A sustainable Temple of Coffee

A treasure of Sacramento lies in three locations and goes by the name of Temple Coffee. Serving customers in Midtown, Downtown and Arden Arcade, baristas create delicious lattes and brew rare coffees. 

While visiting my family in the Capitol city, we decided we could not pass up the opportunity to add to our coffee tour. We drove fifteen minutes to the Arden Arcade location.

After receiving the recommendation to visit this gem from my future brother-in-law Garrison, Ashley and I created high expectations. 

Luckily, the coffee did not disappoint. In fact, Ashley said it was the best latte she ever had. Yeah, pretty big.

The espresso shots maintained an incredible sweetness, which both fascinated and impressed. I ordered a medium vanilla latte while Ashley chose a regular medium latte.

While I don’t think it’s the best latte I ever sipped, it exuded flavor and was creamy-smooth.

Fun fact: they actually serve various types of espresso, both blends and single-origin (yeah, they’re pretty fancy). 

The atmosphere was laid-back, and the interior reminded me of an international resort. Neutral colors, small potted palm trees, and crown moldings invited customers to embark on an unique coffee journey each time they enter the doors.

Sorry, that was too much.

From the online photos, the Midtown and Downtown locations appear even better. 

The shop revels in its relationships with growers and their sustainable methods. They have a recently-finished roasterie next to the Downtown location, which ranks them even higher on our cool scale. 

Just kidding, we don't have such a scale. But if we did...

Temple even has a blog so coffee geeks, such as ourselves, can see latest updates and learn more about individual farmers. A couple of the posts include details about their coffee trip to Kenya and a Q&A with farmer Diego Guardia of Hacienda Sonora, Costa Rica. 

I just can’t even handle how cool this company is. 

It is no wonder why Temple continues to hold the title of “Best Coffee House” since its establishment in 2005. 

Ch-ch-ch-check it out. 

-Allison

Caffe Luxxe-rious

Reportedly the first cafe in Los Angeles to make the move toward “hand-crafted artisanal espresso,” Caffe Luxxe in Santa Monica deserves respect.

Located not far from the sandy beach, this luxurious, classy shop was on our coffee bucket list. It is sandwiched between other small boutique-like shops, just a couple streets north of the Third Street Promenade. There are three other locations, but we visited the original (as we often try to do). 

Caffe Luxxe features finished wood shelving, classic white walls, simple hanging lights and an exposed ceiling. The shop is small, but its level of class does not suffer from the lack of space. Art pieces were hung on the walls, but otherwise, decorations were minimal. And I like minimal. 

The shelves displayed organic lotions, soaps, etc. for sale. Working with a college student budget, unfortunately, I only sampled the lotion. 

Ashley and I both ordered iced lattes, which we later realized was not the best decision. We missed the opportunity to see their latte art. Let’s just say we were not happy campers.

However, the taste of the lattes immediately perked our moods. The espresso was incredibly creamy and smooth. It was clear that the baristas use only the best beans.

The price was higher than I usually like to pay for an iced latte, but the sapor made up for the reservations I had about paying over $5 for a small latte. 

The baristas, one of which was likely an owner, were not overly excited to talk with us. But then again, they can make an amazing latte.

This statement was posted on their website:

Our Caffe Luxxe philosophy is friendly and approachable, yet technically precise without the pretension that we’re know-it-alls.

Eh - you could do better on that, Caffe Luxxe. 

The shop, as a whole, was simple with its classic elements and minimal decorations. The coffee tasted delicious (not the best I’ve ever had, but pretty impressive). The baristas acted friendly enough, but could be more engaged. 

With the positive and negative aspects of the shop, I’d offer Caffe Luxxe a B+. I realize we don’t normally grade coffee shops, but I thought this situation called for it. So there it is.

-Allison

Recommendation: Church and State Coffee company

We just discovered this awesome coffee company! It's based in NYC and founded by two Christians who donate $1 from every sale to a faith-based organization. They ship the coffee next-day and from their video, it looks delicious! They are essentially me and Ashley but older, and male, and more successful obviously. But we hope to get to this level!
Check them out!
http://churchandstatecoffee.com/

Reno's coffee 'Hub'

The first coffee shop we reviewed after returning to California, ironically, was not in the golden state. On a weekend trip to Reno, Nev. for the annual Reno Air Races, Ashley and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to visit a shop on our coffee bucket list: Hub Coffee Roasters.

Although the roastery was not onsite, but rather down the street, this shop was impressive in itself. Tucked away on a quiet side street, this shop is nestled in a two-car garage and could be easily missed (in fact, it took some serious google mapping to find it). But, that would be a tragedy because this little spot was quite lovely.

Based around the theme of cycling, it was a hipster’s dream. This humble cafe possessed full brick walls and supported impressive framed photos, booth-like seating and a single espresso machine. 

Ashley and I love these types of shops: welcoming, neighborhood friendly and just plain cool.

After ordering two small lattes, which wore latte art in their stamped paper cups, we walked away very happy addicts - I mean, well let’s face it, we are. The story of this adorable shop is one that touches the coffee lover’s soul. 

The Hub Coffee Roasters is the dream of father and son caffeine addicts Mark and Joey Trujillo; a chance to introduce the biggest little city of Reno, Nevada to the third wave of coffee–the artisinal and culinary side of everyone’s favorite addiction! From our original coffeehouse located in Reno’s Midtown district, our presence in Reno has grown to include a roastery downtown and a new coffeehouse on Riverside drive.

We had the pleasure of visiting their original location on Cheney St. and if we find ourselves in the biggest little city again, we may feel inclined to visit the roastery as well. The lattes were delicious, the baristas were delightful and the shop was darling. ‘Nuff said. 

I'd stop this 'Beat'

When most people think of Las Vegas, they may think of flashy lights, parties and entertainment. There’s a reason why the city's not known for their coffee shops. 

Case in point: The Beat Coffeehouse and Records.

Advertised as a record store and a coffee shop all-in-one, it seemed promising. 

We already felt uncomfortable and out of place: two innocent girls, passing through the city of sin, simply in search of good coffee. Apparently, it was too much to ask.

Walking into the shop, we stood out like two decaf beans in a sea of espresso.

Everyone who was sitting and using their laptops, or having a conversation, turned around and looked at us. Clearly, we did not fit in with the Vegas crowd. 

After surveying the records, we walked up to the counter and ordered our drinks. Admittedly, the chalkboard menu (yes, another one) intrigued us. 

Clearly overestimating the products, Ashley ordered an iced raspberry latte and I decided on an iced white mocha.

They were awful.

It was a wonder how they messed them up so terribly, but the espresso was bitter and disgusting and the syrups tasted artificial and overly sweet. They didn’t ruin the ice or milk - which they simply have to pour into the cup. Kudos, “coffee shop.” 

Ashley could not even drink her latte because it was so atrocious. I was able to power through most of mine, mainly because I needed the caffeine.

It was the last coffee shop of our road trip, and it was - by far - the worst. It did not end with a bang, unfortunately. 

The only bang would have arose from us taking a gun to the iced cups of disaster. 

The worst part is that it had so much potential. Combining a record store and a coffee shop seemed like an awesome idea. 

Too bad the coffee side of the shop did not pull its weight. 

After this awful experience, we did not hang around but simply hopped back in the car. 

This was not the most ideal end to our amazing coffee-filled road trip. However, we were able to reflect upon the shops that were - in fact - delightful. Lest us forget Coffea Roasterie, Paramount Cafe and Yeti’s Grind. 

Now that we are back in Los Angeles, we are continuing our coffee shop tour by visiting shops in the expansive metropolis. Stay tuned for reviews on cafes in Santa Monica, Pasadena and Newport Beach. 

We are hopeful future shops will not be as awful as The Beat. 

-Allison

Getting Cozy with Yeti

Vail has a reputation: a town that houses millionaires and celebrities who enjoy a little recreational skiing. Driving through Colorado, Ashley and I decided to stop in this swanky spot to first drool over the gorgeous mansions, but also to explore Vail Village (the small but classy shopping center). 

While walking through the adorable complex, we stumbled upon a coffee shop - big surprise, we know. 

Yeti’s Grind happened to be the first cafe we did not research before, and it turns out, we should not plan more often.

It fit in very well with the modern yet lodge-like design of the rest of the shops. We couldn’t help but think that the shop would be glorious in the winter. After a day of skiing in the beautiful Colorado mountains, nothing would be better than a hot latte at Yeti’s Grind.

Ok, enough daydreaming. Let’s get back to the shop.

Donning dark mixed wooden floors and walls, the shop immediately captured us with its warmth. It made us want to snuggle up and read a book - despite the 70 degree summer day.

Stainless steel countertops, chairs and light fixtures contrasted well with the other elements of the shop. Needless to say, it was our kind of place.

The chalkboard menus - I told you it was a trend - featured impressive chalk drawings and unique drink names. 

After my life-changing lavender latte at Coffea Roasterie, I decided to choose a lavender honey latte, which was a featured drink of the shop. 

Ashley ordered an iced ginger chai latte; she said it tasted heavy on the ginger and spice. 

My delightful latte mixed the sweetness of the espresso with the warm flavors of honey and lavender. The latte art and adorable cups didn’t hurt either. 

We decided to order food as well - since we had been driving and hadn’t stopped for lunch - which was something we did not do at any of the other shops. 

I ordered a bacon and egg burrito and Ashley ordered a veggie burrito. I still remember how great that burrito was today, so that speaks to its deliciousness.

Yeti’s Grind created an environment that made us comfortable enough to sit and relax for a while. We watched the bike race that was taking place throughout the state on one of the numerous flatscreen televisions. 

The shop featured a tempting retail wall which held coffee bag purses - Ashley’s favorite - as well as clothing. Customers were not aplenty when we visited the shop, but that could be because Vail loses popularity in the summer. 

Research about the shop led me to the story of its name and owners. The shop’s website explains how married couple Nate and Tara Picklo opened the first Yeti’s Grind in Eagle, Colo. in 2007 and the Vail Village location in 2011. 

The couple created Yeti’s to be a place they would want to hang-out at with a cozy yet modern atmosphere, coffee-focused menu, and friendly staff.  They opened with the goal of creating a community gathering place in Eagle with not good, but GREAT coffee!

They definitely achieved their goal. We experienced just what they described: sleek but comfortable. Yeti’s Grind creates a perfect place to sit and enjoy a delicious hand-crafted latte. 

-Allison

Cuppa Cuteness, I mean Joe

Cruising along interstate-70 west, we decided to take a detour and stop in the ski-friendly town of Breckenridge. It sits at an impressive 9,600 feet and is surrounded by breathtaking mountains. Walking through the quaint town - which prepared for the Pro Cycling Challenge that passed through later that afternoon - we discovered Cuppa Joe.

Top-rated of the Breckenridge coffee houses on Yelp, this small neighborhood shop was located in the top right section of a two-story building. Upon entrance, we instantly noticed the regulars engaging with the baristas and a few residents reading newspapers while sipping their coffee.

Although we were on a “coffee tour,” we decided to branch out by tasting two of their tea blends. The relatively warm weather prompted us to ask that the teas be placed over ice.

I ordered the Tulsi Infusion and Ashley chose to try the Num Nectar. Both teas were black but boasted different flavors. We both actually decided that the Num Nectar tasted better than the Tulsi because it featured a stronger taste.

However, the iced teas were perfect for the warm August day. We sat and absorbed the atmosphere of the shop, which notably favored its regular customers.

That being said, the baristas still welcomed us into the shop. But we simply did not enjoy the same type of intimate conversation that we experienced at Paramount Cafe, for example. 

The furniture and details of Cuppa Joe provided color and character to the shop. We sat in  heart-shaped metal chairs at a bright, adorable lavender table. We noticed the full window sill right next to us which held unique bottles and jars of colorful glass pieces. 

The bar - where all the magic happens - mixed metal elements with wooden countertops and floors. Chalkboard menus displayed the coffee and tea choices - a common trend we noted in a majority of the shops we visited on the road trip. 

In fact, new independent coffee shops seem to keep popping up in every major city and state, which is one reason why we held such an interest in embarking on this coffee tour. According to a blog titled, “Next Hipster trend”:

While we are still recovering from the whole Starbucks craze, smaller and more specialized shops are beginning to take their place on the thoroughfares and in the empty storefronts of emerging Americana, selling Americanos…and it’s become such a trend that even Starbucks has taken notice.

This local shop - in the middle of the gorgeous mountains and along an adorable main street - refreshed us with flavorful iced teas but did not impress us in the same way other shops had. 

We tried to not lose heart. 

Little did we know, but our favorite shop of the day was still to come. An unplanned stop brought us our third and best coffee house of this particular day in swanky Vail, Colo. 

-Allison