Al S: Best bottle list in Portland, by a long shot. Draft beer list is solid too. They had multiple Cantillon bottles when I visited, but they unsurprisingly weren't cheap. And they have pinball machines.
Al S: Heaven for the sour beer lover. Apply on their website to tap a rare "live barrel" every Tap It Tuesday. Plan to get soaked in beer. They give you a free glass of the beer and a tshirt. Tons of fun.
Al S: Grab a book around the corner at Powell's, buy pourover (Ethiopian Mordecofe if they have it), mosey over to Ace lobby and read and sip, sip and read.
128 SW 3rd Ave (btwn SW Ash & SW Pine St), Portland, OR
Coffee Shop · 168 tips and reviews
Al S: The largest of Stumptown's Portland cafes, this spot is comparatively spacious and there are a number of tables so it's much better suited for getting some work done than the other locations.
Chinese Restaurant · South End · 215 tips and reviews
Al S: Impressive amount of delicious vegetarian and vegan options. Asian pickles and wok-charred udon noodles are my favorite. Decent craft beer selection too. BONG.
Coffee Shop · Back Bay East · 153 tips and reviews
Al S: Good coffee (Stumptown) but the space is too tight and is always packed. Not a good place to work or hang out. The other location on Tremont is always busy too but it’s a bit more spacious.
Al S: Awesome array of vegan pizza options, both full pies and slices. I didn't try any of them, but the regular cheese slice was solid, if fairly basic.
255 Washington St (at Sanborn Ct.), Somerville, MA
German Restaurant · 63 tips and reviews
Al S: Great selection of German beer and German-style local craft beer. Soft pretzel, er "bretzel," appetizer is awesome. As is the spaetzel. Oh, and get the doughnuts for dessert. Yeah.
Gourmet Store · Prudential - St. Botolph · 55 tips and reviews
Al S: Very pricey but you can get some unique pastas and sauces that you won't find at Whole Foods or other similar markets. Riolfi Sapori and Il Mongetto sauces are my favorites.
Coffee Shop · Downtown Boston · 87 tips and reviews
Al S: If you get a pourover and have the time, stay and drink it at the cafe. Beautiful presentation helps make the steep prices more palatable. And the coffee is fantastic.
270 7th St (btwn Howard & Folsom St), San Francisco, CA
Coffee Shop · SoMa · 600 tips and reviews
Al S: Pourovers and espresso drinks here are top notch. Lines move relatively quickly. Best thing about this location might be the spacious working area above the coffee bar. Great, comfortable atmosphere.