My new favorite coffee bar in Denver is Crema Coffeehouse. Maybe its the unusually classy use of plywood in the store, or the artisan-brewed french press coffee, or the toast bar with a head-spinning variety of topping choices (no not Smuckers...we're talking german mustards, Nutella, and anything else you could ever imagine). Something about this place sings a song of parody, laughing in the face of common coffee names, presenting a new way of coffee quality--rare, yet absolutely outstanding. Owner Noah Price, also founder of DVLP clothing, has a strong desire to take coffee drinkers and make them into espresso experts. "I don't do syrups." says Noah, "Coffee is so intricate, and goes through so many hands and so many processes...it should be appreciated like a fine wine." In looking at the majority of US coffee shops, most baristas don't do this as a craft. In other parts of the world, Barista is a full-time profession. Here it seems to be more of a college job. Noah is helping shape a different, quality-driven image, blowing to pieces most coffee drinkers' idea of what 'good coffee' is. Hit Crema up in the middle of Denver's up-and-coming RiNo neighborhood just north of downtown on Larimer, try the toast and have a heart-entrancing espresso. He's currently using NOVO Coffee's espresso, pulled through a Rancilio Classe 6 lever espresso machine...yum.
