Sometimes a spot opens that just gets it. Everything just kind of clicks -- the quality of the products they peddle, the locale, the staff... It all comes together.
Coeur Coffee is a perfect example of it. If it is enough for the spot to succeed remains to be seen, but Coeur is, at least in our minds, the most important coffee spot to open in Spokane in recent memory. This is the type of spot run by coffee nerds -- including our favorite barista of 2011, the Keaton Violet -- yet that somewhat amazingly manages to maintain a friendly atmosphere. Coffee snobs often have a... reputation.
You can get coffee prepared pretty much any which way you can imagine. Various types of espresso drinks are available -- both the macchiatos and the cappuccinos are really quite excellent -- but also Chemex, French press, and so on and so forth. The Chemex is worth trying if you haven't had the pleasure of sampling it before. You might think black coffee is black coffee, but the Chemex process really does something to the depth of the flavor and, needless to say, Coeur does it properly.
It's early in the game still, but we can with some certainty say Coeur has had the start we had hoped it would have, having gone through too many cups of coffee there weekend, Every cup has been stellar. That they have gone with Stumptown's beans might be somewhat of a controversial choice for those who pick local options to a fault, but, frankly, outside of DOMA we can't really think of any local roasters reaching Stumptown's quality. Variety is good. Embrace it.
Finally, a special mention should also go to the actual space Coeur is occupying. With calming, neutral colors, contrasted by wood, this is a great space to sit for a bit, and enjoy a cup of coffee. Not that bringing your KeepCup is a bad option, but really... When you drink a great cup of coffee, you should really sit down and drink it from an actual great cup. Plus they'll be offering toast soon. Toast! Who doesn't love toast?
Coeur's got it, and we love them for that. This should become the coffee destination in Spokane if there's any fairness in the world. They're currently open from 5am to 6pm, seven days a week. (I know, right?!) Stop by and enjoy some excellent coffee unless you want the terrorists to win.