Sunday, January 27, 2008

SPREADING THE LOVE AT 7TH AND MONTANA ...!

                             

Love was in the air this morning at 7th and Montana as Our Favorite Starbucks paved the way for Valentine's Day with enough "mushy" merchandise to make Cupid blush.  My favorite item was the "I Love You" game which, for $7.95, allows you to send Mystery Messages to your loved ones in invisible ink.  Personally, I think we should send one to Janice Turner, a columnist for the Times in London, who yesterday launched a blistering attack on Starbucks everywhere in a column entitled "A Tall, Bland Caramel Thing, Please.  Why Did We Model Our Coffee Shops on American's Instead of Continental Ones?"  In her column, Ms. Turner whines about the quality of a Vanilla and Caramel Latte Macchiato she ordered at a Starbucks in Berlin, calling it "a bland half-pint of milk with as much coffee flavour as if someone sipping an espresso had sneezed over my cup."  She bemoans the fact that wherever you are in London, you're never more than five minutes from a Starbucks ("the same," she writes, "can be said of a rat.").  Indeed, Ms. Turner, I smell a rat.  I've been to the same Starbucks you're complaining about in Berlin, the one near "Checkpoint Charlie," and -- last time I checked -- there weren't any former Gestapo Agents pointing a gun to my head and forcing me to drink a "Tall, Bland Caramel Thing."  If you want a cup of coffee, order a cup of coffee.  They serve it in the "Continental" style, along with the "small, free delicious biscuit" you seem to crave.  As for your complaints that Starbucks has virtually taken over the coffee scene in London, I can sympathize.  It must be difficult for you to watch "foreign" food chains and coffee houses thrive in a city so famous for its local cuisine.  Last time I was in London, I noticed something missing from the Starbucks display case ... something that just might change your opinion about Starbucks forever.  If you have an open mind, I'd be more than happy to send you a Delicious, Mouth-Watering Apple Fritter, straight from the Pastry Shelf at 7th and Montana.  Consider it a Valentine's Gift ...!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think she is missing the point. The beauty of Starbucks is the fact that you can have your coffee pretty much any way you want.

Anonymous said...

wow, she sounds like a not so nice "lady"! Send her that fritter---but may it one that was left over from Christmas!!   Barb   ( I am really not usually so mean!)

Anonymous said...

Oh you know you love those fritters!  Admit it!
Traci

Anonymous said...

Do I detect a crush? heh heh

Anonymous said...

LOLOLOLOL, back from my lonnngggg lunch, OMFG, I hope she reads this, I nearly PMP. Marty, you are the best!
I am nearly wheezing with laughter.
Gaz

Anonymous said...

Just caught up on your blog, after Pumpkin and I read your meme!  Glad all is well, and I love the new sign, and the fun valentine gift!  lol

be well,
Dawn
http://journals.aol.com/princesssaurora/CarpeDiem/

Anonymous said...

Ha ha...I only hope Janice Turner, in her blistering attack, used the Brits' gift for stinging criticism delivered with large vocabulary and clever turn-of-phrase...Brit commentary is refreshing to read, even if one doesn't agree with it, because of its delivery.  Whatever she was doing in Starbucks, when Europe offers so many options, is beyond me.  I like its reliability (here in the States), but if they could ever duplicate my favorite cafe creme from Le Cafe in Paris...an OMG orgasmically best cuppa ever...no one on the planet could complain about 'bucks coffee anymore.  (they might still have at it for 'bucks ubiquitousness...or even its fritters (grin), but not its coffee)  About the secret message VD bit...THAT sounds like fun! :))

Anonymous said...

eerrroooow-ouch!!! Me thinks Miss Janice has a problem with not only her "taste", but also perhaps her "tact". (or the lack of it that is!)... and I also vote YES on the fritter!...Go get her Marty!...A nudge, A smile, and a wink-wink to ya...Kittie