The Hobbyist Review
It’s pretty fitting that my first blog post be about a coffee shop named “The Hobbyist”. Now, for the most part, my posts will usually be situated in or around the Tampa Bay area but alas I find myself spending the New Year in Charlotte, NC. I’ve had my fair share of great coffee in this fine city, starting with my favorite, Amélie's French Bakery & Café, among a few others, but I thought I’d give a new place a try and it didn’t disappoint. Now, before I give you my honest and unbiased opinion I’d like to preface that I am in no way an expert, and most, if not all, my posts will be how I genuinely feel at the time and what’s on my mind. Now, with that out of the way, let’s begin.
Minimal & Inviting
The storefront is just subtle enough that you might miss it but gives you plenty of outdoor seating.
As you make your way up to the coffee shop you are greeted by plenty of outdoor seating and a garage-style door that appears to be opened when it isn’t 32 degrees Fahrenheit as it was on the day we visited. As you walk in you’ll see the bar on the left with plenty of seating and bag hangers underneath the countertop but unfortunately no outlets to plug in a charger which made us have to end our visit shorter than we would’ve liked. To the right, you’ll find a few tables to get some work done and eat, but again, unless you find a table against the wall, you won’t be able to charge your devices.
Industrial Styling
A/C ducts, exposed brick walls and electrical piping give you all the industrial vibes. Armed on the walls are a plethora of coffee making essentials.
Now on to the most important part, the coffee. I chose to go with a quad shot oat milk flat white and I have to say it was just what I needed after a 9-hour drive from Florida. The shop used a darker roast that really showed through the milk but didn’t overpower your taste buds, it was well-balanced with a nice layer of foam. The latte art was a nice touch and showcased the barista’s skills. My wife chose to go for a peppermint tea and stated that it was served at the perfect temperature.
Order Up!
The espresso was perfectly extracted which is a testament to the baristas puck prep. I appreciated the 4 tier art as it added a nice touch.
Finally, directly behind us was an area to browse some local wines. I always find it interesting how coffee and wine are usually intertwined and in this case, it gives you the perfect opportunity to quickly grab a bottle to enjoy with your significant other or friends later in the evening.
Wine and Beer
Whether you’re in the mood from wine or beer, they’ve got you covered.
In summary, The Hobbyist gives my favorite spot, Amélie's French Bakery & Café, a run for its money. The coffee was delicious and the bagel (which I forgot to mention) was perfection. I can’t guarantee that everyone will have the same experience that we had but based on our visit I would certainly recommend this place to anyone hoping to enjoy a great cup of coffee before starting their day or even for a nightcap. I haven’t quite created a scoring system just yet but if I had to give it a score of 10 I would comfortably give them an 8.
Until next time.
