Happy one week Birthday Filter!!

Tomorrow is the official one-week birthday of Filter Coffeehouse & Espresso Bar, located smack dab in the heart of Dupont Circle in DC. Its been a very interesting week. Can't really make too many predictions except that people LOVE! Filter. Truly, I think people love independent coffee shops and Filter is a great one. 

The comments we've heard this week go something like this: 

are you going to get tables and chairs outside?

I am so excited you guys are here!

Grande skim, oh I mean 16 oz. skim latte please.

You know what, surprise me.

You guys need a sign out-front.

This is great! Thanks. 

I'll tell all my friends. 

and my personal favorite customer moment of all week:

Three Aussie women walk in and all order Flat-whites. They sit down and at a quiet moment we begin to chat, as we do with just about all our customers who aren't perusing their blackberry's intently. Turns out they've been on, essentially, a round the US tour the last couple of months. So far, they said, Filter had won the award for the best coffeehouse they had been to. The drinks, ambiance, and community feel kept them coming back three mornings in a row. Today was their last stop in and I have to say, it kind of feels like a good group of friends just moved out of the neighborhood. 

As far a traveling goes, there is nothing I'd want more than someone who is familiar with, in fact, lives in, the place I'm visiting takes it upon themselves to treat me like someone who is included in their community. Takes the time to recommend a good pizza spot (owner Rasheed's fav is Paradiso) or Thai restaurant. We chat about their travels the coolest things they've seen. To me, that is the goal of a coffeehouse. Through our customers our goals are realized. So, come on in folks. Introduce yourself to someone you see at Filter all the time. See what they are up to. Ask interesting questions. You will find out so much more than you ever thought was there, than was possible. 

I think besides pulling some bad-ass shots and making some bad ass drinks, that is the best part of my job. 

check out the reviews on 

yelp and urban daddy.

Book Review: Zeitoun by Dave Eggers

When Hurricane Katrina was barreling down on New Orleans in August, 2005 a prosperous businessman, married with 4 children, Abdulrahman Zeitoun, was preparing to stay and ride out the storm. His wife and kids left to Baton Rouge to weather the storm safely with family. Somewhere along the seemingly simple story of survival and heartbreaking destruction, Zeitoun ends up being held without bail and a phone call charged with a crime he did not commit. His wife and family are completely cut off from any contact with him and assume him dead. Oh and yeah, he's a Syrian Muslim in a post 911 world.

Zeitoun takes you through the harrowing tale of a man who feels like he was put on earth by God to help people. He takes that job seriously during the aftermath of Katrina saving residents of his neighborhood and feeding dogs abandoned by their owners. Then somehow through the fear and mismanagement of a post-apocalyptic Katrina scenario, Zeitoun is wrongfully seen as criminal, even a terrorist.

The Rumpus has a long interview with Eggers about Zeitoun.

I highly suggest this book. All proceeds of this book go to a fund set up by Eggers, Zeitoun, and the publishing company to help victims of Katrina, racial profiling and human rights injustices, and New Orleans Islamic faith organizations.