A favorite Detroit coffee spot, Astro serves up an rotating selection of roasts in their energetic cafe.
Subject: Astro Coffee
Location: Detroit, MI
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]
Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series
The multi-roaster coffeehouse is one of my favorite iterations of a coffee-serving establishment. Poised to introduce its consumers to different coffee purveyors and offerings, it’s much like the local taproom with an ever-rotating selection for the fanatical beer enthusiasts. And while not every city possesses a ton of such venues, I am fairly certain most possess at least one.
Detroit can find itself a copious selection of great coffees at Corktown’s Astro Coffee. Situated on Michigan Avenue, a stones throw from the old Michigan Central Station, Astro juts out invitingly from the red and green brick surroundings. Within the shop, light pours in from the large front windows to illuminate the long bar, chalked walls and energetic staff.
As for beans, they normally rotate between a selection of caffeinated greats such as Ritual, George Howell and Heart. The afternoon of my visit I let the barista be my guide, and hence I went with a George Howell Guatemalan for espresso and an Ethiopian from Heart via pourover. The espresso, pulled short/medium with brown crema, doled out notes of lime, dates, nut bread, ginger ale, unsweetened cocoa and a little seaweed, proving lightly piquant yet smooth and balanced. The pourover thundered out a similarly pleasant brew sweet and bright, one full of pound cake, chocolate, blackberry, heavy cream, a touch of nutmeg and a little spinach, all within a light body.
In a nutshell, Corktown and the greater area have a solid rose in Astro. Coupled with places like the neighboring Mercury Burger and Bar (where I had a delicious lunch during the same visit), it should be no time at all until Detroit flourishes again. In the meantime, if you seek a fine selection of excellent coffees, gallop swiftly to Astro for satisfaction.
