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I just Lelanded from Kennedy airport, I couldn’t sleep so I figured to try to stay up for the rest of the day. Needing a kick this was near my Air Bnb, here was our experience on a mid Friday morning. AMBIANCE: Parking: Generally street parking but it’s Brooklyn so good luck. Seating: Seating was further up. A lot of pair seating for maybe about 20 people. Feels: It’s a casual neighborhood with your every day shops. The spot itself was pretty neat. The name pun had me. The music was helping as I digged the R&B/Hip Hop remixes. The smells of coffee were pleasing and the lite chatter happening. Great place for studying, frolicking or chopping it up. Food Nutella Coffee (Recommend) Something so simple yet genius. A good kick of caffeine and that pleasant sweet nutella taste to it was perfection… yes! CUSTOMER SERVICE: Solid. Polite peeps and quick service. TL; DR OVERALL: 4 Stars. Clever hipster pun, reasonable price, good coffee, and vibes. I’m a fan of this spot. If I’m in the Brooklyn or should I say Breukelen and in need of a spot to get work done. I can see myself coming here again for my next visit. Tips: * Come early for seats

Froth On Franklin – Menu with Prices – 85 Franklin St, Jersey City

FROTH on Franklin is such a cute little coffee shop with two amazing owners that really make you feel at home. Inside the shop you have some fun seating options, you can sit by the window in a built out booth (not too comfy) or a long high top table that you’ll have to share with other peeps. I visited FROTH bright and early on a Saturday with my fiancé we had two drip coffee’s, an almond croissant (my favorite), and an Apple turn over which comes with a side of vanilla ice cream. A very nice twist on breakfast LOL. Everything was warm gooey and delicious. Parking is limited to street parking so you’ll have to keep your eyes peeled for a spot. I’ll definitely be back to try some other fun food and drink options.

Asado Wing & Taco Company – Menu with Prices – 1327 W Main St, Charlottesville

Food: Asado has some BOMB wings. My personal favorite is the Spicy Inferno BBQ. I highly recommend coming after 3 on Wednesday for half off wings. The Dos Amigos is also a good deal, which gets you 6 wings and a taco for like $11-$12 any day. I usually just get the Barbacoa taco, which has always been a solid choice. Service: I think a lot of the servers are UVA undergrads, so they’re all pretty chill and good about coming to your table to check-in. Bree/Bri (not sure how to spell it) has always been extremely polite, even when we’ve come in as a large and rowdy group. The bartender here is always very polite, attentive and just a fun guy. I think I’ve only had one poor experience when they told us there would be a 45 minute wait, and there were a ton of empty tables upstairs that were open. This a good casual spot for just hanging with friends and having a solid plate of wings in C’ville.

Cafe Peanut – Menu with Prices – 586 Newark Ave, Jersey City

This is a generous 4 stars, added star for great customer service. Food and coffee themselves are at a standard 3 stars with very little creativity and basic needs met for the gentrified latte. I’ve ordered sandwiches and salads here, baked goods like croissants, and have had iced Chai and iced lattes as well as nutella latte. I’m rating for scarcity sake and convenience. They have San pelligrino, salads to go if you have a long work day, want a sweet nutella something? Here you go. Full disclosure: I’ve worked for incredible and popular coffeeshops in Chicago and love coffee not just as a past time, but as a ritual and a history. This neighborhood has been yearning for a coffeeshop, specifically on this stretch of Newark. The interior design is a hodgepodge — darker than I anticipated with curation of silly hip animals mixed with black and white historical photography, tufted leather, red metal industrial seating. The seating is comfortable and table space is ample. You’re greeted by a friendly owner who chats up patrons upon entrance and is quite kind. The downfall? The coffee is just okay. The curation falls short. They have homemade donuts but the rest of the cakes and baked goods are from where? Bought at a mainstream grocery store? Cost Co? Balthazar? At hipster locations these details are crucial. There’s a lack of gluten free dessert options too. I asked for an iced latte with nutella and was told that wasn’t possible. It’s possible. You mix nutella with a shot of hot milk, then ice it with your shot of espresso, and add more milk. Speaking of milks, there are great options and substitutes here — oak and almond to name a few. The extra polished awareness of coffee isn’t there. $5.50 a latte and $14.50 for avocado mash with sunny egg is unrealistic when the boutique coffeeshop on palisade has a far more inventive menu(roasted sweet potato, lentils, roasted veggies, & chimichurri for $12) with cheaper iced drinks. A Greek salad that’s mostly iceberg lettuce without any switching it up or grape leaves felt again like a reach and overpriced at $12. It tasted nice, but wasn’t imaginative. Various coffeeshops in Brooklyn that double as quirky florists have roasted beet or grilled chicken salads, in-house made gluten free pastry, can ask for that $5 latte but actually don’t. Damn, spaces in grove st. such as Lackawanna don’t. I don’t think Cafe Peanut can either. The service is topnotch and the menu is standard base for components and taste but nothing stands out, food isn’t necessarily unique. The ambiance is sweet and totally comfortable place for after school studying or a nice meeting with a friend, which this neighborhood needs. Overall, 3 stars with crossed fingers and hopes for improvement.

Spicy Sugar Thai – Menu with Prices – 1538 E Broadway, Long Beach

We were craving some Thai food and this popped up in our Yelp review, here was our experience on a Saturday afternoon. AMBIANCE: Parking: Street parking…it’s a busy street so be strategic when coming. Seating: It’s a pretty intimate space that can seat about 40 people for usually groups of 4-6 people. Feels: The surroundings are nice. It’s a busy street with other restaurants and not too far away from the beach. As for the restaurant itself, it has a ma and pa feel with some Thai arts and designs. I dig the modern R&B music, it provided a nice calm mood. Good place for families or a casual local place to eat out. FOOD: Tom Kah Noodle (Recommend) A good presentable portion that warmed my cold. I enjoyed the flavors and the texture of the soup. Mango Sticky Rice (Recommend) Hits the spot. A good portion of rice that was quite sticky and well milked in coconut. The mango was sweet too Thai Coffee (Recommend) A pleasant smooth and sweet coffee that packs a punch. CUSTOMER SERVICE: I liked the service here, friendly, helpful, and quick. TL; DR OVERALL: 4 Stars. The price was reasonable, I digged the location of the spot, and the selections were great. I can see myself coming here again. If you’re craving good authentic Thai food for a good price, this is the spot. The location is a good spot to walk around to shops or the beach, only trouble may be parking. Overall, enjoy! TIPS: * Check-in for a discount! * Look into their lunch specials!

3Fish Cafe Menu with Prices 466 Madison Ave, Albany

Really cute local coffee shop in downtown Albany. I had the pumpkin spiced latte (made with real pumpkin – not just the spices!) which was excellent. I always give bonus points for oat milk, too! My boyfriend got the cold brew which he said was great. They have a small but solid selection of freshly baked pastries, including brownies, scones, and cinnamon rolls. The cinnamon roll was lovely with cream cheese icing and a gooey center. We also had the veggie quiche (spinach and goat cheese) which was small (right portion for me!) but tasty. We also tried their Nutella and strawberry toast which was delightful. The bread is hearty and toasted to perfection, then slathered with Nutella (never the wrong answer) and topped with sliced strawberries. The atmosphere is chill, and on a Saturday morning is full of students studying. The staff is very nice and accommodating. They have a big back patio which would be great in nice weather. Definitely recommend for a cute spot to have a light, non-fussy breakfast while in the area.

Blue Bottle Coffee – Menu with Prices – 18 S Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena

TL:DR – Good coffee that lives up to it’s name. I love a simple Americano because you can best taste the flavor of the beans. ————– Originally from Oakland, CA, Blue bottle coffee has slowly migrated into Southern California. They are known for their high quality of coffee and are considered to be one of the companies in the “third wave of coffee.” I’m a simple coffee man; a good pour over or a good espresso fills my soul with such joy. I have nothing against cappucinos or lattes, I just like to taste the flavor of the beans and Blue Bottle always comes correct. If Intelligentsia’s beans are a little bit more on the roasted side, and Go Get Em Tiger is more on the acidic side, Blue Bottle is right in the middle. It starts off acidic and then ends with a round earthy flavor. I really dig the taste of their coffee and always find myself sipping from an empty cup way too quickly. The store front is kind of small, the door swings inward into the line and causes quite a traffic jam when it gets busy. There is only seating for about 7 people inside, but on the outside there is a couple of tables and benches which on a cool day should be fine. Like the other Blue Bottle locations, the ambiance is this laid back sterile look that, depending on the customer can either be very Apple, or very Ikea. Personally, I like the minimal look, it’s not pretentious and let’s the customer know that they are focused on the coffee. If you’ve never had Blue Bottle before, I would definitely give it a try, I’m sure you’ll be surprised.

Vander Mill Grand Rapids – Menu with Prices – 505 Ball Ave NE, Grand Rapids

Came here on two separate occasions – once to just drink and have an appetizer and once for dinner and both times have been very solid. Vander Mill has the most accessible and largest parking lot of any restaurant in Grand Rapids. I’d be shocked if you came here and didn’t get a parking spot. They also have a very cool restaurant set up – both indoors and outdoors. Plenty of seating in both areas and the indoor seating area overlooks their cider production which is also pretty cool. It’s not in the heart of downtown and actually tucked away in a quiet area right before heading the bustling city, but it’s a really cool spot and a hidden gem if you haven’t heard about it already! As far as the food goes, I’ve had their pretzel bites and their cheese curds – both super tasty and reasonably portioned appetizers! The pretzel bites come with cheese and mustard and little cocktail sticks to poke into the small pretzel balls whereas the cheese curds are simply mini-mozzarella sticks that come with a chipotle aioli that is so good! As far as dinner food goes – I’ve only had their Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich and it was very solid. It’s got a tiny bit of kick and it comes with their fries which are on-par with the rest fo the food they have here. They don’t have the most extensive menu, but they have options for people of all diets along and make sure to make their simple menu items very well. As for their cider – we also go for the flights. It’s the best way to try various different flavors and helps the decision-making process at their mini-store a lot easier when we pick and choose a four-pack to take home. Totally Roasted and the VM Cider are their classics – sold in most Meijer stores as well! When you’re here, try something that’s taproom exclusive or not sold in stores! It varies here and there and recommendations will also vary based on what you like – whether you’re a rosé type of person or a dry citrus cider kind of guy or a fruity cider kind of girl, they’ve got something for everyone! You fill out a flight form and they’ll bring out your hand-picked ciders out on a big paddle and it’s fun to try all the different kinds!

The Raft Empanadas & Cafe – Menu with Prices – 1901 W Platt St, Tampa

The building itself is very much a work in progress. At present I would say it qualifies as hole in the wall.. There’s a certain 50s era vibe to the architecture. And they aren’t finished working up the building and making it the way they want inside and out. But what I can say is the empanadas I had hit the spot. Hot and fresh out of the fryer. The fillings and crispy crust were delicious. This is how street food is supposed to be. Sit outside or take-away for the moment. Very very casual. The red sauce has some kick while the green sauce is milder while still being very flavorful. I enjoyed this spot more than anticioated.and am.ready.to go back. Often it’s the simple pleasures.and execution that count. No elaborate menu or fancy frou frou here. Several empanada offerings inckuding a dessert one with nutella. Water or sodas. Beer taps planned for future. I was here first. Not sure what Boon and Dave W. are up to. Sleeping in I guess..

Corner Cottage – Menu with Prices – 310 S Victory Blvd, Burbank

4.5 There’s a reason why Corner Cottage is often upheld as one of the best places in LA for a solid breakfast burrito. Although a tad pricey, the simplicity and fantastic service really make it welcoming little cafe in Burbank. I decided on the Sausage Breakfast Burrito with jalapeño salsa (watch out it’s spicy!) and EASY potatoes for a solid $7.06 w/tax. Quick Tips: -This tiny cafe actually has ample, fluid parking. Street parking in Burbank is super easy too. -There’s seating inside and several benches outside! Three 3tops and 3 bar tops inside. Three 4top shaded benches outside. -Highly recommend coming EARLY and during the week. This place (I hear) on the weekend becomes absolute chaos. -Despite that, the service is outstandingly kind and fast. My burrito came out less than a minute after ordering. -About 3/4 the size of a Chipotle burrito -Breakfast served until 11am -The helpful cashier actually recommended the sausage over steak, and I did agree, it was delicious!! -Salsa is a perfect amount of spice for me (heatseeker!). On a scale of 1-Howlin'(10) it’s a 6/10. -85c coffee, guys. -EASY POTATOES, EASY POTATOES, EASY POTATOES Taste 4.5/5 Simplicity. My burrito was stuffed with eggs, soft potatoes, sausage, and cheese. In general, with EASY POTATOES it’s balanced. I would have preferred more TEXTURE like crispy potatoes and crispy sausage. Personally I prefer more cheese too. Price 5/5 One of my favorite cheap breakfast burritos. Make sure to compare all burritos in their separate tiers. Service 5/5 Simple, helpful, fast. No complaints.

Wafels & Dinges – Menu with Prices – 1557 Broadway, New York

*based off customer service. Dessert here is a solid 4 stars ofc it’s delicious. I saw a random truck in bay ridge Brooklyn today and I walked up to it. There was only 2 workers so I asked one when they’re moving locations cause I had to go to work but still wanted some waffle. and he literally ignored me lol then I said excuse me cause maybe he didn’t hear me right; and he proceeds to give me the index finger so rudely saying he’s on the phone. Whatever then I walked up closer to the window where another worker was and I stared at him for a good 45 seconds and he looked up time to time. Didn’t open the window or anything …???? So I just walked away. So dissatisfied with the customer service.

Cafe Marcel Creperie & Espresso Bar – Menu with Prices – 2281 N Oracle Rd, Tucson

I stopped for breakfast here on this morning on a whim, and I’m so glad I did! It’s a cozy, casual little breakfast spot serving crepes and coffee. The menu is limited — crepes only! — so only come here if you’re definitely in the mood for crepes. This is definitely a case of doing only one thing and doing it very well, though. They do both savory and sweet crepes, which will likely be able to satisfy people all along the savory vs. sweet breakfast spectrum. I got the “Stuffed Frenchie,” which straddles the sweet-savory line by combining egg and brie inside the crepe, and then being topped with cinnamon, maple syrup, strawberries, and whipped cream. I also added bacon at the suggestion of the woman working the counter, and it was a great addition. My breakfast companion got the “Olivia,” which is their most popular crepe. It’s strawberry and Nutella, topped with chocolate, granola, powdered sugar, and whipped cream. She also added banana to it. Both crepes were very good — the Stuffed Frenchie felt more like a solid breakfast, while the Olivia felt like a decadent dessert. Cafe Marcel also has an assortment of tea and coffee drinks, including a delicious nutella mocha. It’s a great pairing with the Olivia!

K D’s Donuts – Menu with Prices – 2102 Main St, Santa Ana

Aside from the obvious, they also sell energy drinks, calling cards, and ice cream. I’ve tried several different donuts and they taste like any donut would, no Krispy Kreme experience here. The staff though is very friendly and if you come here often when they see you come in they already know what you want. That’s a big + for me. Cash only, so don’t give it all away to the peeps in the parking lot. Parking lot is small but you can park across the street, they open around 5 and close at 11pm. Try their ham & cheese croissant, its big, flaky, and filling, thow it in the microwave for a couple of seconds and its even better.