My dad has always been a cream and sugar guy. No matter how good it is, whatever the cost of the cup, he will invariably pour in at least one packet of sugar and enough cream to turn a cup of coffee the color of Marc Anthony’s hair into a cup the color of Fabio’s. When he came to visit me one day in Santa Rosa, we started our adventure at Flying Goat Coffee in Railroad Square. I told him, “This is artisan coffee, it’s roasted perfectly and is at its peak resting time, so it doesn’t need anything added to it.” He nodded, but I knew he was going to doctor it up anyway. The barista then began describing flavor notes, subtle hints of this-and-that, which intrigued my old man. He took the coffee and bypassed the accoutrement table, actually taking the suggestion to drink it black. I was surprised, but even more so when he actually liked it. “Oh, this doesn’t even need anything,” was his reaction. This didn’t change his habits—he’s still a blender of creams and sugars—but now he is at least willing to give new roasts a chance before turning to his old apothecary ways. 10 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707.575.1202; 324 Center St., Healdsburg, 707.433.3599; 419 Center St. (to-go only), Healdsburg, 707.433.8003.—Nicolas Grizzle
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