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Put down the Starbucks and pick up one of these regional coffee concoctions.

Tuesday Jul 01, 2008.     By Stacy Warden

Food Feed

I have a hard time dragging myself out of the apartment before downing a cup of coffee each morning. In a perfect world, a strapping young lad would serve me freshly ground beans, slowly extracted from a French press before my feet even hit the floor. But, I live alone and going to all that trouble for myself requires a few cups of the stuff beforehand. If you lack the motivation to brew it yourself, you'll love these places that take the time to do it right. Not only does each spot put care into the craft of coffee, but each style is prepared in a unique way.

Ca phe sua nong at Ba Le French Bakery & Restaurant
This is a marriage of dessert and coffee, seamlessly blended into one steamy cup. Ba Le takes a French roast blend made with chicory (European plant leaves) and brews it in a similar fashion to espresso. The unfettered flavor is extremely bitter until it gets stirred up with a heavy-handed helping of sweetened condensed milk. It's every bit as intense as it sounds and the sugar-to-caffeine ratio is guaranteed to bring on that morning buzz.

Tip: Timid types might be inclined to stray from slaughtering the drink's name, but if you simply ask for a "Vietnamese coffee," the staff will know what you mean. Just be sure to specify whether you want it hot or over ice.

Cafe Cubano at Cafeteria Marianao
You'll need a few of these espresso-based shots to feel at ease in the crowd of Spanish-speaking regulars at this Logan Square sandwich shop. But don't let that initial intimidation scare you off; this caffeine treat is worth stepping out of your comfort zone. The potent little shot consists of a hefty spoonful of sugar which is then topped with a shot of espresso. Despite the fact that it's served in a tiny, tossable condiment cup, the thing is perfectly executed—you'll never see a crema as beautiful on a double shot at Starbucks.

Tip: Marianao's also serves cafe con leche for those who prefer their coffee with milk.

Turkish Coffee at Icosium Kafe
Turkish coffee brings out the best in caffeine junkies. And it's not just because the stuff is darker than dirt and stronger than your average Joe. This brew was intended for sharing and that's exactly how it's done at Icosium. A shiny bronze pot is brought to the table along with two doll-sized cups and equally small spoons. The coffee is then poured tableside, filling each cup to the half-mark. It's intended to be sipped, but letting the stuff sit too long will leave you with a cup full of grounds. This is where the teaspoon comes in handy.

Tip: Before ordering, you'll be asked your preference in sweetness: extreme, mild or none at all. Seasoned espresso drinkers will appreciate the untainted liquid, while latte lovers should lean toward the sweet.

Chicago Style at Metropolis Coffee Co.
Yes, Chicago has its own style of coffee and this time it isn't Intelligentsia. These Rogers Park roasters distribute their beans to a string of local shops throughout the city, but there's something about getting a cup straight from the source. The shop's blends change daily to reflect the freshest roast, and bags chalked with whole beans can be purchased, should you work up the motivation to brew it yourself.

Tip: For an extra jolt, order a red eye (regular coffee with a shot of espresso); the espresso is brewed in double shots and the baristas will sometimes throw in the extra at no charge.