Nicely

Male

Far Rockaway, Queens, New York

United States

Profile Information:

What is your position in the coffee industry?
barista, barista trainer, coffee enthusiast, industry professional
Where are you located? ( City and Country )
Los Angeles, California
How many years have you been in the industry?
almost 5yrs.
If you are a barista or shop, are you interested in a barista exchange with another coffee shop/barista?
maybe
Tell us more about your coffee shop or barista skills.
I got my "third wave" barista start at Espresso Vivace where I created the foundation for my love of the game for about 3 years. I have been in the coffee industry atmosphere for a total of 6-7 years. I don't really rely on what I learned at the big corps though. My real education started when I began working with people who are serving the finest on a daily basis.

I now work for Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea in Los Angeles. We'll be starting a Venice Intelligentsia where people can come and really geek out about coffee to the fullest!
What cities or countries are you interested in traveling to?
Any spanish speaking country. Italy, England, France, Germany, Ethiopia, South Africa, Brazil, to name a few.
About Me:
When I was 15 my mother saved my life by moving me to Seattle from New York City. Escaping mediocrity. Always wanting to move me somewhere better than we were before. I moved around alot when I was younger. Up and down the northeast along with some time with my father in Florida, until we came to the Emerald City where she provided a fresh start for us. Where I live happily and thankful for the courage of my mom. I am me because of her. I aspire to be an urban renaissance man so I have my hands in a little of everything. Baseball, football, acting/singing, drawing, sculpting, name it and I'll try it atleast once.
About My Company:
Working for Espresso Vivace in Seattle, WA. I got to learn an approach to being a Professional Barista along with one of the most nurturing, diverse, dedicated, talented, and hardworking group of people ever assembled in one place. Some of the photos you see are drinks I served to customers daily at Espresso Vivace Roasteria and Alley 24. I usually just had my cell phone on me but, once in a while I had my digi to snap a quality pic.

I now attend the University of Intelligentsia. My latest photos will chronicle my new endeavor to really pursue coffee on an academic level. I love my job!
What is your favorite thing about the coffee industry?
I love what I do. You would have never convinced me a few years ago that a puerto rican kid from Far Rockaway Queens, NY. Which is about as far away from any sort of coffee culture you could get, would be doing what I'm doing right now. I have been blessed to find a job with amazing balance between skill and art. This job saved my life.
Website:
http://flickr.com/photos/naturallyabel

Comment Wall:

  • Loren Anthony

    Wow! Thanks so much! I want to bring my coffeehouse back to Brooklyn myself! We have to chat one day!
  • *Greysi*

    Hola! well I just wanted to ask if you learned this espresso on your own or did you go to some type of training or something?
  • Gunnsa

    Love your latte art;)
  • *Greysi*

    Wow that's impressive! Well hopefully I'll get learn as quickly as you did. The coffeeshop is in the city of Bellflower and if you ever come to cali you're welcomed to visit.
  • Banana Dang

    Gracias for adding us! Love the Rosetta slideshow. If you are ever in Rincon, Puerto Rico please stop on by.
  • Alex T. Fernandez

    Hey! Thanks for that amazing macchiato! Vivace Alley 24 is a really cool shop, It was a highlight of my Seattle coffee trip :)
  • Nick

    amazing Latte art!!!!
  • Nick

    hello~
    how are you?
    i wil wait for your movie~~
    hahahaha

    really expect!!
  • sunny cho

    hey - nicely
    do you remember me??
    good to see ya
  • Nick

    hi dude~
    how are you?
    is everythig good??
    hahahaha

    when i see your video??

    tried many times your style.

    but i'm faild.

    please help me
  • Sarah Dooley

    Are you kidding, it was my absolute pleasure to be served by you. look forward to returning the favor!!!
  • Nick

    i saw your video and photos...
    i think U're the best.
    wow..

    really amaging!
    i saw latte art's another world in your cups

    please teach me your know-how~~
    hahaha

    thank you dude~

    p.s i love baseball
    hahahaha

    Korean Baseball is fun!

    hahahaha

    what is your favorit team?
  • Nick

    thank you for your favors~
    i really feel so good~
    about had good barista friend!
    (sorry my english is not good.)

    ok
    i will upload my video this site.
    please advice me.

    you're NYY huge FAN~!!!
    hahahaha
    i know that team.
    i think really strong team in MLB.
    good~

    my favorite korean team name is "KIA tigers"hahahaha
    i love baseball until 15years~
    i'm huge fan of KIA!!
  • Nick

    i saw your new photos in flickr~
    what a great!!
    you are really awsome!!!
  • sunny cho

    hey
    my travel starts again. im in santa monica
    and heading to central, south america.
    study hard about spanish ... stay cool
    i hope we'll see again then speak spanish and enjoy coffee which you make
  • Matt Milletto

    PODCAST! :) Let's do it soon.
  • Darren Reynolds

    Hello,

    You made my espresso last time i was in the shop. Thanks, it was just right for the trip back to Wenatchee. Feel free to drop in if you ever travel through.

    Darren
  • Lacey

    I, on the other hand, moved from pretty Olympia WA, to not so pretty Paducah KY. Looking to move back, but the cost of living worries me, ha ha. Hi.
  • Mike

    Your kong fu is strong...In other words you pour some amazing art.Any chance you would post a video... of you in action?
  • Jeremy Clouser

    ¡Tu 'Latte Art' es muy impresionante! Keep up the good work.
  • Enid Guerra

    Hi!! it was nice to see you here too. I miss you too. We (the Team) wonder how are you doing. We always think about you.
    I am always in motion. Sometimes I would like to have a quiet time, at least two days in a row!!
    Your friendship is very important to me. Take care and God Bless you,
    Best Regards,
    Enid
  • Mike

    Ok, Impressed before...Now blown away!Thanks for the direct to your flickr stuff.And the reggae festival looked like a lot of fun! Blessings and hope to meet you at coffeefest! Got to drink your Spro!
  • Masa Onishi

    Hi! I saw your very cooooool latteart photos on flickr !

    Next September, I'll go Seattle ,so I'm want to see you and watch your latteart at Vivace!
  • Masa Onishi

    Thanks for your reply! I'll stay in seattle from the afternoon of 11th to 14th.
    12&13, I plan to attend coffeefest and I'll compete Millrock on Saturday.
  • Sarah

    Hey! When are you pouring at Vivace next week? I'm arriving in Seattle Thursday night . . .
  • Sarah

    No, sorry, next Thursday!
  • Greenway Barista

    espresso vivace. when i visited seattle this changed my mind about the state of coffee.
  • Nuova Simonelli

    Hi Chris,

    I just heard the podcast and I am glad you have had a chance to use the Aurelia. We get mixed reviews on the latte art steam tips. Some people say they are too slow and don't have enough pressure. Other swear by them. We are considering going back to tip with a little more push. How did you find it? We have a working showroom in Seattle where you can practice. Roberto Bresciani.
  • Steve

    Just attended ABC where Matt M was the instructor and I must say i have so much to look forward too...your latte art is rediculous!!! I look forwad to having as much passion for this as you do....nice podcast! Hope to see you at CF next week!
  • Banana Dang

    Chris it was great to hear you on the first ever BE podcast! Sounded great. Your passion for coffee is infectious. Next time your on the Island it would be a pleasure to have you visit us... or maybe we'll see you in Atlanta! Keep on Keepin oN.
  • Greenway Barista

    first visit was march, 2006, I was lucky enough to talk to Mr. Schomer for a few minutes and he completely changed my mind about the state of coffee. My last visit was august, 2007 and it had only gotten better.
  • Greenway Barista

    oh dude i'm really looking forward to going back. especially now that i have picked up a few things on my road to furthering my coffee knowledge.. i'm selling my donut shop and when it finalizes i will be taking a trip up there first thing! i remember the doppio ristretto being like motor oil at vivace, and i still have not been able to find or replicate the true essence of coffee that it was
  • Greenway Barista

    i heard Mr. Schomer is working on something new with espresso. dunno what it it though. which blend is used for espresso? vita right? or dolce?
  • Banana Dang

    cool thanks for the feedback on our little bar. Question... which PR coffees did you get to work with? Which did you like best? We have a few but would like to add more to our menu. thnx in advance.
  • Mike

    I have to say your practice shots on flickr with the Nuova are to good!! maybe we can skip the formality and just give you the check...Are you sure Brian Jackson didn't pour those...Just Jokin'! Its going to be a blast to pour some and see others doing the same. I just hope I don't choke!!!
  • Mike

    You don't have to submit three...and you'd be suprised how quick you can throw some drinks up there! And we've got five to warm up and set the grind for our turn.I can pour latte art,.. but in an place with a ton of people watching to see if I mess up or do well?! shot I'll be glad if i don't pass out or shake the art out on to the counter! Bringing your own plain cups is new to me. I figure pull in to two 6 or 8's twice given you four chances,..steam and spilt and walk off drinking one you didn't like the art on...then pour a little out for the hommies! ok maybe not that last part.
  • Greenway Barista

    do you think vivace would wholesale their espresso for my cafes in Houston? I am having trouble recreating the flavor and texture I got from the espresso at Vivace. Once I had it I have not been pleased with anything down here in Houston since. I know its quite expensive buying it from in small order but what if i order weekly? just some thoughts i had cause i miss the espresso!!! if i could serve this bean to my customers here in houston they would go wild.
  • Nuova Simonelli

    Hi Nicely,

    How is your schedule on Monday. I would like to have you try our a few different steam tips before the latte art comp.
  • Nuova Simonelli

    The show room is 115 1st avenue south in SODO. there is one tip I would need to have delivered form our hq in Bellingham. It would be the high powered straight shooter. they have the reduced flow latte art tip that you maybe tried at the school and the standard high power with wider fan. they dont open until 9 am so it may work out. My cell # is 360 201 2494 so let me know. the rest of the week is open also but the comp is fast approaching.
  • Greenway Barista

    thanks for the info. I'm shooting for thanksgiving week to visit vivace again. im in the process of selling one of the stores so i can free up some time. I am really interested in taking espresso to the next level and need to learn as much as possible!
  • Alex Negranza

    Trabant's having a party. Check it out, Look at the "Downtown Throwdown" in the Events section... See you there?
  • Nick

    hey dude~
    how are you?
    i saw your comment~
    Thank you!
    that is real high praise
    hahaha
  • Steve

    Thanks for the comment.....I'm opening a coffee, food and wine bar. THe core is coffee, however with the location I have (great one) I need to have other revenue angles to survive...ie wine/food. I'll be open in November however I'll be at CF this week so hopefully I can get a chance to meet you. Will you be competeing??]
  • David Sierra

    Chris: Is was nice to talk to another Boriqua! Viva Puerto Rico! We are rooting for you to win the championship!
  • Mike Cannon

    Complete pleasure meeting you at Victrolas tonight! Thanks for the kind words of encouragement; I can't wait to get back into the shop to work on my own pours. It was totally a great time.
  • Mike Cannon

    I was only able to make it up for the smackdown, but that in itself was a truly amazing experience. Everybody was wonderful; you just can't beat the coffee community, not a chance! I'll definately be stopping by Vivace in the upcoming week or so, hope to see you there.
  • Sarah Dooley

    We had a lot of fun with you at our cafe on Thursday, thanks for taking the time to cross the street and visit with us! Your latte art was as charismatic as you were! Your welcome any time!!!
  • Benza Lance

    Hey Nicely,
    Pure pleasure to meet ya this weekend. You got some mad game son! I told Terry Z to put that bat order in for ya. Hopefully it wont be too long before we can chill.
    -Benza
  • Tony Serrano

    Nicely.... jumping up the ranks. I like you, partner. You're a breath of fresh air up in here. I hope Espresso Parts gets that Bat and ball set for PF and tamp done right away. peace...Serrano