OPINION: Everything Enfield + More

This opinion column written by Enfield twentysomething Alyssa Cannella is featured periodically on Enfield Patch. She seeks to discover and write about “anything and everything different, fun and new” in Enfield and the surrounding area. The opinions expressed are strictly hers, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Enfield Patch.

Coffee Reviews from a Dunkin Donuts Addict

By Alyssa Cannella

“Medium Iced Dark Roast, 1 pump mocha and Skim milk, please,” says me. Every morning. Every weekend. Every road trip. Every Monday at 2 p.m. Lucky for me, you can’t throw a rock in Enfield without hitting a Dunkin Donuts. The new one they are building on Raffia Road will be within walking distance to my house. And likely within walking distance to another Dunkin Donuts.

I do, beyond a shadow of a doubt, "Run on Dunkin."But every so often I am sick of the same old, fast food grade coffee. I want something new and something that is made correctly on the first try! I could make my own coffee at home but what’s the fun in that? Instead, I throw my blinders on, fight my auto pilot and hit the road. Right past all of those orange and pink signs and straight into the loving arms of another coffee shop.

That’s exactly what I’ve been doing. I spent my last few weekends visiting local coffee shops, some closer than others. For anyone who is looking for a change in their coffee routine or just trying to find a destination for one of your weekend, windows down drives, here are three suggestions. Coffee reviews from a Dunkin Donuts addict.

It’s A Grind, East Windsor: This is my favorite place to go when I am sick of the same old, and their location in Sofia’s Plaza is practically in Enfield! It’s A Grind is a perfectly cozy place to grab a coffee with a friend or pull up a chair and try to get some work done. It is also my go-to when I am fulfilling a coffee craving before I venture off to Walmart or Evergreen Walk.

The positive things I could say about It’s A Grind are endless. No matter what kind of coffee you like, they have it. From simple to sweet and bold to “I don’t know what that is but I’ll try it”. Best of all? They get your order right 100% of the time. They make a killer scone too. Don’t believe me? Check out Yelp!

J. Rene, West Hartford: I had never been here before, but it had good reviews online so I took the trip. This is a great place to stop if you want to spend your day walking around Blue Back Square, coffee in hand. J. Rene has a social, open feel and their very own coffee roaster on site, which I had never heard of before, let alone seen one in action!

J. Rene’s is the first time I had ever gotten a pretty coffee. A thing of beauty, created effortlessly by their talented employees. To say I was impressed is an understatement. Tasted great too.

Despite being my first experience with a pretty coffee, I had a hard time ordering. J. Rene’s menu didn’t have the variety I have seen at other shops. As an average Joe in the coffee world, I was a bit intimidated but the staff was very helpful. Still, I’ll leave J. Rene to the Coffee Connoisseurs.

Peaberry’s Café, Simsbury - This place was brought to my attention by a post on Instagram, like a social media sign from a higher power. I am happy I took the drive out to Simsbury (in a snow storm), because it quickly moved to the top of my list of weekend destinations. Peaberry’s is spacious, comfy and has a menu full of different beverage and food options.

Peaberry’s was my second experience with a pretty coffee. I ordered a Chocolate Chip Cookie Cortado. Heaven in a chocolate rimmed glass with a perfect little heart in the middle. The Chocolate Chip Cookie Cortado not only had a chocolate and cookie crumb rim, but it came with two cookies. Enough said, right? Half of you are already in your car.

Similar to It’s A Grind, this place was more my speed. There is quite a variety, catering to all types of coffee drinkers and I will most certainly be visiting again.

For brevity’s sake, I will leave you with just those three suggestions right now. All three are worth a visit, whether you like to drink espresso, coffee flavored cream or somewhere in between. There is a whole world of pretty coffees out there, right outside of Enfield. Go and explore! Let me know what you think!

Photo credit: Alyssa Cannella