kaoris

kaoris
〒231-0861 Kanagawa, Yokohama, Naka Ward, Motomachi, 3 Chome−141-8 エイシャント元町
tel: 045-306-9576

what was consumed: casual lunch set (main dish from the menu (we chose the pasta and the hamburger steak as our main dishes. yeah, hamburger steak is a thing) + bread + tea)

when you live right off the posh motomachi shopping street, you have quite a few cafe options at your fingertips (this was told to me). so, when i head out to meet a new friend, kaoris was a good option.

kaoris is part bakery, part cafe. so if you're looking for a cute place to grab a bit to eat or just wanting something to take on the road (aka to eat once you get to your destination. apparently, it's rude to eat en route here), put kaoris on your list!

kaoris doesn't have a large menu, but the dishes they were serving all looked delicious. fresh ingredients for yummy dishes, comfortable environment ... a great experience!

while i went solo this time. that said, there was a table with a couple of moms and their kids who looked like they were having a good time! it's on my list of places to bring the kiddo <3 span="">

online: http://www.kaoris.com/

bakers and baristas

bakers and baristas
501 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
tel: 202) 347-7895

what was consumed: Butterkuchen (german butter cake), coffee with lavender

among the hustle and bustle of galleryplace/chinatow, is bakers and baristas. if you're looking for a quite bite to eat, some delicious coffee, and/or a sweet treat, be sure to check them out.

their signature butterkuchen is more butter than sweet (that's the best!). find time to enjoy it on location as bakers and baristas will heat it up so that it's oh so delicious!

online: https://www.bakersandbaristas.com/

elle

elle
3221 Mt Pleasant St NW, Washington, DC 20010
tel: 202.652.0040

what was consumed: charred broccoli & fennel salad, bbq brisket, roasted mushroom gnocchi ... and 2 slices of pie! chocolate cream (i think) and blueberry.

i'm sad to say i haven't checked out as many restaurants as i would like in the mount pleasant area. there are lots of delicious things to be had there, i'm sure. so when k suggested elle, i was all about it! on top of that, elle and room 11 are owned/run by the same people. that was yet another reason why i knew i would love elle.

walking in to elle, i felt like i was walking into a small town cafe. i loved that feeling! and once we were seated, we were kindly greeted by our server who excitedly went through the menu and gave her recommendations. we opted for a little of this, a little of that - some grilled veggies, some gnocchi (i'm such a sucker), some meat. we were not disappointed. YUM.

and of course, pie. yay pie! we happen to be at elle on pi day. which means it was our duty to eat pie. of course. that just makes good sense. obviously ;P we got a fruity slide and a chocolate-y slice. and despite being healthy slices, k and i polished them both off. they were sweet, but not too sweet. and coupled with the buttery crust, the pie slices were a delicious way to complete our meal.

online: https://www.eatatelle.com/

85 degrees

85 degrees

2700 Alton Pkwy #123, Irvine, CA 92606

tel: (949) 553-8585

what was consumed: asian bakery bread! and salted cream black tea. YUM.

i remember the first time i went to 85 degrees. stacey and i waited in line. for a long time. and when we finally got to the front, we were greeted with glorious, glorious rows of delicious looking (and delicious tasting!) baked goods. you make your selection and the staff will wrap individual selection in little bags (the selection that you're not going to eat immediately, anyway). they're also supposed to be well known for their mocha bread, which they didn't have this time around. sad face. i'm always up for baked goods from 85 degrees. will you please bring me some?

online: http://www.85cbakerycafe.com/

loafology

loafology
109 jinnah avenue (blue area), islamabad, pakistan 44000
tel: 051-2804044

what was consumed: coffee, grilled cheese, bagel with cream cheese, loafology omelet, mini lemon tart, lemon bread

looking for a nice place to grab a good cup of coffee and some delicious treats? check out loafology! a western style bakery, started by some expats, offers delicious fare in addition to quite a selection of breads and other baked goods; loafology has become one of my go-to brunch/sandwich places. 

and when they have it, be sure to try their lemon tart-lettes. a nice combination of tart and sweet in a delicious and flaky mini crust ... DELISH. but be sure to get there early, or call in your orders. once their supply is gone, their supply is gone for the day ... and you don't want to miss out!

online: http://loafology.com/ and on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loafology/

meraki

meraki

jinnah super, F-7, islamabad, pakistan

tel: 051) 8487576

what was consumed: appetizer platter (for sharing), greek salad, chicken tarragon, pepper steak (with a side of tarragon cream sauce), molten chocolate cake

if you're looking for a fine dining option (that is, i think they're going for fine dining, or as fine as dining in isloo can get?), definitely check out meraki. we sort of stumbled upon it and ended up enjoying their wares during their soft opening and then again after their official opening. located in the same building as meat one (the entrance(s) are "behind" meat one. once you go, you'll see what i mean), this restaurant is, imo, a nice addition to the isloo eating scene.

per facebook recommendations, i ordered the chicken tarragon. three grilled chicken breasts smothered in a creamy, and slightly spicy, tarragon and cream sauce. the dish comes with a side of your choice (french fries for me, obvi). meraki also took to hear facebook followers' recommendations and increased the portions (3 chicken breasts, especially when it comes with a side, is a pretty substantial amount of food. just the way i like it!). 

and if you're looking for a decadent dessert, be sure to order the molten chocolate cake. once you slice into it, it starts oozing delicious chocolate. different from "chocolate" desserts i've had elsewhere, this one really is chocolatey. YUM.

meraki also has a special "black" menu, for all you fancy folk. you can get some premium stuff (e.g. filet mignon flown in from the US) and those who opted for this part of the menu, at least the steak, said it was up to par and that they would order it again (the best of all food compliments!). 

online: https://www.facebook.com/meraki.islamabad/

kervan

kervan
서울 용산구 이태원로 190 
tel: 02-792-4767

what was consumed: baklava, turkish coffee

the connection between the koreans and the turks continue! especially here at kervan bakery and dessert cafe. have a hankering for baklava? miss turkish coffee? kervan is definitely the place for you.

i'll usually pick up a few things from kervan and enjoy my wares with friends. but note that they do have a little bit of seating if you're looking for a quick break from everything else in itaewon.

they sell a few varieties (i think varieties. maybe just shapes? all delicious, though) by weight. you can purchase a piece for immediate enjoyment, or a package to share with friends.

and don't forget your turkish coffee! it reminds me of my time in the middle east where turkish coffee is the norm. don't drink the sludge at the bottom (so strong!), but the coffee beverage is a treat and just the caffeine jolt you might be looking for.

retrona pie: tart & more

retrona pie: tart & more

서울특별시 종로구 팔판길 39; also, 서울특별시 종로구 팔판동 17-2tel: 02) 735-5668
what was consumed: coffee and dessert! specifically: banana, strawberry, and earl grey pie slices

team building aka forced fun (but delicious, in our case), part ii.

after a delicious lunch and some walking around (did i mention that the team building activity/forced fun was a scavenger hunt? the coordinators did a really great job and we had lots of fun. definitely a successful team building activity ... and without trust falls! imo, thank goodness!), it was time for a little pick me up. aka coffee and dessert! as we were in the bukcheon area, the team remembered a cute bakery/cafe which was a favorite of a previous deputy chief (she left before i arrived at post, so while i have never met her, i feel like i know her because i've heard so much about her!). anyway, it seemed an appropriate location for our mid afternoon break and snack.

retrona pie specializes in baked goods, specifically tarts (as its name suggests). our team ordered a slew of coffees and a couple of different tarts to share and for tasting. and oh, how delicious! the crusts as just firm enough to hold the shape of the tarts, but not so firm that you can't take a fork-full for tasting. the pies are so creamy and not too sweet (just the way i like them), using what i felt was just the right amount of flavor to hint at the essence without overpowering the topping, whether it be earl grey cream, strawberries, or caramelized bananas. my coffee was ok (i prefer mine a little darker/stronger) and others enjoying with me had no complaints. a quite note: each slice of pie does come with a bit of a high price tag. it was worth it, for me, because eat bit was so delicious! remember to bring me back a piece when you visit retrona pie!

the baker's table

the baker's table
244-1 Noksapyeong daero Itawon dong Yongsan gu
tel: 070) 7717-3501

what was consumed: brunch!

t is in town! and considering is 6am arrival (he actually didn't make it to seoul proper until a little later, but it was still pretty darn early), we didn't have difficulty nabbing a table for an early meal (note: it became difficult to nab a table soon after we sat down). 

the baker's table (and mira's bakery) has become the go to place for many expats when it comes to delicious and varied breads. they also offer a variety of different cakes that are great on a rainy day, with coffee, or at any other time of life. yum. it makes me glad that i don't have a glutton allergy and that i can enjoy (within reason? in moderation? oh, who am i kidding ...)

t and i went for brunch and we were not disappointed. mind you, we probably ordered for 4 people and did not hesitate in devouring the entire thing. but it was delish and would definitely be worth a wait. nom nom nom nom nom ... 

online: http://blog.naver.com/mirabakery and on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Bakers-Table/166508706726020