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Ristretto Roasters

3520 NE 42nd St., Portland, OR - (503) 284-6767
Posted By Michael Stern on 2/11/2007 6:05:00 AM
We are not coffee experts, and Portland has more places that roast, brew, and serve it in earnest than we'll ever have time to sample; but of those we have tried, we like Ristretto Roasters best. It is a small storefront with three counter stools, three tables, a single booth, a few sidewalk seats, and a line all morning long waiting for cups of delicious coffee and espresso, the beans for which are roasted in the back room that is visible through a glass window.

We thought the espresso a perfect balance of caffeinated punch and smooth, chocolaty flavor; the regular coffee had a good kick, too, but wasn't so strong that a second and third cup didn't seem like great ideas.

It's important to be able to drink a lot of this coffee because Ristretto offers a small but irresistible selection of excellent pastries, including a creamy and substantial "pound and a half cake" and slices of chocolate espresso bread. The latter is moist, profoundly dark, and an ideal companion for at least two cups of coffee. We also liked the looks of the blueberry bran muffins, morning buns, and croissants, all of which we intend to taste next time we visit.

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Scorecard

4 - Overall: One of the Best - Worth a Trip
Overall: One of the Best - Worth a Trip
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Is it cake? Is it bread? We're not sure, but we do know with certainty that this 'chocolate espresso bread' is delicious, especially so with good coffee. It is rich and moist and probably ought to be eaten with a fork, but we enjoyed it cave-man style, using our fingers.
"Is it cake? Is it bread? We're not sure, but we do know with certainty that this 'chocolate espresso bread' is delicious, especially so with good coffee. It is rich and moist and probably ought to be eaten with a fork, but we enjoyed it cave-man style, using our fingers."
Michael Stern





Here's a quad espresso, waiting to be gulped. Each extra shot costs fifty cents.
"Here's a quad espresso, waiting to be gulped. Each extra shot costs fifty cents."
Michael Stern


The pastry known as 'pound and a half cake,' is at least 50% richer than mere one-pound cakes. It's another fantastic companion for multiple cups of coffee.
"The pastry known as 'pound and a half cake,' is at least 50% richer than mere one-pound cakes. It's another fantastic companion for multiple cups of coffee."
Michael Stern


Portland is every bit as much a bonanza for coffee hounds as is Seattle. This little place is one of its gems.
"Portland is every bit as much a bonanza for coffee hounds as is Seattle. This little place is one of its gems."
Michael Stern



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