When I visited on Thursday morning they appeared to have a steady stream of customers. They provide free wireless internet, and have a nice table where people can spread out and get some work done.

This is a velvet mocha.

My double shot of espresso.

Royal Coffee Bar is at the base of a tall building, across from the Sheriffs Office.

Setting up to roast some coffee.

The kit.

The entire shop.

Brian and Natasha work on their laptops.

My cappuccino.

My muffin was horribly dry. I asked if they baked them in house and they said they didn’t. I think mine was a week old.

My drinks were quite good. My mocha and espresso tasted just great. I didn’t catch whether they grind per shot. Next time I’ll pay more attention.

For my espresso, they did not pre-heat the demitasse. The cappuccino foam did leave me wishing for more… the whole drink didn’t have the smoothe taste I’ve come to expect, but rather the espresso felt completely separate from the foam.

Royal Coffee Bar uses coffees roasted by Cafe Cortez.

Royal Coffee Bar
209 W. Jackson
Phoenix, AZ 85003
Phone: 602-374-8044
Twitter: @royalcoffeebar

Liberty Market
230 N Gilbert Rd.
Gilbert, AZ 85234
Phone: (480) 892-1900

Can you really call it latte art when it’s done by a printer? And seriously, what’s wrong with a rosetta?

1st: Steve Kraus

2nd: Tom Maegdlin

3rd: Justine

All results:

1. Steve (65 points)
2. Tom (62 points)
3. Justine (57 points)
4. Arielle (55 points)
5. Dante (52 points)
6. Brian (43 points)

Thanks everybody! More photos on my Flickr profile. Thanks to Press Coffee for hosting.

I wanted to make a couple of observations about judging and scoring latte art contests. We’ve done about half a dozen latte art contests in Arizona over the last 6 months and I’ve been involved with a bunch of them. They’re really fantastic and a great way to encourage practice.

I would encourage any barista to join in the fun, and if you’re the owner of a coffee shop you should seriously consider hosting a contest at your shop. You can invite Todd Welfelt and myself to judge, or judge the contest yourself. There’s so many ways to organize an event like this.

How we have been scoring latte art contests

We’ve been scoring based on giving a maximum of 5 points to each of these three categories:

Balance & Symmetry:

• Dividing lines are clean, even, and show no signs of hesitation.
• Individual elements work well with and complement each other. There is no sense of awkwardness.
• Harmony between the size of the cup and size of the design.

Presentation:

• Clarity of design
• Design style
• Milk texture

Originality:

• Uniqueness of ingredients
• Personal Flair/Passion (style points)
• Unique presentation

A perfect score for a drink is 15 points. We’ve had two judges at each event and also add up to 10 points for cleanup and preparation.

How the World Latte Art Championship scores

I found the scoring sheet and rules on the WLAC web site, and I’ll summarize what I found:

• Two patterns and presented picture identical
• Contrast between ingredients
• Harmony, size and position among patterns within cups
• Creativity of the pattern
• Successfully achieved level of difficulty
• Overall appealing look
• Professional performance (Service skills, confidence, flair)
• Hospitality skills

I really like how specific the WLAC scoring is, but I have to admit it’s best for high level competition. Also, they judge on three drinks (macchiato, latte or cappuccino, and a designer beverage). There’s no way we would score hospitality.

Some random thoughts

In the beginning we judged based on taste (in addition to other factors). The problem is that if you do that you can’t call it a latte art contest, and taste is very subjective. So we don’t do that any more and I like it this way. It gives all of the observers a chance to enjoy one of the drinks and they don’t all go to waste.

We’ve been giving each competitor 5 minutes to make two drinks (anything they want) but during this time they must prepare and clean up their station. About 25% of competitors use more than 5 minutes. We’ve been relaxed about docking points if they’re less than 60 seconds over time. After that, we reduce their score by 5 points for each 60 seconds.

Previously, we used to have rigid rules and guidelines however we quickly realized it just complicates something that is supposed to be fun. If you’re interested, you can read the rules we posted for events in the past (#1, #2, and #3).

Scoring Sheets

If you’re interested, here are the scoring sheets we used at the June 28th Latte Art Throwdown.

• Scoring Sheet (used by each judge)
• Judges Tally Sheet

At the end of the night we typically hand these out to each competing barista complete with notes from each judge.

I hope that these notes help anyone thinking about hosting a latte art competition. This is by no means the only way to hold such an event, and may be too casual for some purposes.

Special thanks to Steve Kraus at Press Coffee for hosting frequent events, and to Todd Welfelt for judging along with me and assisting with the rules and scoring sheet creation.

This Sunday at 5 pm! Baristas from all over the valley, and even the state will be converging in a battle of wits, brains, crema, and frothing… in order to pour beautiful latte art.

Come on over and compete, or just watch and taste the free samples after the judges have made their notes.

When: Sunday, June 28, 2009 at 5 pm
Where: Press Coffee Food and Wine
Judges: Todd Welfelt and Chris Tingom

To compete please RSVP to Press Coffee and bring $5 entry fee (goes towards the award). Baristas will need to create two lattes in 5 minutes (including clean up). Please arrive early if you wish to practice on the espresso machine.

Press Coffee Food and Wine
5410 E. High St.
Suite 115
Phoenix, AZ 85054
Phone: (480) 419-6221

Double Macchiato (sorry, this photo was taken after a sip).

Cappuccino.

Coffee beans.

I love the red paint behind the coffee bar.

View from the parking lot.

Firecreek Coffee Company
6501 E Cave Creek Rd.
Cabin #8
Cave Creek, AZ 85331
Phone: (480) 437-9999

Last night the folks at Alltop added Arizona Coffee as a resource on their coffee directory at coffee.alltop.com.

It’s a great resource and some of the other sites are really good. If you have a moment, take a look!

My cappuccino.

Iced Mocha.

Muffin.

Patio.

Coffee bar.

Nice working table.

Lights.

Another iced mocha.

One of the breakfast items.

Lola Coffee
4700 North Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85012
Phone: (602) 265-5652

The Lux outdoor signage.

Lux has some sweet postcards they give out for free. Nice artwork!

Cappuccino #1.

Cappuccino #2.

This is the mocha.

Cool light.

Super sweet peanut butter brownie.

LUX Coffee Bar
4404 N. Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85012
Phone: (602) 696-9976

Seating area in Cartel.

Coffee bar.

Mocha (if you like mocha’s, you’ll probably love the one at Cartel).

Cappuccino #1.

Cappuccino #2.

Cappuccino #3.

Cartel Coffee Lab
225 W. University Dr.
Suite #101
Tempe AZ 85281
Phone: (480) 225-3899

Rosetta by Tom Maegdlin

Dante Engram pouring a latte

Rosetta by Dante Engram

Press Coffee Food and Wine
5410 E. High St.
Suite 115
Phoenix, AZ 85054
Phone: (480) 419-6221

Thank you for your support!

Firecreek Coffee Company
6501 E Cave Creek Rd.
Cabin #8
Cave Creek, AZ 85331
Phone: (480) 437-9999

Trish and Rainie are very excited to take over Coffee Mania. Trish began working in food service with her father when she was 16. Rainie began working in her parent’s restaurant at the age of 9 and went on to obtain a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management. We are looking forward to expanding our horizons into the coffee and tea segment of food service. It is our privilege to provide a good start to the day for all our customers with some wonderful coffee or tea and a homemade pastry. We offer a wide variety of coffees and teas from around the world. We love to make gift baskets for that special person or occasion.

Trish Shaffery
Coffee Mania

Thanks to Eric for this tip.

Coffee Mania
1131 E Deuce of Clubs
Show Low, AZ 85901
Phone: (928) 532-7727

What is it? It’s heavy whipped cream and a Dr Pepper.

Copper Star Coffee
4220 N 7th Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85013
Phone: (602) 266-2136

Through tears, a Tempe Coffee Plantation worker said the Mill Avenue store was closing Saturday.

The shocked worker said she had learned of the closure Friday morning.

Store Manager Cody Peck said the longtime coffee shop that has served generations of downtown Tempe regulars would serve its last cup of coffee tomorrow.

The store is open today until 9 p.m. and shuts its doors permanently tomorrow at the same time.

Thanks for the tip from Chuck.

The Coffee Plantation
680 South Mill Avenue
Suite 101
Tempe, Arizona 85281

A couple of interesting things:

1. Employees are volunteers — curious about how that works?
2. Coffee is roasted by Matador Coffee.
3. Winfield’s Cafe is located at 7025 East Osborn Road in Scottsdale.
4. It’s part of the First Baptist Church of Scottsdale.
5. The shop is named after Winfield Scott, the founder of Scottsdale.

Daniel Wayne - Owner

Latte

Cappuccino

Coffee Roaster

Interior

Counter

Awesome & very comfortable bar stools

Iced Mocha - fantastic

Curb appeal

Sweet digs!

Lola is a 1200-square-foot space on Central Avenue, just south of Camelback (4700 N. Central). It’s just a half mile north of Lux. Hours of operation are 7 am to 7 pm Monday through Thursday, 7 am to 10 pm Friday and Saturday, and 8 am to 2 pm on Sunday.

A couple of observations:

• They grind per shot and have a two group CONTI Xeos espresso machine.
• Daniel Wayne (owner) has participated in a few latte art contests and apparently won first prize in one — I can’t remember the name of the contest.
• They have free wireless internet and very comfortable seating.

Lola’s is off to a very good start! I’m sure it’ll quickly become a downtown favorite.

More photos on Flickr. View a slideshow.

Lola Coffee
4700 North Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85012
Phone: (602) 265-5652

I only know about the sale and reopening because of Clintus, so props to him. You can view photos of the shop on this Brightkite page.

Pacific Grind Coffee Co.
13915 N Dysart Rd
El Mirage, AZ 85335
@pacificgrindco

Mario Martusciello of Matador Coffee Roasting Co. has moved the roasting facility and has opened a coffee shop. They’re now at 3230 E. Union Hills Dr. - Suite #135 (just north of Paradise Valley Comm. College). And they’re hosting a coffee tasting event as a fundraiser for a local ministry.

Thanks for the news.

The company, if you remember, operates out of a Studebaker truck. They boast Intelligentsia Direct Trade coffees. If you’re in Tucson, be sure to stop in and taste the coffee.

Elixer Coffee Solutions at Harlow Gardens Nursery
5620 E Pima St
Tucson, AZ 85712
M-S 9 to 5, and Sun. 10 to 5

I accepted and here is my photo. It came out beautifully — he’s obviously talented. In fact, he told me he had won a regional latte art contest last June (I regretfully don’t remember the name of the contest, but he said it’s coming up again in June). I have more photos and coffee pictures which I’ll post soon.

Lola Coffee
4700 North Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85012
Phone: (602) 265-5652

Also, I find it really interesting how Lola Coffee is just a half mile north of Lux. Talk about cannibalizing your previous establishment. Not that it will hurt Lux, that place is always packed anyways. The great part is they’re all within reach of Light Rail and walking distance, including Copper Star.

There are all sorts of new shops opening up downtown soon. It’s really exciting.

Lola Coffee
4700 North Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85012
Phone: (602) 265-5652

LUX Coffee Bar
4404 N. Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85012
Phone: (602) 696-9976

Copper Star Coffee
4220 N 7th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85013
Phone: (602) 266-2136

Hooray, a new coffee shop has opened in Phoenix! Lola Coffee is just south of Camelback on Central. I’m planning a trip over there this week but for now you won’t want to miss these great photos.

There are also some good reviews on Yelp!

The owner is Daniel Wayne who also founded Lux (and sold it) and Lola Tapas. I understand the baked goods are made by the previous owners of Sweat Pea (which was a bakery on Jackson St. that recently closed).

Lola Coffee
4700 North Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85012
Phone: (602) 265-5652
Note: Cash only

Towards the 10 minute mark and again at the end Malcolm touches on coffee briefly. The whole video helps with understanding taste preferences and how we’re all alike, yet completely different.