Eventually my espresso came up, but at that point Brian had been waiting for me in the car for about 15 minutes and I figured he was starting to get antsy, so I asked for my drink in a paper cup, only to be told "We don't do that. It kills it." Now first, I strongly suspect this of being mostly BS: the objection seems to be that you lose the crema, but that mostly stays stuck to the side of the ceramic cup anyway. Even if it were true, I'm the customer, and if I want to ruin my own espresso that seems to be my right. Had I had the presence of mind, I would have told them to pour it in one of the 12 oz paper cups they had for drip coffee, but instead I grumbled something about having to go and they told me I could leave the cup on the table outside (what a huge concession!).
In future, I'll just be ordering from Blue Bottle which is cheaper [if you have it shipped] and arguably better. Also, their Web site won't lecture me on how I should drink my coffee.
Actually, blue bottle totally will lecture you for as long as you want on how to brew/drink coffee. Though if you want it in a paper "to go" cup, they might accomodate you while giving your a nasty stare.
http://www.bluebottlecoffee.net/preparation_frenchpress.html
When we got Blue Bottle as a supplier for our restaurant in the city, they actually sent 2 people to the restaurant to train our servers on how to brew their beans in a french press... We didn't pay them for the training, they just insist on people not abusing their beans after they sell them to you or something...
This place is pretty damn good
http://www.lamillcoffee.com/gourmet-coffee-tea/
Three words: primate status game
The "fresh peanut milk & espresso topped with popcorn infused cream and caramel sauce" La Mill?
I've had Blue Bottle coffee served to go in a paper cup; no nasty stares.
If you think that's telling you how to drink your coffee, try this:
http://consumerist.com/5025306/coffee+shop-threatens-to-punch-customer-in-his-dick
Man, what's this world coming to, when you can't even pick up a bulk order of coffee beans and a complimentary espresso at a place called Barefoot Coffee that sells single-origin beans and offers tasting and home-brewing classes, without being hassled by some freakin' coffee snob...