Coffee Blog: Spring Break Edition
March 28, 2018
By: Trae Christian & Naomi Bower
Two of our coffee-loving staff members, Trae and Naomi, are back with more coffee reviews! Earlier this year, the duo wrote a post about coffee shops in Lynchburg that they taste-tested. This time, they took their desire for a good cup of joe outside of the 434 and wrote about where they tried coffee on spring break – Trae being in his hometown of Richmond, VA, and Naomi being in Knoxville/Chattanooga, TN. Read below for some of their coffee shop highlights!
Urban Farmhouse
Richmond, VA
Trae’s order: caramel macchiato
Urban Farmhouse is a chain of coffee shops in Richmond, Virginia. This particular one is located in a neighborhood right on the James River, so the drive from my Richmond home to the shop is always something to look forward to. This coffee shop was special because not only did they have an amazing playlist (Clocks by Coldplay is always a yes for me), but their coffee was also delicious. Unlike a lot of coffee shops I’ve spent time at, this one was very spacious. It can sometimes be stressful trying to find a place to sit and get work done in smaller shops. When I went to order my caramel macchiato, my barista was very helpful and made sure that the drink was made just how I like it. I appreciated this because some places tend to use too much caramel, leaving the drink too sweet. The drink was very good, and with the right amount of caramel I was able to enjoy the taste of the coffee. If you are ever in Richmond and want a good place to do homework, Urban Farmhouse is a great spot.
Lamplighter Coffee
Richmond, VA
Trae’s order: cold brew
Lamplighter Coffee is a small coffee shop in downtown Richmond in the fan district. The thing I really liked about this coffee shop was that they offered indoor and outdoor seating. The playlist at Lamplighter had a dark vibe to it and featured King Krule and other interesting artists. I ordered a small cold brew which is one of my favorite drinks to get when I visit a coffee shop for the first time. The coffee had a sweet and smooth taste that I enjoyed so much I stopped myself from adding cream and sugar (that’s when you know you found a good drink). This is a good coffee shop to go to if you’re in downtown Richmond and want a good cup of coffee to go.
Honeybee Coffee
Knoxville, TN
Naomi’s order: iced vanilla latte
I often find myself ordering vanilla lattes when I’m feeling uncertain, so I like to think I have quite a few under my belt for comparison purposes. The coffee was good, but the atmosphere kept me hanging. Honeybee is in the quaintest downtown area with a perfect view of the Gay Street bridge. Since the shop is found in what I assume is an old townhome, they utilized the house to create more space for the customers. I grabbed my coffee and turned the corner to find another room filled with couches and chairs. Not to mention, the name significantly influenced the aesthetic of the shop. From the yellow accents to the honeycomb shelves, Honeybee lived up to its name. I can’t say I have been anywhere quite like it.
Milk & Honey
Chattanooga, TN
Naomi’s order: milk and honey latte
My friend and I stumbled upon Milk & Honey looking for a quick breakfast before we hit the road. Milk & Honey was nothing short of memorable from the fun employees to the hilarious mascot they created comprised of a cow and bee. This little hole in the wall had a lot to offer, but I knew I had to have my fix of coffee before I left. I decided to try the milk and honey latte because I thought it was only fitting. I know that any coffee in the morning is good coffee, but I’m still dreaming about this latte. I will never know what they did to make something so simple yet so noteworthy, but I will definitely have to find my way back.