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Heading south on Highway 1, just past the Big Sur deli and post office, you'll encounter a sign for the Big Sur Bakery & Restaurant. You drive up a dusty, dirt driveway to a Shell station and you'll find the place atop stairs, likely pouring out smoke from their wood-fired pizza ovens. They have several indoor restaurant tables and extensive outdoor patio seating. And it's rustic here, alright - going to the restroom involves a trip to a plumbed-in outhouse past rusted old Coca-Cola signs. The Big Sur area is rough country for good espresso, and this place seems to take complete advantage of it - offering espresso at Ritz Carlton prices. They have their own Big Sur Bakery blend from Berkeley's Uncommon Grounds, and when there they were selling their Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade organic blend. The signs of the great Big Sur fires of 2008 were noticeable just across the highway. Despite the astronomical prices, they do a good rotation of espresso throughout the day here, and the baristas grind to order. Using one of two La Spaziale two-group machines at the front espresso bar, they pull shots as extra large doppio pours served in a regular coffee cup. It has a patchy coverage of congealed, medium brown crema - though its texture runs thin relatively quickly. Despite the huge pour size, it surprisingly has a decent body. It has more of an earthy, herbal flavor with strong hints of smoke, and it can be served with some grit at the bottom of the cup. And if you thought the espresso was expensive, just wait until you see the pizza prices.
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