Courtesy of Milkboy Coffee, a boutique coffee shop outside Philadelphia, PA, who contacted us after Complex Magazine named us one of the top fifty Coffeehouses in the USA!  Number 4 to be exact

Fifty people, one question

Dear Fans of Jazz @ Lovin’ Cup:

When we first opened the Cup, one of the elements I wished to add to our customer experience was the offering of a weekly jazz series.  The vision was to provide great jazz early on Sunday evenings to wind down the weekend in a mellow way and get everyone re-charged for the new work week!  (Also, I love jazz and wanted to listen to it live in my own joint!!  Sitting in the soft seating and listening to great jazz at the Cup is one of my greatest simple pleasures!)

We have certainly enjoyed some great jazz at the cup and have heard some extraordinary performances.   So many other incredible jazz artists have graced our stage.  Perhaps the most gratifying aspect of this series is the support we’ve received from the artists themselves.

And while I’m certain that there are a lot of jazz fans in the greater Rochester area, I simply don’t understand why more haven’t come out to hear jazz played well in an intimate setting where the music can be felt as well as heard.

Our jazz patrons have been consistently loyal.  The fact, however, is that there are just not enough of you. We have a core group of jazz fans that come out to hear free jazz and in exchange, spend a little money.  But the hard fact is that jazz nite does not pay for itself and we consistently lose money every Sunday – and in order for Lovin’ Cup to succeed, we need to be profitable every day.

So instead of whining about what’s wrong with jazz fans (nothing), we are going to figure out what we are doing wrong.

We’ve decided to put Sunday Jazz on hiatus for the Summer and make a plan for coming back this Fall with a format and offering that will make Jazz at Lovin’ Cup the best jazz experience in town. In the meantime, please feel free to send us your ideas.  We’d love to hear them!

And while I have the chance, I’d like to express my appreciation to all of you.  You, our customers, are the best.  We have tried to create an inclusive environment that is different from the “Sports Bar”, “Cool to be Seen At” and “Corporate Chain” experiences that a lot of folks flock to.  Lovin’ Cup is for the rest of us. We’ve tried to be unique – and you have responded.   Lovin’ Cup is just a space.  The people in it make it a community.  Our Crew and Customers have made our dream come true.

Peace and Love.

John Nichols

Managing Partner

The summer sunshine and warmer temps of summer call for lighter, more refreshing choices in beer.  I can’t lie – these tend to be my favorite beers year round, but definitely make more of a name for themselves in the penetrating heat of summer.  Now, I’m not talking “light beer” – I’m talking cold, refreshing choices that are crisp, invigorating, and easy-drinking, while also being flavorful.  Some are made explicitly for the summer, while others just fare well amongst others during this time of year.

We are celebrating the short, but wonderful Rochester summer, by tasting some of our personal favorites on our lovely patio during our monthly Brew ha-ha.  We have carefully chosen some of our favorite summer brews (to enjoy in the sunshine – JUST for experimental purposes ) along with some delicious seasonal snacks!

Our choices include:

Sly Fox Mai Bock
Flying Dog Woody Creek
Peak Organic Summer Session
Jack D’Or Pretty Things Saison
Riesdorff Kolsh
Jever

14.00 for six brews and some summer patio food favorites!  We hope that you will join us.  These tastings are a relaxing and fun way to learn about beer.  How better than to taste them?  During summer?  Just saying.

Cheers,

Leslie

The end of May is an exciting one around lovin’cup, with school ending and many moving on to another stage in their lives.  We are so lucky to be able to be a part of so many lives – to watch folks grow from skittish freshman to self-assured seniors.  When it comes time for some of these folks to graduate, it is definitely bittersweet.  That being said, we are very proud of those who graduated this year and wish them the best of luck on all of their journeys.

Cheers.

Even though most of you know that the word coffeehouse and lovin’cup in the same sentence gives me the heebeegeebees, I cannot deny the excitement I felt when I learned that WE were named #4 of the Best 50 Coffeehouses in America, by none other than Complex Magazine of NYC!!  This is no small potatoes.  Complex Magazine, for those of you who are unfamiliar, is a young men’s style/lifestyle magazine founded by Mark Ecko and Hugh McFall in 2002!  These people know their stuff when it comes to food and drink!  Not to mention many other things! And being recognized by Complex as the fourth best of almost anything in America is a great thing!  Now that Complex knows we are here, we’ll work on becoming #1 on their list of “Coolest Joints in America”!

While I hate being pigeonholed into the single category of “coffee shop” or “college hangout”, I can’t deny that it is part of our overall make-up!  We do have damn good coffee, which is great for a morning breakfast meeting or a night out when you’re the designated driver or just don’t drink.  (Not to mention some fabulous coffee beers….ahem, 3HB Java Sutra Coffee Porter, anyone?)  And we are part of a wonderful surrounding college community, made of up students, faculty and staff who have proven to be a synergistic piece of our overall community!  Really, when I think of what a coffee shop represents: community, music, friendship, a place where you can be yourself, I become proud of being placed in that category, among all the other things that we do!

Lovin’cup is many things to many different people.  Our goal was for different people to find their niche, whatever that means to them.  We are honored to have been recognized By Complex Magazine!  We are going places!

For those of you who missed their famous and  fabulous blurb that they wrote about us, here she goes: (I love the part where they say we don’t just list what’s going on – we are what’s going on!)

School: Rochester Institute of Technology
Address: 300 Park Point Dr, Rochester, N.Y.
lovincup.com

Open Late Serves Alcohol Live Music  Good Food

A great coffee shop doesn’t just list what’s going on around town later that night—it is what’s going on later that night. Enter the Lovin Cup: huge lunch and dinner menu, draft beer, wine and cocktails, and a surprisingly impressive source for live music without any of the dinginess of the college venues you’re used to (which could be a good or a bad thing). You don’t necessarily have to go home for the 8 or so hours between closing and opening time.

Coverage on the Rochester Homepage.net  -  http://rochesterhomepage.net/fulltext?nxd_id=249737

Thank you again to Complex Magazine and to all of our wonderful crew and loyal customers who make us who we are.

Cheers,

Leslie

May 5, 2011 – The atmosphere at Lovin’ Cup seemed only slightly more festive than usual for a Thursday evening. It was around 6:30 pm and I had just wrapped up an informal business meeting with a new acquaintance. I considered heading home to just chill for the evening; but, as usual, it was impossible to leave once so many friendly faces smiled back at me from behind the bar. And so, I decided to have one beer.

As the dinner crowd swelled, I reminded myself that it was that second-holiest of recreational drinkers’ holidays, the 5th of May, aka/ “Cinco de Mayo.” From my customary perch at the end of the bar, I noticed the night’s drink specials included Margaritas and Dos Equis or Corona beer. No surprise there, but it made me pause to consider the last time I had a Margarita, and I couldn’t remember for the life of me.

I’d seen the announcement that entertainment would be provided by te well-known Latin Jazz band, The Mambo Kings, but I reminded myself that I really only planned to stick around for a beer… or two. The band set up shortly after I sat down, and they began their first set not long after 7:00 pm. “Nice and early!” I thought.

Though I had seen The Mambo Kings play once before, I was quickly reminded how great they are at their particular genre. From the very first song, I was duly impressed by their flair and impeccable mastery over their respective instruments. Displaying the slickness of a band that’s been together since 1995, The Mambo Kings clearly blended professionalism with passion. They had the full house enthralled from the outset, playing flawlessly and effortlessly through a long first set. I appreciated the many solos – sax, clarinet, bongos, drums, keys, and more. Never did the next song feature the same instrument. It was a delight to watch the animated expressions of the musicians, as they sailed through a long opening set. The appreciative crowd, while not motivated to get up and dance, seemed very much in step with the band’s infectious energy.

Their first set break came and went, and still I remained. I wanted more of The Mambo Kings. The second set was just as enthralling as the first, if not more so. The songs ranged from instantly-recognizable interpretations of timeless jazz classics, to lively Afro-Cuban beats. For me, there couldn’t have been a more enjoyable soundtrack to my Cinco de Mayo, and I’m glad I stuck around to enjoy the band’s entire set. Great music, played to perfection by a group of musicians who love what they do.

As the evening wound down, I was “encouraged” to re-familiarize with the Margarita, and acquiesced, not wanting to draw the ire of any Mexican Gods. I have to say, that decision was just as sound as the choice to stick around for the great music. The drink was made to perfection; the glass ringed with a halo of salt, and just strong enough to suit my taste. The evening was made complete by meeting the parents of a young friend, sharing a few laughs with some old friends, and covering my bases with those Mexican Gods. As always, Lovin’ Cup provided the perfect blend of friendly staff, happy clientele, delicious food and drink, and truly exceptional music. Next year, I won’t waste time debating where to go on the fifth of May. Just save me a spot at the end of the bar.

This blog was designed, not only to be an area where I share my thoughts and ideas, but for a cross mix of different ideas from different perspectives!   I have strategically picked a few people to be a part of our “lovin’cup blog,” but if you ever have something that you want to submit for approval, feel free to email it to lesliezinck@lovincup.com While I can’t guarantee that everything we receive will be shared, I would love to hear your view point, either way.   Lovin’cup is indeed an intermingling of a range of different wonderful folks; I’d love to hear about an experience, thought, or feeling from different perspectives.  So if you feel inclined, please pass it along!

Cheers.

Leslie

Written by owner Clay Carpenter’s daughter Alex, age 13 from Wilink Middle School in Webster.  I am truly amazed by her her profound intelligence at such an early age.  We can all learn from young Alex. 

The Deaf’s Song
I create the deaf’s song,
I give them music, what they long.
This song is different from what you think.
It is a drawing sketched in ink.

Across the page my pencil runs.
It is a drawing of the rising sun.
As you see the wave hit the beach,
It is a love for art you cannot teach.

I create the deaf’s song,
I give them music, what they long.
This song is different from what you think.
It is a drawing sketched in ink.

A drawing of my cousin I bring to life.
She smiles like there is no strife.
Her back is as straight as a line.
She is only four but I make her look nine.

I create the deaf’s song,
I give them music, what they long.
This song is different from what you think.
It is a drawing sketched in ink.

A drawing of my dog is a piece of art,
Even though he does not look smart.
At least that’s proper because it is true,
He’s ludicrous, what else is new?

The songs I create are different from what you think,
They are drawings sketched in ink.
I give the deaf music, what they long,
For I create the deaf’s song.

By Alex Carpenter

Lovin’cup Bistro and Brews is growing.  Thank you to everyone who has been such a bit part of it!  We have so much happening, and it is very exciting!  For 2011, we made the decision to bring our website to the next level.  With different events going on every night of the week, delicious food specials changing daily, rotating beer lines and wine selections, and much more, we decided that we wanted to make it easier for you to find the information you are looking for, more quickly.

In addition to increased usability, we wanted to give the website a fresh look.  We will be making a few small adjustments in the first few days of unveiling.  Just little tweaks, if you will; so please be patient with us!.  But I wanted the opportunity to take you on a small ‘tour’ of the website!

We wanted the feel of lovin’cup to really translate through the look of the website!  We also wanted it to be easier to for you to see what events we have, as well as all the details that surround the event.  With our two new calendar views and enhanced details page, you should be able to find everything that you need.

You can access any of our menus from the website, in case you are trying to decide what you are in the mood for.  You can see what beer bottles and wine selections we are currently carrying.  You can see what new beers we have on rotation.  You can see what kind of happy hour specials we have going on each day.

Soon we will also be updating the website daily with our food specials of the day!  You won’t have to call to see if your favorite homemade soup is on!

The blog is also a new addition to the website – a spot where myself, the staff, and even loyal patrons like you can add a thought, some newsworthy scoop, a review of a show or event, etc!

Take a look around the website.  Would love to hear some immediate feedback!  Please feel free to email me at lesliezinck@lovincup.com  And thank you in advance for your patience as we make a few tweaks.

Cheers,

Leslie