Astro Coffee - Detroit, MI

I recently told you about the just-opened Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Co. but I can't believe I haven't written a post about this little gem that's been around for a few years.  Astro Coffee is a cozy little shop on Michigan Avenue in Corktown.  It's the kind of place where I always feel like I could sit for hours.  The furniture is an eclectic mix of recycled or refurbished items with wooden tables and chairs.  There are metal stools at the window seat overlooking Michigan Avenue.

In the center of everything is the coffee bar, or what I like to think of as the kitchen.  Because when I'm there I really feel like I'm sitting in someone's kitchen, especially when they're cooking or baking.  (They have food - cakes, sandwiches, croissants - but not often vegan items.  My BFF Katie did have some vegan cake once.)  The whole side wall is a chalkboard with the coffees of the day listed with a flavor description.  My mom and I went today and we each got a different Ethiopian roast.  Hers was a little lighter than mine.  Both were fantastic.  

They do pour-over coffee so after you order you have to wait a few minutes for your coffee.  Although it takes longer and is more expensive than Starbucks, it's a worthwhile treat every once in a while.  Plus the atmosphere is way cooler than any Starbucks I've ever been to!  I've only had their regular coffees but Brian and Katie love their lattes.  And they do latte art - bonus!

If you're looking for a really good cup of coffee or just want to step out of your Starbucks rut, check out Astro Coffee.  You're going to love it!

Astro Coffee is located at 2124 Michigan Avenue, Detroit, MI 48216

Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Company - Detroit, MI

There's a new coffee shop in town - Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Company.  We've been purchasing whole-bean Great Lakes Coffee at various retail locations, such as Westborn Market, as well as brewed cups at Avalon and Eastern Market for years.  It's excellent coffee and we love that it's a local roaster.

Monday was the grand opening of their new coffee shop, located on Woodward in Downtown Detroit.  The building is absolutely gorgeous.  You should go there even if you don't drink coffee, just to get a look at the place.  (But seriously, who ARE you?)  As you can see from the photos below, there are exposed brick walls and high wood ceilings.  The furniture is wooden with metals chairs and stools.  There's seating at the bar and along the huge glass windows, along with some small and large tables throughout the spacious and open room.  The big windows provide great natural lighting.  As I said, GORGEOUS.

The coffee is amazing, as well.  It was just their first week so I imagine (hope) they might be expanding their pour-over coffee offerings a bit.  When we were there they only had 2 choices - a light, fruity roast and a dark, bold roast.  I went for the dark roast - Kenya French Mission - and was not disappointed.  Their prices are definitely not cheap, though.  For just a regular-sized mug of coffee expect to pay either $2.75 or $4.50.  Like I said, I hope they'll expand their selection and have a few other things in between.  But it was a damn fine cup of coffee.  Brian had a latte that he was quite pleased with, as well.  And it had the fancy little leaf design on top - which I can't see without thinking of The Green Hornet - so we were both happy.

They have outdoor patio seating and - are you ready for this - are also a wine bar!  Coffee and wine under the same roof?  Genius!

Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Company is located at 3965 Woodward Avenue in Detroit.

Check out their Facebook page for more info.