I hate the "It's not TRUE COFFEE if it's not bitter! If you like sugary Starbucks drinks you're not a REAL coffee fan!" mindset.
@frost I'm really tempted to point you towards Philz in the city, which I haven't been to in ages. They're mellow enough that you can drink their coffee black and it's much more nuanced than just being really overroasted and bitter.
(Also point out Spritzer's Cafe and Wescafe on the island. Both used to be favorite hangouts, but their coffee's only good, not good enough you can do it without cream and sugar.)
@Leucrotta oooo!!
@frost Both the Alameda places are real close to the big park, the comics shop and Jazeera Halal Market. Caveat is Wescafe is near *enough* police routes that sometimes they'll go there; I've never seen one in Spritzer's.
@Leucrotta ooooh!
...there's a big park?? We should check out Alameda!
Not sure of the best way to get our bike across to the island, though. I think there's a tiny-ass sidewalk through the tunnel by Lake Merritt side, but it doesn't sound particularly nice to deal with.
@Leucrotta !
Oh the Park Street bridge might actually be easier to get to– OH YEAH I forgot we did the Park Street bridge a while back on that hecking 12 mile ride!! (And there was an /amazing/ sunset, too. Liquid gold...)