4:30 p.m.—A ragtag group of Cardinal coffee addicts assembles bleary-eyed outside the first stop of the crawl, Michelangelo's, 114 State St.
Upon entering, the group notices the warm, orange dAccor and quiet atmosphere of the large, but nearly full coffee shop. A wide variety of bakery options is present, but the tasters barely get to look over the selection before their order appears.
""I abstained from all caffeine today,"" Jay says with a note of pride as he takes his first sip of coffee, Michelangelo's organic house blend of beans from Peru, Nicaragua and Mexico ($1.60).
""It's got a bite to it,"" he concludes. ""This is almost sour.""
Erica and Kristin's first foray into espresso ($1.75), though perhaps unwisely not their first experience with caffeine for the day, is positive.
""It's rich, but not too bitter,"" Erica says, while Kristin notes the touch of caramel-colored foam that graces the drink.
Katie's chai ($3.00) is less impressive, as she notes that it is ""really sweet, but doesn't have a lot of chai flavor."" A nutty taste in the drink also bewilders her sensitive palate.
Jeff, the coffee novice of the group, enjoys his first mocha ($3.00).
""This really is like a dessert,"" he gushes. And the cycle of addiction for another young innocent begins.
4:50 p.m.—The group wanders down to one of Espresso Royale's two locations, 208 State St. The interior is imposingly impressive—the barista informs the group that the shop finished remodeling two weeks ago. Unlike its other store closer to campus, this location is quieter and has plenty of open seating available for more studious types.
Jay's cup of Espresso Royale's House Dark Italian blend ($1.30) makes an aromatic impression.
""I feel like I just ate some potpourri,"" he says. ""I mean that in the best way possible."" He decides it is less bitter, but much weaker, than Michelangelo's blend.
While Jeff criticizes the bitter aftertaste from his mocha ($2.75), Katie manages to overcome her awe of the shop's interior to compliment Espresso Royale's special chai mix in her drink ($2.40).
""You can really taste the vanilla,"" she says.
Meanwhile, Erica and Kristin enjoy another espresso ($1.50 single), but they disagree on whether it is better than their first, with Erica supporting Michelangelo's. In particular, they compliment the smooth aftertaste of Espresso Royale's blend.
5:15 p.m.—Decidedly more upbeat, the Cardinal crawlers pick up the pace towards Fair Trade, 418 State St. While no one in the group is really in the mood for sitting anymore, some members notice that despite the interesting, old-fashioned dAccor, there are no couches. Jay and Katie, however, are too distracted by the wide array of pastries to comment on the interior.
After breaking away from the baked goods, Jay musters an opinion on Fair Trade's house blend ($1.60), mumbling something about how it is ""really weak"" and that there's ""not a lot to it,"" while gazing longingly at the pastry case.
Jeff, on the other hand, is pleased with his third ""dessert"" of the day, Fair Trade's mocha ($3.00).
""I think they make their own whipped cream,"" he says. ""This is by far and away the best.""
Katie tries the store's homemade chai ($3.00), saying she thinks that she likes the flavor, but it is too weak to be sure.
With their discerning palates ready, Erica and Kristin try their third espresso ($1.75).
""It's a little sharper,"" Erica says, sticking with her preference for Michelangelo's. Kristin notes the flowery aroma and aftertaste, but is also struck by its bitterness.
5:35 p.m.—Now fully caffeinated, the Cardinalistas fly to their last destination for the day, Steep and Brew, 544 State St.
While its interior is not very clean or aesthetic, Kristin notes it is ""extremely warm,"" which might entice her into the store in the winter months. An advanced lid system, complete with a sliding tab to open and close drinks and prevent spills, also intrigues the group.
Upon trying his fourth coffee ($1.50), a French roasted Costa Rican blend, Jay quickly decides that it is the best of the afternoon—both ""very strong"" and yet not too bitter.
Erica and Kristin fare worse, however, as their espresso ($1.55) is too foamy and sour.
""It's very potent,"" Erica states diplomatically. Kristin's grimace reveals a little more detail.
Jeff also struggles with his mocha ($2.95)—which ironically possesses neither a strong coffee nor chocolate flavor, and resembles more of a weak cocoa.
Katie faces a moral dilemma with her chai ($2.90). After asking the barista how it is made, she finds that the deliciously sweet, distinctly spicy blend is not homemade, but rather from a concentrated mix. While she still favors Espresso Royale's unique blend, a manufactured mix of this quality duly surprises her.
Four rounds of coffee drinks later, each member of the group is demonstrably caffeinated. Even the most veteran caffeine drinkers, Erica and Kristin, cannot deny its effects.
""I'mnotfeelingjittery,"" Kristin rambles. ""I'mjustreallyhappy."" Although the eye twitching may give her away, she and the rest of the group depart, satisfied by their efforts to inform the tired masses of what State Street coffee shops have to offer.
