I’ve been running low on my Sumatra beans bought from Georgio’s a couple months ago. And since I was in Long Island for the day running errands, decided to make the extra stop to stock up.

Sean and I walked through the door and immediately notice the place is way more organized than it was back in November.  All the boxes were cleared out and the antiques were all displayed beautifully. There were even these purses and tote bags that looked as though they were hand made in another country lining the walls.

As soon as we walked in, we were greeted with four big smiles and four even bigger hello’s.

Sean: Hi…no need to give us the tour. We’ve been here before and were such fans, we’ve come back. All the way from Brooklyn.

Georgio: That’s right! I remember you two…hey wait a minute, are you the girl who wrote about us on her website?

Now, normally this is a really cool thing…when someone remembers or recognizes me from this site. But in that moment, I couldn’t remember exactly what I had written. I knew it was a good review because I loved this place…but I can be a tad bit snarky.  So for about ten seconds, I feared what he may have read.

Me: Um, yeah…yeah, that was me.

Georgio: That was a great website! It’s so happy! Most of these sites are so depressing these days.

Me: (sigh of relief) Yes, it is a pretty optimistic site.

Georgio: You were like a spy, though. I didn’t even see you taking those pictures! You two…you’re like coffee spies!

We proceeded to chat for a while about various things…coffee, Columbia, reviews and newspapers. But most importantly, we were proud to report that we had moved up in the coffee world. We have gone from owning a drip coffee maker to using a french press daily. It’s true what everyone says…coffee from a french press is SO MUCH BETTER.

Georgio: You like the French Press?  I hope you kept that receipt. I’m going to show you something that will blow your mind. Make sure you got that camera ready.

He winked at me as he pulled out this contraption that looked like a bong…a big, antique coffee bong. The grinds go into the top, water into the bottom and then you light this big flame. The water boils into the top part and then when you remove the heat, the vacuum causes the coffee to drip back down into the bulb-like bottom part. And I have to admit, the coffee tasted amazing. It was smooth and free of the grit you usually find in a French Press brew.

It looks a little too expensive (and not to mention breakable) for me to own…and the fact you have to handle that rather large, open flame at least twice a day five times a week; well, anyone who knows me knows that would be a detriment to my apartment and all my belongings.  But what a cool way to brew coffee! We ended up buying a completely new kind of bean that neither of us has had before…a Bourbon Selecto Puerto Rico. It’s supposed to be the best and according to Georgio, it’s the greatest flavor we’ll ever taste. And you don’t argue with Georgio!

Once again, the experience was wonderful. Georgio was entertaining, his wife–lovely as ever, and the atmosphere, warm.  I have a feeling that a visit to Georgio’s will never fail to produce a great story.

This here is Georgio’s Coffee in Jericho, NY.  It is the most charming little coffee shop and I’ve never met an owner more passionate about coffee.

Georgio is Italian and his wife is Columbian. Together they have traveled to the five main countries where they buy their beans from, and if I’m not mistaken, I believe they own a couple of the coffee farms. They collect antique coffee equipment and this one pictured at the top here is the only (Pulp grinder I think it’s called?) of its kind in the United States.

The space itself is a little cluttered and chaotic, but in my opinion it adds to the charm and reflects the enthusiasm that Georgio himself exudes. Though not known for their individual cups of coffee, they still sell them, though the owner will most certainly push you to buy a bag of beans as well.

“What kind of coffee you like?” He asked in a gruff tone.

“Well, I like dark roasts typically. I usually buy an Italian roast.”

“Wow, so you like coffee that puts hair on your chest!”

“Er–I guess. Though not litera–”

“Do you prefer Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks?” He cut me off mid sentence.

“Dunkin’….but only because Starbucks coffee always tastes burnt to me.”

“Interesting. Because Dunkin’ is a light roast. Starbucks is very dark. That’s the burnt flavor you taste.”

“Oh, wow…so I like dark roasts, but not extra dark roasts.”

“Exactly. What kind of coffee maker you got?”

“Flat bottom filter, drip machine.”

“Well, well, well…you know your coffee more than most people.”

I shrugged and smiled. “I’m a connoisseur.”

Seriously…he was such a kind, friendly man. And his wife, though much softer spoken, was equally kind. If you ever find yourself in Long Island, you should go out of your way to find this place!