Peet’s Winnetka Elite Event

First off, the vibe is so positive. The lights are bright. The windows are clear. The music is all me. The staff’s energy is so palpable… that it makes you want to smile and be a better person. Really!
So I’m not a coffee or tea connoisseur by any means. But like after all of Angela’s interactive events, I’m almost always guaranteed to walk away learning something new and cool. And this event was no exception!
1. Brewing station:
— Out of the 2 methods, the Chemex glass coffeemaker brews milder tasting coffee, but the Bodum French press concentrates the grinds to create a richer flavor.
— Both are equally accessible methods to brew — just add 1 rounded tbsp of grinds to every 4 oz. of hot water. Within 4 mins, you’re left with no waste, just taste!
— Perfect brewing temperature is about 200°F.
2. Barista station:
— You don’t have to be Italian to make a perfect espresso; you just have to follow precise rules established over the more than 100 years since Italians invented a way to make this eye-​poppingly strong coffee!
— So what did I take away from this? The time of brewing a standard 30 mL cup of espresso should be 25 – 30 s. Any longer than that, the coffee will have a burnt flavor and dark foam. Any shorter than that, the coffee will be watery and will have a light weak foam.
3. Photo booth:
— Hilarious hats + marvelous masks + silly sunglasses + whimsical wigs + camera… need I say more?
Thanks, Angela S. Seriously. It would be a shame to have never stumbled upon this location of Peet’s Coffee & Tea House, but I probably wouldn’t have without this Unilocal Elite Event. I loved my experience here and would love to come back to Winnetka to check this place out again!

It was my first time attending one of these things and it was fun! I learned a little about coffee and tea with a behind the counter tour. Got to sample some different drinks and food. I’m not normally a coffee drinker, but there was some coffee there I think I could actually see myself drinking, if I ever go that route… And how could one not enjoy a silly hat photo booth!
Thanks to Angela, the Unilocal organizer, for putting together this little shindig.

Coffee nerds, bring your mugs up and rejoice! It’s been awhile since I’ve hit up a Peet’s, there just not any around my home or work… BUT after attending the Peet’s Winnetka, I will certainaly find one to get a nice cup of cappuccino. It really is a fantastic brew — smells wonderful and not very bitter. Very reminiscent of the wonderful coffee I had consistently in Germany and Switzerland.
The staff at Peet’s were one the best, most unpretentious folks I’ve met. They were always friendly and patient. There was a chemex and french press station that I got to try 2 different methods of brewing with the same coffee beans and water. I was really surprised how different the samples tasted. The chemex is more mild, but the french press is bold.
I was super excited to pull my first cup of cappucino. Ideal milk froths at 120 °F and the milk mixes with the espresso. It was a lot of fun to mess around in the back.
More tea and coffee was served as well as finger food of sandwiches and sweets. I wasn’t expecting to be walking away so full from a coffee shop. Man, those sandwiches were good. Minty matcha frio was addictive. Along with a professional photobooth, this event was top notch.
At the end, Angela pulled out her magic box of Unilocal and Peet’s goodie bags. This was really, really good stuf! A pound of whole beans and probably my favorite insulated coffee travel cup. The screw on cap doesn’t leak and it stays warm!!! :)

Took over caribou thank god and Winnetka finally has really good coffee. Decent place to hang out for a sit down as well.

What a great event! Peet’s really nailed it. Tiffany the manager has a great crew there. They were so friendly and informative. They had set up a costume and picture taking corner, set up a brewed coffee table with different types of brewing methods, set out bites of sandwiches and salads to sample, and taught us how to make our own lattes! yes I MADE MY OWN LATTE! Such fun!
At each offering, they had someone explain what they do, why they do it, and why Peet’s is a dynamite place for coffee-​and…
Hubby and I had a fun time, and Peet’s even gave us all a pound of coffee and a top notch metal coffee travel mug to boot.
I must admit, I am a Starbucks gal (I have one less than half mile from my house), but when I am in Winnetka or Evanston, I will give Peet’s a whirl.

One of my favorite events so far! Very tasty drinks, and I learned a lot, got to pour my own little design in my cappuccino, tried some interesting new bevs, and met some interesting people. Peets really rolled out the red carpet, and everything went very smoothly. Thanks to Peets and Angela!

What a 5 star event, thanx again, Angela! The whole team at Peet’s was a delight to meet and greet. Tiffany, the store manager, really took the time to show me around and taught me the finer points of the caffeinated beverages. Stephanie, the assistant store manager, was just as cheerful in showing me Peet’s. Tyrone taught me how a real cappuccino should be made including the points about temperature regulation, pressing of the grind and introducing me to the «Ferrari» of espresso machines. It was equally impressive to see the district manager was present at the event.
We all ended the evening with a fun photo shoot with hilarious garb to don on our heads and I think the best part was there was no raffle for the «big» prize, but everyone took home a great prize… a full pound of Peet’s coffee beans, a beautiful goldenrod travel mug and of course some goodies from Unilocal!
Thanx Angela for being the perfect hostess again.

I sit here writing a review at 9 pm and totally hopped up on caffeine but with not one regret.
This was a great event at a great location with amazing food and even better drinks! Walking in I was immediately greeted by a staff member with a tray of lemon poppy seed bread and zucchini bread. If that is not a warm welcome I don’t know what is.
I learned how to use a French press and the Chemex coffee maker, and while I don’t drink coffee on a regular basis, I got some good tips on brewing coffee and tea. Also got a lesson in making a dirty chai tea latte (chai with espresso) and tried my hand at steaming and pouring milk!
The food and baked goods were absolutely delish from the sandwiches to the salads and the desserts. The ham sandwich was especially good. Everything was fresh and yummy.
Lastly the staff! An absolute joy, they are definitely passionate about their trade and I loved learning about Peet’s history and the coffee itself. They are extemely friendly and they know their stuff.
Shout out/​Thanks to Angela for another fun and fabulous event! Oh and how could I forget the «photo booth» and the swag! So much fun and so generous!

This was my 2^nd Unilocal Elite event, and it did not disappoint! As soon as I walked in, I was warmly greeted by Stephanie, the store’s assistant manager; I saw a few familiar Unilocal faces, and I made a few new friends too!
The demonstrations were interesting, the store has a cute look and cozy feel, and the samples of various drinks, sandwiches, pastries and other snacks were great! I had coffee, but also fell in love with BOTH «frio» drinks; a refreshing green one (that wasn’t overpowering in mint taste!), and the chocolate almond one where I could actually taste the coffee. These were much better than similar Frappuccino I’ve had, and I can see ordering them during the Spring and summer months when I appreciate a cold, delicious drink!
The staff that I interacted with were all lovely and pleasant, and as always, Angela made me feel welcome and comfortable.
We ended the night with a fun photo shoot! And while I love the pens, mints, and luggage tags, I can’t wait to look in my gift bag! Signing off from a true coffee lover, and definitely a fan of Peet’s! Thanks again, Angela!

I never knew how decadent coffee could taste! I am so used to the usual chain coffee places (which serve their purpose) but I never tasted really rich coffee until I tasted the decaf blend that was freshly pressed. The aroma was amazing and I definitely will return for more!
What I love about Peets are their frozen «frio» drinks! Similar to the coffee, they are robustly rich in flavor and frothiness. This wasn’t the usual saccharine libation that I am used to getting at popular chain coffee places. My favorite is the green matcha frio (frozen green tea drink) — I loved it so much I had 4 samples!
Tiffany, the manager– did a fantastic job of telling us about the different coffees and others foods that Peets has to offer! The sandwiches are freshly shipped in daily and they seriously did not taste like coffeehouse food! On top of that, every employee went above and beyond to help and were so friendly and happy– which is a true testament of the company!
Angela– thank you so much for introducing me to this great location! I had a phenomenal time and thank you for the goodies! I will definitely return and bring my friends!
Free 90 minute parking!