3403 Lyndale Avenue South Minneapolis MN

Two of the most lasting memories to my taste buds from a recent Minneapolis visit come from the cute, comfy cafe, Crema.

The namesake beverage, crema, was stunningly delicious both in hot and cold form – think of the creamiest coffee ever and add a perfect sweetness.

And if that’s not enough endulgence, you simply can’t leave this place without a scoop of Sonny’s small batch homemade ice creams (yes, even if it means you’ll be having ice cream after brunch).

I went for it and sampled their wildest flavor – pesto – and found it remarkably refreshing and nice in that the herbal taste balanced out the sweet. So yummy I got a big scoop of it.

The backyard is romantic, the staff ultra friendly, and oh yeah, the food here is tasty too.

See more: Desserts,Drinks,Restaurants American Coffee Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt

Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on August 26, 2011

105 Franklin St, Greenpoint, Brooklyn

In this day in age, in this neighborhood, you can’t turn a corner without running into a good cup of (usually) Intelligentsia coffee. (You can still get a really bad cup, but the place is so tiny, cute and friendly, I’ll just leave it unnamed, but it’s bright green FYI).

So, as a late comer to the good coffee party, Veronica People’s Club is probably most exciting to those who live closest to it.

While I wholeheartedly welcome it to the neighborhood, it only garners major enthusiasm from me for two reasons:

1. the Ovenly baked goods. A small but dizzying display of goodies great you with tiny hand written placards reading such intriguing words as “blue cheese, pistachio, cinnamon, fig…”

As it was morning time, I went without the chocolate chip cookies and chose the equally delectable but slated for breakfast treat of a fig and thyme scone. yum.

2. During the day the place is empty, as in I startled the sole employee when I walked in, empty.

If you’ve ever been to Cafe Grumpy at the height of I-am-writing-my-first-novel-but-actually-just-checking-facebook-over-and-over hour or are smacked in the face with the reality that you are far from being the only unemployed person who thought they could just waltz into Five Leaves, you know how appealing a quiet, easy going spot with a decent i-pod selection playing can be.

Now I just need to find people who are either willing to trek to my area or want to quit their jobs to hang out over a long, scone filled coffee break with me and Van…

While I am writing up the coffee bar, I am lead to believe that VPC, opened by the people from Heather’s (the bar, not the movie, though the movie inspired both bar names) functions primarily as a bar bar.

And by light of day, I can see how it could be a nice place to drink. Just the right amount of nonchalance in the decor and a sign listing house cocktails let me know it’s heart is in the right place.

While I am not able to bar hop at the moment with little one in tow, you might want to check it out. Or maybe I’ll head back on the early side (unlike many places, they start serving around 3 on weekdays, 1 on weekends) some day soon for an afternoon beer before the hip young things who (understandably) don’t want to be drinking with a baby in the room invade.

See more: Drinks Baked Goods Bars Coffee Greenpoint

2 Comments →
Posted on February 17, 2011

1110 Manhattan Ave, Greenpoint Brooklyn

Greenpoint boasts plenty of good places to grab some coffee (with Grumpy and Five Leaves, one might even say it’s the best neighborhood to grab some coffee), but another spot that’s as relaxed and lovely as Milk and Roses is always welcome. Located in the upper Acapulco regions of the neighborhood, it stands apart with it’s impressive and unique food menu that includes my obvious pick – an anchovy and cheese sandwich. Breakfast staples and desserts are also available. Coming from the manager of the yummy Cacio e Pepe, I shouldn’t be surprised that the food is great (coffee’s very nice too).

A wall of colorful hardbound books, a piano, and dark aged wood floors make for an elegant atmosphere supported by an easy sound track of jazz which makes lounging with a book quite pleasant. There’s a nice backyard while the good weather lasts. For all you winos, most importantly, it will soon also be a wine bar (license pending).

Click here for the rest of Milk and Roses

See more: Drinks Coffee Greenpoint Wine/Champagne

Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on September 12, 2010

18 Bedford Avenue, Greenpoint, Brooklyn

I officially vote for Five Leaves coffee, which you can enjoy in the ever popular hot spot over the neighborhood’s best chicken sandwich, or at the moderately speedy to go window, as the best in Brooklyn. They get their espresso from Intelligentsia, (but use to purchase from a Seattle company, whose name I can’t currently recall, but was equally great – I ordered a pound of their beans for my dad for his birthday a couple years back).

You can expect a strong brew that is smooth rather than bitter and one of the best perks of Greenpoint mornings.

See more: Drinks Coffee Greenpoint

Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on May 2, 2010

1636 Silver Lake Boulevard, Los Angeles

Tasty lattes live inside LaMill, the most beautiful of Silver Lake cafes. Featuring calming French toile murals and golden chandeliers, its a perfect and popular spot to relax with some caffeine and friends. The menu is almost pretentiously long and complex, which is great if you’re a coffee snob who prefers to choose your extraction method and from a massive list of beans, but you can also order simply.

Don’t pass up the donut holes that come warm and sprinkled with powdered sugar.

Click here for the rest of LaMill Coffee

See more: Drinks Cafes Coffee Los Angeles

Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on March 14, 2010