Bestie Trip NYC - Day 3

My family lived in Connecticut for most of my childhood, one of three Chinese families in an America’s-heartland type of town. There were grocery stores aplenty, but none sold produce any of us wanted to cook so we would take a 2-hour trek to Chinatown every other weekend for our food. My core memories of Chinatown are composed of fish fumes and bags spilling over with bushels of bok choy, jade-green Chinese broccoli, and brown nuggets of lotus root and taro. 

Chinatown has cleaned up quite a bit since the days of fish-stench streets, but I am relieved to see that the demographic has no dearth of aunties dancing in the park. 

The Mandarin - New York, NY

We just miss the last walk-in table at the Golden Diner as we arrive at 9:15 AM and hungrily eye the fully seated counter and tables of those who came mere minutes before. It'll be at least half an hour, says the understandably apathetic hostess, as we look around for a place to wait. 

The Mandarin two doors down serves as a mini-retreat of sorts, with not so many marble tables and comfy, velvety booths. The barista makes a mean brew, including this top-notch Guava Matcha with a beautifully fruity flavor that infuses without interfering. There's a Salted Miso Caramel Latte calling my name, and it's exactly what I'm craving. Superbly balanced between salt and sweet and actually coffee, it pairs perfectly with just about anything you could eat. 

Our visit is cut short as our counter seats open within minutes, and we scurry down the street with our new plastic cups to go. The Mandarin remains memorable and remarkable despite the mere minutes we spent sitting, and despite having so little time to soak it up, I can still see it as clearly as I feel the need to go back. 

Offset Coffee - El Segundo

A new branch of the South Bay's best coffee, five minutes from my house. 

My habit is about to get a lot more expensive, as we savor a hot cup of drip and enjoy an iced Matcha Latte. 

The drinks are fantastic, and it's cool to snack but you're not here for the food. They have some pretty good pastries from an outside bakery, and classics like the ABJ are nice to nibble on, but nothing you can't make at home for a fraction of the cost.

They've got a lot of growing pains right now as they face the mad rush of eager patrons, but your order will arrive if you're willing to wait. They don't have a lot of tables so it's best to take your order to go, but whatever you feel like doing, just head over and enjoy the joe. 

Il Valentino - Dublin, Ireland

It's our first real coffee shop of the trip, and we get our first real cup of crafted coffee. 

The cappuccino sips well with a caramel-filled Cruffin and a perfect chewy Croissant

The Pear Danish is also pretty. Crusty and not too sweet. 

Breakfast fuels us for a long day of walking, and we're off to greener pastures feeling both satisfied and energized.

Tierra Mia Coffee - Los Angeles

Nice little coffee shop to beat the heat while waiting for Moo's to open. 

A blended Mexican Chocolate Frappe has a great cacao flavor without too much sugar, and a Dulce de Leche Latte is my cool-off drink of choice. This one is very sweet, but reasonably so considering what it is.

Nice little coffee shop, looks a bit commercial, like the inside of your typical Peet's. Not for snobs looking for craft coffee, but definitely does its job if you're just looking for a shorter sit.

Groundwork Coffee - Santa Monica

It’s a tiny corridor for a quick pick-up of a nice cup of pick-me-up. Not for sitting or socializing, but ideal for caffeinating while strolling the lovely streets of Santa Monica. 

I paid a premium for The Beehive, which I can’t say I much liked. I’m told the matcha is really good, but I couldn’t taste it much. The drink overall was very smooth, likely due to it being mostly almond milk.

I do love that they use their meager wall space to feature local artists whose works are for sale at easily affordable prices, and I am so amused by their use of this space. I’ll just go for a more basic coffee if I stumble upon them again and hopefully the experience will be better. 

Go Get Em Tiger - Los Angeles

To kill time before the Biancos come to life, there a couple of coffee shops at The Row. 

Cheesy name aside, they brew a lovely Cappuccino and there's ample seating at the counter and various tables, inside and out. 

Their own recipes are realized at Cadoro Bakery, and I just might go corporate spy to steal the one for this salted chocolate chip cookie. Thin, chewy but cooked, chocolate not too sweet, offset by a sprinkle of salt. 

I never used to consider coffee shops for anything other than work, but places like this have popped up more and more in my mind as well as in my landscape. I love my morning cup of coffee, and places like this only make me love it more. 

The Dez - Joshua Tree, CA

Family vacays are rare these days, and I can't say this one went well. 

But at least the breakfasts were bearable, thanks to the Sausage Rolls from The Dez. A few microwaved minutes will fluff up the pastry, and the chicken sausage will sizzle as the casing gets an extra snap. 

A Cheese Danish and an Almond Croissant ship from Palm Springs, and they're nice sweets that are not too sweet. 

Coffee and breakfast are what they do best, but leave dinner to someone else. The sandwiches are a misery - that Chickpea Wrap tastes like an unsalted hummus but has the texture of a mashed egg salad, and the lunch-meat sandwich was nothing good. Almost all the wraps and sandwiches have mayo so purchase a picnic with caution if you're saving them for the park. 

Stop by for a morning start but go elsewhere the rest of the day. The people are friendly and the place is cute so stop by for a sausage roll but there's nothing else here you need. 

Oregon Trip - Day 11 - Barista - Portland, OR

A cute coffee shop on Alberta, one of several in this local chain. 

An iced coffee with ube salted cream calls my name. The cream is mustache-making thick and cushions the coffee that filters through.

Shrub, a drinking vinegar, carbonates an iced coffee, cutting out the bitterness and creating a smoother soft drink. 

Pastries from a nearby bakery include a still-chewy Black Sesame Mochi Donut, a fluffy Croissant, and a crumbly Marionberry scone. Great little snacks to grab before or during your Alberta art adventure.

Oregon Trip - Day 7 - Proud Mary Coffee - Portland, OR

One look into this coffee shop, and I can only conclude that I’m not cool enough for this city. 10 am on a Monday morning and they’re already packed to the gills.

It’s busy without being crowded, a relaxed ambiance overall. Service is swift despite our Pourovers taking a while to come out. Mine is the Geisha, a gorgeous Honduran mild roast, fruity and floral, and the card describing the source is a nice touch.  

We had no complaints, but they sent us some muffins for the coffee delay. And these muffins are magical. 

This may be the only Carrot Cake I’ve ever not hated. 

An order of Toast to start things off. It’s our first time trying Vegemite, and it’s the most terribly great thing I’ve ever had. The taste is of tar and salt, what I imagine licking the La Brea Tar Pits would taste like. But there’s something about it that makes you want to eat more. And the toast is great, btw.

It’s more a dessert than a meal, but I can’t resist a Pavlova. This one is a chip-away circle of perfection with a sweet and tangy passion fruit syrup to top.

A side of Hash is possibly the best hash I’ve ever had, with max potato flavor. 

It’s never too early to eat a Katsu Sandwich, and this one is something special. Not graduations but a memorable interpretation. The breading enhances the flavor of a juicy, sweet-meat chicken thigh, and the bread is paper-thin for an ideal protein:carb ratio. It’s not really katsu but it is really delicious. 

Amazing food, familiar yet creative, crafted with care. Beautiful preparation, great presentation. 

Higher Ground Coffee - Shingletown, CA

There’s a cute little coffee shop that sits along the 44 on the way into Lassen. 

Family run by the friendliest folks, they make a selection of sandwiches for breakfast, lunch, or brunch. 

Cool down with a Mexican Chocolate Mocha, rich and cocoa-sweet. 

Bite into a Pesto Parm, fluffy eggs and bacon tucked into a thinner, softer bagel.

My Spicey Bowl is similar, with chunks of fresh jalapeño to spice things up. The pepper is on top so you can control your heat. 

They also make Biscuits and Gravy, and this one is a half-order. Fennel adds a fragrance to what may be the smoothest gravy I’ve had. 

We also leave with a bag of baked goods, a notably flaky Almond Danish and multiple muffins.

Stop by Higher Ground on your way in or out of Lassen. They make the best food in all the towns. 

Ojai Trip Day 4 - Ojai Olive Oil, Java & Joe

Breakfast is a mishmash of fridge food. Fruits and yogurts, meats and breads. Jam and cheese, and everything else edible before we head out. 

Destination: Olive oil, and bonus balsamics to mix. 

A clever set-up they have, with labeled cups in reuseable trays. Unlimited amounts for $10, as many trips as you'd like, and they encourage parties to share so you don't all have to pay. 

The basic oils all taste different, from a mild Provencale to fuller-bodied Tuscan, and a bold Andalucian. Their signature is made with a single variety, a smooth Columella. The infused ones are strong but all amazing, and it's a battle not to buy them all. Eleven balsamics beckon, each bottle with its own expressive taste. The white is too much like vinegar, but the traditional is sweet and perfect, and we bought a bottle of the irresistible espresso. 

It's a beautiful property, but I forgot to take more photos. They have hammock swings hanging from the trees, and a couple of friendly cats that allow the toddlers to pet them. 

It's back to Libbey Park after a naptime fail, and those swings are awaiting. 

But first a caffeine boost from Java & Joe. The Iced Cappuccino is milky bliss, and the Mocha has a chocolate kick. 

A gorgeous tagine awaits us at the house, and dinner is awesome as always. It's our last night in this Ojai oasis, and we reluctantly rest for the pack-fest that is to come. 

Offset Coffee - Torrance

Pre-pandemic, before baby, back when I had time to sit in a coffee shop to study, to stew, or just to get things done without the distractions of home, Offset would have been my jam. I would have spent hours sipping a cuppa coffee, savoring the tranquility, relishing the quiet buzz.

That part of my life is over, but my love for Offset is not. They sell their blends in bags, made for your home grinder so you can bring the magic back. 

But once in a while, we do get a moment to grab something to go. I love my classic Cappuccino, and they know how to make one right. And what's coffee without a sweet, crumbly slab of Coffee Cake?

The menu is overwhelming, but sticking with a simple Drip Coffee will always be a win.. Pair with this fall/winter Galette, a flaky crust-purse full of sweet sliced apple. 

I love Offset. Come for a cup of the best coffee in Torrance! 

Antigua Coffee - San Francisco, CA

I love a good Cappuccino. 

Antigua makes a solid coffee, and though I'm no expert, even I can recognize when it's good. 

If you didn't take a swig of coffee to wash down a bite of Coffee Cake, did you even have coffee? This one is a little less moist than other I've had, but I like it all the same.

Banana Bread. Nutty, dense, not too sweet, no complaints whatsoever. 

Cute little coffee shop, more conducive for grab-n-go. A lovely little walk from where we were staying, and I'd love to walk in again. 

The Trim Tart - Lomita

 

Lomita is full of treasures if you know where to look.

So far I've found a brewery and so many restaurant gems, and now they're brewing coffee as well. 

It's a traditional cuppa Cappuccino so be prepared. It's a concentrated ounce of milk-foam bliss so drink it up but sip it slow. 

There's a creative selection of sweets and savories, like this gorgeous Goat Cheese Puff with crumbs of gooey fig offset by a bitter burnt honey. You can't go wrong with a plain Butter Croissant - take a bite and feel the layers dissolve. 

A better breakfast for sweltering summer is the Tres Leches, a milk-sugar concoction of your wildest iced-coffee dreams.

The Spinach Ricotta Croissant is perfect. Enough spinach to make a point, not too much to belabor it. Ricotta adds a nice cream to the flaky croissant. 

Haven't had enough croissant? Try it in Bread Pudding form. Perfect dessert, so rich you can almost share this personal size. This one is bourbon brown butter, and it's the only one I need to try. 

No better way to start my day than at Lomita's best-kept secret. Just make sure it stays a secret or they're sure to be swamped. 

Blue Butterfly Coffee Company - El Segundo

Most coffee shops are small and intimate, but sometimes those little tables are so close together you can hear your neighbors chew.

You won't feel claustrophobic at this location. The warehouse setting boasts roomy ceilings and a few small, spread-out tables and a couple of soft sink-in couches allow you to sip your Cappuccino and socialize, work, blog, whatever you wish, without feeling crowded. This cappuccino is exquisite, and you'll get your espresso fix for sure. 

The Gunpowder Green Tea is strong, the flavor robust. It might be more caffeinated than half their espresso options if you let it steep long enough. The way they roll the tea makes the flavors explosive, but make sure you have a high tolerance for caffeine or you'll be up for days. 

The Lavender Matcha Latte is a creamy, gentler choice. They whisk the matcha with bamboo and make it the proper way. Lavender adds some fragrance, like a foamy hot chocolate without all the sugar. 

Coffee or tea and cupcakes are the best combo. Neighbor to Smoky Hollow Baking Co, Blue Butterfly gives this El Segundo nook an irresistible draw. Hang out for a minute or bring a laptop just to get out of the house. It’s one of the better places to sit in El Segundo. 

Lorenzo Marx Coffee Bar - Muizenburg, South Africa

Being crazy cat people can take its toll, and I suspect this cafe exists to provide a break between pets. 

They make a legit Latte, a perfectly balanced blend.

There's a simple Workers Breakfast of fluffy scrambled eggs and toast to tide you over if you're looking a light but filling meal. 

Their house made Chicken and Mushroom Pie is the best comfort food. The crust is soft and flaky, opening into a creamy, stew-thick center of tender chicken and juicy mushroom. 

It's very rare for me to find a cafe where I can feel equally satisfied by both the drink and the food. Usually one is stronger and often the other is lacking. Lorenzo Marx is already the third South African cafe I've found where I'm in love with both!