Coffeehouse Culture and Mischa's Mocha Java

One of the things I miss most about the Pacific NW is the coffee culture. It's so pervasive, growing up there, you pretty much just assume everywhere (and everyone) is just as addicted as you are. At one point during college on the University of Oregon campus, I think my roommate and I counted no less than 14 different places you could get a cup of coffee on one single block. Sigh. *Nostalgia*

Why East Coasters have not come to be so intravenously linked to the bean drink like they are out West is completely baffling to me. Don't get me wrong...there's more than enough Starbucks to go around, but I'm surprised there aren't more independent coffee houses that embrace the funky literary culture that the cozy warm drink seems to inspire. There are a few upstarts in the area, like Murky Coffee, Mayorga Coffee Roasters, Tryst, Mad City Coffee, The Bean Hollow, and Fell's Grind come to mind...but many are also bars and you kind of have to seek them out. It strikes me that perhaps in Portland coffee is comfort and a philosophy, in DC it is fuel. Maybe not. Go figure. Anyway...

One of the coffee shops I like here is Mischa's Coffeehouse and Coffee Roaster down on Patrick St. in Old Town Alexandria, VA. It's funky culture reminds me of home and I go there to perk myself up on occasion (pun intended). Recently, however, I stopped in to get a pound of whole bean coffee to go, and selected the Mocha Java flavor for $12.99. Never been disappointed with Mischa's before, but honestly it was quite a bitter roast and I'm no slouch when it comes to liking strong, dark, rich blends. Maybe it was just me? Maybe I need to educate my palette more on what that type of bean is supposed to taste like...but I think next time I will opt for something closer to their [Mischa's] House Blend.