Snapshot: London, England

Today, a look at another Starbucks from across the Atlantic, this one in London, England. Starbucks has a significant presence in London, and this particular store is located in the city’s Whitechapel district. Thanks again to a friend and reader in Europe for these photos, especially for the picture of the menu – there are noticeably fewer options available in the United Kingdom from the looks of it!

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45 Whitechapel Road, Unit 5, London, ENG E1 1DU (Whitechapel Road 45 Unit 5) September 2014

Snapshot: Stuttgart, Germany

Many thanks to a friend and reader who has been spending time in Germany for sending this picture of a Starbucks store in Stuttgart, a city in the country’s southwest.

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Koenigstrasse 28, Stuttgart, BW 70173 (Koenigsbau Passagen) September 2014

GUEST POST: The Makings of a Mocha

Though most days here in Dallas still hover in the scorching 90s, I couldn’t wait to get my first taste of fall from Starbucks. Of course I’m familiar with the Pumpkin Spice Latte, and it is definitely a seasonal favorite (read frequent order) of mine. However, on this particular day my interest was piqued when I noticed the Salted Caramel Mocha on the menu. It sounded like a drink that would satisfy my craving.

I managed to snap a few photos while my drink was being made. See below what it takes to make this delicious drink.

After adding pumps of chocolate and the salted caramel syrup, the barista pours the steamed milk.

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Next up is the whipped cream!

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And now for a drizzle of caramel sauce.

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To top it all off, some caramel flavored sprinkles! Masterpiece complete!

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208 S. Akard Street, Dallas, TX 75202 (AT&T Global Headquarters – Lobby) September 2014

I did enjoy this drink, and it certainly satisfied my craving for a seasonal treat, but the next time I order it, I will probably ask them to put in only half the number of chocolate pumps (this is also how I order my Peppermint Mochas later in the year) because the chocolate flavor is very rich. And a tip for those of you who are not huge coffee drinkers: try the Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate!

Stars for Stores

In an e-mail that arrived in my inbox last week was one of the most unique My Starbucks Rewards challenges I’ve yet come across. The offer was premised not upon food or drink, or even sheer number of transactions, but different Starbucks stores visited. For me at least (since My Starbucks Rewards offers are tailored to the individual member), 5 different store locations visited within a seven day span would yield 5 extra stars. From Starbucks, “Get started now to discover new locations or revisit your favorite old ones, and earn Bonus Stars while you’re at it.” This definitely accomplishes the goal of getting people in the door, but beyond that, it isn’t obvious to me why sending customers to different store is especially beneficial, particularly since it’s not promoting any particular product. For someone like me who is interested in comparing and contrasting different Starbucks stores, this challenge sounds fun, and also actually challenging. Though I’ve patronized many Starbucks, I definitely have a go-to Starbucks included in my routine that doesn’t vary day-to-day. Did anyone else receive an offer like this? Did anyone take on the challenge?

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Coconut Dreams

Starbucks has featured coconut flavored beverages in the past, in select areas and nationwide. But as far as I can tell, only the Dallas/Fort Worth area received coconut syrup this summer, used to create the seasonal Mocha Coconut Frappuccino. I’m also not sure every store in the region took part in the coconut experiment. For example, the menu at a Starbucks in Fort Worth still featured the Mocha Coconut Frappuccino. But at several Starbucks in Dallas, the menu displayed only the Bananas Caramel Foster Frappuccino with no mention of coconut anywhere. In Fort Worth, I passed on the Mocha Coconut Frappuccino thinking I could try it later at another store and instead ordered one of my all-time favorite drinks while I had the chance: an Iced Chai Tea Latte with coconut syrup added. If Starbucks made only one permanent addition to its menu for the rest of time, I would definitely want coconut syrup on hand at all times and during all seasons. Did anyone in DFW try the Mocha Coconut Frappuccino? Any other uses for the coconut flavor you’ve tried? And if you could add something to the Starbucks menu permanently, what would it be?

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5901 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX 76107 (Camp Bowie & Littlepage) August 2014

Go Bananas

Another entry to Starbucks’ lengthening list of dessert-inspired beverages: the Bananas Caramel Foster Frappuccino. I had never even heard of this drink before, so it came as a total surprise to see it listed on a menu in Dallas, Texas. I had no choice but to abandon my planned order and snag one of these. For a little background, Bananas Foster is a dessert made from vanilla ice cream and bananas in a sauce with brown sugar, rum, cinnamon, and banana liqueur. An interesting choice for a Frappuccino, to say the least. Not surprisingly, the Starbucks version is super sweet. But there is a strong banana flavor which gives this Frappuccino a more smoothie-like taste (You can see a whole banana going into the drink in an image below). And I could even taste a little of the burnt flavoring that occurs in a real Bananas Foster after the alcohol is lit on fire. The caramel and whipped cream were a bit much for me, but by far, not the worst desserty Starbucks beverage I’ve ever had. In some later research, it seems like this is a Starbucks “Secret Menu” item undergoing a Starbucks-sponsored test run in Dallas only this summer (along with the Mocha Coconut Frappuccino). I have to give Starbucks props for achieving the taste of a Bananas Foster in Frappuccino form. And I truly thought it tasted pretty good, as odd as it sounds at first. But how many people even know what Bananas Foster is? How many people would want to try it as a Starbucks Frappuccino? I’d be curious to see how this has been doing in Dallas. Have any of you tried the Bananas Caramel Foster Frappuccino? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

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5905 E. Northwest Highway, Dallas, TX 75231 (Northwest Hwy. & Shadybrook) August 2014

Snapshot: Portland, Maine

Many thanks to a friend and reader who sent these pictures of two Starbucks stores located just a couple blocks from one another in the downtown area of Portland, Maine. I’ve never been to Maine before. Has anyone visited these Starbucks or others in the state? What’s the Starbucks scene like there?

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145 Commercial Street, Portland, ME 04101 (Commercial Street) July 2014

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176 Middle Street, Portland, ME 04101 (Exchange Street – Portland, Maine) July 2014

Will Starbucks sodas flourish or fizzle?

Last summer, in Atlanta and Austin, Starbucks tested a new drink concept – three flavors of handcrafted soda made with a carbonation machine. In January, I wondered whether the sodas would come back. The test run had been “very encouraging” according to Starbucks chairman and CEO Howard Schultz, but the final decision had not yet been made – or at least revealed – as of late this winter. As it turns out, the sodas passed the test and recently rolled out nationwide. While there was no official name brand during the test run last year, Starbucks has labeled these beverages Fizzio Handcrafted Sodas. From what I can tell, the actual carbonation machine (which can be used to carbonate other beverages in addition to the sodas) is also called Fizzio.

I had previously tried the Lemon Ale and Spiced Root Beer varieties, so upon the concept’s return, I first sampled the Golden Ginger Ale. I have never been a fan of ginger ale, but this wasn’t unpleasant. The level of carbonation is just right, and important for my taste, none of the sodas are exceptionally sweet. Have you tried any of the new handcrafted sodas? The test runs must have been successful, but how do you see these drinks faring now that they’re everywhere?

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12500 Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77024 (Memorial & Benignus) June 2014

Snapshot: Moline, Illinois

This is the only standalone Starbucks located in the Illinois portion of the Quad Cities region.

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3935 41st Street, Moline, IL 61265 (Moline – John Deere & 41st) June 2014

Snapshot: Elkhart, Indiana

They do have Starbucks in Indiana.

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4580 Elkhart Road, Elkhart, IN 46517 (CR 15 & US 33) June 2014