Traveling is always better with a cup of coffee©
“Traveling for me doesn’t get any better than walking into a cozy cafe, smelling the intoxicating aroma of coffee, and then tasting that first sip of warm brown gold. A delight for all the senses. So, I want to share with you some of my coffee experiences. From my favorite coffee in Los Angeles to new discoveries in Maine, as well as some of the best customer service that I’ve ever had, every moment is a memory. Great coffee, wonderful people and more deliciousness!”
In the caribbean
On the island of Aruba I kept driving past this cafe as Cate and I embarked on another one of our daily adventures, until finally I stopped by Antesala Cafe in Saveneta. Frederick and his wife had a dream of owning a coffee shop, and their dreams came true.
They positioned the cafe in a perfect spot right off Route 1, “The Road”, as the locals call it. Ripe for locals driving North to get to the other side of the island for work.
They also serve delicious homemade cakes. Look at the Red Velvet and Prune cakes. Don’t they look scrumcious?
True to the words, Strong and Stubborn, I enjoyed her robust flavor in an americano over ice at Baby Beach underneath a tree, which was a perfect choice as the temperature was heated to a mid 80 degree day.
In the east
Miami International Airport near the American Airlines gates has a hidden gym, La Carreta. It serves the best Cuban coffee and pastries. We were minding our own business waiting for our flight when one of Cate’s friends, a flight attendant, saw that we were on Facebook at the airport and made a suggestion to try La Carreta’s coffee, and she also said, “The pastries are to die for and, this is where everyone goes to get the best coffee.”
Being the coffee lover that I am, I mozzied along trying to find this place, and sure enough, I couldn’t miss it with the big gold sign and airport staff, pilots, and flight attendants standing around the little cafe tables beside the pick up counter, as they were getting a quick pick me up to carry them through their day.
As I asked the cashier for a small coffee, he asked me if I wanted American or Cuban coffee. Without hesitation, jumped at the opportunity to taste my first Cuban cup of coffee. It’s the little things such as trying new coffees that excites me. I didn’t try the pastries because I had already eaten, but as you can tell by our reaction, it was strong enough to put hair on our chests and delicious. This small cup is how they serve it, and trust me, that’s all you need. Just like I love coffee, STRONG AND SASSY. The only thing I regret is not buying a bag of coffee for home. Oh well, until the next flight, right?
CHEROKEE, NC
My dad wanted to go to the casino on the Cherokee Native American Reservation in Cherokee, NC. He wanted to pull the slots and I wanted to explore. So, we both won. He got the slots, and I discovered that Cherokee has a little chic to them. Asking the locals was the best and fastest way to get my java fix. Entering Grounded Coffee Shop & Food Factory surprisingly took me back to my Los Angeles days. The decor had a chic LA vibe, a surprising treat. Their menu was loaded with specialty coffees, breakfast and lunch goodies.
I went for a Black Eyed Coffee, which is black coffee and one shot of espresso, and a bacon, egg, and cheese croissant. You get LA decor, delicious food but non-LA prices. Now that’s a great combo!
In the west
The neighborhood cafe in Los Angeles, CA. They serve the best cup of coffee that I’ve ever tasted. It’s strong, full bodied, and you will only need one cup! What I love, and whenever I travel to a new place I’m always looking for, is that they create a fresh cup of coffee for every customer. It’s called SINGLE ORIGIN CUPPING. This cafe has a line leading out the door every morning. Oh, the muffins are to die for!
The hidden gem of the Los Feliz community in Los Angeles, CA. I used to live five minutes from this quaint coffee shop, which it’s nestled in the heart of Griffith Park. Griffith Park is home to many wonderful trails and the beautiful Griffith Park Observatory. Whatever you need after or before your hike, they’ve got it! Except alcohol. The sandwiches are quite tasty, fresh, and light. But, what people come here for is the Stumpton coffee, daily made pastries, scones, and quiche for breakfast. Their is always a line, and it’s worth it!
The coffee is medium bodied, smooth and fresh all the time, not that bitter stale taste that you get when drip coffee sits too long. Yep! You know what I’m talking about. Whenever I visit, I get my hike on for a few hours, and top it off with a cup of Stumpton goodness.
Coffee in Arizona Coming Next Month!
Cafe Tropical
Now these two do it for me everytime. When I want a bit of fatty scrumptuosness, I have to get a bacon, egg, and cheese crossaint with the most delicious cafe con leche southern california has to offer. This little cuban gem is on Sunset Blvd. in Silver Lake, California, and it is a must stop. They have other pastries and goodies, but I can’t seem to get past this combination yet. And, did I mention that they also use the single origin cupping method. Yes! They make each cup fresh for every customer.
Philz Coffee in
Berkeley, CA
I visited this neighborhood coffee shop with my friend Malaika Paul. This has got to be, hands down, the best customer service experience that I have had from all the coffee houses that I have been to.
Our barista saw that I was a newbie, but instead of being impatient with me fumbling with my words, trying to decide what I wanted in a timely fashion, she calmly asked me what type of flavor and strength of coffee I liked. And, bam! She chose ‘Sound the Alarm’. A single origin cup style coffee, where every cup is freshly made. Her energy was positively radiant. The coffee was strong, bold, but smooth. Even if I lived an hour away from Philz, I would make a drive for this cup of joe, because I already know the coffee would ring my alarm, and the service would be spot on.
SEATTLE
The Starbucks across from the Public Market Center in Seattle, WA surprised me with a great cup of Joe. I’m not a Starbucks person, but their funky french press machine made me a huge fan. I wish every Starbucks had one of these.
