I can only hope to a) reach my 90th birthday, b) look as good as the birthday boy when I'm there, and c) have such a wonderful party filled with friends and family. Happy birthday Walt!

My brother, Roger, was in town from NYC, and we had breakfast in San
Francisco at Four Barrel Coffee, an independent coffee house and
roastery in the Mission district. Roger works at Maialino in NYC, and
Four Barrel supplies all the coffee that Maialino serves and sells at
retail. We were hosted by Matthew Hein, who graciously provided
breakfast affogati as well as a tour of the roastery. This is serious
coffee, where shots are pulled using "naked" portafilters, and every
drink is garnished with latte art.

Here's the 100 year-old four barrel roaster that gives Four Barrel its name.

View of the roastery.

Roger on the sampling balcony.

Barista pulling shots.

Roger and Matthew in front of the boars' heads.

Retail coffee overlooks an elaborate collection of vinyl records (yes, vinyl) that drives the sound system. No Pandora. No iPod. No Spotify. 

The front of the house serves pour-over coffee that's made by hand.

Last, but not least, here's a video documentary of Four Barrel Coffee that I wish I had made. Very well done. 

And yes, I had affogato for breakfast.

Not quite the same as sitting on the porch of a cabin in the mountains with a glass of wine, but pretty cool nonetheless. Strange weather.