Peregrine Espresso

When it opened on Capitol Hill in 2008, Peregrine Espresso already had a head start on its competition: Not only was it run by Ryan Jensen, who had been a barista at the much-missed Murky Coffee, but it was opening across from the Eastern Market Metro station in the same space that once housed that tax-troubled coffee shop. But Jensen's baby is hardly a carbon copy. Where Murky was charmingly bohemian, Peregrine is sleek and contemporary. Tasteful design decisions extend to the delicious espresso drinks: Imagine cappuccinos and macchiatos with picture-perfect foam art. A new location near Logan Circle has extended Peregrine's domain and introduced a new part of the city to one of Peregrine's other specialties: pedal-powered bean delivery. If you live near either location, the same fresh-roasted Counter Culture beans that are served in-house can be delivered to your doorstep by bicycle. And you can order online. Both locations also offer a small selection of Tiffany MacIsaac's sweet treats from Buzz Bakery. With only a handful of seats, a narrow service area and no free WiFi, the 14th Street location is more of a grab-and-go operation; the Eastern Market shop is a better destination for fueling up in front of your laptop. -- Justin Rude, Sept. 23, 2011