Mocha Hut
1301 U St. NW
Washington, DC

Mocha Hut is located in the vibrant U street corridor in Washington DC. A great historic district that like many areas in the district has experienced a resurgence in the last few years

The Mocha hut sits squarely in the middle of it all, a curiously popular local meeting place that looks new on the outside, and like it used to be another business that was recently converted to Mocha Hut on the inside. First impression: In short the place looked like it needed a good scrubbing; The floors looked like they needed a sweep. Our table was unwiped and splattered with milk, while numerous old bits of tape were stuck on a far wall where something decorative obviously used to hang. A mess of magazines, sugar, stirrers and napkins sat up front that was such a “dog’s breakfast” I almost considered not adding sugar to my coffee. It begs the question, “Where does the urban edgy cafe look tip over into just plain messy?

Anyways, the true test of the coffee is in the cup. I’m afraid I have to report that if Mocha Hut want anything close to one bean, they are going to have to do far better than this. First up the espresso – quite bluntly, it was pulled way too long and was as sour as can be. I’m almost sick of the sound of my own voice describing this all too familiar pattern in US cafes. In a wierd twist of inconsistency – My caffe latte tasted as close to not having any coffee in it as possible, like a warm cup of milk (I think they forgot to put a shot in there at all!). Additionally there was absolutely no volume in the texture of the milk. Just a flat, bland drink. For my additional enjoyment an unpleasant aftertaste followed. So, I was confused as to exactly why the place was packed on this sunny Saturday morning. However a quick glance around the room reveals a sea of frappacinos and it all becomes crystal clear. A bit of sugar and a load of cream must do wonders.

Coffee: Java Journey