| Frank: Mea culpa. You're right, maybe I was a bit too harsh, but it was just my opinion. Diedrich's did start in OC, and I've talked to Martin several times at Kean about many different aspects of roasting and brewing coffee. I did not mean to disparage his shop, and I also think JC Beans is pretty good for regular drip coffee (I've bought several morning cups on my way to the beach before sun up). Even though I think Kean is the best currently available, it is not consistently good, again in my opinion. Sometimes its great and other times, it's very disappointing. Unlike when I go to other well recognized shops, especially in the Bay Area, they have been always good in my experience, and their roasted beans are great. That's more what I meant, but oh well, I guess that's what I get for typing so late at night. :-) And Frank, you've caused me to want to atone for my erroneous generalization, and I will go to JC Beans in a few hours and hopefully contribute to this month's profits in exchange for a cappa. I hope they can live up to my expectations and bring the OC up another step in my eyes. I'll atone with Kean next week when I'm in Newport. I'll still always pick them and other independent shops over the chains when I can. And don't get me wrong, I grew up here and moved back after college, so I'm not trying to criticize from an outsider's point of view. I just want a nice local café with fresh beans and well trained baristas. Maybe I shou= ld put up or shut up, and I know of a great location for a local shop, but this is still in the dream phases. Thanks and no personal offense to the Orange County, CA coffee sellers, drinkers, and roasters. :-) Have a great Sunday, I know I will, Greg |