Summer at the Coffee Grinder
On the very end of Bannister's Wharf, overlooking historic Newport harbor, you'll find the Coffee Grinder, a charming espresso bar and coffee shop. Come by for breakfast or lunch. Stop by after a long day of sightseeing for your afternoon coffee, tea or the famous frozen drinks. Sit on the Wharf's benches or Adirondack chairs on the deck and enjoy the sunset as you watch the many boats glide by. Or stop by for dessert after a night on the town. Authentic Italian espresso drinks and some of the best coffees in Newport are prepared here the proper way. Also served are a variety of light food items, including fresh bagels, muffins and sandwiches. The Coffee Grinder offers quality food, cheerful service, and one of the nicest settings available anywhere. This is a must stop for any visit to Newport.
Being a coffee shop, it may suit us well to write about coffee every now and then. Coffee itself is a very rich topic since there are so many variables – the plant, seed, roast, grind, brew, and presentation – that contribute to the end product.
We will keep it simple by focusing on a specific type of brew that is made by combining espresso and hot water – the Café Americano. Thought to have originated during WWII and named after American G.I.s fighting in Italy, the Americano was the soldier’s solution to finding a less concentrated cup of coffee in an Italian café. Today, the Americano is a popular espresso drink that provides an exceptional alternative to regular drip coffee.
The Americano is created by adding hot water to a single or double-shot of espresso. Not to be confused with a long black or café lungo, which is a drink made by allowing more water than usual to pass through the grounds, the Americano allows the customer to tailor the strength of the drink based on the number of shots of espresso and the amount of water added (typically 2 shots:8oz of water). This results in a smoother and often richer coffee than its bitter counterparts.
The key component to the Americano is espresso. Lucky for you, the Coffee Grinder’s premium Italian espresso makes our Americano’s some of the best around. Dare we say the best in the country? Yeah, it’s pretty darn good.
So the next time you visit the Coffee Grinder, or your local café for that matter, change up your routine and give the Americano a try. You may never go back.
Each new season presents a perfect opportunity to highlight some of the world class artists that call Newport home. Newport has printers, painters, photographers, sculptors, carvers, and glass blowers, to name a few.
For Fall 2009, we look no further than Bannister’s Wharf. Here you will discover two world renown local artists with a nautical bent, painter Anthony Gill of Art on the Wharf and photographer Onne van der Wal of the Onne van der Wal Gallery.
Anthony Gill is a British expat with a passion for the water and painting. Anthony is a “Fauvist” or “Colourist” where the most important element of his work is not the style or subject matter but the pure color. His work is most often described as “vivid” or “striking,” and having viewed his gallery for years we couldn’t agree more. See for yourself at Art on the Wharf, which also serves as Anthony’s art studio.
Onne van der Wal is a preeminent nautical, sailing and yacht photographer. Another import, Onne was born in Holland and came to Newport by way of South Africa. Onne’s photography is ridiculously stunning from every aspect, and if you have ever been to Newport then chances are you have found yourself staring at one of his masterpieces. If you are still planning your first visit to Newport, then be sure to visit the Onne van der Wal Gallery while you are here.
Artwork/Images reprinted with permission.
We don’t know whether she was a coffee drinker (based on her accomplishments we are led but to one conclusion), but we do know Ida Lewis was something else. This native Newporter spent almost half her life living and working on Lime Rock on the southern side of Newport’s inner harbor, which was accessible only by rowboat at the time. During her tenure as caretaker then keeper of Lime Rock Lighthouse, she was credited with saving 18 lives. Her heroism earned her national fame and recognition, and the lighthouse station was renamed in her honor – the only time that a lighthouse keeper has been so honored in American history. In 1928 the lighthouse became the club house for a yacht club, which also bears her name.
So check out her story, and the next time you find yourself at the Coffee Grinder you can pretend you see Ida Lewis rowing away in her wooden boat as she readies herself for another day of work. We’re pretty sure she’d be sipping espresso.
The Twelves prepare for the first day of racing of the 12 Meter World Championships. Come down and check out the action.
Not a bad view from the top of the Coffee Grinder!
There’s a lot going on in Newport in September, and some of the best events unfold right at our doorstep (literally). First, stop by for a coffee or grab some lunch while strolling the docks at the Newport International Boat Show between September 17-20. Next, make the Coffee Grinder your morning destination during the 12 Metre World Championships. See the Twelves prepare for action on race days from Sept 23-26.
