In short: Professionally crafted coffee. Quality beans roasted on site. Good wifi and seating. Pleasurable atmosphere and service. Pricier than "normal" coffee, but very worth the difference. Highly recommended.
First off, as a disclaimer, this coffee bar does not focus on getting your latte to you as fast as possible. If you're looking for a quick caffeine fix, then you should look elsewhere.
Instead, Orange offers a wonderfully precise and full-flavored coffee by the barista Myung. In our conversation, he told me about his going to Korea be a licensed barista, learning the chemistry, physics, biology, and geography of good coffee (he was a Materials Science & Engineering major). His newly opened bar focuses on quality, craftsmanship, and detail.
ATMOSPHERE: The general feel of the bar itself is appropriate. Dark wood furniture, coffee grinders, pots, and such everywhere, even a small book collection solely focusing on coffee. There are different types of seatings, such as bar seating, traditional table and chair, and lounge chairs, all for a different mood.
SERVICE: The attentiveness of the employees themselves are good. The cashier doesn't make you feel rushed, and the barista puts on a good show. Note that most of the drinks will come in ceramic cups, which while are nice, do mean that they are not disposable. It was a bit unclear if it was a self clean table, but often times the bar workers will take your finished cups.
QUALITY: The coffee here is unparalleled to any other coffee shop in the area, because there are so many options. The espresso machine is top notch, and the drip coffee is offered in three different methods (including Chemex and Dutch coffee). All of the methods yield a full-bodied coffee without any grounds burnt. Every detail is looked after. For the Chemex drip coffee, Myung kept the hot water at 190F, the ideal temperature to brew coffee, using a thermometer in a needle-nosed water kettle. He even warmed the cup itself so the coffee would not be too cold when it was poured into the cup. Even the espresso had a thick layer of crema sitting on top of it (the light foam-like substance on top), an indicator of good espresso.
The beans they use aren't labeled as "House" or "Breakfast blend," but are all named by their origin. Kenya AA and other African grown beans have an earthier, more herbal taste. Their Central American beans are smoother and pleasant to the palette. Orange has their own bean roaster on site, so the beans are as fresh as you'll find. They offer a nice variety for your drip coffee.
PRICING: Most of the items on the menu are more expensive than those found at other places selling coffee. A small cup of drip coffee depends on the market price of the beans used, so certain types will be more expensive than others. However, the method of brewing the coffee is where the premium lies, and is arguably worth the little extra that they ask for.
In conclusion, Orange coffee bar is ideal for the businessman who wants to impress his or her client with some expertly made coffee, the student or who wants to find a pleasant atmosphere to work at and good drinks, and the casual group after dinner. Highly recommend. read more