Wednesday, November 6, 2013

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


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