This week, I will be reviewing Jaho Coffee Roaster and Wine Bar, located on Washington Street in Boston. It is definitely a great place to meet up with friends, but the busy city atmosphere might make it difficult to study here. It is very modern and the tables and bars are made of wood. It has an industrialized style, which reminds me very much of Caffé Nero. The industrialized feel may be thanks to their large coffee roaster, a Loring S35 Kestrel roaster, in the corner, which makes this shop unique from some of the other places I’ve reviewed. The location I went to was opened on the tenth anniversary of the opening of the Salem location. This is now the flagship store, located inside the Kensington Building.
They serve different varieties of coffee and tea, and also serve alcohol. When I visited the store with my friend, who is a whiskey fan, they ordered a whiskey on the rocks and enjoyed the selection of liquor they had. As for me, I ordered a caramel latte. Because I went in the fall, my latte had a latte art of a spider web—that was a really cute touch! They seem to do a variety of latte art too. After some research, I came across photos of their latte art of animals, cartoon characters, and other intricate designs. I’ve usually only seen the classic heart or leaf design. I also ordered a chocolate croissant which was pretty average, but was a good pairing with the coffee. They also do combinations of alcohol and coffee, like their Scarlet Espresso Martini, which is an award winner.
My favorite part of the shop is definitely the seating area. Because it was so packed inside, we were forced to sit outside. Although it was cold out, the spot was right on the street and I enjoy people watching. It was nice to be right in the middle of the city, even if it wasn’t very relaxing. I liked the restaurant style as a whole. I feel like the best way to describe it is that they use their space wisely. Even though it is one of the larger shops I have been to, the trash station and cream and sugar for the coffee is all attached to the bar in the far corner. Desserts are on display right beside the cashier, and the espresso machines are also on the counters, which is aesthetically pleasing and adds to the industrial feel.
This spot, although I don’t believe it is a good study spot, is very popular for students. Whether you grab a bagel and coffee or grab some wine for a date, it is in a perfect location that is accessible in Boston. I believe Jaho is worth a try, especially if you go with friends. It probably will be pretty busy no matter what time of day because it serves on both ends of the scale, but I believe it’s worth it!