I stopped in at the new quills location on Market Street on Tuesday afternoon around 5:00 to await a client. Earlier in the day, someone had described to me their own first experience at this very cool coffee shop in downtown New Albany. They expressed their delight at something called the Chemex pour-over method and I wanted to try it for myself.
I'm a coffee lover and I've been trying to replicate my favorite coffee experience for years without success. I spent three weeks at a high-end hotel in Bahrain where the best coffee I've ever had was served to me table-side in a French press. At first, I thought it was the French press process that was the secret. After many years of trying different coffees and brewing methods I've come to the conclusion that it was the coffee not the brewing method, and I may never have such wonderful coffee again.
I haven't given up though, so when I heard about Quills I added it to my schedule. Quills is located directly across from the old Grand Theater right between my favorite breakfast spot, Toast on Market, and Louis le Francais. It's katy corner from Havana Blues and just around the block from the new Keg Liquors location, River City Winery, and Bank St Brew House where I would be going later to watch the IU Game. Can you say Safari Supper this summer?
I ordered my Burundi blend coffee and selected two very nice pastries, discounted to only $1 each after 4PM. As I watched the barista perform the multiple steps of the Chemex process that she said would yield me with 3-4 cups of coffee, Todd Antz from Keg Liquors walked in. I carried my glass carafe of coffee and pastries to my table and Todd came over and we chatted for a bit about the Sherman Minton Bridge celebration that will be held in the area on Saturday between 2 – 5 pm.
It sounds like a great opportunity to come see what an exciting foodie destination the downtown area has become. Come over for breakfast or brunch at Bank St or Toast, and stay to sample beers and wines from local suppliers. Then wander into Havana Blues for tapas, or River City Winery for the best brick oven pizza I know of other than Coals. Stay till early afternoon and you can make the short trek over to the NAX or try out Gravity Head at the NABC Pizzeria over on Grantline road.
Ok, so the coffee was very nice. It had a complex flavor that I appreciated but was not what I was hoping for. I would also say that Chemex experience is best when shared as the glass carafe is not insulated and does not keep the coffee hot enough, long enough. I accept the fact that the memory I've cherished all these years may never be equalled because it has now become superior to any actual reality. Oh well, I really liked the place and I'm going back. Next time I'll try the French press method that they also feature.
I eventually made my way over to Bank St to watch the IU game. While there, I met two guys who were visiting from Louisville. Christopher was a long time area inhabitant who had been living in the highlands for many years. Patrick was originally from Buffalo, NY and had recently moved to Louisville from Boston. Patrick is a scientist. Yes, I've met my first scientist – in a pub. This shouldn't really surprise me as I frequently meet interesting people at Bank St. One recent Friday afternoon a priest stopped in to pick up some growlers of that good “New Albany beer” for his Louisville flock. Louisville may have the Holy Grale but your clergy come to Bank St when the spirit moves them. Cheers!
http://www.quillscoffee.com/blog/