Americas coolest coffee houses – Travel and Leisure
Octane was recently featured by Travel and Leisure magazine as one of America’s coolest coffee houses.
Octane Grant Park is open!
We are very excited to be on the east side of town! Come see us and our friends at The Little Tart Bakeshop.
We’re open 7 days a week (7am to midnight M – F, 8am to midnight Saturday, 8am to 10pm Sunday)
Little Tart bakery is open until 5pm with the full menu (limited menu on Mondays) and Little Tart desserts in the evening.
Octane at The Jane, Coming Soon!
You’ve asked for it, you’ve waited for it, and finally, we’re here to deliver!
The Eastside of Atlanta will finally get their very own Octane Coffee, when we open shop in Grant Park within a few weeks. We are sharing the space with The Little Tart Bakeshop. You probably know them from the many farmers markets that they participate in. If you don’t know them, you should and we’re excited to collaborate with them on this new space. This spot at the historic Jane will be a brand new concept featuring many exciting things such as:
-Manually brewed single-origin coffee featuring our classic french press style, as well as a slick new pourover rail for custom filter brews
-Cutting edge espresso technology, for more tastier espresso shots
-beautiful inside and outside café seating space
Last but not least, we will be launching full table service after 5PM. This will be combined with not just our coffee offerings, but craft and local beers, wine, a new and improved cocktail menu, and an open kitchen which will be pumping out a seasonal small plate menu for those who need great munchies to go along with great beverages. Oh, did we mention the return of Wiener Wednesdays?
This is something not done in your typical coffeeshop, but we’ve never strived for being typical. We’re here for you Atlanta, and we want to be your morning and night hangout spot, no matter what you imbibe!
Wanna stay updated? You can follow us on Twitter @octaneatthejane for updates, news, plans for opening. It’s coming fast!
Octane featured in Imbibe Magazine
Octane is featured as one of the “100 best places to drink in the South” in the March/April 2011 issue of Imbibe Magazine!
Octane featured in Imbibe Magazine
“Liquid Culture” magazine, Imbibe recently named Octane one of the “100 best places to drink in the South” in its current special Southern themed issue! Below you’ll find the excerpt about us, but please pick up the issue for the comprehensive rundown of all things liquid, great, and Southern!
Issue No. 30: March/April 2011
“If you’re looking for a stellar cup of coffee in Atlanta, you can’t miss Octane, which has been raising the bar for coffee in the Southeast since 2003. Award-winning baristas brew Counter Culture beans via Chemex and French press, expertly pull espresso shots and make their own syrups.”
Neat stuff! Thanks Imbibe!
Sir, did you realize you were drinking decaffeinated coffee??
At this year’s South East Barista Competition, Octane Coffee’s Josh Flail competed using a DECAFFEINATED Jagong espresso from Sumatra by Counter Culture Coffee. While we’re not sure if this hadn’t ever been done before, using decaf espresso in a competition setting is definitely not considered normal, nor is it usually thought of as a way to a coffee lovers heart, OR a professional coffee judges, for that matter.
Photo credit: Jason Dominy
However, Josh realized the full potential and beauty of this roast and pursued the unique opportunity to prove that decaf doesn’t have to suck. He wound up placing in the finals group for the Southeast region, and will compete in the United States Barista Competition in Houston, TX April 27th – May 1st 2011.
Josh describes this espresso as an experience with three layers. “The first being a thick, velvety crema with notes of caramel and graham cracker. The bottom-most layer has a cherry tartness with hints of baker’s chocolate and a reduced red wine. At the middle of the cup is a beautiful meld of the top and bottom layers, creating that smoothness, and roundness we look for in espresso.”
Josh also became fascinated by the decaffeination process which is often a secondary concern for importers, roasters, and baristas. A common attitude: coffee is to caffeinate, right?? So what’s the point? However, more and more people- baristas, casual coffee drinkers and connoisseurs alike- are searching for a quality decaf that produces just as enjoyable experience as any top notch regular espresso.
Jagong goes through a natural mountain water decaffeination process which keeps the essence of the bean intact by soaking the beans in glacier water to remove their caffeine, all while preserving and reusing the water containing the bean’s flavor. It’s then up to Counter Culture’s head roaster Tim to determine the best way to bring out these unique characteristics during the artful roasting process. After that, it’s up to the barista (us!) to craft you the most excellent decaffeinated drink you deserve to enjoy.
Starting now, Octane Coffee will feature the Jagong Decaf Espresso in all of our decaffeinated coffee drinks for the next few months, and we encourage you to stop in and try a decaf espresso at its best!
And if you’re still not sure about decaf, you can take some cues from this guy:
…Just don’t throw any pies at us. We promise not to smash any plates on your head.
For more things DECAF check out:
“In Defense of Decaf,” by Jerry Baldwin.
“In Defense of Decaf,” by Erin Meister.
Descamex, the company that defcaffeinates for Counter Culture Coffee.
SERBC…it’s that time again!
We’ve got a big weekend coming up with TWO awesome competitors returning to the South East Regional Barista Competition stage to represent Octane this weekend. Dustin Mattson and Josh Flail have been working harder than ever and bet your bottom, their performances are not to be missed!
(2010 SERBC Champion, Counter Culture Coffee’s Lem Butler)
In addition to the Barista Competition that will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center (285 International Boulevard Northwest – Rooms A404 & A405), the shop will be buzzing with baristas and visitors from all over the county, and we’ve got plenty to keep you entertained. So please stop by, toss back a ‘spro, and hang with us all weekend!
THURSDAY
@ Octane Coffee / 8pm: A special SERBC Thursday Night Throwdown, registration starts @ 7pm
FRIDAY
@ the Georgia World Congress Center / 11:19am: DUSTIN MATTSON
@ the Counter Culture Training Center /6:30pm-??: SERBC Party
SATURDAY
@ the Georgia World Congress Center / 3:07pm: JOSH FLAIL
@ Octane Coffee / 8-11pm: SERBC BGA Members Only Party
(Barista Guild of America members and a guest are invited to this exclusive event)
SUNDAY
@ the Georgia World Congress Center / 10:30am-1pm: SERBC USBC Brewers Cup South East Regional Final
@ the Georgia World Congress Center / 1:30-2pm: Awards Ceremony
Coming Soon…Octane Pocket Bar
This Spring, Octane will open a new ‘Pocket Bar’ location in the Bank of America Plaza located at 600 Peachtree Street NE., in downtown Atlanta.
Situated on the ground floor of the tallest building in the city, this walk up location will feature our hand crafted espresso based classics, with the addition of a pour over coffee bar. Additionally we will offer tasty pastries, select house made sandwiches and snacks + premium sodas and juices.
Patrons will be able to conveniently access this location by foot or by taking MARTA to the North Avenue station, which is located across the street from the BoA Plaza. By car, customers may utilize the building parking deck with entrances located off North Avenue & Peachtree Street.
We are very excited about this new, unique location, and look forward to serving you here very soon!
Here to serve you more…
Starting…NOW! Octane Westside is now open until 11pm on Saturday and Sunday.
See you at the shop!
Art Submissions
If you would like to be considered to be our featured monthly artist, please email art@octanecoffee.com with an:
-artist statement
-images/examples of work
-contact info
-website (if applicable)
-desired month to exhibit
-any other info
Our art calendar is booked well in advance, but we encourage you to apply for future monthly exhibitions. Important to note: our interior is quite large, so we grant preference to artists with a breadth of work that may fill the space. Group shows are also supported.
Thank you!
Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet…
Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet….
..shall keep Ben Helfin from the Nuova Simonelli.
Today, January 11th, 2011, despite all the crazy ice and snow we here in Atlanta are frozen under, Octane will be open (Thanks Ben!), starting around now (10 am) until TBD. So please walk up and allow Ben to craft you an exceptional coffee based beverage, a cocktail, or a beer. No driving!
Be safe everyone!
Featured Artist, January 2011 – The Possible
For the month of January, Octane Westside will be physically and aesthetically transformed by The Southern Design Concern during their group show titled, The Possible.
The show features furniture, lighting, and various hand made goods, produced and designed by talent based in the Southern United States.
This exhibit is presented by The Southern Design Concern with support from Modern Atlanta, Octane Coffee Bar + Lounge, Object Trust, SMFD, State Design Co., and Vaguely Scandinavian.
Please visit the shop to absorb this beautiful show, or visit http://thepossible.tumblr.com/ for artist info and photos.
Current 2011 Staff
Tony & Diane Riffel – Owners
John Cole – Westside Store Manager
Dustin Mattson – Coffee Boss
- 5th place Southeast Regional Barista Competition 2010
- 27th place US Barista Championship 2010
Joshua Flail – Bar Manager
- 5th place 2009 Southeast Regional Barista Competition
- US Barista Championship competitor 2009
- Filmmaker- “Barista”, a documentary about barista competitions is currently in production.
Gavin Bernard – Merchandise master / Bartender
Paul Dow – Barista / Bartender
(not pictured)
John Fogelman – Barista
Matt McDaniel – Barista
- 2005 and 2006 Southeast Regional Barista Competition competitor
Crystal Rodgers – Barista
- 2009 Southeast Regional Barista Competition 2nd place
(not pictured)
Julia Schneider – Assistant Chef
Hilary Staff – Barista
- Southeast Regional Barista Competition competitor 2010
Lever Espresso Machine Demo with Gwilym Davies
Join us at Octane Westside on Friday, January 7th, at 6pm and let Nuova Simonelli and World Barista Champion/lever machine guru, Gwilym Davies show you a thing or two about lever espresso machines. This informal demo and meet up will give you an opportunity to play and learn from some of the best in the coffee world.
In addition, Gwilym will guest barista at Octane for a few hours on Friday morning, so come and grab an espresso from a world champion and start your weekend off right!
Interview with Byron Holcomb
For the month of May, Octane is serving an espresso from Finca La Paz farm in the Dominican Republic. We sat down with the farm’s owner Byron Holcomb, who also happens to be a good friend of ours, to ask how he came to own the farm, the challenges of coffee farming, and what makes him different from the average coffee farmer.
Westside Gets a New Espresso Machine!
This beautiful machine, a Nuovo Simonelli Aurelia Competizione, was installed this past Thursday, and we couldn’t be more excited about it. Our old La Marzocco Linea treated us well for many years, but when the awesome Nuova Simonelli guys offered to sell us this machine, we couldn’t say no. You could say this machine is almost like the Ferrari of espresso machine. But then again, i might be saying that because the portafilter handles ARE FERRARI LEATHER.
And Ferrari leather isn’t the only exciting thing about this machine. Other features include:
- Dramtically improved temperature stability
- Teflon coating inside the portafilters
- CoolTouch steamwands (They can’t burn us!)
- Voted most ergonomic espresso machine in an independent European study
- Lights by the groupheads
- Energy saving mode for night time
- Automatic cleaning function
- ….and so much more!
Aside from all the amazing features, this machine is also a piece of history. When Nuova Simonelli won the sponsorship for the World Barista Championships, they made a limited run of 30 of this specific machine for the competition. You can see on the sides of the machine the logo for the 10th World Barista Championships, which were held in Atlanta last year. Even bettter, this is machine is No. 1 of the 30!
The cherry on top, though, is the this is actual machine that Gwilym Davies used when he became the 2009 World Barista Champion! How fitting that the No. 1 machine was used by the number one barista! Gwilym happens to be a good friend of Octane’s and we’ve already joked with him that he has come from London back to Atlanta so that we can have him sign it.
In any case, we’re very happy about our new machine and are sure we’ll have many happy years with her. The espresso is already tasting better than ever!
Coffee, tea, etc.
espresso & coffee
espresso 225
macchiato 275
cappuccino 325
latte 350 400
mocha 375 425
carmelatto 375 425
americano 250 300
extra shot espresso 100
iced coffee 250
individual single origin coffee- price varies
cafe au lait 250 300
fuel injection - coffee with double shot of espresso – price varies
something else
hot chocolate 275 300
Italian soda 250 (westside only)
cherry raspberry mandarin lemon lime kiwi peach
soda pop 150 (westside only)
coke diet coke sprite
bottled water 200
Martinelli’s apple juice 225
san pelligrino 325
assorted arden’s garden juices (westside only)
extras
soy milk
house made syrups/sauces
vanilla chocolate caramel
assorted Intelligentsia loose leaf and iced teas
Local Cabbagetown Chai
325 400 chai latte
365 440 vanilla chai latte
Pastries, Snacks, Food, etc.
We feature Holeman & Finch breads and pastries
assorted muffins, croissants, danishes, and desserts – prices vary
Sublime Doughnuts 200
snacks
granola parfait 350
plain dahi yogurt, house granola
pb&j granola parfait 4
house granola + homemade peanut butter & Georgia grown strawberry/blueberry preserves
veggie snack 250
carrot, celery, and red bell pepper w/house sesame dressing or roasted red-pepper hummus
hummus and pita 250
housemade roasted red-pepper hummus, artisanal pita
pickle on a stick 2
a big ol’crunchy kosher dill pickle, on a stick
sandwiches
grilled to order 11am-3pm
grab and go available all day
grilled three cheese 4
Gloucester sharp cheddar, dill havarti, smoked provolone, dill pickle slices
ham and swiss 550
Boar’s Head tavern ham, Gold Label swiss, sweet pickled onion, mixed greens, honey mustard
turkey + brie 625
Boar’s Head Ovengold roasted turkey, brie, granny smith apple, honey mustard
roast beef + dill havarti 6
Boar’s Head Londonport roast beef, dill havarti, sweet pickled onion, dijon
bbq roast beef 6
Boar’s Head Londonport roast beef, house bbq sauce, dill pickle slices, Gloucester sharp cheddar
salami & provolone 575
hard salami, smoked provolone, roasted red pepper plugra, arugula
carrot + chickpea & chevre 525
smashed chick pea salad, marinated carrot ribbons, peppered chevre
hummus & cheddar 525
red pepper hummus, carrot ribbons, red onion, Gloucester sharp cheddar, mixed greens
homemade peanut butter & jelly 375
homemade peanut butter, Georgia grown strawberry/blueberry preserves
salad
house salad 650
mixed greens, toasted almonds, golden raisins, carrot ribbons. peppered chevre, house sesame dressing
smashed chickpea salad 250
w/ red onion, green olive, lemon, fresh parsley
side salad 2
mixed greens + house sesame dressing
Bon Appetit Magazine – top 10 coffee shops
Bon Appetit magazine names Octane as one of their top ten boutique coffee shops. We’re honored to be a part of this amazing list of coffee places!
Espresso + Coca-Cola
Espresso + coca-cola on ice. We call it the Ameri-cola,
a true atlanta coffee drink. Only available at octane.
Westside in New York Times
Octane Westside featured in The New York Time. Read about Octane and the Upstart Art Scene on Atlanta’s West Side.
Slug
SLUGSS
Kjartansson Mugs
Designed by friend and designer Stefan Kjartansson, our new mugs feature Stefan’s fonts Cumulus and Foam and Black Slabbath, which is featured on our wall in our Westside location. Pick up a pair while they last!
Thursday Night Throwdown on CNN
A little love from our neighbors and local news coverage provider CNN.
Wifi provided by Ripple IT.
Artist of the Month submission | Westside Arts District | TNT - Thursday Night Throwdown Blog