Fairly Grounded

This Place is CLOSED DOWN! I got ready for my day and read the reviews here on Unilocal the headed out to the coffee place. Found a parking spot got myself AND my baby out of the car-​seat and into the stroller ONLY to find out that it is CLOSED DOWN! Take your store off Unilocal if you no longer exist!

We’ve only gone once so far; we might be back, but I don’t think we’ll be making a special trip for it.
First, the best part: truly excellent coffee. Best latte I’ve had in ages.
The quibbles: it’s downtown, so it’s metered parking. On Saturdays you can park in the courthouse parking lot across the street for free. Staff wasn’t really all that friendly, although they certainly weren’t rude. In any case, we didn’t rate a smile or friendly greeting. During our visit, the music was off, very quiet in there. The customers were all whispering to each other, like in a library. However, one of the staff members was loudly (and extensively) complaining about something to the other staff member, so that’s what we got to listen to while we drank our coffee. Meh. I prefer music, myself. Maybe next time we can get the excellent coffee to go.

Best soy latte I can recall. They also focus on local roasters. I’m lactose intolerant so finding a place that can do soy coffee drinks well is important.

Lemme sum up: Poor cappuccino, average customer service, nice fish tank
If you are looking for a cool salt water fish tank, this is the place. I was thrilled as I watched the various anemones wave languidly back and forth in the simulated current. Small snails made «mooom mooom mooom» movements with their mouths against the glass as they cleaned the tank. Tiny hermit crabs shambled across rocky outcroppings while a few unique fish swam about the spacious tank. Fascinating! If only I gave a darn about fish instead of coffee. Alas, that was not the case.
Having parked across the street and fed the meter, my friends and I ambled over to Fairly Grounded Too. The shop interior boasted a couple comfy couch seating areas, and tables and chairs. Baskets decorated an open concept curio. And, of course, the fish tank in the back of the shop.
I ordered a cappuccino and chai cupcake. The first tip off that something wasn’t right should have been the speed with which I received my drink. A proper cappuccino takes time to make; packing the grounds, frothing the milk, etc. Before I had been served the cupcake, my cappuccino was ready. There was no micro-​foam. There was an attempt, but it quickly became absorbed into the espresso until, without any stirring on my part, it had become one big slurry cup of off-​white coffee… stuff. I took a sip and frowned. Bitter, coffee flavored milk. I quickly took a bite of the cupcake and managed a smile. At least the bakery item wasn’t bad.
What was even more bothersome was the disinterested manner of the staff. When one of my friends, who was right behind me in line, tried to place his order, the lad behind the register seemed more intent on chatting up the girl making the drinks. She, on the other hand, gazed off in the distance with a stare I’d seen the night before while watching «Shaun of the Dead». (I feared naught, since I have 37 different zombie plans.) Clearly, she didn’t care about learning how to use the equipment which had been provided.
If you are looking for a mini-​aquarium excursion, I recommend Fairly Grounded Too. (They even have a seahorse on their sign! *delighted squeal*) If you’re looking for a decent cappuccino… not so much.

Large white mocha, three pumps of syrup, extra hot. Deliciousness. Much better than Starbucks.

I love this coffee shop! The staff is always very friendly and the quality of the beverages and food is wonderful. I like to go here when I need to study — there are plenty of tables and free wifi. Hands down my favorite coffee shop in Reno.

They raised their prices on food items :(Still yummy, but cost as much as every other coffee shop sandwich… and is of equal quality. Even a bowl of soup is $ 4, quiches are $ 5, paninis and even a cheesy bagel (cheese bagel with pesto and sun dried tomatoes, grilled) are $ 6. Even a bowl of oatmeal is $ 5. Sad.

While walking around Reno I needed a quiet place to text and answer some mail. The casinos were too noisy. At Fairly Grounded I enjoyed an excellent cappuccino and some very needed quiet time.

While on my bike, I noticed that a new coffee shop had opened downtown. So this morning we decided to swing by and give it try. I once worked in a coffee shop for a number of years, and would like to think that I have a fairly developed pallet (meaning I can be a snob). The only time that I have seen hand crafted coffee was at the Outside Lands music and wine festival in San Francisco. To my pleasant surprise, Fairly Grounded has a nice variety of coffee to offer hand crafted! So we ordered the Columbia coffee, and an Americano– as a coffee shop, you must be able to have a descent espresso drinks. The snob in me even scoped out that they have la marzocco machines (which take A GREAT deal of skill to use, unlike just pressing a button *cough Starbucks*). We decided to pair our drinks with a blueberry scone. The drinks were GREAT. Full bodied coffee, and a smooth espresso. The scone was good; buttery but not very moist.
I cannot wait to go back and try some organic tea from their extensive list, and some of the sandwiches that they have.
They have plenty of seating, with very modern eclectic furniture and decorations; including a large beautiful fish tank. They don’t have loud music playing, so it’s perfect for studying or catching up with friends.
Free parking is limited, so plan on bringing some change for the meters. You could always park for free at the Cal-​Neva and take a nice stroll pass the river and the Pioneer Center.
A great edition to Reno!

Yay, definitely a fan. Same great coffee as the main location (I think this place is named Fairly Grounded Too?) .
Downside: Downtown means paying for parking UPSIDE: there is free parking immediately in front of the location if you can get a spot …
Free WIFI, comfy furniture to settle into — This location had a lot more traffic inside and if I had wanted a table I’d have needed to ask to share with someone. Not a bad thing, but when I need to settle in and get a lot of work done (have laptop, will travel — working from home gets way too isolating — trust me on that) then the more crowded location is a slight drawback.
I love the location since I do business downtown frequently, so I will be back again (and again).

I was doing some work in the library a block away and was in need of a break. Fairly Grounded had such an inviting feel. I enjoyed a great cup of coffee and a ridiculously-​delicious savory scone of ham and cheese. Yum.
Couldn’t stay long, but can see this as a really comfy place to hang out or meet up with friends. There were a couple of people on computers so think they have wi-​fi.
I’ll certainly be heading back for deliciousness and relaxation.

A friend and I stumbled upon this place looking for a local coffee shop. Their big storefront sign says «COFFEE.» However, upon entering the premises, it is called Fairly Grounded. I think the name is great. Actually, just reading their website, they have another location somewhere else in Reno.
Perhaps the outside façade does not stand out because it is part of a few collective stores, but when you walk inside, you are immediately impressed. There is artwork adorned on the walls, and specialty coffee being funneled into the cup. The clientelle looked sophiscated as well.
My friend got their regular coffee. He mentioned that it was decent. I got a toasted bagel with cream cheese to go. They were very meticulous in packing the cream cheese, the plastic knife, and the cut toasted bagel in a bag.
If I were in Reno again, it would certainly be a place to visit.