Brew - Philadelphia

We stopped by Ultimo-Brew on really nice Saturday in May. Point Breeze is another up and coming area of the city and has an interesting mix of people. The shop is nice, with out door seating and comfortable seats inside. The staff was very pleasant. They have a garage type door which was opened up because the weather was so nice. My daughter and I had iced coffees. Mine was really good and had a good coffee bean taste. I took it with just ice and it was very good. My wife went for the Cafe Latte and that was a miss. Way too much milk and barely any coffee taste. Instead of Coffee with steamed milk, it was more the other way around. On the other plus side we tried a couple of the sandwiches Brew/Ultimo had form the American Sardine Bar. These were really good. We had a curried potato and the chicken salad. Both the ingredients and bread were great. We had a chocolate chip croissant that was very good also. On the whole I was a bit disappointed with Brew/Ultimo. I had read and heard so many good things. Maybe we just ordered the wrong coffees or maybe we need to try the Graduate Hospital Ultimo.

They have a great selection of beer and a changing draft list. The employees are very knowledgeable about their selection. If you are staying and want a cold drink that isn't in their refrigerator upstairs, they will go downstairs and get a cold one! One of their workers is not super friendly, which is why I took off one star.

I come here pretty often because I'm in the area a lot. This is probably one of my favorite cafes in Philadelphia. As a Seattle native, I spent my first two years in Philly feeling deprived of good coffee... Until I finally found Ultimo! I usually just get black coffee here, but recently I tired their vanilla latte and fell in love. Not too sweet and well balanced flavor. did I mention that they serve craft beer? God bless you ultimo. One thing though, it is pretty pricey here when it comes to coffee and treats. Well worth it, but still.

As you enter the smell of fresh roasted coffee beans is intoxicating! Unfortunately I can't drink the stuff, and head straight for the beer. The beer choices are numerous, varied and well versed. Available by the bottle, 6 pack and growler. I usually go for a growler and/ or the monthly special; $10.25 tax for a 6er. Always a top craft brewery featured(3 different kinds); this month Sixpoint. Growlers run $10 20 w/ this month Sixpoint Resin $14 being a great deal.Available as 16, 32 or 64 oz, there are 10 draught lines, including one nitro. Selection is awesome! Staff are knowledgeable and eager to help

It depends on what you want but this place earns 3 stars in my book. I didn't get to try the pour over coffee, though, which is this place's signature. That said, I know that if a place does it right, it still needs to compete with other aspects of a cafe. The store design is pretty modern and slick. It doesn't fit in with South Philly at all. But, it's still pretty neat. Staff were really helpful and nice. The chai latte I had was good, a little on the sweeter side than other places, and it is a great place to work with free wifi and tables. I would not, however, recommend the snack foods. I had a faux oreo cookie and it was overpriced and had no taste. I was instantly sad I bought it after biting into the chalky cookie. But, you win some and you lose some. This place is open late, which I think gives it a step up from others in the area, but it doesn't feel as friendly as the other places. Maybe it's just not my style. If I didn't feel swindled by the cookie, I might have a better feel for this place, but it seriously was an issue and ended my evening on a low note.