Caffeine Headache... What? Day 2

Ok, sorry for the delay on this post. Let's take a look into day two of no caffeine. It was no easier than day one, in fact, it was more difficult. It was made even more difficult (starting the night before) by the fact that I showed up at a friend's house, feeling foggy and tired, only to have her offer me an espresso martini. A little spark in my brain lit up... Does in count if the caffeine is in the form of a cocktail? I silenced that part of me and politely denied, in place of a cosmo. Ok, battle won! Once the alcohol was in my system, the caffeine didn't matter anymore. Once LOTS of alcohol was in my system, I knew day two was not going to be fun... Here is the recap of the day:

"January 30 - So I went over to my friend's last night and drank a bunch of wine and watched Chocolat. Great movie, I had never seen it. I didn’t get home until about 2am and went straight to bed. Well this morning I woke up and felt annoyed. I was wondering why I ‘had’ to remove caffeine from my diet and what the big deal was with it, and why I even felt the need to do the Clean program. I was thinking that I am relatively healthy, eat well, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Really just mad about the whole program. I finally got up and all I wanted was food - not from a hangover, but more preemptive because I know in a couple of days I will be fully into the Clean program. I have a headache, but it could also be caused from the wine last night - I can’t have caffeine or over-the-counter medicine to make it go away. I don’t know what to do with myself today. I have a few things that I should do but I can’t figure out what I want to do. This program promises lots of energy, and I hope I benefit from it. I could do stuff today - laundry, clean the shower, put up new curtains, but I really don’t want to. We’ll see, maybe after I shower I will feel better.. I better go do that now!"

To finish the day for you.. yes I did shower, and no, I didn't really do anything productive. I did some laundry, and cooked food, but otherwise hung out around the house thinking fondly of caffeine.

Caffeine Headache... What?

I knew this day would come, I just didn't expect it to arrive so soon - the day I decide to take a break from caffeine and see what my body thinks. See, I've recently started a cleanse, Clean, and the top two no-nos are caffeine and alcohol... along with dairy, wheat, gluten, packaged foods, and most anything else that was in my normal diet. I am on my 8th day and have been journaling each day. I cut caffeine out a couple days prior to the start of the cleanse and was recently reading my journals from that day. I thought "this is good stuff," and decided to share it on Traveling for Coffee. I'd like to take the next few days to share my first few days of being caffeine and coffee free. Read on...

"January 29 - Today was the first day I cut caffeine out of my diet. Well, I had one cup of green tea, but that hardly counts. It is crazy the small effects that no coffee has on me. Naturally, I had a dull headache, my entire head felt heavy and my jaw hurt. As the day went on, I just felt sleepy and wanted to go back to sleep. I also felt annoyed and tired out from doing normal things. I was trying to explain something to my mom but it felt too difficult to explain (too taxing on my brain) so I just said ‘never mind.’ I had to grocery shop and that took forever. I couldn’t quite focus. I ended up buying chicken soup because I felt like I was under the weather, and needed to curl up with soup and watch a movie. I had to keep reminding myself that I was not sick, these were merely the effects of my body being deprived of caffeine. Dang it was crazy! I did notice, however, that having a beer removed the effects of the caffeine... until the beer wore off, then it was worse all around! Glad I cut out caffeine before the actual start date of my cleanse, otherwise it would be twice as hard! We'll see what tomorrow brings."

So there you have it, my first day sans coffee in quite some time. I mean I've gone until mid-day without coffee, but I honestly cannot remember the last time I went a day or more without it. That is unbelievable! I mean, after the first few days, I can see why. My life has always had a coffee focus. Now I sit here in my kitchen looking at my unused espresso machine and empty coffee pot. I'll go to work and say "no thanks" when my co-workers tell me they are headed to the coffee shop, and do I want anything. This is certainly a money saver. I was up to hitting Windy Saddle twice (or three times) a week and Cafe 13 once a week - that was in addition to buying almost a pound of coffee each week. Tune in for the next few days to hear about my caffeine-free adventures!

Coffee-Love

Two days ago, I headed over to my local Golden coffee shop, Windy Saddle, with two of my co-workers for a cup 'o joe. Per usual, when the barista poured my coffee into my cup, a bunch of bubbles formed at the top. So, as always, when I go to put cream in my coffee I have to blow the bubbles to the side to see if I had reached the correct level of creaminess. Well, after I found my perfect creaminess, I was about to put the lid on my coffee only to discover a perfect little heart that had formed!

I of course was ecstatic and immediately took a picture to send to people. I know in espresso drinks, making a heart is common, but you rarely hear about it in a regular cup of coffee. Yay!

Coffee Lover = Coffee Maker?

As a coffee enthusiast, coffee-shop goer, barista be-friender, and coffee blog reader/writer, I would have expected the transition from lover to maker would be a simple one. You're thinking "what? she's never made coffee?" Well, that's not true, but my coffee-making has been pretty limited to The French Press [cue dark movie-trailer voice]. That being said, I don't even have a "perfect recipe" for a drip coffee maker. This is one thing I am working on. My boyfriend just grinds some beans and dumps them into the reusable coffee filter until it is looks like "the right amount of grinds." Hmm. well I don't know what this mysterious "right amount" looks like. Crap.

The other morning I decided to make my own pot of coffee. This little adventure lead to me cross-referencing multiple blogs/forums on "coffee to water ratio," watching a video, and brewing a pot that I felt was far too weak. Blast! Nevertheless, I drank the coffee with a new determination for the next pot... which was two days later. I essentially went through the same process as before. But this time I was armed with a fancy (expensive) "XXX Espresso Roast" from a local roaster, The Coffee Syndicate, in Boulder, and a stronger coffee to water ratio.

I measured the ounces of water that went into my drip maker - please note, that depending on your coffee maker, "4 cups" can be anywhere from 16 to 20 ounces of water. For my coffee maker, it's about 18 ounces. From there I measured out my scoops of freshly ground beans - my scoop is probably a little more than a tablespoon. Now for the ratio: typically you do 1-2 scoops per 6 ounces of water, again this is all relative to your scoop size and your ounces of water. I went full force, and did 2 scoops per 6 ounces, leaving me with 6 scoops of a dark roast, plus a bit extra for good measure. I turned on the machine and waited...

Here is the equipment I used to create a great cup of coffee

This time around, I was quite happy with the brew. Although, if I didn't have such a strong roast, I expect I would want an extra scoop to make up for a milder bean. And this is just for "4 cups." I think I would be quite stressed if I were forced to make 6, 10, or 12 cups! I'm going to have to write down my ratios and have John do some math (he is an engineer after all...) to find out how this ratio would work for larger batches of coffee. Once I nail it down, I'll post the "golden ratio." yea ok..

Stay tuned, part two of "Coffee Lover = Coffee Maker?" will be about my new espresso machine, and my attempts of becoming my own barista!

Neat Coffee Websites

I was browsing Smashing Magazine today - a great site, by the way, for design inspiration and articles - and stumbled upon this great review of well-designed coffee websites! There is nothing better than knowing that your favorite coffee shop is not only recognized for great coffee, but also for great website design! So if you are in need on some inspiration, or just want to check out the sites, visit this link!

http://bit.ly/9kvxn0

Noa Noa Espresso and News, Golden CO

...And I thought I'd been to all the coffee shops in Golden! This little gem was hiding amongst some other delicious places in a generic-looking mini mall. I read about this place online while reading reviews of another coffee shop. As an avid coffee-shop goer, I was horrified to find that this place was sitting in Golden and I was completely oblivious to it! That sunday, I dragged John out in the morning so we could check the place out.

This is yet another reason why not to judge a place solely on its exterior. Lowe and behold, it's quite cute! Noa Noa teeters between a cozy coffee shop (with big leather couches in the back next to full size windows) and a generic coffee shop (mostly the tables and chairs could be homier). There is plenty of space to sit inside and outside, and they don't judge you for just hanging out for a while. The wifi is free, so it makes an ideal place to camp out and get some work done.

What pulls it away from a "generic" place is the coffee and employees. The actual coffee bar is great, and it seems like all of the employees are perfect for the "barista" job description. They are hip, talkative, make awesome coffee, and care about local and organic stuff! They get their coffee from a roaster right in boulder, offer Colorado-based Udi's sandwiches and wraps, as well as breakfast burritos made from a local company. Each time you go there, you feel good because you are getting high-quality items and supporting the local community. Oh, and they also have a cute cereal center! They have a variety of cereals that you can pull a lever and put in your bowl with milk! I think that is a fun breakfast option.

Alright, let's talk about the coffee. Are you ready to hear about how the coffee is made?? Wait for it, wait for it... OK, it's POUROVER! You read right, when you order a standard cup o' jo, you get a pourover. With this method, you first get to choose your bean (about 6 options ranging from light to dark), then they grind it, stick a cup under a cone, and pour hot water to make your cup! I've always preferred this method, but usually you have to pay more (why, I have no idea). I like this for a few reasons:

1. You get the freshest coffee possible. The beans are ground when you choose them, the water pours, and you grab your cup immediately.
2. There is no waste. Instead of making a large pot and letting it sit and warmed artificially then tossing the un-consumed extra, you make one cup at a time. Companies like Starbucks toss the coffee after 30 minutes, regardless of how much is left, so they can bring you the "freshest brew possible." Well thanks Starbucks, but your coffee never tastes fresh, and that is SUCH a waste!
3. You have a choice. Choice you say? Why yes! No longer do you have do choose "bold" or "pike place" ugh, I hate that (and I really hate pike place, sorry San Fran). What happens if you like a mild roast but don't like pike place? Well you are SOL. Anyway, the baristas know a lot about each of the bean selections, and can guide you to the best bean for you, and you get to decide!

Brewing my cup of Sumatra! Yummy!

I do understand that a high-traffic coffee-shop cannot possibly do a pour-over for every customer, but I appreciate the simplicity and deliciousness of it when available.

Noa Noa is definitely worth a visit if you are in the Golden area. I will certainly continue to hang out there on the weekends, drink my coffee and enjoy a book!

Flying Saucers Caffeine and Art, Santa Monica CA

Drive up to this cute coffee shop on Pico Blvd in Santa Monica, and you will instantly want to go in. The unassuming front of the shop is brick (love), and there is parking in the back. Flying Saucers is pretty serious about their coffee and food. With homemade bagels, clear glass coffee mugs and free wifi, you are destined to leave happy.

This coffee shop was our first stop for our free-day friday. We walked in and it was a bit odd. Silence filled the place, and I felt a bit awkward. However, I was completely in love with the atmosphere - the little clear tables and futuristic chairs, the giant brick wall and funky lighting, and the delicious pastry selection with giant dome covers. The floor was giant slabs of concrete which gave the whole place an industrial feel; but paired with a cozy couch and some music, the atmosphere softened. The front door and entire front wall was floor to celling glass, allowing for lots of light.

I ordered a straight up cup of coffee with a sesame bagel. When asked if I wanted milk, I asked for 1/2 & 1/2, thinking it was odd that they didn't have it sitting on the counter. I was pleasantly surprised, however, when my giant clear mug of coffee came out with a mini pitcher of steamed cream. Now that is a nice touch that I could get used to. The bagel came perfectly toasted with the cream cheese already applied - no skimping here! Marielle and I sat here for some time sipping and eating. The coffee was very strong (sooo good), and once the music came on, we felt that we could sit and chat for hours. There was plenty of artwork on the walls to look at and purchase.

After our coffee adventure, it was time to hit the beach. It was a beautiful day to walk around the beach and just hang out. I collected some shells, and some ladybugs! These guys were way to close to the water, so I saved them.

After I set the ladybugs free, the beach repaid my good deed by allowing me to step in a glob of tar... twice! Then I got so distracted trying to rub my feet clean, and having Marielle try to scape it off with my shells, that I lost my shoes. I had to go hunting for them, and got them before the ocean could steal them! This was all very stressful, so we headed for the swings. After laughing the stress away, I decided to drink it away as well. Thankfully, Santa Monica has a Cabo Cantina with 2 for 1 margaritas! The day started off and ended on an excellent note, and I can't wait to go back.

15 Things Worth Knowing about Coffee

This link in courtesy of my friend Marielle. It comes from a site called The Oatmeal, which I quite enjoy! So, take a look, and remember the facts! There will be a quiz later.. actually not.

Le Pain Quotidien, Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica

I was headed to Santa Monica today to meet a friend. Obviously, I planned to get coffee with her, and immediately googled "Coffee Shops in Santa Monica." Ha, have you tried this? There are so many and all so close together - spanning from serious espresso shops to organic cafes, the options are nearly limitless. So, instead of fretting over which place was best, I did what I usually do - walked around until I found something that looks good. I walked down Santa Monica Blvd to 3rd street and stumbled upon 316 Santa Monica Blvd - Le Pain Quotidien.

Now, don't feel bad if you can't pronounce it, I couldn't either. Although, I tend to have trouble pronouncing things... so maybe this is easy for you. BUT, in case it isn't, and you want to sound smart next time you talk about it with a friend, so here is the break-down:

So there you have it. Now you can suggest going to luh paN koh-ti-dyaN to your friends (it's Belgian) - they may think you are a weirdo, but I'll know you are cool. The thing is, this place is in 6 different states, and has international locations! It is actually more of a cafe than a coffee shop, open from 8am to 7pm every day, and offering beer and wine (score!). The whole philosophy revolves around organic, homemade items with whole, local foods.

This place also has a "community table" concept with one large table in the center of the room - made from reclaimed wood. I think the first place I ever went with a community table was with my brother in Portland, OR. I tried to find it via Google, and suspect it is a place called Le Bistro Montage. It was packed and everyone sat next to each other, regardless of who came with whom. It was an exciting experience. Anyway, Le Pain has one, and all of the furniture and shelving is made of reclaimed wood which looks beautiful in the Santa Monica space.

After taking a seat, I had to decide what to order. It was a lovely day, so I chose to order an iced americano and a yummy mini sponge cake, called a madeleine cake. Most of the items that served here are made in-house, and can be purchased at the shop! I actually bought some cold-pressed olive oil!

At the end of the day, Le Pain Quotidien is just a great place to go to meet friends for a good meal. There is no free wifi, so it's more of a place to go to socialize. However, credit cards are accepted, and there is a nice staff that adds a touch of formality to the service. This would be a wonderful place to go for a bowl of homemade soup, fresh bread, and a hot mocha on a rainy beach day. Ohh, I'm getting excited just imagining the scenario! I'll leave you with a cute shot of the specials chalkboard, brick wall, and box shelving. Enjoy!

M Street Coffee & Gallery, Sherman Oaks

Mmmmmm, M Street Coffee. This place is in Sherman Oaks, also known as the Valley. Right off of Ventura and Moorpark. Looking around this area, you wouldn't think the coffee shop would be so adorable. I walked in to see clean lines, a lot of sitting space, and bright colors on the walls. It truly is a beautiful space. The beauty is even more striking seeing that it doubles as an art gallery for local artists. So here you have an adorable local coffee shop with local art - what more could you ask for?

How about some coffee! The coffee I had was delicious, organic, and fresh. They use vapor-distilled water which helps the pure coffee flavor stand out amongst LA's awful water. I only had a regular cup 'o jo but when I go back, I'll have to explore the latte. M Street has a wide variety of baked goods that all look yummy and can all be purchased with a credit card (thank goodness!). My guess is to get there early so you can have your pick of yumminess. You should also get there early to secure yourself a seat by one of the large windows or in a comfy chair. There is a lot of space here, but with free wifi and few other coffee shops around (besides starbucks), this place is always happening.

I went there to meet a friend for coffee, and I found it odd that there was no music playing. Perhaps it was because of the Saturday morning hustle, but I didn't like it. We were having a long conversation and were seated near the middle of the room. At some points other people were talking and everything was fine, then it would suddenly be very quite and we felt like we needed to whisper. That said, I think the whole situation could easily be solved with some nice coffee shop music. Really, anything from Miles Davis, to Bob Marley, to the Killers would be fine. Regardless, if you are stuck in the Sherman Oaks area, this place is definitely worth hitting up. Even if you are just grabbing a coffee for the road, you won't be disappointed with M Street Cafe. See you there!

Groundwork Coffee

On one of my very first mornings in my new apartment in Los Angeles, it was cloudy and rainy. Great start, eh? The good thing was, however, that it was a perfect day to visit a coffee shop. I did some searching and found one very near that looked great. I grabbed one of my new roommates and fellow coffee enthusiast, Corinne, and headed out of the Hills and into Hollywood to Groundwork Coffee. Despite a few driving mishaps and a lot of confusion, this place was very close and easy to get to. Parking wasn't too bad either, it is on the corner of Cahuenga and Sunset Blvd with lots of side street parking and metered parking nearby. So we grabbed a spot. One thing I learned about LA (and probably most cities, I had just never come across this before), is that if the meter says "FAIL" you can still park there and you don't have to pay! Technically you are only supposed to be there 1 hour, but it's still pretty exciting.

OK, so we parked and headed in. This place is so cute with great signage and a wide selection of coffee. While they do offer pour-over, you don't need it because you get a cup and can choose from 6-8 different brews. They also have delicious oatmeal and granola as well as vegan selections; Corinne got a tofu-blueberry-banana muffin! They have free wifi and plenty of space to sit. There is a giant table in the back with to long benches on either side for community sitting and sharing (remember that?). Corinne and I sat at the bar facing Cahuenga and were entertained by a semi-crazy man dancing and swinging his arms on the street.

The coffee is organic, fair trade, kosher, sustainable etc. The website boasts that Groundwork was "one of the first certified organic coffee roasters in Southern California" and started in 1950! Impressive stuff. I started my tasting adventure (without realizing) by tasting (and loving) one of the most popular brews, Black Gold. According to the website, this blend is "supersweet, medium body, with a soft finish." It truly was a perfect and satisfying blend, and I left with 1/2 pound. Oh, this is fun, they have 1/2 lb, 1 lb, and 2 lb bags that you can scoop your beans into. The 1/2 pound is perfect for me for my french press each week (and it is only about $4.50). May I add that the prices are incredibly reasonable, you can get a bagel with cream cheese for $1.50. This ain't Philadelphia cream cheese either; they make a variety of flavors there including scallion and chive and Lox!

Since that first day, I have been to Groundwork 3 more times (according to my Foursquare app). Each time, I have seen familiar faces, and I hope to get to know some of the people who work there. Lucky for me, I can continue to go because it is barely a block away from my work! It was fate. Perhaps I decided where to work, subconsciously, based on my love for this coffee shop. Anyway, I feel that Groundwork may be my new Cafe Fixe (not that I can really compare the two). Rather, it will be my new regular coffee shop in between exploring and tasting my way through Los Angeles.

Stay tuned, Saturday I am trying out a new place in Sherman Oaks called M Street Coffee and Gallery. Looks fabulous, will report back soon. Until then, please check out Groundwork!

Californiacaffeination

Alas, I am here in the city of angels, Los Angeles. I have an internship on Sunset Blvd, and a 90's real estate agent style gold Acura and a nice apartment in "The Valley" (a-hem, I mean "North Hollywood"). Life is grand, or rather, life if grande. If only I could remember what LA looks like when it is sunny. I've come to LA during a week of rain; reportedly the most rain they have had since 2005. Well thank you weather.com. Anyway, the rain will go away, and I will once again feel the desire to leave our fireplace and explore the city.

One thing that stands out about LA is the abundance of coffee shops. Everywhere I turn, I see a coffee shop and think "oh, I should go there," this is only after 1 week here. I am so excited to explore the LA coffee culture. I have tried on a few for size, and think I found my perfect fit. Sit tight, I shall reveal this place to you in my next post.

KooKoo! KooKoo!

Honestly, how can you not like a coffee shop with a name like Kookoo? I just want to go there so I can tell people I am at Kookoo! Ha, I can't stop typing it either. This little gem is in Brookline Village right off the Brookline Village D line T stop. I would warn you, however, that once you enter the village, it's hard to leave - EVERYTHING is as adorable as this coffee shop.

On a rainy monday, I was feeling particularly UNproductive (as I do every monday) and needed some outside stimulation to get me in "work mode." For me, this always means a coffee shop. I didn't feel like going to Cafe Fixe or Athans (mostly because I didn't have any cash), and my cousin had told me about Kookoo. So I left the house and jumped on the T for all of 2 stops.

Immediately I noticed the interior is quite charming, and completely cozy. It is owned by 2 people (Ali and Elie) and serves up Middle Eastern fare alongside delicious Iggy's breads, pastries, Mem tea, and of course coffee. George Howell coffee, to be exact. Oh how I love the Howell! They even have a Kookoo blend! George Howell + Kookoo + Me = heaven.

The best part of the coffee shop is the layout. You walk in and can immediately order at the counter. Then you walk around the corner and there is quite a lot of seating. You can get cozy in a corner, hunker down and get some serious work done. The thing is, you are hidden from the staff so you don't feel like they constantly notice how incredibly long you have been sitting there. The only downfall is that they don't have any wifi. If you are lucky enough to have a cousin with a special "wifi anywhere" stick, then you can borrow that and beat the system. If not, I suggest you bring work that doesn't require the internet - if you can find any. A book always does the trick. ; )

So if you want to try a new coffee shop or take a bread from "Red Line" coffee, hit up the Green D line and get a little Kookoo!

La'Aroma Cafe, 85 Newbury Street Boston

"La'Aroma, La'Aroma! Ooo la la."

That just about explains how I feel every time I walk into this lovely cafe on Newbury Street. With a patio and an adorable lower level bistro La'Aroma exudes a European ambiance.

This is one of the first coffee shops I'd been to with simple syrup for iced coffee. I remember thinking "What a brilliant idea!" and then, "duh!" Simple syrup is one of those perks that, once you've experienced, you can't imagine how you lived without.

In fact, here is a simple recipe for simple syrup:

1 c. water

1 c. sugar

Combine equal parts sugar and water in a pot.

Heat and stir until sugar is dissolved

Store in a cool, dry place

Let your iced coffee drinkers indulge

After sweetening my iced latte with simple syrup, I was pleased not to have awkward granules of sugar ambushing my straw. Please note - this was back in the day when I actually put sugar in my latte. By the way, they actually FROTH the milk for you latte even if its iced! That extra touch really puts the latte over the edge. Come to think of it, I'm not sure I have ever seen a frothed iced latte anywhere else... They also froth their cappuccino. One lovely summer day I was in the mood for an iced vanilla cappuccino & went to a random coffee shop only to be told that they don't "do" iced cappuccino. Well, I never! La'Aroma does it, and they do it damn well!

In addition to great coffee drinks, La'Aroma has panini, insalata, gelato, homemade pastries and quiche! Every item I have tried has been quite delicious. This is a great place to meet "for coffee" because of the wide variety of options. The cute tables are perfect for two and the cafe is big enough so it doesn't get too loud. I should also note that they provide catering.

So the next time you are in need of a coffee break, I suggest really taking a break. Take in the ambiance of La'Aroma cafe and indulge in a European experience. Ooo la la.

Blue Mug in a YouTube Dating Video

Hey All,

First off, sorry I haven't posted in 3 months (gasp!). Actually my last post was when I was living in Colorado this summer. Anyway to kick off the coffee posts again, here is a funny video about a San Diego man trying to get a date with a quirky YouTube Video. The video is courtesy of Greg Verdino. Why amI writing about a Tim Goggin on a coffee blog? Well, if you watch the

video below and pause at 3min 11sec, you will see Blue Mug on glass doors.

Did you see it? Blue Mug is one of the many Coffee Shops that I have not yet reviewed. I absolutely LOVE this place. First off it is in Escondido, California - you couldn't ask for a more beautiful place to have a coffee shop. This place has so many varieties of loose leaf tea and whole bean coffee. The whole bean coffee is an interesting concept. Instead of the traditional "we brew 2 types, bold and regular, and you drink it," Blue Mug lets you choose your coffee. From here they grind it, put it in a drip cup and pour hot water over the grounds. The fresh coffee brews right into you "for here" blue mug or "to go" cup. Brilliant, yes? When I visited The Blue Mug a few years back I had never seen this custom coffee brew. Since then, I have noticed a few places that offer it in addition to the House Brew, Cafe Fixe is one of them. It is a win/win situation really. Instead of brewing giant hot pots of coffee (and throwing them out after 30 minutes...a hem Starbucks...) so the coffee is always "fresh," blue mug only brews exactly what will be consumed. Because of this they can have a wide variety of more expensive and high quality beans without worrying about the waste.

The actual Blue Mugs are a sight of their own. The opaque blue glass mug is big enough to cup in both hands for maximum cozy factor. I actually have one, and absolutely love it. I will be heading to LA this spring, and will be sure to stop at Blue Mug on the way.

Golden Grounds Coffee, Golden CO

So I have been reluctant to visit GGC, it's terrible I know. I was judging strictly by the looks of the building. It is a stand-alone shop across the street from Golden High School off of a round-a-bout. It is also near a bicycle shop and the location just seemed weird altogether. In reality, it is an IDEAL location. It is well designed and modern inside with tile floor, black leather couches and fabulous stools that are the perfect height for the tables (for blogging). Actually these stools are just like the ones at the counter at Cafe Fixe. There is plenty of parking (unlike many of my favorite places) and HELLO it is right across the street from a high school.

As I walked in today there was a chalkboard sign that offered 50% students with ID between 6 & 7am. When I think back to all the mornings I rushed to hit up Crowfoot before school then all the afternoons I spent there, it is clear that high school kids will bring plenty business for this place.

Oh yes, the coffee. GGC brews Coda coffee , a relatively new company based in Denver, CO. I've been to one other coffee shop, Miyo in Castle Pines, that brews Coda. Keep an eye out for Coda because I suspect it will start to turn up more an more in the coming year. It's nice when a coffee shop sells local beans (I just wish more places would sell Novo!).

I don't know how but they have daily specials for $1.95 lattes - the menu has the price for a 12oz at $2.50. I am sipping a 16oz iced 2% vanilla latte and it is quite good. I swore off vanilla lattes for a while because I had a bad streak of super sweet and watery ones... but this one may have cured me! It is subtly sweetened with Da Vinci syrup and just creamy enough without giving me a stomach ache.

So I encourage you all to stop in, use the free-wifi and enjoy the atmosphere. The staff seems very friendly so take time now to become a regular so you can be an original fan of this place when it takes off in the months to come.

Aviano Coffee, 9th & Lincoln, Denver, CO

My best friend just moved into a new place near 9th and Lincoln. So after spending the night there & celebrating her new place, we were both in need of a strong cup of coffee. Using my handy dandy iphone, I looked up coffee shops near her apartment. Of about 5, Aviano Coffee was the closest and had the most supercilious website. I knew I had to check it out. Walking in, I was immediately impressed with the design - very elaborate and grand while still maintaining a homey cozy feel... not sure how they achieved that one.

Anyway, the website boasts about their use of latte art as "a regular part of the coffee experience." So instead of getting a plain cup of coffee, I sprung for a skim latte and bought the coffee for my friend. I told the baristo (who was very nice and kind of a punk/hipster) that I saw on the website about latte art and had to see it for myself. He chuckled & responded "I haven't really tried that yet." OK, I really don't care about latte art, but the website was so adamant about the "experience" that I was taken aback to hear he hadn't done this. Anyway he tried and honestly the latte was delicious and looked like a decent attempt. Side note - we have an espresso machine at my work, and I attempted latte art and couldn't even figure out how to make the froth creamy enough to make art out of it. My latte was "dry" with a stiff foam, and some pretty crappy espresso. - So I was grateful to have such a creamy latte even though the artwork could use improvement.

The coffee was damn good. Intelligenstia Coffee oh how I love you! It is right up there with Novo for me, and that is saying something. My friend had the dark El Diablo roast which, according to the Intelligenstia website has "delicious dark chocolate notes softened by a delicious buttery sweetness and accented with mild floral flavors... [with a] sweet, elegant, and crystal clean finish." Oh yea, couldn't have said it better myself. An amazing dark roast brewed perfectly, no doubt about it.

There is plenty of space to sit in Aviano and you should really come here to sit down and enjoy your drink. They do have wifi and a computer open to public use. They serve pastries and Breggo breakfast calzones (which are absurdly expensive but very well made and tasty). I was there at 8 on saturday morning and the pastry selection was slim so I just had the coffee. Aviano is definitely a coffee shop that you should go to when you need a break. You can sit on one of the modern but comfortable leather couches, take in the mystical local artwork, and listen to the drone of the espresso machine while sipping a supurb drink. Yea... it's that good.

Cafe 13 on 13th and Washington Golden, CO

Cafe 13 is a lovely new coffee shop in Golden. Actually, it is not new but under new ownership, formally the 13th Street Bakery (and they are doing a fabulous job!). Cafe 13 is on 13th street, just off of the beat and path of Washington, making for a more peaceful atmosphere. The cafe has a three room setup with artwork hanging and a variety of seating options. This way, if you want to be in the main cafe area with more noise and action you can, or you could move into one of the quieter rooms to cozy up and read. So the coffee is good, straight from Boulder. But the food is something else! I was in there the other day and wanted a snack with my iced chai so I ordered a cup of portobello soup. Oh My Goodness! The soup was savory and almost addicting with the smooth texture of the mushrooms blissfully floating in the semi-creamy broth. I swear I could eat that soup with every meal. Apparently the genius behind the kitchen is Rick Macpherson who used to be the chef at Ski Trip Lodge just outside of Keystone.

Honestly it is refreshing to see the synergy of gourmet food with gourmet coffee. Too often I go to a coffee shop for a great latte only to be offset by an average sandwich or breakfast item. On the other hand, restaurants often sink to purchasing bulk grounds with a consistently boring flavor. It looks like Cafe 13 has solved this problem. So if you get a chance, stop in for fantastic food to go with your coffee. But you have to get there before 3pm because that is when they close daily.

UPDATE: Cafe Fixe, Washington Square, Brookline MA

Previously I reviewed Cafe Fixe in Brookline and described the owner as "caring more about making good espresso than chatting up his customers." Well, I went there again the day before I left for Colorado and was quite surprised by how friendly and talkative he was (he may not be the owner, but he seems like it... I can verify this next fall). 

I walked into cafe fixe at about 6:30 in the morning and was pleasantly greeted. I was even more excited to find that he was serving Novo drip coffee with a special guest appearance of Novo espresso. I told him how excited I was about the Novo coffee, and we had a nice conversation about coffee. Side note, I probably need to dedicate an entire post to Novo... the company is based in Denver (totally didn't know that until I googled it) and it is probably the best coffee I have had (with George Howell a close second). So there you go, now you can go to Cafe Fixe have a great (and I mean GREAT) cup of coffee or espresso, a great atmosphere, and the company of a pleasant barista!

Dave's Coffee, Charlestown RI

As I was sitting on the porch of my beach cottage in Quonochontaug RI thinking about coffee, I realized that I have neglected to blog about Dave's Coffee. Dave's is one of the few establishments within walking (or running) distance of our lovely cottage, about 3 miles. Dave's has a fantastic setup on a hill surrounded by beautiful landscaping, and connected to an adorable boutique (also owned by Dave's), Galapagos. With free wifi, air conditioning, and a bookstore setup, Dave's is the perfect place to spend the morning before hitting the beach. 

You can take a bag of coffee home and enjoy the deliciousness from your own coffee pot (better yet, your own french press). With blends like Quonnie, East Beach, and Central Beach, you can buy coffee named after your beach or town! If you can't make it all the way to Rhode Island for a taste of Central Beach, you can order it online. Dave's does a great job tapping into the Quonnie culture. The staff is extremely friendly, and in the summer you can always find a happy face in the morning ready to make the perfect latte or to talk coffee with you. 

The coffee shop does not sell sandwiches or lunch items however, fresh baked goods and smoothies are available every day. I should take this time to mention the Monster Muffins which are quite a monstrosity! The flavors change daily depending on the available ingredients and the mood of the barista. But if you are torn between which sweet accompaniment to choose for your coffee, you can't go wrong with monster muffin. I plan to pick one up with a bag of Central Beach blend before I leave today so I can bring the cottage back to Colorado with me. (I should mention that I will be in Colorado for the summer, so you can expect a new state of coffee adventures). 

See you in the West!