount of room given wouldn’t have been much used to someone who likes a lot of milk in their coffee.
I gave it a go today ahead of the usual places I normally frequent of a morning on the way to work. I wont be back. Cheaper and better americano coffees offered in the immediate area (2.50 EUR for a tall here).

Why the hate? As Starbucks go, this place isn’t bad at all. It is clean, comfortable, and far more calm that most of the coffee shops in the city. I totally get that it’s not a local business and it doesn’t have much character, but depending on your preferences that may not be a big deal.

This Starbucks has the benefit of being close to the luas (harcourt stop) and being out of the route of the masses; it’s never too full as the one on the green for example.
It’s not a too big a place, and has a nice atmosphere. The staff is always friendly is my experience.

when i lived in london starbucks was all the hype with coffee lovers flocking to it, they even had about 5 on oxford street itself and when it came to ireland i was sadly disappointed. i had forgotten how weak the coffee was. the starbucks buzz has almost died.
the coffee is fancyed up with sugary syrups, flavours and cream. you can have skinny, semi-​skimmed, full fat and iced coffee. i had a caramel latte in fancy malahide and nearly fell on the floor with the price! € 4.65 or thereabouts and this was after the vat reduction! now i could buy a jar of coffee for that price and enjoy it more because then at least i could taste the coffee.
the best thing about starbucks are the sofas and is one of the few coffee shops where you can relax with friends (that is if you can get a sofa, they;re usually full of people using the wifi with empty cups in front of them)

Tried Starbucks a few times (despite its reputation) when it opened as I love decent coffee, but I found that the coffee is really weak and milky even when I asked for a strong one, basically its milk with a coffee flavour, I realise now that that’s what the mass market dictates: a dumbing down of flavour to appeal to the lowest common denominator. Its the Budweiser/​Coors/​Miller of the coffee world, was great to see the Ranelagh branch of it closing down, Ranelagh has 3 or 4 proper local coffee places so it didn’t stand a chance. Hopefully sites like Unilocal will help promote great local produce instead of multinational blandness.

Get yourself to a real coffee shop, that does illy coffee or something of quality if you like real coffee.
In saying that I am sometimes glad to see a Starbucks for a quick to-​go coffee.
I would never never sit there (joking)…lol, people might think I am American or something… except for the free wi-​fi, it’s bit like a McDonnells for coffee.
This particular Starbucks is above average and I have used it several times with no complainant.

Stop groaning at my uninspired choice, I can hear you.
And please stop rolling your eyes, they will get stuck in the back of your head and that’s not a good look, take my word on that.
So the Californian Hills type has returned once again to exclaim,
‘Yay I’m a fan!‘
I think we should call her Cindy hence forth. So the reason that Cindy as a representative of me, a pale Irish cynic is a fan is for five reasons.
Let me open by saying I am not a fan of Starbucks coffee, it turns me into a jittery crack-​head, but sometimes I embrace my short-​term memory and stumble into my crack-​head demeanour once and a while.
So why has Cindy won the argument this time?
1. The view here is great, lots of open light.
2. It never seems to get too packed.
3. I can stay on the wi-​fi for ages and they don’t bother me.
4. I am guaranteed to hear American accents & that makes me not miss my US friends so much, they would probably slap me if they knew I did this instead of something ‘cooler’ to remember them, like stalk the US Ambassador… We all have our dirty secrets.
5. There is a girl that works here with short black hair and she is without doubt the friendliest Barista I have met so far in Dublin, she remembers her regulars… Yes I am impressed.
So why didn’t I give Cindy that extra star… Well she probably would die with ‘Oh My Gawdness’ excitement into a tanned, white teeth heap… But joking aside it’s because of the loo…
There is one loo and it is a wheelchair access loo. I have never seen so many gadgets in a loo before to prevent you from,
‘hurting yourself’.
There is a big red cord that runs over head that you,
‘pull if you get into difficulty.‘
Define bathroom difficulty?
It makes me anxious, I dislike being anxious when I sit on the pot. Also the hand dryer is low, obviously if I was in a wheelchair that would be cool but I end up squatting which I guess is good for toning my bottom cheeks… OK I will concede that flaw into a gift.

If you like cold coffee…

What can you say about Starbucks…
Yes, it’s overpriced.
Yes, it’s corporate and evil and all that.
But, by god, do they do good coffee!
The Harcourt Street branch is perfect for anyone who works near the area to nip into for an afternoon treat. The staff are great, they know what they’re doing, and the drinks are always made well. There’s enough seating usually to handle the numbers as well.
My personal favourite drink is a vanilla latte, or I’ve found frappuchinos to be perfect on a warm day.
Starbucks also offer a great selection of muffins, cakes and biscuits. Along with chocolate and gum. And sandwiches.
They may be taking over the world, but if the coffee stays this good, I’ll happily sit back and let them.