The Blend Coffee and Cocktail
Every once-in-a-while someone comes out with an idea that makes you think to yourself; “Wow how did I not think of that” and well, The Blend Coffee did just that. And what is that exactly? Coffee flights! We’ve had beer, wine, and liquor flights, but I’ve never seen coffee flights. Genius! It turns out they have a few different flights to choose from, ranging from juice flights to their popular coffee flights.
Upon my wife’s discovery of this place, we quickly made a date to visit them over the weekend at their new Tampa location and see what all the hype was about. They also have their original location just over the bay in downtown, St.petersburg which we also plan on paying a visit.
Experience
Finding the shop was relatively easy being that it’s inside its own stand-alone building and is clearly visible from the road when traveling on West Hillsborough Ave. The exterior is lined with a few outdoor tables complete with umbrellas for those who’d like to sit outside during a cloudless day.
The interior has been given the minimalist-modern Instagram-friendly treatment and makes for a pleasurable environment that invites you to sit down and hang for a while. Merchandise is split across both ends of the shop and offers various clothing options and tumblers. There’s also an abundance of seating options so there isn’t a need to worry about not finding a chair and it makes it perfect for those looking to brunch with their friends. My one grip was that the WiFi was excruciatingly slow which could be a big turn-off for those who are looking to work while enjoying their coffee.
The staff was extremely friendly and patient as we navigated their menu with indecision as to what flight and food item to choose. As stated earlier, they have multiple flight offerings so looking at their menu beforehand can spare you the headache. I chose the flight that offered a cold brew, iced latte, iced caramel latte, and iced vanilla latte.
The Coffee
If I had to rate my flight, I’d give it a 6/10 and I’ll explain why. For starters, the cold brew and iced latte were the saving graces. The cold brew had a great taste and was very refreshing, as was the latte. The other two, however, left a lot to be desired. Now, keep in mind that this is just my opinion and personal preference, and I encourage everyone to try something before making a decision. The problem that I had with them was that they were too sweet. Again, this is why I say this is just my opinion. This could be exactly what they were going for and what others love so take my criticism with a grain of salt.
As for the espresso itself, I must admit that it tasted a bit burnt which could be attributed to the temperature they were roasting the coffee that day. I’ll have to go back again to see if this was just a coincidence or just the norm. The shop uses a La Marzocco espresso machine so I know they are very capable of producing an excellent-tasting shot of espresso.
Lastly, the food was just what I needed that morning. I ordered a bacon, egg, and cheese everything-bagel which had my endorphins at peak levels. The bread was soft and perfectly heated, the bacon was crispy, and the egg was natural just as I prefer, not that imitation stuff they use in other places. Yuck. My wife went with the breakfast burrito and mentioned that it was packed with flavor. I didn’t get a chance to try since I was too busy devouring my bagel — hehe.
Prepare to takeoff!
Literally and figuratively. Plenty of caffeine and sugar to get you through the day.
Conclusion
While the coffee wasn’t my favorite on this day, I’d say this is a place worth visiting so you can experience the magic of the coffee flight. The location is also very enjoyable and they have many other offerings from which to enjoy. I plan on going back and giving the coffee another shot and hopefully can come back to give a positive update. For those looking to brunch, this is also a great option as they offer cocktails as well along with the food they carry so you and your friends can post all the Instagram stories that your heart desires. For now, that is all, until next time….
