d-izzy
March 23, 2009 – 12:25 am
the thing about the free condom giveaway at izzy’s coffee den is that it’s all day, every day. set in grungy asheville, n.c., with troubadors and pandhandlers just out the door, it hardly seems abnormal, those condoms in the condiment dispenser. it is of the place. it is not a stunt.
this blog would not be surprised if some of the chipping, fog-colored concrete cafe floor paint occasionally ended up in a strange and food-grade place — every once in awhile. you can order a beer and espresso in the same glass. a thick-grained bagel. a coarse and aerated cappuccino. this cappuccino, even, is a study in asheville contrasts. on the one hand, it’s made with counter culture coffee. on the other hand, you might have to explain to the barista what a “traditional” should look like.
the exposed conduits and copper piping are of a piece with the artwork, and the mallarme you were just reading, and, come to think of it, the rocky cappuccino itself — all rough and vivid, also somewhat mystical.
izzy’s will make you sit at the dented bar and write this riff in your notebook, and maybe nod off a little, and then leave in a slightly wobbly fashion.
5 Responses to “d-izzy”
What, pray tell, is that thing dispensing espresso?
By Christian on Mar 23, 2009
yeah… what the hell is that? looks cool, love the side mount steam wand. never saw anything like that. looks like it would be difficult to access the guts, but hey, did i mention the cool side mounted steam wand?
By rich on Mar 23, 2009
ha. that “thing” is an astoria sae espresso machine. something we see quite a bit of here in the south. seems like a few years ago they were actually a machine sponsor for the southeast regionals. always a funky design:
http://www.espressobrewer.com/prodotti/sibilla_sae2.phtml
By bz on Mar 23, 2009
U sure they use CCC? With an Astoria like that I would figure they would be using Carboro???
By Wilson Hines on Mar 26, 2009
wilson: i’m sure. they got the logo on the wall, and i made sure to ask.
By bz on Apr 2, 2009