Poor coffee!,  Tuesday, 11 December 2007 Poor coffee, as in sympathy for the ruined beans, and poor coffee, as in the quality of the beverage. First, virtually every coffee is roasted the same: DARK or more accurately, BURNT. I'll give you $20 if you can taste the difference between the coffees. Even the "light" roasts are dark and oily, meaning any nuance of the potential flavor in the bean has been toasted to oblivion. Speaking of flavor- what is the first thing you might smell upon entering Depoe Bay Coffee? Sickly sweet artificial flavors that are used to mask the awful flavor of the coffee. Good coffee IMO is inherently delicious; no need to "improve" it. The first thing I notice VISUALLY is that the buckets of beans are unlidded, leading to expired freshness and stale flavors. When I once ordered espresso, I received a watery brown beverage in a paper cup. No crema, no porcelain cup, nothing but acrid, burning rubber flavors on my tongue. With espresso like that, you NEED to drown it in milk and syrup. Get coffee here because it's convenient, because you're friends with the owners, or if you like it burnt and stale.

 Best Local Sushi,  Tuesday, 11 December 2007 It was my privilege to visit Auburn shortly after Hanami's Grand Opening in January, 2007. I stumbled upon the restaurant without suspecting the treasures waiting inside, and I will never forget the wonderful evening I had. I have since moved to Auburn, and dine at Hanami Sushi every chance I get. From the moment I walk in the door, I am enveloped in a brocade of attentive service and lovely atmosphere. Soon after ordering, authentic, delicious and well-portioned food is presented beautifully, and the service is always very friendly, personal and prompt. The staff is genuinely happy to see my young daughters when we visit, and my family and I always leave Hanami with smiles on our faces.