But i gotta tell you I prefer Starbucks. Pete's goes out of it's way to differentiate itself from Starbucks which is great in some respects. No fancy language, a really great Tea selection if that's... More

But i gotta tell you I prefer Starbucks. Pete's goes out of it's way to differentiate itself from Starbucks which is great in some respects. No fancy language, a really great Tea selection if that's what you're into. As far as coffe goes though I find that Starbucks does a much better job at consistency and quality proprtions of milk to espresso for lattes and such. Petes often has too watery or bitter espresso. Nice atmosphere though.
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There was a time not too long ago when you couldn't throw a paper cup in any direction in Newton Centre without hitting a different coffee bar; but now Seattle's Best has become yet another (yawn)... More

There was a time not too long ago when you couldn't throw a paper cup in any direction in Newton Centre without hitting a different coffee bar; but now Seattle's Best has become yet another (yawn) Starbucks and Brugger's Bagels has become yet another (yikes!) bank. So in the (sort of) Clash of the Titans between the two remaining caffinated powerhouses, why does Peet's come out on top? Sure, they both have wi-fi and Lattes, but at Peet's, they still speak English and call a large coffee like they see 'em, and not by some fake Italinate word that doesn't even mean "big." Plus, the coffee at Peet's might just taste better. And along with the personalized service (calling you by name when your BIG Latte is ready), the sparkling marble counter, and the grande, shiny espresso machines, Peet's does a better job (if you squint a little bit) of transporting you--at least in imagination -- to the Via Venneto, even if its next-door-neighbor is an over-rated drycleaner with an ugly purple sign.
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