BEST NEIGHBORHOOD COFFEE HOUSE, SCOTTSDALE
The Orange Table
Venue
7373 E. Scottsdale Mall, #6
Scottsdale, AZ
480-424-6819
The Orange Table has come a long way since its humble beginnings as a cramped coffee shop across the plaza at Scottsdale Center for the Arts, but it's remained true to itself as far as the quality of the coffee it serves. If you order a latte or a cappuccino, you won't get overpriced dishwater, nor will you get a wee Scottsdale portion. The OT's French press, which serves two, is strong and dark, with the faintest hint of spice (cinnamon, maybe?), but don't get the wrong idea it's just enough warmth to bring out the depth of the robust brew. No "flavored" coffees here, thank you; they take their java the same way they take food and beer: seriously. And while the quality of the art on the walls is, um, variable, it's not the walls you'll be looking at anyway. It's the people at least when you can take your nose out of that damn fine cup of coffee long enough to look around.