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/

a baked joint

a baked joint
440 K St NW, Washington, DC 20001
tel: 202) 408-6985

what was consumed: pizza! i got the motherload pepperoni (#3) + arugula (no uncooked meats for me, for right now) and friend got the house (#4). i am dying to go back and try one of their breakfast biscuit sandwiches (with a runny egg! soon, friends, soon).

sister to "baked and wired" out in georgetown, i was excited about having a baked joint join the options in downtown/chinatown. and while they have loads of delicious sweets, they don't have cupcakes (my current fav!). but that's ok. because they have PIZZA. 

yes, teresa's pizza is served in the evenings (be sure to check out a baked joint's website for when, along with their hous) and the pizza is delish. friend and i each ordered a pan, but we probably should have just ordered one for sharing (but we wanted to try the different options!) we both took home about half of our pizzas, and i for one was happy to enjoy teresa's the next day. the crust is thick and the toppings are plenty. you will not be disappointed!

online: https://abakedjoint.com/

colada shop

colada shop
1405 T St NW, Washington, DC 20009

tel: 202) 332-8800

what was consumed: iced cuban coffee, media noche

simple concept, done well. that's what colada shop provides. cuban sandwiches, cuban coffee ... YUM. they don't have a whole lot of indoor seating, but stick around for a seat outdoors! customers tend to turn over quickly so seats open up. there is little better than doing some quality people watching while enjoying delicious treats

online: https://www.coladashop.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/

classic rock coffee co.

classic rock coffee co.
#6-7, first floor, shaukat plaza, school road, F-6 markaz, islamabad
tel: 051) 873-6437

what was consumed: omelet, nutella french toast, bottomless (drip) coffee

yay for coffee and classic rock!

if you're looking for a fun place to brunch, put classic rock on your list! they have a nice selection of eats, along with fruit juices, smoothies, and coffees (including pour over - nice). and, really, you can't go wrong with a place that offers an all-you-can-drink drip coffee option (imo). the mexican omelet i ordered was really intersting, with the eggs inside of the bread. coupled with what seemed to be a cross between a tostada salad and nachos, it was a perfect meal with a bit of tex mex spice i had been looking for.

the slabs of bread that the pakistanis use here for french toast is different from what i'm used to, but a welcome surprised. and when topped with dollops of nutella, it's a delicious and sweet brunch option.

and be sure to pay attention to all of the little details they put in with the decor and music. classic rock lovers (loose definition, of course) will definitely appreciate all of the little things - the decorated walls, the guitar chairs, even the bathroom!

i didn't know that this islamabad location is just one of many. i'm glad to see that whoever it was that loved coffee and classic rock brought it here for us to enjoy. thanks so much!

online: http://classicrockcoffee.com/locations/islamabad-pakistan/

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.

four b

four b

서울특별시 종로구 종로3길 17 1층 21호; also at 서울특별시 종로구 청진동 268-2
tel: 02-2251-8125

what was consumed: coffee!

yay coffee! i seem not to get enough of this good stuff and seoul is filled with them. yay!

four b roasts their coffee beans and serves pour over coffee. i don't have a sophisticated enough palate to be able to tell you about the hints of this and the hints of that. what i do know is that you can get a darn good cup of coffee (albeit sort of expensive) at four b. 

four b also has ample seating, so you can sit with friends or sit and do some pretty solid people watching. i've done both and have enjoyed myself thoroughly ;)

online: https://www.facebook.com/FourBfactory?fref=ts

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!

artisee

artisee
서울특별시 종로구 율곡로3길 77
tel: +82-2-725-0081

what was consumed: coffee, desserts ...

there is definitely not a dearth of picturesque coffee shops in seoul, especially in the sahm-chung-dong neighborhood. the artisee location there is no different. a good place to get a cup of coffee, some yummy desserts, and all overlooking a really nice neighborhood in seoul.

there are quite a few artisee locations in seoul. in addition to their coffees, they have a long list of pastries and other beverages that will suit a variety of tastes. artisee also does a really delish mango shaved ice dessert. it feeds a few, as it should considering its hefty price tag. but definitely worth a try. makes me look forward to mango season (i know! me! fruit!)

online: www.cafeartisee.com

coffee smith

coffee smith
142, samcheong-ro, jongno-gu, seoul (among may other locations)
tel: +82-02-720-0916

what was consumed: coffee! and desserts ... 

one of the many things korea is known for is the plethora of coffee shops. coffee shops come in all shapes and sizes - small and boutique-y all the way to huge international chains (e.g. starbucks and coffee bean. both which i frequent). people go to chat, to study, to hang out, and, of course, for coffee.

one of my favs these days, though, is coffee smith.

you'll see coffee smiths on most streets in seoul (and, probably, the rest of the country). their coffee is good, their service is good. but what i like most about coffee smith is their space. that is, the coffee smiths i've visited are sort of narrow, but always multi-storied with wide windows that open up when the weather is nice. love.

i.e., come for your coffee fix, stay for the view because you know the people watching will be great. and you know it'll totally be worth it. yeah!

coffee intro

coffee intro

강남구 논현로 164길 26, 압구정동

tel: 070-4121-9898

what was consumed: pour-over coffee

i hear korea went through a sort of coffee revolution. i mean, koreans love their coffee, but were seemingly more interested in the caffeine fix than the complex but subtle flavors of the beverage. i.e., it was all about coffee that tasted like candy.

places like coffee intro are now a regular part of the korean food industry. some deliciously roasted coffees that are prepared excellently. i prefer coffees that are not over roasted, though dark, and prepared via pour over (or aero press, i guess), something with a clean flavor anyway. the downside is that these sorts of coffee shops cost an arm and a leg. sadly.

that said, i also look at the stiff price of my cup of coffee as including the cost of admission. cafe intro included, these cafes seem to pay a lot of attention to decor and ambiance. cafe intro is comfortable, cute, and a place i can't wait to go back! maybe with friends, maybe for some alone time. but for sure for a good cup of coffee.

tera rosa

tera rosa

multiple locations (i visited the 광화문 점: 서울 종로구 종로1길 50(중학동) 더케이트윈타워 B동 1F)

what was consumed: lunch special! including roasted chicken and corn salad.

looking for a delicious and quick, western, lunch option? be sure to check out tera rosa! social sponsor and i met up for lunch and he'd wanted to check out tera rosa. i was happy to accommodate!

tera rosa offers a variety of items on the menu. we, however, opted for the lunch special. fancy cafeteria style, the set price included a variety of options, including a protein and vegetable dish. i like variety and asked for a little bit of everything; they indulged me.

we are always in the process of looking for delicious lunch options. because there are so many people doing the same, we must race out of the office at 11:30 in order to ensure first seating. if you don't, eating won't happen until well after noon, which puts me in a time crunch. and so, in addition to the delicious fare, i appreciate tera rosa for their ample seating. there is more intimate, cafe-like seating; however, tera rosa also offers cafeteria-style seating that is good for groups in particular. 

i imagine their lunch special changes as different ingredients become available. i can't wait to see (and try) what's next!

online: http://www.terarosa.com/

paul bassett

paul bassett
multiple locations

what was consumed: coffee ... with nitrogen!

i've been seeing paul bassett as a premier coffee shop all around town. turns out, paul bassett is a famous (?) barista turned coffee artist. i'm not sure about the history behind his involvement with these coffee shops (i imagine there's at least a little as his name is being used), but it definitely has created a designer-feel to this chain. name what coffee beverage you want! the baristas will likely be able to make it for you.

my draw, though, was the coffee served with nitrogen (only cold, of course), in the style of nitrogen-filled beers (a la boddington's). i had heard about this being an option/new phenomenon, so i had to try. they pour you a "pint" of coffee that looks more like a cup of foam. i think you're supposed to drink the foam, though i was hoping for some bubbly coffee. that sort of sounds weird, but i was intrigued. by the time the foam subsided (the foam that remained, anyway), the remaining coffee tasted like ... coffee. but fun! a good experience.

i've also been told that paul bassett serves some delicious soft serve. i will argue that soft serve in seoul, for whatever reason, is super delicious. i'll have to try paul bassett's version next. and soon! 

online: http://www.baristapaulbassett.co.kr/