Starbucks is my one of those places I am ashamed to admit I like. After having worked at a couple of coffee shops around Oslo and knowing what good coffee is supposed to taste like, I can guarantee Starbucks is not doing it right and it costs way too much for the lousy quality of coffee they offer.
Compared to the many Starbucks that I have been to abroad (Finland, London, Berlin, Edinburgh), this particular Starbucks is pretty decent. The service is good. They make mocha frappucinos the way I am used to. I thought Starbucks had a specific formula, but a couple of Starbucks have proved me wrong on that. I do wish this one would sell the typical Starbucks food instead of the same crap that 7-11 and Deli De Luca sells. The location of this one sucks too. I get they wanted everyone to be able to get Starbucks at the airport and not just the people who get past security, but most people who are flying out won't be stopping here, and at least for me, I love getting on the plane with a warm, cozy, pumpkin spiced latte.
So why do I rate it so high? Because, like all Starbucks, it reminds me of home. It reminds me of the days back in high school when I had hardly a care in the world. A massive group of us would meet at the local Starbucks on Friday and Saturday nights and just hang out. As an American living abroad for so many years, it's things like Starbucks that make home feel not so far away. read more