This was a fun place to review. I remember when this coffeehouse went by another name…the Crimson Frog! That’s what it used to be called several months ago. I knew its former incarnation well; that’s where, for a while, the Almost Uptown Poetry Cartel held its readings. Crimson Frog was a perennial hangout for people from both shores, owing to both its frequent poetry and music nights and its bank of public computers.
In September of last year, all that changed as new ownership took over. Gone are the computers and the music nights as well…at least for now. In its place is a coffeehouse that seems less about art, and more about the art of coffee. Unlike Crimson Frog, M & M roasts its own beans. I spoke briefly to the owner Linda and her friend Betty about their favorite blends and their plans for the future. She said that the blend they’re particularly proud of right now is their dark roast called “Jamaican me Crazy” and as for entertainment…well, they already have bands booked for the 14th and 28th of March. Seems like after a winter of adjustment, they’re finding their niche here in Central PA.
I drank a mix of the house blend and the decaf, deciding to save the Jamaican for another day and just sample their typical fare. I really enjoyed the lightness and complexity of their breakfast coffee. If it was evening, I would have preferred something a bit richer, but this was a wonderful breakfast blend that spoke to the care that the owner obviously puts into the roasting process. I really can’t wait to see what develops here, especially if they start catering more to the music scene around here. If you’re on the west shore, check it out!
The entrance.
Start with a threat.
Funky architecture.
Beans a go-go.
The Coffeehouse Journey 