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Hands down my favorite coffee shop everrrr (especially for the Eastside). I was super stoked when I found out that 5 Stones opened up a Bellevue location. I tend to go early mornings on the weekdays. They have a parking lot (which is the church’s parking lot), every now and then it might look busy because some BC students try to park there for free. BUT, 5 Stones management started to put up signs on how the lot is for customer’s only and it’s lightened up a bit more ? What I get is…. the missile. No matter if it’s a hot day or a cold day, ya gurl always go for that cold brew missile with light ice and soymilk ? Why? Not sure, but it really wakes me up and it’s not overly sweet. Every now and then I like to get the Fruit and Ricotta Toast. Their Fruit jam is house made and it’s always so yummy and goes great with the coffee! Overall; friendly baristas (if you go there enough, they’ll know your name and recognize you haha), great coffee, great food and good vibes. Note: the coffee shop portion of the building can be a bit loud, i recommend moving to the open area, if you want a quieter place to work.

Apricot Coffee House – Menu with Prices – 3138 Losantiville Ave, Cincinnati

I was so excited for this to open! Pleasant ridge doesn’t have a large coffee shop presence like Oakley and Hyde Park. Actually, I think at this time, it’s the only coffee shop. And it’s a pretty good one at that. I love that they have all different styles of coffee there. Their vanilla syrup is made in house (not sure about others), and I love it because it isn’t overly sweet. They offer a ton of milk alternatives if you need them, including oat milk (if you haven’t tried…you must! Super creamy.) I plan on exploring the menu more but I’ve had a latte and drip coffee. Would love to see an iced coffee. I don’t think the cold brew has been working out for them. The owners are really great, from what I could tell. Im happy to support their business, and can’t wait to see this coffee shop grow over the next few years! Parking: can be difficult…if the bank is closed, you could park there but I wouldn’t advise it during their operating hours. Street parking available but not always open.

Regroup Coffee + Bicycles – Menu with Prices – 4227 N Brown Ave, Scottsdale

Passed by here a few mornings in a row on the way to the Yelp office, but didn’t stop in til I had time to kill before my flight back to the Bay. Stoked I did. Regroup is part bike shop, part coffee shop–it reminds me of Zombie Runner in Palo Alto, with a little more seating to post up and get some work done. I was planning to grab a coffee, chill for a hot minute, then head elsewhere for a bite, but was digging the space so much I decided to hang around and order the Avocado Toast. Not to mention I got all cozy on the couch. ++Orange Blossom Cold Brew was a good call. Refreshing, not overly sweet at all, the right amount of caffeine buzz to get the wheels in motion. ++Avocado Toast was on a single slice of really good, fresh bread. Piled high, topped with sprouts and pomegranate seeds (added great texture, touch of sweet, big fan!). Glad I got to check this local Scottsdale gem out while in town. And I highly recommend you do so if you’re in the area looking for a cup or to just check out a dope bike shop.

Ali’i Coffee Co. – Menu with Prices – 35 S Beretania St, Honolulu

It’s official, this is hands down my favorite coffee shop ever. I was recommended to try this place which is known for their various cold brew and coffee items as well as their yummy flatbreads and I am so glad I finally got to try it! First off, it should be known that I am not a coffee drinker; I’m addicted to tea. However, I do love ube so I tried their taro ube latte while my friend got the nitro cold brew. We also shared their prosciutto flatbread. Even as a non-coffee drinker, the ube latte was really delicious! In a subtle yet noticeable way, the ube is really light and somewhat kicks in at the end of your sip. The nitro cold brew was really smooth but quite strong (so this is probably a favorite for those that need that extra punch). The flatbread was also phenomenal! I usually don’t enjoy the saltiness of prosciutto, however the meat was toasted making it taste more like bacon which went along with the vinegary and sweet tastes of the balsamic. One of the co-owners also gave us some samples of their Hibiscus cascava tea and the “King” cold brew which contained chocolate, cream and coconut. I cannot emphasize anymore on how delicious the tea was. It starts of floral which then becomes a refreshingly sweet taste that fills your tastebuds. The tea has honey mixed it which accompanies the “tangy” taste of fruity teas. What’s even more fascinating is that the tea is prepared in a cold brew style. The King cold brew was also really yummy! Again, I don’t really drink coffee, however it was creamy yet a perfect amount of sweet which made it addicting to drink. A bonus is that most, if not all their ingredients are locally produced; love the support local mantra going on! Service/Ambience: The workers are super friendly and nice. They are very helpful in finding the right drink for you and will even engage with their customers if they aren’t catering to the many individuals who will come for their coffee fix. The shop itself is a small yet aesthetic coffee shop and the ambience is a very “chill” and trendy vibe that allows you to enjoy your experience. Parking: Parking in downtown itself is a challenge, however there are various metered parking stalls nearby. If not, the Municipal parking lot is only a street over and their rates are fairly cheap! ($0.75 for every half hour – which is more than enough to grab your coffee and food) I definitely felt the caffeine hit after our drinks but I absolutely loved everything that was served and would most definitely return!

Downbeat Coffee + Tea – Menu with Prices – 1200 W 39th St #2, Kansas City

We came here for the wife as she needed her coffee fix for the day. We walked by the place as we thought it was a house. Thank god I remembered in these pictures that the place was a old house or office but turned into a coffee shop. When you get to the shop, you need to walk upstairs. Then when you enter the front door, walk more stairs to the top floor. There you will be in for the coffee shop. We met the owner, she was a very hippy kinda person, sweet, nice and welcoming. She also had a year old puppy who was so cute and sweet and wanted you to just play with her. My wife ordered a cold coffee as I played with nelly. The inside of the shop is very colorful and cute. We would of stayed longer but the shop was closing soon and we didn’t want to be those people. We spoke for a bit with the owner as she gave some tips of where to go to. We would come back if we came back to Kansas City.

The Organic Bean Co Menu with Prices 141 NW 20th St ste b-5, Boca Raton

Cute and comfy, warm and inviting. A perfect sweet spot to sit back, relax and sip your java. No to coffee withdrawals, potheads welcome as posted at the entrance! Feed those veins with soothing, organic and tasty caffeine. A self-serve, vegan-friendly coffee shop, customize your drink and personalize your cup of joe the way you want it to be. Pour your freshly brewed coffee of choice from a beer tap and finish it with coconut or hazelnut creamer. Choose from hot or cold, nitro or espresso, latte or cappuccino. Also on the menu are kombucha, smoothies, cold pressed juices, wellness shots, tea and matcha. Bummed and disappointed with their food availability, everything was out except for the muffins and bagels wrapped in plastic, pre-made oats, and chia pudding from the fridge. The young, sweet staff said the owner was away so they hadn’t stocked up. Hopefully I can try their wrap, parfait or avocado toast next time. Got their overnight oats (generous and yummy) and a hot coffee with double espresso (smooth and delicious). Got my caffeine fix with a healthy bite to match so it’s all good for now!

Kahwa Coffee – Menu with Prices – 701 6th St S, St. Petersburg

I’ll give this tiny coffee bar at the hospital a 5/5 because it’s convenient, the coffee is good, the barista is nice, and the caffeine in their coffee does the job. +3 stars- yummy coffee. Their coffee is not the best that I have had but it is delicious and it is good. It does not have any after taste and it is smooth. They also have daily offers and happy hour. I don’t remember what exactly it was but I remember 50% off pastries after 3pm. +1 star – convenient for me because we spend a lot of our time at the hospital and it is easy to just go to this location and have a yummy hot cup of coffee to get through the 12 hour shift and the cold hospital environment. If you are at Bayfront and you need some coffee, definitely come here! +1 star – nice barista. The barista who works here is nice. She does her best to accommodate us even if she is working by herself. She also let us know that there is 10% off with a USF ID so if you have a USF ID don’t forget to avail this offer. LOCATION: it is inside the West Entrance of Bayfront. You can park in their parking garages or the 2 hour curb parking. Overall, they have good and yummy coffee. I suggest that you try their coffee.

Offset Coffee – Menu with Prices – 24416 Crenshaw Blvd #1, Torrance

I can’t… 1st Visit: Passed by this coffee shop a few times. A friend suggested we meet there. Noticed the construction going on. We managed to get a parking space in front of the coffee shop but parking was super tight. When we walked in to order, we noticed that the (owners/ managers) people who seemed to be part of the coffee shop were talking in the middle of the small coffee shop but did not greet us which was ok, but they were in the way. We stood in line, but somehow went unnoticed to the employees for a few minutes. Because we were meeting a friend, we couldn’t just leave. Finally, I got the attention of the lady behind the counter and I ordered pastries and coffees. Meanwhile, i noticed that the 2 gentlemen who seemed to be part of the operations kept opening the door and the asphalt smell kept creeping into the coffee shop. I noticed that a customer left because she couldn’t sit outside (because of the smell). My lavender latte was average but their avocado toast was pretty good. Also tried their iced Horchata, it was good but a bit too sweet. Spent $69 on semi good lattes, and good roasts. Promised myself I’d visit them again before writing a review. 2nd Visit: Went with my sister as she lives close by. Service was 4/10. Again, we were the only 2 in line and there were 2 employees behind the counter but yet it took several minutes to greet us. The Horchata was sweeter this time than last. My sister loved her rose latte but her avocado toast tasted tangy (maybe too much lemon)? There were only 5 people inside the place but the parking was full so we had to park next door. Spent $36… I can’t go back to a place that was disappointing 2x. Really sad. Was REALLY hoping it would be my go to coffee shop

The Little Sugars – Menu with Prices – 2028 Harrison St #103, Hollywood

I was looking forward to having a cool coffee outside on Harrison Street downtown Hollywood I must say the location couldn’t have been nicer as the locals walk by walking their dogs riding their bikes and you hear the train in the distance.. Kind of romantic all around.. The girl behind the counter was lovely and sweet young and cute and all.. But… first I was told there was no expresso the machine was at an event.. ok.. but there’s still coffee right? So I order a cup of coffee and then try the recommended apparently most popular avocado on toast that comes with pickled onions I asked for the onions on the side.. for $9 I would expect more than just avocados squished on cold toast.. No onions by the way.. to make matters worse . The coffee was cold. I don’t mean not warm.. Cold.. I was given a glass of milk to pour into my coffee which made a mess I didn’t have napkins I didn’t have a spoon.. second cup of coffee was not much hotter.. I must say I’m really disappointed.. a local place which could be really cool and bring the neighborhood together falls short of quality.. bummer

Pachamama Coffee Bar – Menu with Prices – 3644 J St, Sacramento

I recently went to Pachamama on J St. I love all their locations – a modern rustic vibe that’s airy and light. I went to this coffee shop right after brunch for an afternoon pick-me-up and got their summer seasonal Honey Bear Cold Brew (YUM!), which I think is still available right now – it’s officially the first day of Fall today, so my “Summer Edition” menu pic might be a tad dated, depending on when you read this review. The Honey Bear Cold Brew is made with Pachamama’s house made organic brew and sweetened with organic honey. They top it off with heavy whipping cream (which, I believe, you can substitute for almost any non-dairy milk/mylk) and a dash of cinnamon. I love the way they make coffee. Strong, flavorful and not overly sweet. This location has also recently expanded. The cafe used to be pretty small (but cozy!), and now it’s very spacious. Well done, Pachamama. I look forward to your coffee and chilling out in your space whenever I’m in East Sac/midtown.

Main Street Bakery & Gift Shop – Menu with Prices – 3307 N Main St, Columbia

This is a nice Cozy place to come get something sweet to satisfy the soul or quick to settle that hungry rumble in your tummy. Everything my wife and I tried was delicious! You arrive and it looks like someone’s home. If it were not for the sign out front with the business name, we would have passed it. It is located on a busy block that at the time of this review is also undergoing construction so no parking on the street. Luckily, they have parking in the back and we saw some people pull right up front on the gravel, true southern style (to me that is). The shop is not that big but did offer a variety of sweet treats and some hot or cold food selections. We got a slice of the Italian cream cake, red velvet cheesecake and 1 of the cinnamon roll croissants. Everything tasted amazing. All we moist and not overly sweet. Being a baker myself, I always like trying out other people’s desserts to see where I can improve or what I’m doing right. Overall, get place to come get a great sweet treat. I’ll def be going back.

Cedar Coffee – Menu with Prices – 701 N Monroe St, Spokane

Best coffee in Spokane. Cedar was previously Couer Coffee in location. The new owner was a 1 to 2 times a day regular at Couer. He’s from the Ukraine where he still has a coffee shop – that he checks the web cam of regularly. The cafe in the Ukraine is very popular because they basically smuggle in quality coffee that no one else has, and make the effort to make it right. Well, that kind of care about quality persists with Cedar. Everyone that works at Cedar makes the best espresso they can, and if the pulls are not exactly what they want, they remake it. They talk about the flavors, and develop their own syrups. The owner also personally tries every roast, and likes to develop blends. The coffee is from Roast House, which sounds like a generic name but is perhaps the most meticulous roaster in the area. The old roaster from Couer (when they could roast) moved on to work at Roast House and informed me he has learned a lot about what it takes to run a consistent higher scale roasting company. Currently he baristas one or two days a week. *Mini update, the Hibiscus spiced tea is boss So maybe you are asking, where did the other star go? It isn’t about the coffee, service, or parking. For me there is a tension between aesthetics and intention. It looks a bit more like a more common coffee shop that is a mini clone for Starbucks. But I would still like to see them participate in the Art Walk, and change Art every month like so many coffee shops that support art. *Update: I have heard good things about expanding on things that turn a place to get coffee into a beloved community business, coming up. I will be pleased to add another star. *Update 2: Things are picking up. Art changed, signage is greatly improved, among all sorts of things. The owner could not be more serious about making the best coffee, and coffee shop he can. *Update 3: The shop has improved food options, which is greatly appreciated. I like the small russian cookies a lot, they got great with a coffee, not too sweet, not too big. But if I am more hungry I really like the bread for toast. That bread is unlike all the other local breads I have had by far.

Brandy’s All City Sweets – Menu with Prices – 189 Liberty St NE Suite 105, Salem

Super cute and tiny little shop of yummy goodness!! I had a chocolate cupcake and a cookie. I meant to take a photo of both, but I gobbled my cupcake and ate the frosting off. Oops. It was just so good, the frosting was sweet, but not too sweet. The cake was soft and not too dry or too (sorry) moist. Very satisfied! Will definitely return to try more flavors. I also saw they have coffee and flavored RedBulls. My cookie was also fantastic and cute. Buttery sugar cookie with a frosting that was not overly sweet, but still had great flavor. It can get a little pricey, but this is obviously a small business so I don’t mind. The owner, I believe, was in when I went and she was decorating cookies and they looked AMAZING. Very cute Valentine’s theme, I wanted to eat the whole tray.